Just now rolled in home (about 70mi east of Portland, Or on the
Columbia River)  from almost 3 months in the desert southwest.  I put
about 3800 miles on my 84 tintop (with westie kitchen)   It's been
running with an ABA Jetta hybrid inline gas 2.0/1.8 liter ....second
similar trip on this motor in this configuration.  This return trip,
I hit very strong headwinds coming north on 395 through the eastern
Sierras and I was loaded at 4900lbs of vehicle weight,(Oregon
conveniently leaves it's ODOT scales turned on all the time...I found
one near Lakeveiw and weighed my loaded van)  so I was happy for my 5
speed tranny.   I was even forced to use 3rd gear a few times on two
of the passes, with above 8000' of elevation...a first for this van...
 mostly this time, it was the "perfect storm" of  a big load, steep
long passes, fierce winds and very high altitudes.... normally I can
pull those same roads in 5th and 4th only at about 55mph, but a few
gusts blasted me down to speeds below where I like to see my motor
running, trying to hold speed with full throttle, so I hit 3rd and
actually slowed up to 45 a few times...I averaged about 22mpg over the
winter.

  No mechanical issues, though my fuel pump has gotten loud enough
these last few weeks that I did remember dig out my spare pump and
fuel filter before I bedded down last night (in a parking area behind
the Napa store in Alturas, California) just in case....   I thought I
might actually have to swap it in before I made home today, but it
just buzzed and hummed away and got me here,  no problemo.

The cheap-o eastern tires, 205 70r 14s, that I bought (budget vs
safety issues) just before leaving the desert, were very good indeed,
feeling much like the Hankooks they are said to be copys of,
especially given the exceedingly gusty winds I encountered, as well as
winter-ravaged roads that are pretty neglected in some areas..I am
going to get two more of them (Goform G520 from Tires-easy.com) to run
this summer to save the expensive Nokians I have on the rear for slick
conditions...I also replaced my very pitted and cracked windshield
this winter and that was a huge improvement, since I normally like to
drive late into the night, if I am heading somewhere I want to get to
and it's cold out...

  The cattle were calving in the outback range lands..., the hawks
were in the trees and soaring the meadows.., the Sandhill cranes were
whooping it up in the Lakes country and every volcanic peake from
Jefferson to Baker was visible from one spot...all at once.... ....a
beautiful drive for sure..

.Woke up this morning before dawn, with a full moon almost,  in about
25f.   I was comfy and snug  in my down bag with my doggie cuddled
up...Reached out and turned on the coffee without moving from
bed......I get up and dress when the van is warm then I take my first
cup up to the driver's seat and I put the pot in my center box with a
towel or blanket around it...keeps it warm for the second cup...Gotta
love Vanagon travel...
  Don Hanson