Saving The Old Rustbucket--My 1982 FJ40 Tale (3 Viewers)

[Sea Knight]

Random Stuff

A vivid mental picture as always. Can't wait for the next one!

Coming up, sooner rather than later.

With that in mind, I think a Guiness Black Lager would be appropriate for the next chapter...
Sarge

I hope you have one chillin' now Sarge.

Back on track man I needed this road trip today thanks

Me too, and you're welcome.

Yet another home run hit

Thanks. I am investigating publishing options, but first we need to finish this thread. I can't just leave you guys hanging.

Finding these new chapters added to the thread are like finding the next issue of my favorite magazine in the mailbox. One of life's simple pleasures. Thank you very much.

I'm glad it's working out that way. I'm finding that it's a lot easier to write in small bursts, which end up here as chapters.

Great to have you back "on the tale" so to speak. Another great chapter in the continuing saga of "The Turtle".

Glad to be back in action, and thanks to everyone for the continuing encouragement.

The next chapter is coming together quickly. Bozeman was great. I think it'll maintain the MUD interest.

And the saga continues....

 

[Sea Knight]

Bozeman--Part One

Who is this woman in my bed?
Who is this woman in my bed?
I can't savvy her name and she probly can't do the same
I said who is this woman in my bed?
---South Austin Jug Band​

Pulling away from Montana Brewing, it's 1500 Mountain Time, a generous four hours to sunset. According to my trusty road atlas, Bozeman is 144 miles due west, two and a half hours of leisurely 55 mph motoring. With The Turtle's tank full of 85 octane high altitude blend, and my tank full of sweet potato fries and Custer's Last Stout, there's no reason we can't make it to our motel without stopping; we should be settled in well before dark. There's only one direct route to Bozeman, Interstate 90 West, which winds its way through southern Montana skirting the Custer and Gallatin National Forests. We ease our way out of town and once we hit the highway, the old 2F clatters along sounding like my Grandmother's freshly oiled Singer sewing machine, pushing and pulling us over rolling hills and through gentle curves without breaking a sweat. It's an uneventful drive, not much company on the road, and just enough interesting scenery to keep me alert. Leaving Billings we have a clear view of Sacrifice Cliff looming stark and beautiful above the city. According to Crow legend, in the early 1800's two young boys returned home from a hunting trip and found their entire village infected by Smallpox, their families sick and dying. Grief overcame the boys, and they decided to commit suicide by riding a white horse over the cliff. Like most legends, details of the story vary widely depending on the source, but true or not, the name stuck and it's now a well known tourist attraction, the last thing I see as we leave Billings behind. Proceeding westward toward Bozeman the topography begins to gradually change from prairie lands to hills, then finally to mountainous terrain. By the time we reach Livingston, surrounded by stunning views of the Crazy Mountains to the north and the Absoraka Range to the south, we're well into the foothills of the Rockies. Bozeman is thirty miles ahead.

Coming up with a rigid travel plan for this trip seemed counter intuitive and a waste of time, so I didn't bother making one. My thinking? Since this is a solo mission, there's no reason that I shouldn't have complete flexibility. From the outset I've considered delivering The Turtle to be an adventure in progress, and I know from past experience that over planning can quickly turn a good time on its head. Maybe I'm overcompensating, but I'm determined to keep this trip unpredictable and fun, by staying loose. Obviously I know where I need to end up, but most everything that happens between Austin and Seattle will be the result of seat of the pants flying. My planning consisted of collecting several maps and tour guides from AAA and outlining an approximate route. That was it. No advance reservations and no fixed ideas on what to do and see or where to eat. Thus far the flexibility thing seems to be working pretty well, and thanks to The Turtle, we haven't had a dull day. Today has been particularly stellar, beginning with my breakfast humiliation at the Silver Spur diner and continuing with Little Bighorn and a fine lunch at Montana Brewing. The day is young, and I expect it to only get better. Early this morning, prior to leaving Sheridan, I borrowed the Motel 6 computer and spent a few minutes investigating Bozeman accommodations. It didn't take long to find a winner.


"A Mom and Pop motel Built in the 1940's, The Blue Sky Motel is one of Bozeman's oldest. A single level, ranch style motel with only 30 units, The Blue Sky has charming homelike features. Located next to the ever popular Lindley Park, Main Street and the mountain trail system are a very short walk away from your front door. Feeling like a Montana style meal? Within walking distance of your room is Montana Ale Works where you will always find an incredible meal, live entertainment, and fine local brews...We really are the funnest, friendliest staff in town."

