Date:         Fri, 3 Nov 2000 10:45:03 -0700
Reply-To:     John Klun <jklun@GJ.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Klun <jklun@GJ.NET>
Subject:      My first trip...
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hi Volks!

I've owned my '84 Vanagon since 10/14 and took my first long trip with
it (in excess of 50 miles one way).  I had the opportunity to visit
Rawls Moore, another Coloradan.

There is no direct way for me to get to Rawls' from Delta.  I decided
I'd try I-70 first by driving north to Grand Junction and then following
it east to Rawls'.  On the way to GJ, I passed? a p.u. hauling an open
utility trailer that had some stones in the back that would jump off and
hit my grill and bumper.  I was afraid it would break my windshield.
After I passed this &$#@, he must have felt I attacked his manhood by
passing him in a Vanagon, so he decided to press me and sit on my tail.
To keep away from him, I actually had to hit 97mph (down hill, of
course)!

I got on I-70 and started east.  The speed limit is 75 over most of the
interstate.  The Van had no trouble maintaining 75 but 80 took a little
more effort.  The only drawbacks were the hills- whenever I started up
one, the 80 mph quickly bled off to around 65-70, depending on the
length of the hill.  Of course, downhill was another story.  It's hard
to imagine, but I-70 east bound is a very long and gradual uphill
climb.  So for the entire trip, I estimated I had to maintain 8/10-9/10
throttle.

The return trip was the opposite.  Since it was 'downhill' most of the
way, the van had no trouble maintaining 85 and I had to keep backing off
the throttle to keep it at 80!  This time, I decided to get off at
Glenwood Springs and take the 'back road' home.  This involved driving
over a mountain pass and two lane curvy roads.  I'm pleased to say that
the vanagon was fun to drive.  It had no trouble maintaining 60-65 on
these curvy roads and the steep, 3 mile climb up McClure Pass resulted
in 3rd gear, throttle floored and 42 mph!

I must say that this Vanagon (I think I'll call her Baby) has exceeded
my expectations!