Reply-"The Red Bug, My Bug Memories"

Most of my memories of the bug started while Jared was driving and it was still tan. He was my ride to school, ride to Stake dances and seminary, I remember going to Brian Head one year, and I remember my first time playing mailbox baseball. Jared and his friends took me along one night and it was my first time "up". I grabbed the bat, leaned out the passenger side window, swung back and hit the back side window, swung at the mailbox and missed but hit the front of the bug instead. After a little practice, I became better than I want to admit, but that first time was pretty funny. I remember painting it red for the first time, getting new wheels and rims, and buying as much chrome as I could. Sean, maybe Jase can get those chrome pieces that go along the front and rear fenders on both sides - I had those while driving it. I had a lot of fun with it in High School and more fun at BYU because it handles so well in the snow with the engine in the back. Every time it started snowing, we would go find a big parking lot and slide all over the place wearing out the e-brake. And I can't forget all the times the clutch cable would decide to snap, "again", and leave you on the side of the road. It is like a $5.00 part and takes a mechanic 15 minutes to fix, but happened way too much. I even got to drive it when Dori & I were newlyweds and living in our apartment in Fullerton. I think it was after my truck was stolen and I needed a car for school. That bug has so many memories. Did you know that 2 small kids can sit in the way back - behind the back seat? I know from experience. 2 small kids can sit in the back of a Datsun Z as well - behind the bench that is not really a seat. Your face is about 2 inches from the hatchback window so you get to make pictures with your breath while you are back there. How in the world did we survive in those cars. And speaking of fair (let me bring up the red VW van for a second) why did the girls get to ride in the porta-crib with all of their toys, which required the middle seat to be taken out, while Mom slept across the entire back seat, Sean sat in the front seat with Dad, and Jared and I sat on the hot black rubber floor and watched the pavement through small holes for 13 hours while driving to Sandy Utah? Those small holes were our only entertainment. No wonder Dad never wanted to switch driving with Mom - he didn't want to be a part of the back "area". Now those are some great memories.



All right - I have to get some work done - see you all later.