Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:03:25 -0800
Reply-To: Ellen <elleninoregon@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ellen <elleninoregon@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Lola shines: another great trip
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
Took Lola on yet another adventure this weekend, down to Winchester Bay, on the Southern Oregon Coast, to celebrate my 52nd birthday. Pleased to report no mechanical or camping equipment malfunctions. The red temperature light began flashing right on cue about 15 minutes after the engine warmed up, and stopped flashing 15 minutes later. Had a couple of misses right after I filled up the gas on my way out of town, but that too settled down quickly. The rest of the trip Lola purred like a kitten.
I'd chosen the scenic Highway 101 route, as it was a beautiful sunny weekend. With all the stops for lunch, potty breaks, pictures, etc. it took about 4-1/2 hours to arrive at our destination, Umpqua Lighthouse State Park. This is an older Oregon State Park, small but picturesque. Sits on a heavily wooded bluff above a small lake, with a 1-mile nature trail around the lake, and access out to the Umpqua Lighthouse. Walked all the way out to the Marina at Salmon/Winchester Bay (another couple miles or so?) nice coffee shop there!
The area in located in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, and the ATV riders were certainly out in force this weekend. Fortunately, the campground is far enough away that the noise wasn't an issue. Gasoline was running right about 3.15 a gallon on the coast, except in Florence, where it was only 3.01 a gallon (guess where I filled up?) 9.1 gallons for 185 miles; I was well pleased with that! Excellent gas mileage for Hwy 101 with it's twists and turns, ups and downs, stop and gos, and speed adjustments.
I'm excited to report that I've put nearly 10,000 miles on Lola since her purchase in March 2006. I don't know how I survived without her! It was (and still is) one of the smarter things I've done in my lifetime.
Ellen
Lola, '85 Vanagon ASI Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of autumn.--John Muir
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