So we arrived home last night after a two week trip to southern California
via the scenic route all along the coast until Big Sur (what's a Sur?)
Across to Fresno  and back up again. Total over 3500 miles. The van ran
without no more a hitch than the shift linkage needed adjusting on the way
down. Balmy 73 degree weather and sun and the rattling purr of a sweet two
litre behind us. I kept the head temps below 370, and only noticed the
temp/power issue during hills with a strong headwind, and it really was more
of an issue of maintaining temperature than powering out. I've sworn to
never take it above 400. There were four adults in that van and while it
felt a little crowded at times, we actually got a lot closer as a family.
With kids on the verge of leaving home the gap just gets wider.

This was our first "shakedown" camping trip with Marty the Zebra and I am
amazed at  this rig. After all the stories I had read I was expecting the
clouds of smoke or oil or death-knell rattle and bang. By the time we
reached Monterey I gave up worrying and just enjoyed the trip. And who knew
oranges grew on trees, anyway? So cool.

To top it all off I came back with a rust-free 68 single cab in tow; I think
that should keep me busy for a year.

I don't get any better folks, really it don't.