Thanks for all the replies. To answer a few questions posed.

Air fare, Providence RI to Seattle via Independence air is listed as
$139.00/person (taxes & gov. fees extra) in late June.  (Some days in May
are $89/p!)

We would not do this to save shipping costs, I can only beat shipping
limiting the trip to myself and 1 friend taking the $89 flight and
driving back in one week's time.

We will be camping and prepping most of our own meals- (though I found
sandwhiches and soups at a supermarket chain in Washington to be quite
good and cheap - if you can stay away from the Starbuck kiosk a few feet
away!)

The van is well maintained, I drove it for two weeks on vacation last
year - but having it checked out is a good idea.  The fuel lines were
replaced by my friend with the exception of the short lines to the
injectors.

If anybody has compiled a list of spare parts / tools - that would be
good as new thread for the list (and me)!

The kids are experienced with camping and car travel, but they are still
kids. I think the DVD player is a good idea (Wonder if I could hook up
GameCube? Heck then I would want to sit back there!)  The kids love to
read and often do on car rides - even short ones.

Thanks for all replies - just awesome

John