Been on 'extended leave' from all the weather mayhem in the Pacific Northwest, but I keep track
using my Sirius Radio in the 84 topless westie-wannabee.  Sounds ugly, especially sitting here at
78f in my shorts in the low desert east of San Deigo.

  The inline four (rabbit) gasoline 5speed has been performing faultlessly.  I am getting almost 3
weeks from a tank of propane (heating and cooking some) my water lasts me about the same (we have a
camp trailer for our main 'residence')  MPG on the 1.8liter motor seems to stay right around 23+ but
interestingly, when I go into the mountains, which are steep around here, my fuel consumption drops
and I've done a tank at 26+ with 100+ miles of mountain pass driving.

  The 2wd with it's quite low low gear is good in sand, if you are good at low traction driving.  As
long as you don't stop in the bottom of a sand wash, no problem getting around in the desert
backcountry in this van.  My roof mounted Unity 'cop' spotlight has been pretty handy and I love the
new euro halogen lights on dark nights in the country.

  I've seen quite a few Vanagons around Borrego Springs..One fine tricked out GL, red, with a cargo
box on the rack, South African grill and lights, etc that I lusted after..

  This town has 3 gas stations within about 1/4 mile of "main street" and I have seen a $.40 per
gallon differnce between the stations...go figure..

  That's it for now from "on the road" Don

  Don Hanson