Date:         Sat, 14 Aug 2004 00:59:07 -0700
Reply-To:     Gerald Masar <azsun99@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Gerald Masar <azsun99@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      trip report, short
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hello VolksFolks,
Just returned from 2,548 mile trip in my '90 Westy (164K miles). My home in Arizona to
Missoula MT and back.
Happy to report another trouble-free trip!
Before I left, I asked the list about a noise coming from the left rear wheel area.
Probably a wheel bearing. While in Missoula, I had the front and rear wheel bearings
serviced. They replaced both front outer bearings and left rear inner bearing.
Mysterious noise gone.
Also had the CV joints repacked and boots replaced and power steering fluid flushed
and replaced. Yes, it was expensive, but it is my only vehicle and I believe in
pre-emptive and preventative maintenance....  and it buys a lot of peace of mind while
tooling down the back highways of Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Idaho and Montana. And with
all of that new grease, it seemed quieter and the mileage definitely improved!

Great camping in Cedar City Utah area, secret spot in Nevada, and along the Salmon
River in Idaho, all Forest Service or BLM, because they are more dog-friendly (82 LB
black Lab).

If you don't think there is money in the Sun Valley, Idaho area, check out the private
jets at the airport on Hwy 75 in Hailey. I got up to 48 and lost track. Not small ones
either, looked like miniature wide-bodies.

A few statistics:
    137.4 gallons of gas, $286 worth, avg. MPG 18.9, best 24 and worst 15.9.
    Highest gas price, $2.279 in Ely NV and lowest right here at home, $1.899.
    Bear in mind that the price changed over the course of 5 weeks and in some areas I
used
    mid-grade because the lowest grade was only 85 octane.
    Used less than 1/2 qt of oil in 2,548 miles.
    Lowest elevation around 2,500' and highest over 9,000'.
    Highest camp site, 8,800' and hiked up to 9,500' and got lost 6 times! Boy, those
    rock-falls and trees surrounding a high mountain lake all look the same! Should
    have let the dog take the lead.
    Saw very few Vanagons on the road and none in the camp grounds, but they are
everywhere
    in Missoula.

Hope everyone had or will have (Summers not over yet) a good (read trouble-free) road
trip.

Jerry, in Arizona