Links for inspiration:

http://www.roadhaus.com/info.html

http://www.type2.com/~keen/charlie/charlie.html

http://www.vwvagabonds.com/

Right off the top of my head.

Laptop: Agreed. Get a Mac.  We use an older G4 i(ce)Book.  Cost us
about $350. Lind car charger was another $40. GPS?  Yeah, got one.  A
map is usually better. I use the GPS to get me the "last mile."
maps.google.com is your friend. Most libraries have broadband these
days. Cell phone. Credit card or two.  Triple A I suppose, though I
either fix it or come back for it.  AIRS and the Vanagon Rescue Squad
listings for where you're planning to be. Regular updates to all the
Type2 lists for driveways and the like. Tell folks where you are and
you'll never lack for company. Leaving in October? Treat Lola to a
set of Nokian Hakkalepiittas.  Be the best $600 you'll ever spend on
her.

Jim & Lisa

On Aug 12, 2008, at 7:53 PM, Ellen wrote:

> The short story is this: I'm planning on quitting my job the first
> part of October, and embarking on a cross-country trip to see all
> my relatives.  This trip will take me from Oregon to Minnesota,
> Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Texas, California, then back home to
> Oregon.  About 6000 miles in all.  I don't have any particular time
> schedule.  I have a pension, and will look for more satisfying work
> when I get back home.  Lola (with just under 53,000 original miles)
> will make the trip.  I have AAA plus and sufficient funds should
> anything go wrong on the road.  I guess my question is logistics.
> I don't have a laptop currently, but I see the need for one.  A
> wireless internet service?  GPS?  What else do I need to know?
> This is all new ground for me.  Anyone who has done this, please
> let me know what worked, what didn't work, what you wish you had
> known.
>
> TIA,
>
> Ellen & Lola, '85 Vanagon ASI       Don't wait for a light to
> appear at the end of the tunnel; stride down there.....and light
> the bloody thing yourself.' ~Dara Henderson
>