Many thanks Mark, for helping the travelers keep their van going. It is
a great thing that so many here are willing to lend a hand and/or a
place to stay. I look forward to their next blog entry, with more of
their Alaska time.

http://poramericaandando.blogspot.com/

Mark

Mark Tuovinen wrote:
> They arrived Wednesday afternoon and by dinner time the new pump was in
> place and and just needed the alternator, belt, etc, installed.  Joaquin
> broke a bolt installing the alternator but a quick trip Thursday to
> Fasteners and Fire Equipment and we had a suitable replacement for a
> whopping 98 cents.  They stayed with us Wednesday night and joined back up
> with others they met on the road Thursday afternoon.  They are with the
> other travelers they met along the way whom are also from South America now
> and are deciding whether or not to make a stop in McCarthy on their way out
> of the state.  If they decide to go to McCarthy I may throw some gear in
> our van and drive out with them as it is our favorite destination for Labor
> Day weekend.
>
> Should any List members run across them as they make their way to the East
> coast and back toward Mexico they are great people and would welcome
> meeting other Vanagon owners and maybe a driveway to camp in.  Here in
> Alaska and much of the West free camping is readily available but as I
> understand it the farther East you go the harder it is to find a place that
> you camp.  I believe they are headed for Chicago from here via Jasper and
> Banff before dropping down into the US and aiming for Chicago.  From there
> they spoke of heading for the East coast and making Florida by sometime in
> December.
>
> If anyone has suggestions for them re places to camp along the way or can
> offer a safe haven if they have problems let me know and I will forward the
> information to them.
>
> Mark in AK
>