Something EVERY Original VW Beetle Owner Knows...The Smell Of The Engine

 Oh, the memories came flooding back. 

Last week I found myself staring at a 1971 restored VW beetle. It was absolutely beautiful. The thing was fully restored by factory technicians and it was just a joy to see it. I talked to an employee at the business and I told him that if I worked in that building, I would not get anything done because all I would do all day long is sit and stare at that car.

"Oh, go ahead and check it out," he said. "You can even check out the engine."

Done...all I needed was permission.

I opened the deck lid and that smell...that VW air-cooled engine smell hit me. There's nothing quite like it. Something about the smell of an original VW beetle engine is unique, unlike any car I've ever been around.

I blog a lot about VWs. I can't help it. Now that they're even more rare, seeing them is more of a treat. This car, though. It was upper deck special. I'm glad I got to check it out and I'm glad I got to open up the engine compartment and take in that VW beetle smell.

Bringing Back The Memories...

 I saw the poster hanging at a local pizza joint. It was flashy and bright and had an attention-grabbing photo. The sole purpose (or main purpose...) of the poster is to get you excited to the point that you will go out and order tickets to the event.

To me, the poster transported me back about fifty or so years.

I doubt those creating the poster thought it would have that affect on anyone.

In the early 1970s, my father worked as a civilian contractor at Hill Air Force Base. Unfortunately, he passed away before I could get to know all the things he did, but I do know one of the perks of his job was scoring tickets to the local rodeos and demolition derbies that took place a few miles from our home.

Yes, I remember going to those events at the grandstand at Lagoon Amusement Park.

Many of the "old timers" remember it, too.

If I remember (and it's been a while...), Friday night was demolition derby night and the rodeos were on Saturdays. If you look in the photo of the field, the grandstand is visible in the lower right-hand corner. They tore out the rodeo fence and fairground buildings before this photo was taken. Going to the fair each summer was a lot of fun as well.

In a few days, people will gather including families, to watch and enjoy people climb into vehicles and crash the crap out of them. I wonder if those kids will see a poster advertising an event and remember back when they were young and they went to a demolition derby at the Box Elder County Fairgrounds in Tremonton, Utah.

I hope so. Those will most likely be great memories.

LTUE 34...Another Fantastic Conference!

Earlier this month I attended the Light, The Universe and Everything Symposium along with several thousand other attendees. Normally I try and take a ton of pictures at these events, but this time was different. I found myself more interested in what was being taught than getting as many photos as possible. I was able, however, to take a few shots.

I wish these pictures could convey the atmosphere, the electric feeling we as convention goers felt as we sat and learned more about the craft of writing. It's such an intimate setting to get top-notch advice and to meet world-famous authors. But a simple photograph can only do so much. 

I create these blog posts (that are really photo dumps...) mostly because I want to be able to look back and remember how I felt during these events. And if you happened to be captured in these pictures, hopefully it will bring back good memories for you too.

I have found LTUE to be one of my most favorite conventions. I've made many friendships and there's few things better than shooting the bull with good friends. If you're looking for a reasonably priced good writing symposium held in the Intermountain West, please check out next year's LTUE. It's held around Valentine's Day. You won't be disappointed.