If i were you I would roll with option number one.  I have traveled all the
options and I think that number one is the best.  I live in North Carolina
and there is just something about having I-40 in your neighborhood.  I
personally think that it is user friendly for VW's.  I traveled this road
many time in a 71 Westy to see the Grateful dead.  Cross winds through the
mid-west are hell but I can deal with them rather than that hellaious hill
climb out of Kansas into Colorado.  And as far as anything furhter
north.....well Yah,Hey, Der in ND.  It sucks.  Plus I have had more luck
with parts through the southern route.  Take care and hope that it is a
good one.
        Briere
        86 Syncro GLAt 07:03 PM 5/16/01 -0400, Steve Cotsford wrote:
>I am planning to camp out west this summer, ( late June, early July) and I
>live out east ( Carolinas).
>I have crossed the country before with older vans (Bay westy) so I'm not
>completely devoid of ideas.
>I would love to hear others' opinions.
>Choices are:
>1    Atlanta, Birmingham, Tupelo,Memphis,Sallisaw, Oklahoma city,Amarillo and
>points beyond, either Trinidad or Albequerque.
>2   Knoxville,Nashville,Cairo,Kansas City, across Kansas into Colorado.
>3   Knoxville,Louisville, St Louis, Omaha, across Nebraska into Colorado or
>Wyoming.
>4   Similar but up to Sioux Falls and across South Dakota ( Wall Drugs..Oh
>No!)
>5   Further north to Twin Cities,Fargo, Minot and points beyond.
>
>Whats the best way to get across the mid section, dealing with those
>wonderful cross winds.   These vans are so much fun in cross winds!
>Who has some good ideas?
>Thanks,
>Steve Cotsford
>