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Been a long time since I've taken a vintage Volvo on any road trip, so I figured I was due...
Destination this time... Big Sky Montana to see some good friends who's bluegrass band (www.openroadbluegrass.com)was opening for Willie Nelson. Objective being to avoid interstate highway travel as much as possible. Driving the '66 122 wagon.
Of course, I took the usual precautions... check/fill/change vital fluids, and have a spare tire compartment full of spare tools and parts. Drove on two lane roads leaving northern Colorado over a couple mountain passes into southern Wyoming, and on up through Wyoming into Jackson, and over Teton pass to Idaho.
There came problem #1... Don't go into NW Wyoming near Grand Teton/Yellowstone in August thinking you'll find a room. Ain't gonna happen. Ended up driving all night long, and finally pulling over for a few Zs on the side of the road. A 122 wagon is a fine car for sleeping, but a bit tight for 3 folks. Woke up after an hour and pulled into Big Sky about 6:30am.
Hung out in Big Sky for the next two days. Hiked around a bit... not much else to do except drink. Great concert...rained the whole show, but that was fine. Drove back Monday through Yellowstone, Grand Teton, through the Wind River reservation, and back to Colorado.
Pretty much no Volvo stories to tell though. The car ran absolutely flawlessly the whole way. Definitely would have been a bit tedious without the overdrive though. There was a 544 for sale in Lander, WY, but looked a bit rough for the $2500 asking price, so I didn't bother to look very close.
Total mileage came in at about 1700. Zero oil consumption, zero troubles (OK...a few little things I already knew about). I'd never been in that part of the country, and I would very highly recommend it if anyone is planning to be going in that direction. It really is a special part of the country...
-Matt
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