The Traveller. A Great 2002 Photo Story.

[eurotrash]

Life really has a way about it. A way of inspiring you when you really could use it. Or a way of giving you a pick me up when you're 1/3 of the way into a looong drive home.

Here's a little slice of life that really put a grin on three peoples faces yesterday.

So, after sending out an SOS here yesterday morning ( http://tinyurl.com/FAQSOS ), in regards to driving 3 hours north and having weird issues with the 2002 whist full of kids and my pregnant wife Karie. I found the problem and got my idle back! Well whahlah, the death stare dissipated and smile returned to Karie's face.

After an amazing meal of amish country meats and fine old vine wine, the day was winding down and it was time to head south from Decatur, Indiana back to Cincinnati.

Due to the aforementioned issues with the car, my folks offered to keep the babies overnight and bring them home today! Pleased to have some time to ourselves, Karie and I hopped in the Deuce and hit the Road.

Making our way south to Highway 124, we wound our way to Highway 33 and Wilshire, Indiana when what appears at the corner gas station other than another 2002! HOLY HELL!! Here, in the middle of nowhere, at the Indiana and Ohio State lines?!?!? So I of course have to approach the car and strike up a fervent and potentially over zealous conversation..

As The conversation progressed and we spoke in bursts about the cars and our individual stories, Karie and I realized that we had stumbled onto a great 2002 story and an amazing example of how much people can love them some 2002.

The guys name is Paul Lee Kupfer. He is a traveling solo artist of the folk/acoustic ilk. Originating in PA, he purchased the car in the Bay area and had proceeded to rack up 50,000 miles while touring from city to city across the country.

I did my best to absorb his stories to relate to you all..He has had the car for a year and a half. In Wyoming he had strong winds blow his drivers door open and fold some sheet metal. In Boulder, Colorado (I think) he had to perform an emergency top end rebuild and while looking for a timing chain, found that the only one he could purchase was a dual row. But when he got into the motor he found single row gears! But in the interest of getting back on the road, he had to push forward and install the chain to make it to his next gig! It is still running the dual row chain on single row gears!

After a fill up and some more conversation, we decided that since he was heading south toward I70 on his way to West Virginia, we would travel together until our paths parted. Oh, and he intends to relocate to Knoxville after his tour, so I told him to stay in touch and I can hook him up with some 2002 peeps down that way..(you know who you are.)

And that was that! Good times.

Peace out Paul. Be safe!

[penth2o]

It is really neat meeting other 02 people on the road. Seems we are all the same type of folks. (good people). Trading stories is the best. Usually turns out our stories have a common feature somewhere.

I like that, fix your car & act like your gonna breakdown on the road so ya pawn the rats off on the parental units for some hanky panky time with the wife.

Looks like some serious chow there. Gotta go make lunch now.....

[BLUNT]

anyone that carries a french press between his front seats is ok with me. great story

[Essem.w]

anyone that carries a french press between his front seats is ok with me. great story

I second that!

[JohnW]

50,000 miles touring from city to city in a 2002 -- that guy is living a better life than I am!

Thanks for the great story and photos.

[eurotrash]

Wait. How did I post this to the PFS section?! Clicked the wrong shotcut I guess. ?! Move this to GD at will. Sorry all. But glad you likey.

[Mike Self]

st seems like every time I stop for gas, at an auto parts store etc someone comes over to ask about or admire my '02...

And my co-workers wonder why I drive a 40 year old car...they just don't get it.

cheers

mike

[SCRATCH]

Love hearing stuff like this. Thanks for sharing, Jason!

[Jim_75Sahara]

Somehow I missed this story, Jason. Glad you made a new '02-friend. Make sure he gets on the FAQ and becomes part of the larger '02 community. He makes me think of my pal Brian who is a drummer and uses his Sahara roundie to get to gigs all over the place.

[eurotrash]

Somehow I missed this story, Jason. Glad you made a new '02-friend. Make sure he gets on the FAQ and becomes part of the larger '02 community. He makes me think of my pal Brian who is a drummer and uses his Sahara roundie to get to gigs all over the place.

Yeah, I thought of Brian as soon as Paul told me what he did! He knows this site but only comes on as a guest. I sent him the link to the Google map of owners so he could use it for assistance if needed.

[RFort]

Great story, thanks for sharing it, Jason. You seem to have cpatured what the 2002 community is all aout.

Robert

[BillWilliams]

Why did you not call me dude? I want to hear him sing. WV is sooo close.

What is up with that?