Date:         Thu, 15 May 2003 07:46:45 -0700
Reply-To:     Jeffrey Earl <jefferrata@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeffrey Earl <jefferrata@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      ny to ca
Comments: cc: shaggyinseattle@YAHOO.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Shaggy wrote: << I'm going to be driving my 82' Diesel
westy out with her, any suggestions for which route is
good for a diesel to drive cross country? >>

The primary physical obstacle on such a trip -- for
any Westy, but more so for a diesel -- is the Rocky
Mountain range. And the mountain passes on some of the
northern routes are significantly lower than those on
the southern highways. At Butte, MT, for example, I-90
crests the Continental Divide at only 5549 feet ASL.
Compare to I-70 which crosses the Divide west of
Denver at somewhere closer to 11 or 12,000 feet.

Of course, on a recent trip to the American Southwest,
our 20-year-old diesel Westy negotiated Wolf Creek
Pass in Colorado -- elev. 10,850 -- in second and
third gears. We crested a couple other lower but
steeper mountain passes which other Westy-owners were
later surprised to learn we had accomplished, so it
certainly can be done.

Interstate highways usually offer more gradual
inclines -- both up and down -- and often have passing
lanes to help keep you out of the way of other
motorists. Smaller, state highways are probably
steeper, but are often more interesting and scenic.

Either way, you've got a long and boring drive across
the Great Plains states. Might wanna do it at night to
avoid heavy traffic and stiff headwinds. Just keep a
sixer of JOLT! Cola next to your seat and keep yer
eyes on the road ...


"OK, I'll leave it at that since I've already gone on
for far too long about something I don't know a whole
lot about ..."

Jeffrey Earl
1983 diesel Westfalia "Vanasazi"





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