A few weeks ago I left the Grey-t Northwest for
warmer and sunnier climes in the 84 semi-westie with
the inline four rabbit motor.  We buzzed down US 395
through the outback country east of the mountain ranges
in perfect weather.  I averaged 23mpg and with a big
load (4800 lbs GVW on a highway scale) of tools and
cycling gear, I found myself finessing the larger
passes.
  No problems with anything.  I spent one night in
Bridgeport, Ca. in a market parking lot with some
semis, at almost 8000' of elevation, then the next day
ride my bike up another mountain between Death Valley
and the Owens Valley to over 10,000', dressed in just
my bike shorts.
  Rolled into my destination east of San Deigo, just
east of the mountains and the fire-ravaged areas near
Ramona..We just went through the fire zone on the way
into the city and it's some serious devastation, but
the locals are pretty upbeat with all, and there's
signs everywhere on burned and unburned buildings
saying "thanks" to all the emergency crews and
firefighters.
  So my Vanagon is doing double duty for a month or two
as a rolling tool box/work truck and my part-time
house, as well as our weekend escape vehicle.
  As I type here in the parking lot of the Borrego
Springs SD County library, using their Wi-Fi signal, I
am sitting in my shorts and flip-flops rather than
sitting under water like I hear most of the northwest
is doing right now...Gotta love the Vanagon's capacity
to enable one to change locations without much
trouble....
  ciao,
  Don Hanson