Articles

Jun 21 2024

Road Trippin’ Summer – Van Life Calling

Author: Jamie DeBree

June 1st, my husband and I packed up our Smurfin’ Subaru with more than we needed (okay, that was me – I’m the over-thinker/over-planner) and hit the highway for the first time in…well, I can’t remember how long it’s been since we left our city (I know it was for a Motley Crue/Def Leppard concert that was disappointing and we got home around 2am). My mom’s side of the family was having a reunion in the small town of Forsyth, Montana, almost exactly 100 miles northeast of where we live in Billings – an easy day trip.

It was a beautiful day for a drive and we didn’t have to be there super-early, so we took our time getting out of town (important for non-morning people like ourselves), and left the dogs in the capable hands of my brother-in-law (who had a few issues, but dealt with them and made sure they got fed and let out for a bit at lunch).

Last year, we decided that this summer, we were going to take a series of short road trips to destinations on the Montana Bookstore Trail, and see how many we could get to. So this reunion trip was a good first day trip out, and we learned a couple of things:

– We should definitely take more day trips
– The seats in our Subaru are really not comfortable for longer than an hour or so.

I wistfully started yearning for the posh old Buick Park Avenues my husband used to drive when we were dating/first married – the seats in those were so incredibly plush and soft, and the ride was so smooth it was like floating down the road. Perfect road cars, but alas, impossible to find parts for or keep running after awhile. Both have been gone for many years now, sadly.

Then I was scrolling Facebook Marketplace after we got back from the reunion (as one does), and I spied a decent-looking passenger van for sale. It was old enough to be “classic”, but still in pretty good shape on the exterior, with a posh looking interior and super-comfy looking seats, in running condition, with just 75k miles on a “new” (second?) engine…all for $3000.

I mentioned it to the hubby, because in addition to our short road trips, we wanted to do a few longer trips that would require one or two overnight stays. I didn’t expect him to go for it, but figured I’d toss it out there as an alternate option to booking/staying in hotels (which are crazy expensive, especially during tourist season). There were a few other vans on offer, so options, but I really didn’t expect the suggestion to go anywhere.

And it didn’t…until one night later in the week, he came over and looked at the pictures. And then watched some videos on van camping. And then did some calculations on hotel costs vs. the added fuel costs inherent to driving a larger, older vehicle than our Subaru (which doesn’t actually get super-great mileage either, but definitely better than a 40 year old carburetor-engine van). And more calculations on how much it would cost to get the van actually road-worthy (it makes sense that an older van would need some mechanical work even if it runs before highway driving), and then outfit it with basic camping “necessities” like a bed, shades, etc.

It took a couple of days, but we talked ourselves into taking a look. We took it for a test drive, factored in the obvious repairs it needs (brakes, glass, seals) plus some that might not be as obvious and last Saturday (June 8), we bought this classic 1982 GMC 2500 Vandura for $3000.

Both of us have been unexpectedly energized by this new purchase, and we’ve been going a little nuts researching and planning how to prep and outfit our van for decent weather road trips, the occasional overnight stay, and then how we’ll store it for the winter months (bonus: ours came with a custom cover, which is good because it won’t fit in our garage). We’ve both read and learned more about engine types, repairs, gas types and car storage/maintenance than we previously cared to, just because this is a classic vehicle, so it’s a bit different than our “modern” vehicles and we want to take good care of it and also not get stranded – at least not due to our own ignorance or lack of maintenance.

We also want to upgrade the interior, shine up the exterior, and make it into something of a showpiece that we can enter in car/van shows if we feel like it. Because…well, it seems like the thing to do.

We do have another classic vehicle in the garage – a 1961 Chrysler Newport (for the car enthusiasts out there – it was the last year this particular model had wings on the back) that his grandma bought new that has been waiting decades for us to put the same level of interest and care into it, but…we can’t camp in that, so the motivation hasn’t been there. I dare say it will get more attention though after we get the van finished to our liking. The van is a nice vehicle to “learn” on.

