R Leo,

Sounds like a great trip. My wife and daughter made a similar trip together coming back from San Diego this summer. The wife flew out to drive back with her, and see her brother who lives in Texas. They also elected to drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway and enjoyed the trip very much. They got stuck in the infamous Blackout of 2003 as they approached NYC from Pennsylvania, and stayed in Allentown overnight to let the roads clear.

I sent you a Private Message with my phone numbers. I am a little North and East of the City, but more than happy to help if I am not on travel out of the area and Seth needs anything. I got an overwhelming response from the board when I asked for similar emergency assistance along my daughter's route out to San Diego and she was fortunate not to need anything. Best of luck, and based on my the experience of my wife and daughter, leave some extra time to take those back roads, and camp out along the way. My daughter spent one night on the road on the way out, and one on the way back in a motel. The rest were in National Parks or KOA places in tent. She and my wife loved it. 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)