The first memory of Vans in my life was around age 6. My sisters and I were in the back of Dad's chevy Window Van sitting on a couch when a caravan of a Chicago Club (I later found out they were called Easy Liv'n Vans) passed us one our ride home. they all waved as they passed us many hit their horns. Dad had a CB and we heard them truck on through. I was sold. A few years later, Wed nights were dads bowling night, and Grandpa would take us out for Pizza at a local joint near the house. One side Pizza Joint one side Bar. Wed nights were the meeting nights for Easy Liv'n Vans. Parking lot full of Chrome and sounds, too much to take in on just a walk from the car to the entrance. So I would ask to go play Pinball and I would sneak outside to check out the lot.
Once I made it to High School ( a bit too much emphasis on the HIGH part) I knew who all the neighborhood Vanners were. It helped that my new neighbor was Activities director of Easy Liv'n. My Block would be lined with Vans on both sides of the street prior to leaving for an event. I'd steal ( I think he knew)my dads Delivery Van and follow (at a safe distance) until they got too far out of town. There were parties at the Drive In that had Flatbed semis side by side for the "Entertainment". No local Kegger party would do after that.
It wasn't the party that got me hooked though, it was the stories of the places they had gone and the things they saw along the way. It seemed the only time the club got along was on the road, so those were the stories they would tell me. Here I was introduced to Club "Membershilp" where the members took me from being the Kid following them around to the guy who ran Back Door any time we hit the road, and would eventually be Road Captain.
I don't think there was ever a time when I didn't feel that Vanning is what I am supposed to be doing. From my favorite Hot wheels to my first Van.
I must share this as well. Vanning changed for me the day I walked into Great Lakes Recreational Products and asked about a Visor for my Van (A 74 Dodge) The guy who sold me that Visor is right here on these Forums every day. Howard was the begining to many Vanners. From always having Flyers on hand for wherever you wanted to go, to offering up the empty seats in his Van for those who wanted to tag along. Want to know something about Vanning, ask Howard.
Thanks Howard for Showing me the Road.
I was a Die Hard Windowless Van person for years but when I asked my son what he wanted in the Van and he said Windows, I did what any respectable Vanning dad would do. Got a 66 Chevy Window Van.
The rest of my Vanning story is still under investigation so I am unable to release those details at this time.
Chooie