In my opinion, it is a great choice! Enough space to "wander" the world and it is very comfortable. I hope you will have a lot of fun and no trouble with your new GL.
Furthermore I hope that you will take a lot of beautiful photos during your trip! (from the car and the country)

Congrats on the new car Jack. I was actually out in your neck of the woods last week. Great city and plenty of opportunity to go off-roading in the desert. Hope you have fun

I am just wondering about your options! Did I understand it right Jack: You don't get heated seats?
Isn't a seat ventilation aviable for the GL in the USA right now?

Thanks Notic...hope you didn't lose your shirt in the casinos..:-)

I won't be doing much "off roading" in the true sense of the word. Just some country roads and places you just would not take a S550. I don't want to become a prospector...just get see some scenery you don't see from the highways.

The front seats are heated but not he back unless you select the Heating Package but if you do, you cannot get the Wood/Leather steering wheel. There is no " seat ventilation package" on the GL that I am aware of on the GL...I have it on the S and will miss it. Nice on long trips.

Thank you for the information.
Here in Germany the seat ventilation is also avaible for the GL, ML and the R-Class since autumn 2006!
It is sad that you couldn't get it in the USA! Nevertheless you will have a lot fun with your car.