Wash. bird watcher sees strange sight in woods: his stolen van

[Donna]

While bird-watching early this month on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, Devan Miller spotted a familiar species in the forest while pursuing the chirp of a winter wren: his stolen Volkswagen van. Or at least what was left of it.

"A bizarre, hideous and illogical attempt at some kind of rebuilding of the carriage had been attempted, wood randomly nailed on, and the roof over the cab haphazardly built back on after being needlessly cut off," he wrote on his Facebook page. "It was just weird. It gave me the creeps, so I took off."

"I was a little disturbed just by how terrible the appearance was," Miller told the Peninsula Daily News. (Hat tip to The Associated Press.)

Miller, 38, called the Clallam County Sheriff's Office and a deputy came to take fingerprints, though Miller's not getting his hopes up that the thief who stole it from his driveway in late November will be caught.

Later, he and his father hauled the Vanagon out of the brush, hot-wired it and got it running with a jump-start. It ran perfectly.

Next stop, his friends' auto shop, Happy Motors.

"This last drive, the eight miles to Happy Motors, were the coldest miles I've ever driven, in the worst looking vehicle you can imagine," Miller wrote on Facebook. He said students stared, laughed and cheered as he motored along.

Happy ending: Miller's getting trade-in credit toward another VW.

[MAK]

This van would be perfect as our safari truck!  Put a railing around the back with mounts for long lens cameras and scopes. Attach swivel bar stools including seat belts so we can spin around to follow the falcons no matter what direction they go. And a license plate saying we brake for falcons!!

[Donna]

This van would be perfect as our safari truck!  Put a railing around the back with mounts for long lens cameras and scopes. Attach swivel bar stools including seat belts so we can spin around to follow the falcons no matter what direction they go. And a license plate saying we brake for falcons!!

 

[jeanne]

This van would be perfect as our safari truck!  Put a railing around the back with mounts for long lens cameras and scopes. Attach swivel bar stools including seat belts so we can spin around to follow the falcons no matter what direction they go. And a license plate saying we brake for falcons!!

MAK, life changes how we see things after watching falcons

And you're right!  This is perfect for bird watching

[Bobbie Ireland]

This van would be perfect as our safari truck!  Put a railing around the back with mounts for long lens cameras and scopes. Attach swivel bar stools including seat belts so we can spin around to follow the falcons no matter what direction they go. And a license plate saying we brake for falcons!!

Go, MAK! Ya can't keep a good woman down, can ya?

[MAK]

   We all have our dreams!

[Shaky]

Don't forget the video camera for streaming from this urban "Ganda."

[MAK]

Don't forget the video camera for streaming from this urban "Ganda."

Yes Shaky 4 of them. 2 on the front and 2 on the roof!

[Donna]

Don't forget the video camera for streaming from this urban "Ganda."

Yes Shaky 4 of them. 2 on the front and 2 on the roof!

Watch out for them elephants!

[MAK]

Don't forget the video camera for streaming from this urban "Ganda."

Yes Shaky 4 of them. 2 on the front and 2 on the roof!

Watch out for them elephants!

And bulls!

[Bobbie Ireland]

Don't forget the video camera for streaming from this urban "Ganda."

Ganda??

[Donna]

Don't forget the video camera for streaming from this urban "Ganda."

Ganda??

[Shaky]

Don't forget the video camera for streaming from this urban "Ganda."

Ganda??

Google "wildearth safari ganda" and be prepared to become addicted to probably the best wildlife streaming video site on the Internet.