Westy's at Marymoor

On a chilly and overcast Saturday morning we got Benny our VW vanagon camper ready for the annual VW Wet Westies meet up in Marymoor park.  Having charged the house battery last night because the battery monitor and linking system I installed this year failed again and due to my accident I have not had a chance to investigate.  Don't you just hate it when things stop working for no good reason.  To be fair it did not take much to get him ready to roll. 

This year the meet up was earlier as the temperature in pervious years combined with holiday commitments kind of  impacted attendance, and I can attest last year was really cold.  So after a week of heavy rain I was thrilled that the day turned out to be dry and not to cold.

Whilst I lounged in bed after finally getting to sleep last night at around 4:30am having failed in my  attempt not to take painkillers Sarah made pumpkin soup to keep use warm whilst hanging out with old and new friends.  With the soup made, Benny ready and the girls (our dogs Candy and Daisy) itching to go we headed out to the meet up.

The decision to hold the event earlier and the lack of rain lead to a really good turn out and as we pulled in it was exciting to see all the Van's with there pop tops up and proud owners socializing, sharing stories and quite frankly geeking out.

It was awesome to see our friends and as always at these events it was great to meet new friends.  We even had a VW camper celebrity by the name of Nacho from Drive Nacho Drive.  It was great to see inside Nacho and to meet the owners Brad & Sheena after following there blog and reading there book.  I look forward to seeing them again and having the chance to show them some of the great on and off road cycling we have in the area. 

Nacho

My good friend Joe was there with our local celebrity DasMule and it was great to catch up.  If you haven't visited the store in Issaquah I highly recommend it for all you adventuring types.

Das Mule the Wheel Shot - for more pictures just search online

Amongest the bread boxes (Vanagons) was a hightop bread loaf (Earlier Camper) and I just loved the charm of the living space.

It is always great to swap stories and see these wonderful old vans being loved and used for the purpose they were built for 25+ years later, no matter if they are loved as is, a project in progress or fully restored they all have there own character and bring joy to there owners and smiles to people around them.  Everyone who owns one has a story of someone asking them about there van or sharing a memory.   Here is our boy Benny.

Talking of character this little gem snuck in amongst the Vans as the owners Van is currently in the shop for an engine upgrade.  How cute is that face ....

Seeing it took me right back to my childhood,  I am the little guy in the middle, camping back in the day.  You know when camping is in your blood it is in your blood.

The day is a gift, enjoy it, cherish it and above all live it - Maxlifeout