Council of Council 2012 hosted by Florida Van Council

As seen through the eyes of Vanatics Van Club:
 

Well our trip started on Friday, Jan 27th with getting up at 2:30 a.m. so we could be on the road by 4:30a.m.  Jerry and Laura spent the night so we could get an early start. We met up with Rocco at the local travel center off I-55 and started our journey - first stop New Orleans! 

We arrived in the Big Easy just in time for the weekend traffic heading to the city. Didn’t take long to reach the hotel though and we settled in with a few cocktails and preparing to head out for the evening. We grabbed a cab (suburban) for the 5 of us to hit the city. We were dropped off right in the thick of it and we were ready to party. 

First stop was to grab a “Grenade” drink a local favorite and a few beers. We met up with some friend that live in Baton Rouge and the party was on! We went to Pat O’Brien’s to get a hurricane for Princess’s birthday (fact is she had 2 lol). Then we proceeded to make our way from bar to bar until about 2 am when we had enough and were tired from driving. 

After a good night’s sleep we were up and back at it down at the French Market getting a cocktail, some gumbo and a muffaletta to satisfy our appetites, after that we proceeded to walk through the various shops and have some more cocktails. We made our way back to hotel later to clean up and grab a cab back down to the fun. Well let’s just say the rest of the evening was a lot of fun going from bar to bar enjoying the entertainment and we wrapped up about 2:30 a.m. - do you see a trend here?? lol..lol.. 

Sunday we got up and back down to the city after seeing Rocco off. He was heading to Clearwater, Florida and would meet us at the Council’s hotel. We arrived downtown to have the first of a few issues with our minivan as the ignition/key got stuck in the lock position. After about 30 minutes Jerry and I managed to unlock it and get van started so we pulled the battery cable and locked the van up and made our way downtown. We made an early evening of it, had a nice dinner and off to bed as we were heading to Gulf Shores, Alabama the next morning. 

Got up Monday morning and left hotel around 8:30 and off to Gulf Shores. There we met up with Rita’s sister and mom and the Vantasia gang who were on their way to Florida. We grabbed a nice lunch with them at a place called Tacky Jacks. They came to our hotel and we finished off with drinks and a few apple pie shots and we finished ours at the famous LuLu Buffets restaurant (great food). 

Tuesday we got up and had a bite to eat then took in some beach time, some lunch and dinner with Rita’s family and Jerry and Laura. Then called it an evening so we could get up and make our way to Florida the next morning.

We awoke Wednesday to dolphins outside our hotel in the ocean and warm weather! We loaded up and off to Florida we went. Made great time going down until (insert drum roll) the van broke down. We had pulled off to use a gas station and it died. We called for a tow and Rocco came and picked up Jerry and the girls. I myself had the ride of my life in the tow truck with the driver towing my van coming inches from running into the rear of a stopped vehicle. Let’s just say I was pissed and needed a drink. Jerry and I trouble shot the issue and had suspected a bad fuel pump so with the help of Randy (Gnarly) from FVC (he set us up with some tools) and myself Jerry and Denny Smith Jr, we dropped fuel tank and installed new pump and filter.. guess what??? Didn’t fix it.. grrrrrr… so next we discovered no spark.. ok easy enough new coil pack, guess what?? Didn’t fix it… double GRRRRRRR.. and to top it off now were blowing ignition fuses now I’m mad.. so I get my laptop out. I found a website that someone had blogged the same issue I was having and behold we found issue the O/2 sensor wire fell against exhaust manifold and was shorting the ignition out so .50 cents of electrical tape we were back in action minus $200.00 fuel pump we could not return. Oh well no need to worry about those for a while..lol..lol.. We spent the rest of the day at the beach bar laughing it off and made our way back to hotel where we left to go pick up the other part of our crew at the airport - the Hyde’s and Raoul. After picking them up we partied for a while then off to bed. 

Thursday we spent the day near the beach bar hopping and souvenir shopping then back to the hotel to get ready for the nights activities. It was pajama night and I, Jerry and Rocco managed to pick up some cool shirts with Drunk 1, 2 & 3 on them so we suited up and made our way to the party. The shirts were a hit with the vanners,  the band was great and we partied until wee hours. 

Saturday we strolled around to look at all the vans in the show and shine. Rocco had his Caravan panel in the show and won a trophy for it as well - great job Rocco! After Cindy returned from the meeting we made our way to lunch and then back to the hotel for a cruise from 5-7 p.m. We had a great crowd with Mr.Bill, the Hopcraft’s and several others. We managed to drink a gallon of apple pie I had saved just for this occasion it was a great way to top off the trip. After returning we made our way to the band as well as all the raffles being drawn. Needless to say none of us won..lol..lol.. all in all a great trip took 15 hours to get home but worth every bit of it to spend time with my family and close friends and all the vanner family as well.

