Kari,

You should take the trip.  Our family which consists of self, spouse, two
kids under 6 and a couple of Golden Retrievers, take frequent long trips
in our 1987 Vanagon camper.  We camp about half the time, and stay in
motels the other half.  Most of these trips are 2 to 4 weeks in duration.
We try to NOT drive on freeways, and just stay on the old US highway
system.  The scenery, history, little towns and people are all wonderful.
This is THE way to travel if youre not on a tight schedule.  On occasion I
cannot go because of employment obligations, in which case Im left at home
and everybody else gets to go.

A Vanagon with 60K miles is pretty low mileage.  If youve maintained it
well, you will have not problems.  The water cooled ones (yours) are much
more reliable than the air cooled ones on long trips because the engine
temperature is more accurately controlled.  My 1987 is my third bus, and
we got 130K miles out of our 1983 before it was sold (still running well)
to purchase the Syncro.

Suggestions:
1)      Take a cell phone.

2)      Contact AAA and have them prepare a triptik.  They will provide
you with very detailed individual maps all along your route.  We tell them
that we specifically want to stay off of the freeways (theyre a little
surprised at first, but usually very helpful once they understand.

3)      Once you have picked a general route, post it to this list.  Im
sure that there are many of us who will give you names, addresses and
telephone numbers of ourselves and shops who you can contact while youre
in transit.

4)      Take your time, and make alot of side trips.  You wont find
attractions like "The Museum of Medical Quackery" on the main roads!!

Youre in for the trip of your life;  A vacation you and your daughters
will remember for a lifetime.

Regards,
Jon Kanas
kanas@qadas.com
Lockheed Martin Spacecraft Test Lab
303-977-6354