A little bit about Betty

Life is one beautiful trip.

Our magic carpet through Big Sur is a 1985 Westfalia Vanagon. We call her Steady Betty White. Taking a trip up the coast in a vintage vehicle is not for everyone, but it is an absolute joy for Joelle and me. People flash the peace sign at us. Folks stop and ask her age and share sentimental memories of the VDub buses they used to own.

If you are accustomed to modern car conveniences, this is not an expedition for you. There is no air conditioning. The van is old enough that it has triangular vent windows, and the side windows roll down with a hand crank. The battery is located under the passenger seat. The oil needs to be checked at every other gas stop and filled frequently. The wiper fluid tank has a leak, so the windows get hand squeegee-eed at the gas station.

Betty needs a little while to warm up in the morning. She has a maximum speed of 65 mph on a flat road surface. Going up a mountain, you can expect to rocket past the landscape at a rate of 37 to 45 mph. Every other car on the road passes us, including school buses and golf carts. Prius drivers feel superior as they give us a victorious sneer in their rear view mirrors.

Her brakes work well and appreciate a little warning when you are going to use them. For instance, I recommend applying your foot to the brake pedal about 15 yards past a green light in anticipation for coming to a full stop at the next intersection.

Betty is the best camping companion a soul could ever want. She has a propane stove, a refrigerator, and lots of cubby hole storage. The rear seat folds down to a double bed. The roof raises to make room for another bunk that can accommodate two people. In order to pop the top, I stand on the cooler, and Joelle stands on the bed, then we raise a metal bar until it snaps into place.

There is an arm that swings from behind the driver seat, to which we can attach a tabletop. The passenger seat swivels around, and presto! – dining room. Diane and Bill at Safari Vintage Wagon have thought of everything for a comfortable, convenient experience. They stocked the kitchen with dishes, utensils, pots & pans, paper towels, and best of all – a French Press. The van also has flash lights, a portable shower, and two camp chairs included.

Snuggly upper bunk

Spending the night in Steady Betty is an unexpected combination of a tent and cabin experience. Sleeping in the upper bunk is similar to staying in a tent, with side and front panels that unzip allowing in the breeze, the scent of a campfire, and enchanting evening sounds. Did you know that waves are louder at night? Betty provides all the best tent ambiance without the Princess and the Pea discomfort of sleeping on rocks.

Lower bunk, kitchen, dining room

The lower bunk is quieter, warmer, and we believe, relatively bear-resistant. While Betty provides a nice little cocoon, the internal temperature still drops pretty low at night. My glasses fog up when I put them on in the morning. The past two mornings, Joelle and I were both convinced it was warmer outside the van.

Om mani padme hum

Since Betty is our rolling home for the week, Jo and I like to dress her up a bit. Today, she got a fresh quart of oil, a new travel Buddha, and a set of prayer flags to generate blessings to all who enter and follow.

Peace