Wow, that woulda been a Really good time to test the snorkle! We're still planning on making the trip, gas prices be damned! I built this rig to be a duel sport / adventure rig and I've spent too much time, energy and $ to not use it for what it was intended. It's quite capable of getting 23+ mpg at a comfortable pace on the highway and I intend to use it before I can't anymore. I don't forsee gas prices going down soon, or ever. They 're probably gonna go up more if anything so I'll just have to spend my fuel money more wisely. Overseas we had ration cards that covered gas, cigs, booze etc. If you wanted/needed more of any one you got creative and traded or bartered, or you paid the local rate which was 3 times more. It supported a big black market for American goods and actually caused a lot of crime. I hope it doesn't come to that here, but it looks like it's already begun.
BTW Gary, WHAT are you smoking? 1973 was only 35 years ago. I admit I have only fuzzy memories of the late 60's early 70's but missing a whole decade!? And one more thing, I never knew anyone who smoked pot and WANTED to start wars. The powers that be are more drivin by ego and greed. IMO, maybe they SHOULD smoke some dope. Hey, Clinton was gettin head in the Oval office and the country was doing great.