Date:         Mon, 15 May 2000 14:25:26 -0700
Reply-To:     Vernon Craddock <Vernon@CRADDOCK.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Vernon Craddock <Vernon@CRADDOCK.COM>
Subject:      Excellent road trip
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Hello everyone,

I have been off of the list (nomail) for the last three+ months, so I'm not up
to date.  Anyway, I just returned from a two week whirlwind roadtrip/camping
tour of the Northwest.  We left Sacramento and spent several days spelunking at
Lava Beds National Monument (Great caves).  We did a little wilderness camping
down an old logging road that still had last years undisturbed pinecones
covering it (until we went through).  Very peaceful and relaxing.  We then went
north to Hood River, OR to hit some of the windsurfing shops.  Too bad the wind
wasn't blowing.  We then proceeded north and stayed in an excellent rain forest
campground near Mt. St. Helens.  Those 5 minute Hot showers, for only a
quarter, are wonderful.  We continued north camping at some of the Puget Sound
islands and around Olympic National Park.  We then headed East toward
Yellowstone.  We were very surprised (and pleased) to find the Grand Coolee in
Eastern WA.  I did not even know that it existed, but the area was so nice that
we stayed several days to explore.  We then pushed East quickly, resorting to
the Interstates and flying through the Idaho panhandle and across Montana.
 Unfortunately we missed seeing some of that beautiful area by driving at
night.  Time was running out, and we wanted to reach Yellowstone.  The park is
absolutely a wonder to see.  I was wishing for an automatic while trying to
hold 5mph over a pass in the middle of a herd of Bison.  When we arrived, it
was sunny and warm with snow in the mountains, but not in the valleys.  That
night, several inches of fresh powder coated everything.  It looked like we had
been transported to a new planet.  Anyway we finally had to leave and returned
back through Idaho & Nevada.

Total distance was just over 3000 miles.  The van performed flawlessly average
mileage was just about 20mpg, 22+ while driving casually, but <17 through
Nevada at 75mph.

Other items of interest:
1. We saw a really cute "shorty" in Idaho Falls.  It was a bus where the slider
had been shortened to less than a foot.  I image that you don't want to hit the
brakes too hard in that thing.
2. We came back through the pass from Reno to Truckee on Friday next to a
beautiful late model Silver color Syncro.  I'm not sure about the color (it was
getting dark out), but I believe that it belongs to a list member.  If so,
please respond privately (Yea I saw that idiot swerve across in front of you!).

Wishing we were still on the road,
Vernon Craddock
'90 Standard Vanagon