In the Beginning

We've often talked about what our life would be like if we had the opportunity to slow down, even for a short time. To be able to be together with no worries or commitments to adhere to. We've dreamt of a vacation the four of us could wander on, just to be adventurous together.

The idea was sparked to purchase a VW van. We can't explain why, but the obsession grew. Everywhere we went we saw Westfalia's. We pointed out our favorite ones, stayed up late into the night prowling the internet for sad Westfalia's looking for new families, and we even ventured out to take a look at some. Once we started looking, we just couldn't stop. There were a few that left a bad taste in our mouth, simply due to sad neglect.

One night, as Dad was looming on ebay, searching for the perfect Westfalia to make his dreams come too - THERE SHE WAS!! A bright, newly restored, perfectly happy and not at all neglected, 1976 VW Westfalia named Clementine. It was absolutely love at first sight. We can't admit in public how many times we watched her youtube video. We simply had to have her. There were some small glitches: we live in BC, Canada and Clementine was travelling over the continental USA to arrive in San Francisco, California. Mom was very much against purchasing a vehicle from out of the country (as she knew she would end up with a lot of paperwork), but she found herself wistfully imaging what it would be like to own Clementine. How fun she would be to drive! And to take the children camping!

So plans were made, money was saved, and after many phone calls to her lovely owners - Dad left for San Fran with a friend and met Clementine for the first time. She was all he had envisioned. He made sure to remember all the advice associated with owning an older vehicle: don't leave the radio on, or the heater, remember to hold on to the stick when she's in 4th, and take it easy! After some border shenanigans, she was home.

Jer and Kai loved her from the moment they saw her. Driving around side by side in the backseat they were actually content. We had a try-out camping trip just last weekend. Mom had forgotten how much fun camping could be. Just watching the boys run around in the fresh air, and admiring our new (to us) van, and imaging all our summer adventures made for a great night.

Currently, we are looking to travel across Canada in Clementine. We plan to stop and visit friends and camp out at some great Canadian locations. We will end up in Ontario for a week with family we haven't seen in way too long. All in all, it will be a month together as a family and we are so excited to share all the craziness with you!!!