Thanks for all the responses! She is just the right age to be doing this as at about the same age I drove across the country twice, including trips to Alaska and back.

I drove a Fiat 124 Spyder the first time, and thought nothing of heading up the Alcan Highway in late February. In Whitehorse I found out what -30*F does to toothed rubber timing belts. By the time I got to Tok Junction in Alaska (after a long search and inquisition reentering Alaska that imposed a final and technically unnecessary for the moment thermal cycle on the engine) the belt was missing more than one tooth and I could hear rattling noises. A logging truck pulled out in front of me and I downshifted, which sheared a few more teeth off the belt and the engine died. Hitchhiking in Alaska is pretty successful most of the time, but there were two of us and we spent a few hours walking in snow in below zero weather before someone stopped. One ride though took us to our destination in Anchorage. My next trip up there was in ay 1975 240D, much less dramatic.

She has a good little camera, a membership in AAA, a nationwide cell phone, and at least knows the basics of inspecting the vehicle every morning before leaving a safe spot. I will put our foot operated bike tire air pump in the trunk before she fills it with God only knows what. I still worry about Death Valley, but we'll see.

Once again, thanks for the offers of help. Hope we don't need to bug anyone but it is great to know we can call. Jim

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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)