This morning in Grants, NM, when I started the engine, the alternator
and oxygen sensor lights were on until I revved the engine
slightly.  Then both lights went out.

It hasn't done that before, and it worried me, but I needed to cover
600 miles today, so I figured I'd go ahead and drive it unless the
alternator light comes on.  The starter battery together with the
deep cycle battery seem to have enough juice, along with whatever the
anemic alternator is putting out, to run the van for quite a long time.

I phoned a friend who made a few calls to FLAPS on my route and found
me a cheap alternator at an AutoZone in Flagstaff.  I stopped to pick
it up and threw it in the back of the van, just so I wouldn't be
stuck in some tiny Arizona town waiting for parts through the long
holiday weekend.

All went well, and I'm now in the quirky Shady Lane RV Park in
Barstow.  Tomorrow, I'm planning to drive another 400 miles to Napa,
where I can work on the van in the driveway of one or another of my family.

Thanks to all on this list for the education I've received over the
past couple of days.  You helped give me the confidence to stay on
the road despite this small problem.

I'm really pleased with the mileage I've been getting at the high
elevations (once I slowed down to 65 mph):

http://www.fuelly.com/driver/sbw/vanagon

When I crossed into California today, I noticed two things: Gas is
almost $1 higher per gallon, and the wildfires created a really nice sunset:

http://mira.sbw.org/photos/20090905/SN851977/