Thanks all for the advice!

Just because it's been along time since anybody but me service this
thing, and there are a couple other nagging issues I can't seem to
figure out, I figured it was time to go to the pros.  I took it to
VolksCafe in Santa Cruz and they're checking it out right now.  It does
sound exactly like your third gear sticking issue, but it's getting
worse, so I think i need to take care of it ASAP.

We'll see what they say.  If the van really is going to last me another
100K, I will probably go with the rebuilt, otherwise, a used tranny it
is.,  Thanks all for the advice.

-eric