A charming and homelike 1940's inn, with the "funnest" staff i​

The reservations guy says they're located near downtown on East Main Street, a mile off IH-90; it'll be a sky blue building on the left. He advised me to go slow and look for their sign, because "We're little. Blink twice and you may miss us." I take the Bozeman and West Yellowstone exit and have no trouble spotting the Blue Sky sign. It's a distinctive art-deco tower standing in a grassy courtyard near the street, easily forty feet tall, huge block letters outlined in neon and a red-orange VACANCY light flashing. According to the sign they even have microwaves and fridges, and the Disney Channel. It sounds homey, and we're here none too soon. After spending most of the day in the saddle I have a big honkin' cramp in my accelerator foot, no feeling in my butt cheeks, and I'm covered with Little Bighorn dust and a layer of road grime. Vegetating in the room and finding a cool Lindsay Lohan flick on the Disney channel is sounding pretty appealing.​

Everything I know about Bozeman came from a little tourist flyer that I found at the Billings brewpub, and it all sounds good. It's a college town, home to Montana State U, selected as an All-American City in 2001, and Outside Magazine says it's the best all around city in the west for skiing and outdoor recreational activities. The surroundings are scenic and downtown is quaint, which has attracted the attention of Hollywood producers. The River Runs Through It and parts of The Horse Whisperer were filmed here, and the Bridger Bowl Ski Area and Big Sky Ski Resort are minutes from town. Just north are the Bridger Mountains, immediately south is the Tobacco Root mountain range, and Yellowstone National Park is ninety miles further south. In some ways it sounds like a mini-Austin, with mountains and snow. If I hadn't been stuck in Pueblo for three days, this is a place I'd definitely have wanted to spend some time.

In the office there's a haggard looking young man swilling coffee and pouring over a huge textbook--Romer's Advanced Macroeconomics. I wait, finally catch his attention, and learn that he's the same person who took my reservation a few hours ago. He introduces himself; he's Chris, and he apologizes for being distracted. He has a good excuse. He's a Montana State senior cramming for final exams and hasn't slept for 72 hours. Chris has dark bags under his eyes and looks like he could keel over without warning at any time, not anything I care to witness, so I hurry things along. I fill out a registration card and he gives me a key, but doesn't ask for a credit card. I assume he forgot, so I ask if he wants to swipe my card. He says no, he'll take care of that little detail when I check out. Better to wait, in case I order something from room service. Really? I ask if there's a menu in the room, and he bursts out laughing. "Dude, you don't really think we have room service here? We don't even have a vending machine. But we do have a jacuzzi. Usually something happening there. You should check it out. Later is better." Hmmm. I wonder what that means. I'm not a jacuzzi kind of guy, but it might do wonders for my cramping foot and aching arse. I remind myself to consider the possibility later, if nothing else is happening.

Blue Sky's building is a single "U" shaped structure with an enclosed all weather porch wrapping the front, allowing guests to unload gear without being exposed to the elements. It's a nice feature, probably built for the ski crowd, and there's parking directly in front of individual rooms. When I booked, I was told they were almost full for the night, but this afternoon I only see a dozen cars in the lot. I assume they're expecting a number of late arrivals, which is good. I'll be able to nail down a parking spot near the room. You can't be too careful, and I like to be close enough to keep my eye on The Turtle. Chris said my room is roughly in the middle of the "U", a section that fortunately, doesn't look crowded. I pull into a spot directly in front of the center porch door, pull out my bag, and go looking for room No. 16.

The door is covered with several layers of peeling paint, old wood, warped and weathered, probably the original 1940's door, and it's rickety, with squeaky hinges. If I was worried about security this would be a problem, but I'm not and the old door just seems like a mark of character. I like old stuff--old trucks, old highways, old diners, and old motels, and this place fits the bill. So far, so good. There's no deadbolt. The only lock I see is the little passage lock in the doorknob so I insert the key and nudge the door open with my shoulder, duffel in my hands, and step inside. The room is dark and it takes a few moments for my eyes to adapt. As soon as they adjust, it takes only seconds to see that things don't look right. For starters, I rented a single room, and this is a very large room with two queen beds, definitely not a single. Second, the television is on, and there's a woman in one of the beds. A grown woman, and a very nice looking one at that. She's fully clothed, lying on top of the spread, legs crossed, head propped up on pillows, hands folded behind her head, and she's watching TV.

I begin backing out the door, hoping I can get out before she starts yelling for the police, and I manage to mumble something along the order of "D'oh, Sorry, I'm in the wrong room. Sorry...Sorry." That dumbass Chris must have given me the wrong key. Actually he gave me the right key, to the wrong room, the idiot.

But the woman doesn't scream. She half turns her head toward me and says "Oh, Hi there. What's your room number?"

Me: "16"
Her: "This is 16. You got the right room."
Me: "I'm not following you?"
Her: "Didn't he tell you? When you checked in?"
Me: "Tell me what?
Her: "No single rooms available, so we're sharing a double. I'm Jen by the way."
Me: "But, but...."


To be continued....

 

[DeltaT]

Waahhh, a cliff hanger ending, I can't wait

 

[Sea Knight]

Blue Sky Motel

Sorry, got so carried away that I forgot about these pics...

 

[taro]

Doh! I need another beer

 

[lordbater]

haha, micro wifi fridge... I'd like to see that..

I think he was doing a cliff hanger so maybe he can get the second part out tonight??

wishful thinking..

If my girlfriend ever reads this, I don't think I'll be allowed to make a solo road trip to Seattle..

a

 

[Sea Knight]

I think he was doing a cliff hanger so maybe he can get the second part out tonight??

Not a chance. Had to stop writing and take a cold shower.

No more production tonight. NCAA basketball championship, tipoff in ~15 minutes.

