[T2] Trip Report -- NC to NM

[John Rogers]

I completed an extended trip, from Reidsville, NC to Truth or Consequences,
NM, September 24 to October 15, covering 2647 miles via Gettsyburg, PA and
Topeka, KS, in my 1970 Westy, camping and visiting friends and relatives.
 Sadly, this is the first time that I have made so an extended trip without
sighting another bus or vanagon, We seem a dying breed.

The first 360-mile leg,from Reidsville to Gettysburg, revealed a rust hole
in the tail pipe. I ordered parts from Bus Depot and  made the repairs but
did not get underway again until Oct 5, visiting my brother and sister.It t

Almost as soon as I left it turned cold and rainy, not good camping
weather, so I drove the 1100 miles straight through (24 hours) to Topeka,
where I stayed with a friend for a week, leaving there Oct 13. The bus
seemed to be running well but I was disappointed with my gas mileage,
seldom more 17 mpg.

In Santa Rosa, NM it developed starting issues. Checking, I found almost no
gap in the points. I reset by guesswork -- having discovered my timing
light had gone kaput. That brought mileage back above 20 mpg during the
last 250 miles or so, and made me wonder about installing an electronic
system. Better mileage for those 2400 miles would have almost paid for one.

Arriving in Truth or Consequence, I still found the beast hard starting. A
valve adjust fixed that, and probably would have improved my mileage more.

Other than that it was smooth driving. I tried to stay between 50-55 and
not press myself or the bus too hard.

This morning, as temperatures dropped into the upper 40s, my trusty
Eberspacher gas heater failed and I woke cold. No real problem. The spark
plug had fouled.

I've spent the several days since arriving here organizing, relaxing and
renewing friendships, and settling into a campsite with water and
electricity and wi-fi (and good neighbors) for $130 a month, under bright
sun and a clear New Mexico sky.

John  -- lifeinavolkswagenbus <http://lifeinavolkswagenbus.blogspot.com/>