Joe,
"In every Vanagon adventure, there's a point, usually in a very distant
place, when I have a minor panic attack. I look next to me at my wife and
glance in the rearview mirror and see my treasured daughters, then I think
about every single nut and bolt and fastener and procedure and new part and
worn part and wonder if I've done everything right in building this thing or
if I'm completely insane to take my family way, way out on the road in a 28
year-old vehicle. This is where we were when the (very internal--never let
them see you sweat) panic attack occurred."

I just had to laugh when I read this. 15 yrs ago, I was in exactly the same
situation with my own two daughters and wife in a 78 VW Westy. I was in the
central Oregon desert at the time, and like you, I had a panic attack
thinking WTH am I thinking bringing them out here!!!! But it all worked out,
except I kid you not, we got off the ferry here in Nanaimo on our return,
and the Van dropped a valve seat! We clattered the 5 miles home, but we made
it!
Regards,
Courtney

========I'm thankful to all those who said "no". Because of them I did it
myself.========
-----Original Message-----
From: Joe T.
Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2013 2:05 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Durango, Mesa Verde, Grand Canyon, Moab Trip Report

Hi Folks,

Here's a report of last week's six-day, 1400 mile, four national park
whirlwind adventure across Colorado, Utah, and Arizona:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=550217&highlight=grand+canyon

I'm still beaming.  What a great trip.

--
Joe T.
'85 Wolfsburg Westy Subie 2.2