August 3rd, 2017, just entering Alaska.
It’s the 10 year anniversary of eWillys! Whoo hoo! Below are some thoughts, memories and photos from 2017, along with a brief preview of 2018.
eWillys now boasts more than 45,000 posts, which averages out to 12 posts per day for 10 years. In terms of photos, I’d guess there are more than 150,000 jeep photos. It’s a unique treasure trove (in my eyes anyway) of information bits, a gigantic database/puzzle that sometimes add up to interesting discoveries and articles. It also continues to serve as my jeep brain, as I have forgotten so much of what I’ve posted. The summer traffic was particularly good this year, reaching 300,000 page views a month. Given the niche-nature of this site, I’m pretty happy with that.
Ann and I on the Alaska Highway just south of Watson Lake, entering the Yukon for the first time.
This year was certainly a unique year for me. I notched my 50th state (Alaska, finally) with the Alaska Or Rust group. In addition, over the past year I’ve published three Dispatcher Magazine articles (Laurel C. Worman’s biography, Free-Lock Hubs and The Alaska Or Rust trip). Worman’s family has been surprisingly appreciative of my efforts, as I uncovered some history they didn’t know.
My Free-Lock hub article in the Dispatcher Magazine
I was gratified this year when my book SLAG received critical acclaim from a professional historian who wrote, “Reading SLAG was a real pleasure for me – it was SO WONDERFULLY READABLE – and moreover, I believe it’s a real contribution to the historical body of work on American mining/smelting.” The woman who wrote that had encouraged me years ago to write a book on my family, so to hear her acknowledge the quality of the work was particularly special.
Ann and I at lake Mead in March on our way to the FC-Roundup.
Though I may not have a PhD next to my name (perhaps I do deserve JpD? .. Doctorate of Jeeps, lol), I figure I am a professional historian in the sense that, whether in my books or on eWillys, I try to document the history I report about as accurately as I can, hopefully providing insights along the way, and I even earn some money doing it! But, that’s got me thinking … maybe I ought to see what it would take to get a PhD in history? I like the idea of it, just for kicks. We’ll see ….
Exploring a canyon in the Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada in March.
On the travel front, I will be heading to the Spring Willys Reunion in Aurora, Ohio, this summer. Bob Christy is overseeing the event and is hoping to get more than 100 jeeps for the event. My goal thsi year is to do another long east coast trip, one that takes me along the northern border of the US, then on to Ohio, then Virginia, then a bit of an east coast run south, before turning west towards home. Along the way, I’m planning on stopping at Montana Overland, then on to a reader out of Ovanda, before heading towards Chris McKay’s place, where I can finally see his collection of stuff. From there I’ll go down to Dan Devries, then over to see felow-Alaska-Or-Rust-participants Russ and Cowboy. I’ve got a cousin south of Richmond, VA, I plan to visit and a long time friend in Arkansas. Other than that, I don’t have any firm plans. Ann might accompany me on some or all of the trip … that’s to-be-determined based on our elderly parents.
Tentative map of 2018 trip.
I have a goal this year of getting Biscuit running again so it can be driven this summer, perhaps even at July’s Northwest Jamboree near Yakima. As for the DJ-3A “Rusty”, I am thinking of selling it. A lot of work has been done on it, but there’s plenty remaining, especially body work. I just don’t see me getting to Rusty anytime in the near future, so if it can find a new home, all the better. As for Patterson, that DJ-3A continues to run just fine. I’m hoping to bring it over to Pasco this Spring so I can enjoy driving it on short errands.
Ann cleaning Rusty’s Frame. Behind her, Biscuit waits patiently for some attention.
Us tired of cleaning Rusty!!
Rusty’s body removed.
Finally, I want to thank everyone who has provided documents, information and commentary that makes the site valuable and helps all of us learn a little more. It’s definitely a collective effort! Have a wonderful 2018!
David @ the Overboard Jeep Race during Labor Day Weekend
Hanging with the McKay brothers in June.
Dawson Creek, Canada, the start of the Alaska Highway.
Thank you for creating and hosting this site, I visit daily for my Jeep fix!
One of the coolest Willys / Jeep adventures of 2017. Thanks for the excellent coverage and sharing of your experience along the way. From the preparation to the actual trip, you made us feel like we were all along for the ride. Looking forward to 2018 in anticipation.
This was a great post to wake up to on New Years Eve morning :-D!
Jan and I want to wish you and Ann a truly great 2018, safe travels, and looking forward to reading of your ongoing adventures.
Dr. Dave, eh? That has a nice ring to it 😉 (…or perhaps The Distinguished Dr Eilers!)
Yo Doc! Nice sound that. Thanks for so much more than something to read each morning. I read it religiously (including from China when they dont censor the internet). I hope you two have a wonderful 2018.
Lew
I don’t get it!? They appear to be a normal, attractive, well-adjusted couple. Yet they obviously are afflicted w/the same Willys Disease as me. Wutt’s ^^^w/dat?
Let’s hope that our fingernails will never be clean, in ’18
Stop by and visit us on the NC coast on your trip. Lots of fresh seafood.
