On Mon, 12 May 2003 00:00:01 -0400, Automatic digest processor wrote:

>Date:    Sun, 11 May 2003 22:34:54 -0400
>From:    john Runberg <jrunberg@MAC.COM>
>Subject: Re: Driving across the country -- recommended routes?
>
>Doh!
>
>Just realized I didn't say where the heck I'm going nor where I'm starting
>at!
>
>Start:  Virginia Beach, Virginia
>End:    San Diego
>When:   August (if the house sells)
>
>Thanks!
>
>john
>
>> Well, after a couple years of vacillating, my wife and I have decided to see
>> what the left coast is like. The plan is to spend the summer selling stuff
>> and getting the van ready, and then VOOM (figuratively speaking) we're off!
>>
>> And now for the point. Does anyone have recommendations on which route to
>> take? The ideal road would not be hot, have interesting scenery, and be
>> somewhat easy to do in a Vanagon. Oh, we'll be hauling along three cats and
>> an 85lb dog so being close to civilization in case something goes wrong
>> would definitely be good.
>>
>> Obviously I'm crazy, but what do people recommend?

We left from Arlington and tool 70/80 through Chicago and Indiana...then across South Dakota (stayed in Custer State Park)...this is the easiest for the
Rockies and a stop in Denver and to see some great parks like Yellowstone (we also went south through parts of Utah and then across the NW on 90 to
the west coast and south along the coast to San Fran.)

We really did not want to go through the south at all...but your mileage may vary.  Also August is very hot in Utah and Nevada.

We had a small dog.

Good luck, enjoy, take it slow and easy and you'll be fine...we rushed too much.

--peace--
    stu