 

[Weber Sarge]

It's a good thing I finished the Guiness earlier this afternoon, on my 1967 garden tractor during this odd "mow in March" 2012. Then , to come here and get a cliffhanger....?
Maybe the Mayans are right..???
Sarge

 

[Texican]

Who is this woman in my bed?
Who is this woman in my bed?
I can't savvy her name and she probly can't do the same
I said who is this woman in my bed?
---South Austin Jug Band​

:

I'd wager I'm the only reader that has almost every artist you have quoted on my IPOD and have seen most of them live........we caught JR Brown Friday night in Ft Worth, utterly amazing show....in a little dive bar named Lola's.......keep writing brother.

 

[Funkytown 40]

Lola's is a great little place for live music.

Keep up the good work!

 

[SHUSH]

you are KILLING me with your chapter breaks........well done chapter

 

[kipper]

ah hell, i catch up to the end the thread right here?!?!

 

[klinetime574]

Wow. I just read all 33 pages in the past few hours. Thank you for sharing your story. I have enjoyed every word.

My step-moms uncle was also at Anzio. I have been around him quite a bit. Sadly he has alzheimers, and rarely speaks of his military experience. His nickname was "The Flash" if I remember correctly. He was a tank gunner. My parents have a photo of him from that time. He apparently was a wise-guy, and his expression fits just that. He can't recall why he has that nickname, but I don't think I'd want to remember anything related to Anzio either.

My grandfather is a Pearl Harbor survivor, not many of them left. Thank you, and your father for your service.

I am jealous of your adventure. I hope to experience something like this in my life. I have a long road ahead. I'm only 21. I will make it happen.

Subscribed

Speaking of that I think I'll have a beer in honor of everything you have spoken of.

 

[overhanger]

I'd wager I'm the only reader that has almost every artist you have quoted on my IPOD and have seen most of them live........we caught JR Brown Friday night in Ft Worth, utterly amazing show....in a little dive bar named Lola's.......keep writing brother.

As in Jr. Brown? He does rock and it's always big fun to watch the faces of the youngsters when they find out that Jr. can channel Jimi Hendrix as well as anyone. Seeing him in the little clubs, as with most performers, is always the best. The Beat Farmers comes to mind when remembering stunning shows in dive bars.
Ball game's over Commander, back to work!

 

[galenmark]

I wasn't planning on starting a rust repair thread, because I don't have anything to offer that you haven't seen before, and I didn't think there would be any interest. However, a couple of local Cruiserhead friends thought the story of my "ultimate truck" purchase and subsequent woes was interesting, and might even be helpful to any newbie flirting with the idea of joining the 40 cult. So here's...

 

[fumann]

Lee,
I didn't realize that you took off without me. You left me hangin' back there at the Silver Spur in Sheridan with that waitress, Ugly Betty glowering at me. I had to thumb my way to Billings (where I had time to grab a Custer's Last Stout) and then on to Bozeman.

I've caught back up now.

Here's a suggestion for a little road music, a song written by John Sebastian.

"The Stories We Could Tell"
​

Talkin' to myself again
wonderin' if this traveling is good
Is there's something else a doin'
We'd be doin' if we could

Ah the stories we could tell
If it all blows up and goes to hell
I wish that we could sit upon the bed in some motel
And listen to the stories we could tell ...

If you've ever wondered why we ride the carousel,
We do it for the stories we could tell.


"The stories we could tell" .wmv - YouTube

Happy Trails,
Trent
​

 

[taro]

Doppelganger of your roommate to be?

 

[My71FJ40]

Ok...now our minds are making all kinds of scenario's of your hotel stay, but at the same time know your a man of character, of morals and so this cliffhanger is really only a testament to our own lowly thoughts...and what thoughts they are Hurry up and winch us out of the gutter with the Turtle and get us back on the trail.

 

[SHUSH]

what he ^ said

 

[Sea Knight]

TGIF

...we caught JR Brown Friday night in Ft Worth, utterly amazing show....in a little dive bar named Lola's.......keep writing brother.

Talk about nostalgia. I used to watch Junior Brown at the Continental Club here in Austin when he first started performing. Cover was something like $3. Never seen anyone like him, then or since. Nothing like dive bars.

I am jealous of your adventure. I hope to experience something like this in my life. I have a long road ahead. I'm only 21. I will make it happen.

That's the spirit. Just get out there and do it.

Lee,
I didn't realize that you took off without me. You left me hangin' back there at the Silver Spur in Sheridan with that waitress, Ugly Betty glowering at me....I've caught back up now.

Here's a suggestion for a little road music, a song written by John Sebastian.

Sorry I left you behind. I was in a hurry to escape further emasculation from Betty. A man can only take so much.

Perfect Sebastian tune to introduce Bozeman--Part Two. Thanks, I'll use it.

Hurry up and winch us out of the gutter...and get us back on the trail.

Fear not, I'll have you out of the gutter in time for Easter services, soon as I find the winch remote.

Doppelganger of your roommate to be?

That's a tall order. I'd rather describe her, but here's something to jump start your imagination.

Oh, and TGIF.

Carry on,
Lee