Jim,
we are in Denver, and anything she needs by way of a place to stay or car maintenance is yours for the asking.
email me off list at grimgaunt@yahoo.com for numbers

Jim, if you daughter returns through southern Mo. (Branson,
Springfield, St. Louis) or North Arkansas (Ft. Smith, Little
Rock, Memphis) and needs help call us at 417/256-4011.

We just returned from a trip on I-70 from Kansas City, Denver
Green River to I-15, then to Page, Arizona, Flagstaff back up I-40
to OKC, then I-44 to Springfield, Mo. in the trusted 85 300D Turbo
and it turned 275,000 this past week. Bill

The kids were hiking in the snow in the Rockies in Colorado today, and had to buy a new sleeping bag for one group member as she was not expecting snowy weather and had a chilly night last night. I know what that is like, having spent a few nights in sleeping bags in serious weather.

My wife and I camped across the country in early Fall (1977)coming back from Alaska with our first dog, a Samoyed named Cochise. We had really warm, zip together type sleeping bags, but our first night out in Alaska it snowed for a few hours, then the temperatures dropped to near 0*F as the skies cleared. I was reluctant to let Co into the tent because I thought his nails might poke through the flimsy tent flooring. So I tied him to a tree with about a 20' line. After about an hour or so, and just at the point of warming up the sleeping bags the dog started to cry outside.

My wife suggested he might be afraid (he was still a puppy, about 10 months old) as there might be a bear out there and then asked me to go outside to comfort the dog. Like I was going to sacrifice myself to a bear so Co could live...Well, I ended up going out only to find he had wound his line up around a tree and couldn't move. There were no bears and the dog learned to stop winding his line up, at least for that night. But I should have learned to let him into the tent with us, it would have been much warmer and the night would have passed with at least one fewer trips outside to the cold.

The car has logged 2300 miles on the trip so far, and my daughter noted it started a little rough at altitude and in the cold this morning. But after a few seconds it returned to its normal Diesel engine sounds so I told them not to worry. Not that they were worrying, but I was.

They are avoiding any Interstates at the moment as I-70 was reported down to one lane while road repairs are made and ever since ditching the Interstates as recommended here, they have been enjoying the pace of local highways. They have 10 days or so left to get to San Diego, so they are taking their time.

We ski every year, as of late, in Wolf Creek (at Wolf Creek Pass summit) near Pagosa Springs in Colorado. We have been told a number of times how beautiful it is there in the summer and my daughter was thinking of a detour down there to check it out. Except Wolf Creek (advertised to get 465 inches of snow, the most in Colorado, every year on average) got a bunch of snow in the last few days, so it will not be much different than it is when we ski there now. I think they are heading through the back roads to Durango in the next few days instead, but you never know. With 10 days to spend and more than a half dozen National Parks to visit, they may start inching across the country now.

Thanks again for all the offers for help. Got my fingers crossed hoping I won't need to call anyone, but it is great to know there are people willing to help if needed. Thanks again, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

They stayed in Ouray last night, and are off to Durango and Mesa Verde tomorrow. They are obviously having a great time and all mechanical things appear to be running "hot, straight and normal" so far. The lower air pressure at altitude has the car gasping a little, but not enough to make driving a problem. The car has consumed (most likely expelled from the rear main seal) about a quart of oil in nearly 2500 miles so it is not showing any serious signs of distress. It has repeated its slower response to the command to start, which seems to be related to altitude more than anything else. Twenty years at sea level and the car is worse than I am at adjusting to the elevation in the Rockies.

I drove the 220D in 1973 with a full load to Aspen and back from NJ. It was not a fan of the Mile High City and the Rockies, but we made it just fine. That was the trip I learned about Diesel fuel gelling. And got intimate with the old glow plug system.

