Bill, this is Neal writing from Boston. I don’t ever post comments like this, but I recently stumbled upon your blog and I’ve enjoyed reading your postings. I am living the Scout life vicariously these days because, like you, I have constraints of time, money, and a family (with small children). I’ve been tracking craigslist ads and ebay for a few years now. I’ll have to wait a few more to realize my dreams of keeping a Scout in this world, but I can always feel it just around the corner. I grew up in Philly with and learned to drive in my mom’s tahitian red ’79 Ralleye traveltop. It was a perfect color to match all the rust that was to come as a northeast daily driver. We were all so proud to own that truck! Never wheeled with it except in snow. Trailered our camper around Lancaster County with the 345/ 727. Parents kept it through ’92. I’d come home from college in the later years and pop rivet scales of roofer’s aluminum over all the new holes to keep her going. Loved it then and guess part of me still does. Anyway, someday I hope to have another of my own. Your story seems like what it would be for me to travel that path. And your video brought it home again (plus I love that song). I don’t think I’d find quite the scout wrenching community that you have, but maybe I should try. Anyway, keep up the writing, sharing tech bits, and enjoy your rides. As the license plate holder on my family’s Scout said through all those years: “Keep on Truckin””. (Does that date us?). Peace and cathartic writing–Neal
Bill says:
Hi Neal,
Glad to hear from you! I’m not sure where you hail from now, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned from the Scout/IH community in the last ten years, it’s that people will come out of the woodwork and constantly surprise you with how much they know, how much they want to help, and how close they are to you (without you even knowing it).
Scouts pop up here and there over time, and if it took me 3 years of waiting to find my second, you’ll find one closer than you think (and hopefully your deal will be as good as mine was). Don’t give up hope, and keep on truckin’!
Neal Klinman says:
Bill, this is Neal writing from Boston. I don’t ever post comments like this, but I recently stumbled upon your blog and I’ve enjoyed reading your postings. I am living the Scout life vicariously these days because, like you, I have constraints of time, money, and a family (with small children). I’ve been tracking craigslist ads and ebay for a few years now. I’ll have to wait a few more to realize my dreams of keeping a Scout in this world, but I can always feel it just around the corner. I grew up in Philly with and learned to drive in my mom’s tahitian red ’79 Ralleye traveltop. It was a perfect color to match all the rust that was to come as a northeast daily driver. We were all so proud to own that truck! Never wheeled with it except in snow. Trailered our camper around Lancaster County with the 345/ 727. Parents kept it through ’92. I’d come home from college in the later years and pop rivet scales of roofer’s aluminum over all the new holes to keep her going. Loved it then and guess part of me still does. Anyway, someday I hope to have another of my own. Your story seems like what it would be for me to travel that path. And your video brought it home again (plus I love that song). I don’t think I’d find quite the scout wrenching community that you have, but maybe I should try. Anyway, keep up the writing, sharing tech bits, and enjoy your rides. As the license plate holder on my family’s Scout said through all those years: “Keep on Truckin””. (Does that date us?). Peace and cathartic writing–Neal
Bill says:
Hi Neal,
Glad to hear from you! I’m not sure where you hail from now, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned from the Scout/IH community in the last ten years, it’s that people will come out of the woodwork and constantly surprise you with how much they know, how much they want to help, and how close they are to you (without you even knowing it).
Scouts pop up here and there over time, and if it took me 3 years of waiting to find my second, you’ll find one closer than you think (and hopefully your deal will be as good as mine was). Don’t give up hope, and keep on truckin’!