http://www.gofundme.com/NicksDrivingDream

Let me introduce myself. My name is Nicholas V. Sheffer and I have a fantastic life! Sometimes I feel a little bipolar though and if you take the time to read this blog from the beginning you will see what I mean. I get really determined followed by depression only to rebound. I am hoping this latest rebound will stick!

My very first "car" was a 1973 VW bus. It was yellow and white, my best friend Heath was over at another of his friends homes and spotted it out the window, in a neighbor's backyard. He knew of my love for VW buses and as soon as he told me I jumped on my longboard and went to go talk with the neighbor. He was not home so I sneaked into his back yard. There it was, it seemed to slump into the three foot weeds that surrounded it as if it was hanging its head and drooping shoulders. I looked around and approached it from the back. I peered into the rear hatch window and saw piles of old greased and dusty car parts. I saw a few of the weeds had grown through a couple of rust holes in the floor. I reached down and opened the engine lid and saw that there was still an engine there. The spiders and weeds did their best to hide it but there it was. I then walked around too the front. It may sound stupid and some of you may not even believe in love at first sight especially when a vehicle is involved but there I was. It hit me like a ton of brick. It was like a sad abused abandon puppy the headlights seemed to hold the pain of years of neglect. I knew I had to save her, (at this point it was no longer just metal and glass it was an entity) she needed me to bring her from this grave.

I checked back later that night. The owner was a nice older man but he was using the bus as a storage shed and could not let it go. It was a huge road block but I went back once a week over the next four months to try and talk him into letting it go. I even offered to help him build a new shed to take its place. We were able to finally work out a deal and I was able to tow it home much to my Mothers chagrin. I worked for months to save up the money to get her back on the road. Six months of twelve hour shifts making 5.15 an hour with no overtime (thanks hunter management, owners of the subways I would longboard between on my lunch break) I learned how to work hard for a goal.

I was 18 when I bought my bus, I owned it for one year. I was able to drive it for about six months. No sane person should have become so attached so in love or so empowered by a rusty old twinkie shaped box on wheels. I am obviously not "normal". My Mother sold my bus just a month after I left on my two year full time Mission for my church. I knew that serving the Lord was more important but it was still very painful to say goodbye for good. I still feel the pain... I lost a piece of myself. While I was on my mission I made a promise that I would go for the holy grail of VW buses as soon as I got home. A 21 or 23 window bus would be the only way I could fill the void. Nothing can replace my 73 fully, I tried with a 21 window and it came really close, ( I had to sell her to pay bills) My choice to pay for my daughter being born and to keep my house was a no brainer. I have an amazing wife and daughter and they will always be number one.

I am currently running a GOFUNDME campaign, I have saved up $3,000 dollars to purchase a new bus but It has taken me years, I had it up to five grand but ya, making sure my wife is healthy costs a lot in an ER. My wife an I have over 70 grand in student loans from more than 8 years of school. I know that I am not deserving of your help but I sure would love it. In order to go too every National Park in the US. I need to start now. I hate to beg so if I can do anything to be a help too you in any way and make it so you are not just giving me free money let me know. I have felt I needed to put this out there and see what will happen. Please Please Please share, like and donate. Long live the impossible dream.

I was surprised to see that this Blog has over 2000 views. I finally Graduated from College with my wife no less. We have battled through poverty for ten years to accomplish this goal. If I can work full time and take 16 credits at the same time what can I not do? My wife worked three quarter time and was taking a minimum of 12 credits at the same time. Now it is time to start paying off our student loans. Hooray for that. Patience is a virtue...

Yes that is George Straight on my T-shirt. I wish I could go to his farewell concert this coming June.... I had my dream so close I could touch it. It tis better to have loved and lost. I will love again.

I will be searching for a new 23 window bus, if anyone sees any VW that looks to have been sitting for over 10 years take a photo and e-mail it to me at nicksdrivingdream@yahoo.com with the address and info so I can go acquire it and see if I can sell it to someone that will put it to use. This will help fund my project and I hope to have fun doing it.

Is the dream dead?

I honestly can say priorities have shifted, I have faced adversity, like I never thought I would have to, in the last few years since I made the choice to sell my prize earthly possession. I have now looked at my motives and reason for desiring a VW bus, I can easily tell you that it was about the pure freedom that I felt sitting behind the wheel. The endless possibility the open road held. I have not stopped thinking about my bus and feel the physical hurt in my soul mixed with crushing defeat. This aside I am so happy and grateful in my heart to have a wonderful wife and daughter. I now see the true reason I wanted to own a bus, to share great memories with my own family. I will own another bus and it will be at the right time in my life to share joy and freedom with my family. If anyone out there would like to help me reach for this dream of traveling across the world in a box on wheels with my beloved family let me know. How can you help? See a bus and tell me where it is so I can see about finding one that someone is not interested in keeping. I need to find it cheap. Or I will have to wait.