Well it is time to shut down for the day here. I will continue to keep those interested posted, and thanks again for the offers to help should the need arise. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Anyone that would attempt to drive the Alcan in a 124 in February gets an A+ in my book.In 87 I drove a 63 GMC ton and a half grain truck loaded to the gills with house hold stuff and four dogs (friend was moving there) from lower Michigan to village near MT. Denelia in May. It cost a little over 1500 dollars in gas........
William Rogers......

Durango and Mesa Verde.... sounds like they running the Great Divide.

Wait 'till they see Flagstaff Arizona - the place has its own climate independent of the AZ region...... radical drop in temperature with frequent hailstorms and weird weather with bizarre winds. Things called "dust devils" that are miniature tornados might appear in AZ lowlands off the road. Nothing to worry about, kinda fun to see. Also huge cactus that resemble human beings with hands in the air.

There's also an exellent AZ rest stop region on I-40 West of Flagstaff called "Yellow Horse"...... beaucoup native american culture.

Used to drive truck OTR out of Oklahoma City, that's how i know this stuff.

Jim, am honored to receive earlier posted "thank you" from the girls for encouraging them to seek their own route off the beaten path, making amazing discoveries along the way.

Colorado snow, as I remember it, squeeks when you walk on it and is dry as dust in high altitude, arid climate.... but maybe not this time of year.

Jim

I live in San Diego but have been out of town. Your daughter is welcome to call us anytime for any reason. The number is: 619-460-6782.

Charlie Porter

__________________
Charlie Porter
'80 300SD 487K+ miles

Well they made it to Durango and took part of the afternoon to check out Mesa Verde then headed back to Durango for the night. I got a call from my daughter at a Diesel station asking what she should use, Diesel #1 or Diesel #2? I told her either works, but the manual says use #2 when you have a choice.

I have never seen Mesa Verde, but from the glowing reports, it is apparently a remarkable sight. We will have to make an excursion during our ski vacation next year. They are having a great time and enjoyed the village of Durango, as well as the little restaurant they visited for lunch. We go there a couple times when we ski each year, but I think they are having more fun on their own than they have with Mom and Dad. They are looking forward to an evening with some time in the local hang outs for the younger crowd. After that is is off to Utah. Somehow I think there will less of a chance to hang out in bars or nite spots in the next few towns they stop off in while visiting the string of National Parks in Utah.

Thanks to Charlie and all for the offers to help if needed. Hoping we do not have to call, but very grateful to know we can. Thanks again, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

We are located just south of SLC,Utah just off I-15 . We own a medium size auto repair facility.I will be happy to assist with either directions,quick look under hood/car or just a place to sit down and relax. Daytime/shop # is 801-766-1976. Enjoy the trip !

I was away from the computer on business for a while having one of the worst experiences travelling through Philadelphia on USAirways I have ever had. If you can avoid that airport under any circumstances, do it. It is truly one of the corners of the Airline Bermuda Triangle. Anyway, I got home late last night and figured I would update those following the thread today.

While in Durango my daughter inspired a radar toting local constable to flag her down as she entered the town coming down out of the mountains on her way from Ouray. She offered as an excuse that she was concerned with how much she was using her brake pads coming down the twisty part of the road into Durango, and when it straightened out she was trying to let them cool off, what with the car being so old and everything. She was doing 15 mph or so over the suddenly imposed 35 mph limit at the time according to the officer. After much checking of paper work and so on, the officer issued a warning and let her go, which really made her day. I can imagine how I would have been treated.

Later that day they drove into a filling station to load up on Diesel #2, and, after filling up, noticed a guy in the car in front of them, also about to leave the gas station, beating a woman in the seat next to him. They were travelling in the same direction and watched this guy beat the woman to point of being about to lose control of the car. They called 911 and the operator asked her to follow the car, letting them know where they were. All of the sudden police cars showed up, and, as they followed the guy, he continued to beat the woman apparently so wrapped up in what he was doing that he did not see the swarm of police cars surround him. So the police stopped him and arrested him.

