Part Time Yooper from Holland, MI

[vanapplebomb]

Hello,

My name is Dirk Van Appledorn. Home town for me is Holland Michigan, although I spend 8 months of the year "up der in da UP" attending college at Michigan Tech studying for Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Control.

My projects are downstate, so I don't get much time to play around with them because I am usually 500 miles away. I have been into anything with moving parts since I was a baby. My fascination with mechanics grew into hobbies and the hobbies got bigger and bigger. I got into Volkswagens when I was in middle school and always wanted to build an off road buggy. Well, I couldn't wait anymore. Two years ago I finally broke down and bought a Berrien 295 frame, and things have gone from there. So far not much has gone together, just amassing a piles parts, and modifying or reconditioning them in my spare time off. Greasy work = loads of fun!

This is a picture of the frame out of storage for some quick measurements and test fits shortly after I bought it. Hopefully in the next couple years I can transform it into something functional

[Ruffuss]

Welcome!! Now the fun begins.

[gokart]

You should turn that into a VW powered sled.

[Dustin]

Welcome! I'm the one who talked to you on the samba. That's a good looking frame.

[vanapplebomb]

Thank you for the welcome Ruffus.

GoKart, up north in a town called Ishpeming, Da Yoopers Tourist Trap actually has an old 36HP sled! It is a lot like the old VW powered Snow Cats if you have seen one. I wish I took a picture of it the last time i drove past. They have all sorts of stuff cobbled together from crap at that place. If you ever drive through, you better stop. Can't miss it.

Dustin, I really like the frame too. It is powder coated black and has the "race brace" webbing on the front of it to stiffen it up.

Being new to these forums I am wondering if you guys have a specific place that you post up build threads around here. I can move some of the stuff over from TheSamba to here if that is of any interest to anyones.

[vdubdriver]

Welcome Dirk. There is a 'Member Project' area on this site. I'm sure many would be interested in seeing your project.

[vwrick69]

Welcome!! We have been through Ispemeg as tourist on our trip through the UP, nice scenery UP there!!!!

[greenhog]

welcome! I make it out of trollville every once in a while myself to get to the UP. I was actually born in Calumet and still have family there. Love it up there!

[vanapplebomb]

You got that right man. The UP is amazing year around. Calumet has a fun little down town. Ever have the Pasties at Tony's Country Kitchen in Laurium Greenhog? Mmmm, so yummy. May dad is big into geology and he got me interested in that too. I love all the old abandoned mines around the keweenaw peninsula and around Ishpeming. Lots of good rock and mineral specimens to collect!

[greenhog]

They have a really cool mineral display at Tech. Have you checked out Queen Ann falls or the Wall? Hard to find now and I havent been to them in quite a while. There is a bog heading south out of houghton where the vegetation grew right over the water - quite a unique phenomenon. Definately a great place if you are into geology though.

[vanapplebomb]

I havent been to those falls before. Is the "wall" you speak of the natural rock formation that looks just like stone masonry work? If so, that is pretty cool.

[greenhog]

Thats the one. The falls are on the same fault line as the Wall

[vanapplebomb]

Oh, ok. This spring I will have to get back out there and check it out during the spring run off!

Hopefully the property isn't posted as privet now days. A ton of classic places up here are being closed off to public...like, bad news bears if your caught. It's to bad really. Lot's of cool stuff I don't dare go near anymore. I do my best to respect the property owners if they post no trespassing signs.

[blue71]

Welcome! I've been through the UP and to the UP many times over the years. We used to do some camping and what not up there.

There's an import repair garage in Ironwood, MI that has lots of VWs and parts for sale. However they're the only game for miles, so they can charge whatever they want.

My cousin is at Michigan Tech as well, the only downside for him is his tiny little car not being able to get around in the snow, hahahah

[vanapplebomb]

Thats the only place remotely close to Houghton that deals with VW anything. Places for foreign cars are far and few between...There might be one in Marquette...might not be.

Well, doesn't matter...nobody can drive right now. Big blizzard blew through today. School was even closed this afternoon!...and that is really saying something. Michigan Tech usually doesn't close down for anything. I feel bad for the people who have to dig out their cars tomorrow. Hahaha, or the poor guys that have to figure out how to get their house doors open. Ahhh, that's not hard, just crawl out the window and dig it out from the outside.

;D