Left the Pac NW in sub zero and it stayed below freezing all the way
south for the first day's driving.   Funny to see cars  with snow in
downtown Bakersfield.   The van ran fine, getting about 22mpg at 70
mph average speeds, even on the slick interstate.  Very stable with
new Nokian snows and my old Nokians on the front.Having a heavy load,
most packed to put weight on the rear, that helped a lot.   I went
through two quarts of oil, my Jetta motor is getting a bit 'long in
the tooth" I guess, but my hand-done head surfacing job (replaced a
blown headgasket just before leaving) caused no problems and the motor
runs strong as ever.   I'll probably be ready for at least some fresh
Swepco when I get back north in spring...I can hear the tranny more
than before (I think).  I was sorry, for the first time ever, that I
took my  rear heater out..I wore a down parka inside with full main
heat selected while driving and was comfortable enough.

   I camped overnight at a T/A in Orland, Ca. where there is also an
abandoned walnut grove just behind the big rig parking...you can camp
amongst the old trees, away from the trucks but still secure.    I had
a Northface down bag and a second car bag and a heavy blanket..I was
warm enough with no heat inside...and I had my coffeepot ready to roll
in the AM....so I reached out of bed and lit the stove right from my
sleeping bags....

   Gas was in the $3.30 - $3.75 range and I ran regular except when I
got in to LA, where every HP is needed to hold your own on the
freeways where there are often 6 lanes either stopped, or all going in
the 80s and 90s mph.

   Arrived in the desert SW and it was cold in the shade...60s..but
it's back to 77 today and much nicer than freezing fog...

   Don Hanson