Was that you in the Blue Westy w/2 Kayaks on top that we spotted on S2
passing thru Ocotillo this Saturday (12-08) AM?

If you're a mtn biker, we did a 35 mile ride that started at Pinyon Mtn
and ended up near Octillo. The sand in the washes is firm enough to ride
on now - best conditions in about 3 years. PMail me for a map and a GPS
route if you're interested.

Walter - 85 Vanagon

On Fri, 7 Dec 2007 16:25:43 -0800, Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET> wrote:

>  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