Last night party at church. We had an oyster roast. 7 bushels of fresh local caught.
Thanks for a job well done!! Just a GREAT SITE bringing together those that LUV JEEPS!
A HAPPY NEW YEARS AND BEST WISHES!!
The wealth of information on this site hands down the best about Willys everything PERIOD! Without this site along with other online forum community, I would have no confidence and probably no business owning a Willys as a DIY parking-lot amateur mechanic. Rarely do I see a forum community site where the egos get set aside and just help each other. I was addicted right away of how this site conducted itself and generally the knowledgeable and helpful people that comments on here. This is my ‘newspaper’ in the morning and gets depressed when I see ‘NO UPDATES’. Sorry David, I know you have other life too besides Ewillys, I think lol. Great job, keep it up and I will continue to follow this site.
Thanks for a great 2017……looking forward to my daily coffee and ewillys start to the day in 2018. I really appreciate your wide knowledge of all sorts of subjects. That PhD thing has a nice ring to it !! As you get closer to your big 2018 trip, I would love to buy you coffee or a meal as you make your diagonal trip thru Iowa. Maybe even kick the tires on the 1953 CJ3-B that I would never have found in Wyoming if it wasn’t for ewillys.
Thank you Dave and Ann (I’m sure her support has also been a key component of eWilly’s success, yes?)
I hope someday you both can make it to the Great Willys Picnic in Kempton, Pennsylvania to experience the eastern Willys experience.
Good Luck in 2018. Onward and upward!
Thanks everyone! I have one update to 2018 and that is my mother thinks she’ll be selling their place in Seattle this year. The upkeep of their property has become too much for her. So, the ripple of effects of that ought to be interesting this year (I’m really glad this didn’t happen last year!!).
Joe … I wonder if TheDistinguishedDrEilers.com is taken? lol.
Lew … nice to know they let eWillys through in China (sometimes anyway)
Bob … I look forward to dropping be and seeing your jeeps (and eating seafood!) 🙂
Terry … sorry for the no-updates days … that’s how I stay married. Even my very patient and understanding wife needs some attention!
Allan … I’d love to stop by and say hello. I’ll bring my tire-kicking boots.
Steve … I have wanted to attend that event, but the timing on that is tough. I know it is a favorite of many folks. At some point I will make it there.
G. Binks … “they appear to be” … well, you know what they say, appearances can be deceiving 🙂 … Ann didn’t come to me with the sickness. Instead, she was infected with a sort of airplane/bomber sickness (from the Air Force), but my Willys Sickness has proven powerful and now she has dual sicknesses. There is no help for her at this point!
Coming east? You need to check out my friend Rob Danzi and his 19 restored willys and jeeps in Georgetown Delaware…awesome!
And I would like to also add my “thanks” for the daily entertainment. You never know, you might see some contraption you didn’t know had been created!
David: I was just saying to myself … ‘self, you haven’t spent enough time in Delaware during your life’ … This sounds like a good opportunity. 🙂 I’ve got you on my list and will contact you in early April once I’ve firmed up the timeline.
rdjeep: That is one of the things I enjoy most, too.
After spending a year living on the Chesapeake I hope you like blue crabs and boating!! Besides all the historical areas within a short JEEP drive it’s a totally interesting area!
Congrats on the 10 year mark! Keep up the good work!
On your East coast swing, if you are looking for a place to stay in between Atlanta and Birmingham, give us a shout. If time allows, we could take you to the Veteran’s Memorial Museum in Huntsville, AL. It is a small museum, but loaded with the early Jeep examples.
Congrats and thank you for everything Dave.
Thanks GMWillys. I’ll keep that in mind. Depending on timing, if nothing else, we should definitely meet and say hello. Is that the museum with the Ford Pygmy in it?
I spent time in Huntsville back in 2000. That feels like a lifetime ago!
– Dave
Yes Sir. The Museum has a Bantam BRC, the Ford Pygmy, and a Willys MA.
http://www.memorialmuseum.org/displays/military-jeeps
If you are in the mood for some good barbeque, the Rocket is the best around these parts;
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g30631-d3293623-r134645129-The_Rocket-Jacksonville_Alabama.html
It would be a pleasure to meet you and Miss Ann, (if she is able to make the trip) I’ll have to have you sign my copy of Finding Virginia.
Dave, congrats on hitting 10 years! I started religiously following in 2013 and have appreciated all your hard work since. If you happen to touch I-95 in the north part of Maryland on your trip this year (specifically Aberdeen), let me know! You (and Ann if she joins) are more than welcome to stop by for a bite and to check out my GPW!
Sean,
I’ve added you to the list. I’ll email everyone once I get things finalized.
GMWillys: It would be a privilege to sign it. I forgot they had other prototypes there. Well then, that is now on the list to visit.
Great Job for the past 10 years Dave. I have enjoyed our conversations, meeting with you and Anne and sharing in your adventures! Keep up the good work!
Congrats! 10 years! Wow! I hope ewillys will stay online for 20 more years…until my retirement at least.
You did a great work so just keep doing it.