Sole Identity Charity Art Show

Sole Identity art project, These are my favorite pair of shoes. I owned them when I bought my first bus. I just retired them to a charity art show. I hope my dreams will continue to come true.

THE DREAM IS DEAD (ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY)

Well it has been over a year since I sold my 67 21 window bus off to California. I really needed the money and now what do I have to show for it? I am just as in need of money and I have lost the dream. This part of me has begun to callous over and the excitement and joy it once held has dissipated. I feel very malignant since I let the dream go and have drudged through day to day life just to make it home long enough for my family to bring me back to a state that makes it possible to make it through the next day. Thanks to anyone who cared about my dream and I wish I could have been one of the success stories but ya.

WASATCH CLASSIC 12

This year at the classic I tried once again to sell my driving dream T-shirts, I sold four. This year has been rough on everyone. I am still grateful to all who have supported my dream. My bus was the only window bus that showed this year to the classic I was surprised. All and all a great show with good music and people.

BABY BUS DRIVER!

She knows where the fun is at.

Club Night at TIMPANOGAS HARLEY DAVIDSON

We cruised down Geneva Road to the Timp Harley dealership in Lindon for a bite at Marley's

THE FOURTH OF JULY!

The fourth of July was fun we did fireworks and watched the stadium of fire. my nephews were able to ride in the bus with me.

Now to get moving on other drivng dreams!!!

Chillin in the Bus!
super cutie in the bus

I have my bus on the road and I am glad. I now face the real challenge of Fatherhood and monetary shortfall. My wonderful wife has not been able to go back to work and I really don't want her to have to. I changed jobs at RC Willey and now am selling again. I transferred down to the Provo Outlet location and I can sell everything. I can sell all the new furniture and electronics/appliances. I can also sell everything that the Orem location carries!! so please please if you know anyone that needs anything from RC Willey anywhere in the world call me!! I need money like no ones business. thanks again!!! the only way to continue to see progress on the bus is to sell t-shirts and such. So buy them up thanks.

DRIVING THE DREAM

Fun to drive the bus in my pj's

MY BUS IS ON THE ROAD (Club Night, took the Club to WING NUTS IN Orem)

This is the Bus on her first night on the town.
Sam's Awesome Double Cab at WING NUTS in Orem,

The club at NUTZ

This is the guy that cleaned my engine compartment(also named Dave)

Dr. Dave worked extended hours to finish my Bus in time for me to show up in style to the club meeting today, I found out that I have a bad cylinder but I was still able to drive it today. I spent alot of money to get it where it is now. I would like to ask if there is anyone that would like to help out I would be very very appreciative. I have alot of T-Shirts in stock if you would like to get one, also any help at all I will do Art work for funds or if you would give donations that would be awesome!

THIS IS THE REAL THING.(also saying goodbye to the first drivingdreams bus)

Allright here is the latest update, I went and got my temp permit to be able to drive my bus this week. I went to work on my bus today and it was nasty, the transmission had over an inch of red mud caked all over the outside and the boots were cracked so it had caked inside to. I cleaned up as much as I could while I was there but I was sad to find that there were many more issues to address than I had hoped. I am a little over my head with the costs, I am currently really low on funds if there is anyone out there that would please buy some t-shirts that would be awsome, or if you could help out in any way possible that would be great! I will hopefully be able to drive my bus to the Wasatch Vintage Volkswagen meeting tommorow. It will be the first time I will be able to drive a Vintage VW to the meeting.

Working with Dave dropping the engine and gas tank

IN THE PHOTOS AND VIDEO: Brakes all cleaned ready for install, Dave pulling the gas tank after the engine finally came out, Video of nasty dirty engine compartment after years of neglect in the Moab sand, we found at least twenty wasps nests in every nook and cranny.

I got off of school and headed over to see Dave at Vintage German Motors. I asked if he would allow me to learn a thing or two from him on how to drop the engine and get to the gas tank. I found out first hand why I would pay someone to do just that, I worked at undoing two nuts for over an hour, I spent a total of two hours doing something that should have taken twenty minuets. It took that long due to the amount of Rust and decay, (oh and the fact that I am not experienced at this at all). All I know is without Dr. Dave I would have never and I mean never been able to get anywhere!!!!!!!!!!!! once again thank you out to Vintage German Motors.

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DR DAVE TO THE RESCUE!!

Here is the bus at Vintage German Motors

It is now days away!!!! I am so excited to say that the bus will be on the road very soon.

Man "simple" things can be hard.

I spent along time today doing the last few things on my rag top. I have also got my bus insured today. I am now going to get an appointment with Doctor Dave at Vintage German Motors. He will have My Lady on the road in no time flat. I am also super excited to take my bus on the town.

Rag top Repair

there were some small holes, ok big holes in the rag.
I am unsure what I am getting into, I am happy to say I did really well for myself.

Taking it down to the mech.

I would say the small things make a huge difference, I was able to replace the rag top by myself! I am happy to see a complete bus in my garage!!!

I will hopefully have it on the road by the end of the month of February.