The Blue Bed Bug is Alive!!!

Well, ya'll. I have some amazing news to share. After much anxiousness, slipped deadlines, unpleasant surprises, and gratuitous upgrades, the VW van is operable. In fact, I operated it today for approximately 14 miles. I had planned for 70, but had to stop to get every lock rekeyed. Oh well.

It is one loud, but smooth running vehicle. I don't imagine I'll be pulling up into any drive-through Starbuck's soon - not without risking permanent hearing damage to the barrista and me.

There are some final touches to apply - some sealant, some sound baffling material (WHAT DID YOU SAY?????), a nice privacy screen (read blanket-over-rope), and a bike rack. Then it is time to check out the many, many electronic upgrades and do-dads I've had installed. After working through the electrical, electronic, mechanical, and comodal (hey, I just invented a word) checklists, I will drive the beast into the belly of liberal western Montana. For no more than 400 miles. And then an oil change. Sigh. Not quite as romantic as Columbus, but even that (horny) bugger had to stop in the Canaries for "refueling" so I shouldn't feel so bad.

Still, I'm so very, very happy to have finally seen it running. The VW has only been a lump o'blue until now. My dream has finally got some functional wheels. Sweetness abounds.