The new van is registered (working at the courthouse helps with getting that done quickly) and license plates should be here in a couple of weeks. It’s insured, and currently spending a couple of weeks with the mechanic for a laundry list of replacements and fixes, including brake work, A/C retrofitting, belts, hoses, headlight drying, a tune-up, fluid flushing and replacement, and a few other things I’m sure I’ve forgotten. Basically everything except the engine, alternator and transmission needs some sort of repair or replacement, so it’s a very good thing we got it in before trying to drive it around much.

After that, it will get new tires, and spend a day at an auto glass shop for windshield and window seal replacements, though we may take a short trip between those two things to start our Bookstore Trail travels (and test out the mechanical work). Then we can get to the fun things like exterior paint refreshing/protection and interior redecorating as we have time and money.

We’re both very excited with this new development, and I think it’s for the same basic reason kids get excited about their first car: it represents a certain level of freedom that we didn’t really have before (limited by hotel costs/availability, and the comfort level and road-worthiness of our “daily-drivers”). It’s also something new, and not “just” functional – restoring and maintaining classic vehicles is a hobby all on its own (one we’re both interested in), and we may well take part in some “vanning” events eventually as well.

So, exciting times ahead, and many stories to find and create from the inspiration that travel and new experiences brings. Just this week, the Bookstore Trail passports became available at all the participating bookstores, so I got ours, and got our first stamp from my favorite local bookstore (plus a really, really cool book of book-themed stickers as well). We’re on our way!

We will incidentally be visiting stops on the Southeast Montana Burger Trail as well…which will be almost as fun as visiting all those bookstores! Stay tuned.

What’s brought you the excitement of something new lately? A thing? An experience? Plans for something different? Comment, email, or message me – I’d love to hear all about it!

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Nov 10 2023

NaNo Excerpt Week 2: The Magpie Writer

Author: Jamie DeBree

This excerpt is in draft form, and as such, undoubtedly contains typos among other grammatical issues, plot holes, reminder brackets, etc.

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“Going to Kansas City, ma’am?” Another porter checked her tickets, and then raised his eyebrows. “All the way to Montana, eh? It’s wild country out there. Are you traveling alone?”

She gave him a small smile. “I am, but there are people waiting for me when I get there.” She offered nothing more, and he nodded, marking her ticket for the first stop and tipping his hat as he held a hand out to help her up the stairs.

The train was surprisingly full already, and she walked slowly behind a man with his arms around two scantily clad women who seemed to be happy enough in his company. They passed into the sleeper cars, and she spotted an empty seat in the last section of the general seating car, across from a well-dressed, nice-looking man and a fresh-faced young woman with flowing blond hair and a fetching blue dress that matched her sparkling eyes. It was hard to say whether they were a couple or not. They seemed to be disagreeing about something as Madeline approached.

“May I sit here?” She asked, putting her valise and basket on the seat when the young woman nodded. She sat down across from them and looked out the window at the bustling sea of people still on the platform. Most were undoubtedly waiting for trains yet to come, as hers should be departing any time now. Taking a book out of her valise, she found her place and began to read as the woman and man exchanged a few more words, and the man got up and left.

“Where are you off to?” The young woman asked. Madeline looked up and closed her book.

“Rural Montana – a town called Meadowlark,” she said cordially. “I’m taking a position as a school teacher there.”

“Really?” The young woman smiled. “I’m going to Montana too! I hear there are a lot of single men out there, and I aim to meet as many of them as possible.” She gave Madeline a coy sidelong look and leaned forward, lowering her voice. “I’ll be honest, because you may not want to sit with me once you know, but I want to become a woman of the night. What do you think about that?”

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Feb 08 2022

Variety News: February 8, 2022

Author: Jamie DeBree

Photo of the Week

The latest tattoo – rawr! Color coming later this month.

General Discussion
When I turned 18, there were three things I knew I absolutely wanted to do:

– Register to vote
– Get a second piercing in my ears
– Get a tattoo

Naturally, I did all three. My parents were less than impressed when they finally found out about the tattoo (shoulder blades are good hiding spots for first tattoos, if you don’t live in a swim suit like I did back then), even though it was a small wooden cross to mark my rather zealous faith at the time.