Darrin Bentley
Vanatics Van Club

Council of Councils 2011 Recap by Don Noone

On Feb. 18th- 19th Left Coast Vanners hosted the C of C at Buena Park, California. The Hotel was a Radisson and was very nice. The rooms were suites, and when we walked out our door to the balcony we were surrounded by palm trees and plants. Becky and I arrived on Wednesday night late but there were still a few vanner's up visiting and partying. Thursday we got up early, for us when we are on vacation, but Left Coast had plenty of things planned for the day. We went down to the free breakfast , which they made to order or buffet. It was great and there were lots of vanner's that we hadn't seen in a year. At 9:30 everyone was meeting to line up for the George Barris Shop & Peterson Museum Tour. We had rented a van so Cindy & Jeff rode with us, and we followed Darren and the rest of the Vanatic's club. At G.B. we saw the Munster's car from the TV show. And the Batmobile.

 
We decided to skip the museum and find a beach, where the girls decided to walk in the sand and water. Then were off to Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and Rodeo Blvd. There were many sights to see. The one that stood out to me was the women walking her miniture groomed pony the size of a dog. It was time to head back for the Nationals board meeting at 4:00 PM. We left at 3 and still was a few minutes late. The traffic was unreal on the highways. One of our tasks at hand was to try and replace Wacko's spot on the board. Tim was promoted to that spot, which now left his spot open. We interviewed several prospective vanners. It was decided to put all of them on a list of support staff for the Nat's Board so they can work with us at the Nat's this year and then vote one of them in next year at C of C.
 

That night they had a free happy hour at the hotel from 5-7 top notch alcohol and beer. They had no idea what vanners could consume. Matchstick (Dave) unveiled a new Vanner"s Magazine to be put out twice a year. All color pages and very impressive, at the low cost of just $5. He also showed his newest project fiberglass gull wing doors. This young vanner is great for vanning. His desire to promote vanning and make things for vans is great.

On Friday there were several seminars for vanner's to participate in. At 2PM Nat's. Board meeting and bids for 2012 Van Nationals. We only received one bid and that was from Wisconsin vanners, they have put together a good group of vanners and I think they will do a great job. The grounds is the same as Hy-Rollin's and will be  more than sufficient. It was talked about letting RV"s in that pull a van, they will not be allowed to park with vans, but may park in a designated area. This is up the host club whether they will allow them. And far as  someone pulling a fifth wheel in they have to be in there before the Nat's. start. The reason these items were talked about, both have been happening the last few years. Also it was asked if clubs could compile a mailing list from there local Van-In's of attendees  e-mail and mailing addresses that the Nationals could use for getting flyers out to more vanner's across the country. I thought this was a great idea. I know we passed our mailing list on to Michigan after Hard Core Vanners hosted the Nat's in 2003. I got out of the meeting too late to go on the round up to Hooter's. At 8PM that night the PJ Party and Band started along with Beach Blanket Bingo in the ballroom.

Saturday, at 4:30AM they had a thing called the Donut Derelict Cruise to a local donut shop where several California street rodder's show up . I wasn't able to get up that early but I was told  that sometimes several hundred show up and once in a while Jay Leno or Chip Foose shows up.

At 9:30 the Council meeting starts, I didn't set in for HOVAC cause someone else was already representing HOVAC. At 10 Vans that had driven to C of C or the local clubs started showing up in the parking lot for the Van Show which started at 1PM . Several really nice Vans, but the one that stood out to me the most was the Early Ford Van. It wasn't  completed yet but what was done was unbelievable. Look for it in Truck-in Magazine or Hot Rod Magazine. Both were there for the show. 

 

That night it was time to party and say good by to our vanner friends from across the country. Their theme for the party was Hooray for Hollywood, and several vanner's dressed as there favorite actor or actress. Dam I should have brought my Pirate outfit, Ha! Ha!. Sunday it was goodbye California and hello Kansas where the weather had been in the 70's while We were gone. We had to make one detour to Chicago with Howard, Chooie, Jeff, and Sonya and a few other vanner's that were switching planes to their final destinations. If there were an Oscar to be given this year for a great host, location, and very well organized. Left Coast Vanners would have taken home the lot of them. Hope to see everyone at local van-in's and the Nationals in Ohio, and next year at C of C in St. Petersburg , Florida.

Don Noone