Date:         Wed, 23 Mar 2005 17:20:55 -0900
Reply-To:     Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Subject:      Re: 2 weeks enough to cross country - w/kids?
Comments: To: kayakjr@JUNO.COM
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hi John,

I chose Fall River because I am familiar with it, I have family in Fall River and Somerset.

 I find that when traveling with kids it is best to pick out something that they want to do and then do it early in the day, this alleviates a lot of the "are we there yets", whining, etc.

While it is not guaranteed to prevent break downs, if you have the van inspected and any issues that could affect a long trip dealt with before you pick it up, you should be ok.  On our return to Alaska we lost the alternator on the side of I5 outside Tacoma, this delayed us approx. 4 hours, and our clutch started slipping in Whitehorse, YT.  This took three days as it failed on a Friday night and it took until 1am Monday for the replacement to arrive from Anchorage.  It was installed Monday by John's Auto who rescheduled their work day to accomodate us, and we were on the road that evening.  Carry some basic tools, a manual, cell phone, a credit card, and a sense of humor and you will be fine.

Take lots of pictures to share with those of us that are stuck at home.

Mark in AK


----- Original Message -----
From: John Reynolds <kayakjr@JUNO.COM>
Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2005 7:38 pm
Subject: Re: 2 weeks enough to cross country - w/kids?

> "I choose to calculate from Seattle to Fall River, approx. 3,100
> miles."
>
> Well I'm about 10min.'s from Fall River, so you must have psychic
> powers. The van is near Anacortes, if I remember right, about 1
> 1/2 -2 hours No
> of Seattle.
>
> Regarding the reply from John - don't worry I figured that you were
> talking about both ways when I calculated the fuel mileage and
> hours. I
> figure $400 in gas, 55-60 hours of driving allowing for gas stops.
> Mapquest lists 50 hours for the trip.
>
> Thanks for all the replies - we are definitely leaning to driving -
> this
> thought has me a little scared after reading all the tales of breaking
> down.  I think getting a DVD player for the kids is a great idea  -
> and
> lots of books. Also one was getting the kids involved with reading
> mapsand planning the day.  I only wish I could take 3 (or 4 )
> weeks from work
> to do the trip.
>
> I have thought of driving from Anacortes to Cody WY (just East of
> Yellowstone)  where we have friends, flying home and leaving my
> family to
> explore Yellowstone, then returning a week later for the drive
> home -
> taking a week to do such.  But it's another air fare and logisitics
> problems.
>
> We will be camping in the van, so our hotel costs will be minimal.
> This
> van does not have a stove, but we have a Coleman one to use.
>
> Keep the comments coming - really appreciate it.
>
> John
>