I remember how nervous I was walking into Tattoo Art, a small tattoo shop, having gotten a recommendation from a couple of co-workers on the best tattoo shop/artist in town (back then HIV and Hep C were major issues in tattoo shops, and I was not stupid). The walls were wood paneling and covered with flash art, and I knew absolutely nothing about tattoos and tattoo culture. The artist I’d wanted to get an appointment with (Buz Bailey) wasn’t available for months (I had no idea that was the norm), so I made an appointment with another guy in the shop in the apparently requisite t-shirt and black leather vest, and walked out a little unsure, but determined to follow through.

When I went back, I was still incredibly nervous, but I did make sure he was opening brand new needles and using sterilized equipment. He showed me the drawing, I told him I wanted it a little smaller, he looked at me like I was nuts but went ahead and sized it down, and after I approved it, I learned all about the process of printing out the stencil and placing it. Then the tattoo machine started to hum, and I learned two things: the shoulder blade is one of the more painful areas to get a tattoo, and I really do have a high pain tolerance. The artist commented on the fact that I sat so still, especially for a first-timer. I remember it burned, and the worst part was right over the bone. But I felt so exhilarated when it was done…and I learned that my friends from work were right – tattoos are like chips, you can’t get just one (I mean, unless you really struggle with the pain, and I do know a few people like that now, but that isn’t an issue for me, obviously).

I went back two more times – once to get a verse added underneath the cross (the one just after the one everyone spouts as proof God doesn’t want us to get tattoos – amazing how things get taken so far out of context), and once to get the now infamous Pepe Le Peux added to the inside of my right ankle. That hurt more than my shoulder blade, but Buz did that one for me, and I’m happy to have some of his work even if it is just a flash piece.

I got my navel pierced in that shop when I was 21 too…which was quite a bit more painful and harder to heal than any tattoo I’ve gotten.

I’d always planned to continue on with a larger back piece, but college required every spare bit of cash, and toward the end of college I started dating my now-husband, who was never fond of tattoos (though his comment on my first tattoo several years before we started dating is how we started getting to know each other, so…there’s that).

Needless to say, I didn’t step foot in another tattoo shop until my 40th birthday, and I was pretty nervous that I wouldn’t still have the pain tolerance I’d had in my youth. That was seven years and quite a bit of ink ago (including covering up that cross and verse on my shoulder), and this week, the artist I’ve been going to since then (Andrew Hauck) was kind enough to add a fabulous T-Rex to my Montana sleeve for me. Montana was once home to these huge critters, see, and they kind of fit the “MT reptiles & insects” theme I’ve got going on for this arm.

Also, I’ve loved and been fascinated by dinosaurs since I was very little, and the fact that they lived right here, in what would eventually become our state, was just amazing to me.

Sometimes, tattoos have deep and abiding meaning. Some of mine certainly do.

But sometimes, a tattoo is just something fun. Because even after all these years, I still think dinosaurs are cool.

Currently Reading
I’m ashamed to say I have completely neglected my reading this week, aside from my editing project. But I’m determined to get back to it this week, so hopefully something new to report next time.

Video Highlight
Thomas Frank: httpss://youtu.be/I6XFCl2lHbg

Song of the Week
I don’t know why this is in my head this week, but might have something to do with the holiday right around the corner. 😉
Tina Turner – httpss://youtu.be/oGpFcHTxjZs

Pop Quiz!
What’s your favorite dinosaur?

While I got a t-rex on my arm, my favorite dinosaur is actually a triceratops. And yes, we had those here in Montana as well, but…I thought the t-rex would make a cooler tattoo. Maybe I’ll add a triceratops later…you never know. 😉

Post Round-up
The Writer’s Desk (last updated: Feb. 5, 2022 )

Jamie DeBree

Writer | DBA | Dog Wrangler

Road Trippin’ Summer – Van Life Calling

NaNo Excerpt Week 2: The Magpie Writer

Variety News: February 8, 2022