…there was an event that occurred at the same time I arrived in Phoenix last October. The Arizona Bus Club was having their final get together which involved a show on Saturday and the next day many in the club would go to a reservoir for an overnight of camping. And, since I conveniently planned my trip to arrive on Friday afternoon, in time to get my baby washed, I was very curious about how I’d fare with all these Arizona busses and bugs.

That’s me in the back of the 3rd row – nice way to treat an out-of-towner!

Lot’s of really fine vehicles and really nice folks. Never sure what to say as I’ve never been to a show before…’Nice bus. You too.’ Pause…

Most folks at this event traveled all the way cross town to get to here. Then, they will caravan to the resevoir in the event anyone should have a breakdown. Actually I knew I was headed in the right direciton to the show when I started seeing some vehicles broken down along the way. I’d ask and they’d say they have it covered or someone was on the way. Almost all at the show were blown away that I had just pulled in from Minnesota the previous afternoon. ‘You drove here?!’ Well, yes I did – isn’t that the whole purpose???

So, to cut to the chase – here is the bus that took 1st Place. Similar to mine, not an original color, safari windows that pop out in front (had them and got rid of them because they leak). She also had period correct surfeboard straps on top. Actually, my 64 bus in high school had them, but we designed them to be on the roof inside the bus so nobody would steal your board.

First and Second Place went to local club members, but I did snag Third Place, the admiration of many fellow enthusiasts, some gift cards and swag and, of course some hardware!

About This Trip

I’m on day 2 of about 12 or so. Leaving Joshua Tree shortly for Los Angeles and tomorrow, I’m getting together for lunch with an interesting group of people I’ve not seen in 50 years.

When I first moved to LA in 1965, we lived in an apartment in Beverly Hills. I found the Roxbury Teen Center a few blocks away and became fast friends with about a half dozen other kids from the neighborhood. After 2 years, my folks moved again and by 1969 I’d all but lost touch with them, except Freddie Duke, whom I’d email every year or so.

Well, the Teen Center group is having lunch tomorrow and Fredde, Alan (her brother), Sol, Mike, Doug (brothers) and Susie will get together for the first time in 50+ years! Should be very interesting!

I’m also going to the Troubadour to see the Cactus Blossoms along with my nieces and nephews Kevin, Mandy and Johanna. Then up the coast for a few days on the beach in Ventura County and back to LA for a flight home. Take a day to celebrate Mother’s Day and Cathy’s birthday and Linda and I will be heading back the next day to go from LA to SF along the coast. We’ve got campsites in Ventura, Big Sur and an AirBNB in Mill Valley. We’re also going to see Steph and Jared.

Good times ahead!