I am 98% certain that she has first gear anyway as it would be very noticeable if she didn't. Coming out of stop signs in 2nd gear would be painfully slow.

I only hit 4th gear when cruising in the expressway. So rpm drop twice means 1st gear shift to 2nd, and 2nd shift to 3rd. All normal sounding to me.

Also, the transmission in the 97 is vacuum controlled anyways.