I'm off to Colorado to pick up my first water-cooled Westfalia (or water-cooled
VW of any type, for that matter).

It's too late for me to read anyone's advice before I depart on the Amtrak
California Zephyr for Grand Junction, CO, but if you would be so kind as to let
me know of any tips you may have for successfully making the 1,000 or so miles I
have to travel home in one of these, that would be great. When I return, I will
compare my actual experience to your suggestions, warnings, caveats and doomsday
scenarios :)

Seriously, I'm hoping to make the journey home with no mechanical problems. The
van is apparently in excellent overall condition, but you never know with hastily
hatched plans like mine. I plan to stick to Interstate 80, have my AAA card with
me, and I will purchase some tools and emergency parts when I get to GJ for
additional insurance on the way home.

I'm praying that the cooling system gods favor me on this initial trip. (and the
head gasket gods, too.)

Dan Schmitz

'82 Adventurewagen (soon to part with)
'75 Porsche 914
'87 Westfalia (well, in about 36 hours it will be mine, anyway)