The 911 operater first cleared the car with my daughter to leave the area without stopping, then, after a few minutes asked them to stop at the upcoming strip mall and wait for the police officers to arrive to take down their names for a possible subpoena. The same police officer from earlier in the day noticed the car (old beige MB Diesel with CT plates - easy to spot). He thanked them, took down whatever data they needed and sent them off. There is a possibility they may get called back to testify.

After the adventure in Durango they left for Arches National Park, and stayed a day there, hiking all over. I get reports full of recriminations that with all the time we have spent in the area skiing we have yet to make side trips to these awesome sites. It continues after each National Park they visit, and they have been to quite a few as Southern Utah on the East and west sides of the state are loaded with them. I believe they have hiked some 45 miles of trails in the last few days, and I assume I will be getting a dozen rolls of film to develop shortly.

Unfortunately they are begining to feel the pressure of time and will have to speed things up so they are having to cut some sites off on the route and make their way to San Diego. Staying at the National Park camping sites is messing with their schedules as the camp sites seem to be doled out on a first come, first serve basis, starting at "the butt crack of dawn" so they spend a night at nearby KOA then get up early to be first in line to cop a site they have already checked out. It has made each location a two night event instead of one. It leaves some places to visit on the way back, though.

Once again, thanks to everyone for the offers. The car is still holding up fine, throwing a little oil climbing up the mountains and dripping when stopped from the rear seal, but that is nothing new. Temperatures and other parameters are all normal for the car as of late. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Are they sending you any digital pictures by E-Mail? If so, please post one for us of the scenery out west.......

Ken300D

__________________
--------------------------
1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

To answer your question, no, they do not have digital cameras so we will have to wait until they get their film developed and get CDs to email some shots.

They became very enamoured with the Zion National Park camping site, and stayed there while making day trips to the rest of the locations nearby, including the Grand Canyon. The weather has apparently been cooperating and they have had a great time. One day they went on a 16 mile hike, and the next day was the drive to the Grand Canyon. Being a little weary with the previous day's hike, they opted to view from the top of the North side of the Canyon.

Sorry I have not reported for a few days, but we get sporadic word from them as not all of the area has cell phone coverage. The last few days they have seen very warm ambient temps (high 90's F with some over 100*F) and the car is running closer to 100*C, with an occasional (uphill or doing some other higher load manuever) run over 100*C but not over 105*C. I have her turn the heat on in the car when it gets over 100*C, which brings the temps back down.

They spent the last night in Las Vegas. One of the traveller's has parents in the hotel business there and they got rooms on the strip for $35. My daughter was going out to unload $5 on the slots when she called last. She set the $5 limit, based on what she has in her pocket. I imagine that took about 2 minutes. Good thing she saved some money for another source of entertainment. I think they were invited to see a show by one of the kids' fathers.

As I write this I expect they are making a run for San Diego. They will have driven nearly 5,000 miles - only 11,000 more to go until she can request that 500,000 badge! So, by the time the summer is over we should be getting ready to fill out the application.

I cannot close one of these without thanking everyone again. Especially those in the San Diego area as once she gets into the routine of driving to work every day, I am sure there will be something needing attention. And we will be calling one of you volunteer "Ghostbusters" in the area for sure. Thanks again, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Just got a call and the group made it to their condo in Carlsbad, California within the last few hours. The odometer reached 298,950 when my daughter parked it tonight. The trip across the desert was a little challenging, as the heat was on all the time and the windows open with the outside air temperature pretty high. The engine never went over 105*C but it threw more oil than usual at the elevated temps going up mountains. Too bad about the rear seal, but I don't see that kind of money being invested in this car. Coming down the mountains it dropped to the mid 80's C.

She says there are loads of similarly aged Diesels in the neighborhood, unlike out East. And they don't have the rust hers has. Overall she figures the car will be pretty comfortable there, even if it has a few more battle scars. She parks it on a white driveway, and so she puts cardboard under the car to catch the dripping oil.

She will be sending some photos soon, so I will post a few of them when I get them. Thanks again for all the offers of support. Thankfully they had no unanticipated problems getting there. Thanks again, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)