Yes, David, lots of hills out west here.  Just getting to work this morning
over Patterson Pass road outside of Livermore was a bit of a challenge with
a slipping clutch and my shifter sort of loose or something - like 1st and
reverse too close - had to be really precise in picking gears.  This just
started so not sure what's going on.

I am dropping off the van tonight on the way home in Livermore to get some
of these issues addressed and hopefully smog done by the end of the week.

Have a great trip - hot today crossing the Central Valley, supposed to be
98 degrees, said 65 when I got into San Francisco this morning.

Donna, 87 Syncro

On Sat, Jun 9, 2012 at 10:48 PM, David Bjorkman <ddbjorkman@verizon.net>wrote:

>  Hi All;
> Made it to San Francisco (from Boston) to pick up the wife on time.
> Primary mission accomplished.  Staying at a Best Western with internet
> access while getting the camper cleaned up and ready for getting into
> Yosemite tomorrow.  If it shows food (bear problems) inside, except for the
> stuff going into the bear box, I hear they may say no opening the top.  I
> want to avoid that!
> Stayed with Dug and his cool SO Victoria the other night.  As usual,
> vanagon types are unique and friendly.  Really nice to host a wandering
> vanagonaut.  Dug has a really nice 87 (?) all set up with those massive
> pipe bumpers (says he needs them in Cali.), SA headlights, dual batteries,
> some nice interior lighting he installed, and a cool door on his closet I
> am not telling about.
> Camper running real well with that new FAST motor.  I must admit though,
> running at about 5150 lbs, some of the hills around here did slow me down.
> Dug told me to do the RT 413 (from Reno) up to Lake Tahoe (National Scenic
> Byway) down to 50 to 49.  What a bunch of wild roads.  Lots of fancy
> shifting, acceleration, and braking.  With the new parts, the suspension on
> these beasts really shines, even when so close to max weight.  No noise or
> problems with the urathane bushings, although they don't have any age on
> them.  I am testing them to the limit though and not always on purpose.
> Lots of things to mention, not enough time or space to do all.
> Really looking forward to doing more of these great National Parks.
> Yosemite for a week, fast 2 day drive up to/through the Grand Tetons then
> up to Yellowstone for a week.  I'll keep in touch as much as possible,
> although it took more than a little time tonight to check through 297
> unread posts!
>
> Happy Motoring;
>
> Dave B. (and Diane)
>
>