john go for it. I live about 30 min away from Fall River and will be
turning 54 this summer. My one regret so far in life is that I have never
taken a cross country camping trip in my Westy. This is soemthing  your
family will remember forver and getting the kids involved is the way to go
and help them pass the time. You've gotten a lot of  good tips already and
seem to have the mileage, duties and costs under control. Take a copy of
the rescue-squad list with you just in case you need help or break down.
There are hundreds of Vanagon owners that will offer help and emergency
assisitance if it is ever needed all over the US and Canada. Some have
access to tools and/ or local Vanagon mechanics.I hope you decide to go ,
i wish was goin with you but then you would need another dvd player for me.