Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2008 07:09:25 -0600
Reply-To: Stu Schwartz <sschwartz999i@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stu Schwartz <sschwartz999i@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Newbie - Getting Ready for Cross Country Trip
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
On Fri, 4 Apr 2008 00:00:25 -0400, Automatic digest processor wrote:
>Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2008 19:54:55 -0600
>From: Bob Stevens <mtbiker62@HOTMAIL.COM>
>Subject: Re: Newbie - Getting Ready for Cross Country Trip
>Tam,
>Your miles driven, if you head for Denver will be just about spot-on 1000 f=
>or your first oil change/adjustment. There are good shops in that area, but=
> I'm not the best resource. Others over there will chime in about that.
>My point is that with some stops in Grand Canyon, Lake Meade, Lake Powell, =
>southern Utah (Zion/Cedar Breaks/Capitol Reef) etc., up I-15, along I-70, t=
>hen through western CO, you're going to see some wonderful country, at a pe=
>rfect time of year ... great weather and cooler temps than you'll get a mon=
>th later.
>=20
>Just my $0.02 worth ....
>Happy 'n safe trails.
>=20
>Bob Stevens
>'87 Syncro Westy
>Salt Lake City
>=20
>> I'll officially be a westfalia vanagon (1990) owner on April 14th. I> am =
>picking it up from Pop Top Heaven in Yucaipa CA and driving it back> across=
> the country (I live in CT) on a "rolling meditation" camping> vacation.> >=
> Since I'll have a newly rebuilt engine, I'm going to need to stop> along t=
>he way for a valve adjustment/oil change. I'm keeping my> fingers crossed o=
>n landing somewhere along the way where there's a> good vanagon mechanic wi=
>lling to do a quick turnaround.> > I've found roadhaus.com but would like o=
>ther ideas about how to find> good mechanics (and good samaritans) along th=
>e way.> > Also, if any of you have suggested scenic routes to take on the w=
>ay> back, drop me a line!> > Kind regards,> > Tam> > 1990 Westfalia - name =
>tbd (considering "Phaedrus")
I think you'll have a great time. Coming through Denver isn't bad...I live there!! I have found
Blazer Auto in Denver to be a good/great place to have the Vanagon serviced. He's been
doing VW vans for 30 years. He has a ton of them in the yard as well. It is off of US 285 and
Broadway (3718 S. Broadway to be exact). Phone number is 303-722-3032.
I would check the weather...we are still getting snow in the Rockies this time of year. We just
had about 1 foot of snow and I-70 was closed for 8 hours due to a pileup.
I would be partial to taking Route 50, however there are no shops or gas for a stretch of about 150-200
miles. It follows the pony express trail. It is called the "loneliest road". Not sure you want to take it with
new van. But then again...I took it with an old van :). Just get gas whenever you can.
Have a safe trip. Feel free to give me a call. Maybe we can have a beer. I'm in the LIMBO book I think.
--peace--
stu
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