VWC 2009 !!

Helen and I are headed to Vermont Witchcamp 2009 on August 22.. We'll actually be leaving Springfield around the 19th as its a long (1500 Mile) two day drive.

Hopefully we won't run into any car problems like last year.

We had a wonderful time in spite of it though. We were taught a lesson in humility and of community.


I decided to take the "scenic route" through the mountains and got a $3000 repair bill in exchange. I hit a rock and tore the oil pan, didn't realize it and burned up the turbo charge.. OUCH!!

So I whip out our trusty cell phone we bought for emergencies.. No Signal!!


Here starts our lesson in humility.

We live in the Midwest where it's everyone for themselves. We were very surprised when people actually stopped and ask if we needed help, and even called a tow truck for us.

The tow truck guy was kind and ask where we were going. We told him and he phoned his wife to see if she could give us a ride.. Sure no problem!!

We didn't realize it at the time but it was 30 miles one way from where we broke down to his shop and another 40 one way to our camp. Now that's customer service!!

We had some misunderstandings the first few days of camp for a few reasons, 1) our first time at any type of pagan event, 2) we were very upset and worried about the car, and how much it was going to cost, and if we were going to get home.

The community was very understanding of our situation and did their best to help wherever they could.

Our mechanic told us he should have a new oil pan and have it installed by Wednesday (our damage occurred on Saturday) so we started asking for rides right away, giving folks a few days advanced notice to maybe give "those flatlander newbies" a ride. Well, Wednesday came and went with no call. Thursday we got a call saying the oil pan was done but we would need a new turbo unit and he could have it next day.. "It'll be $1395 for a used one or $1400 for a new one" is what he said.. Hmm... lets go new..

He ask when we were leaving and we told him Saturday is when camp was over..He said he could have it finished "sometime this weekend". We still didn't have any offers for a ride and were starting to get nervous. We made an announcement to the group (with the help of one of the organizers) and had several people willing to give us a ride.

Fast forward to Friday after dinner. The cook told me that the mechanic called and left his home number and we need to call him right away. Naturally I though "Shit, what else could be wrong?" Turns out he wanted to know if we'd give him a ride back to his shop if he brought us the car... DUH!!

So he brought us the car and we took him back to his shop, paid the note, and give him a nice tip for his and his wife's trouble.. Let him know we were very pleased and that that kind of service is unknown in our part of the world.

Needless to say, camp started to feel like home and family.. and we found an honest mechanic to boot.. Enough so that we decided to do it again this year.

This year I hope to get a little more involved with the paths and community that are available. I've volunteered to be a new camper buddy.. whatever that means. Seems, since we've camped before we're the people to ask.. I don't mind ,I love helping people..


Blessed Be