In preparation for my parents 50th Anniversary weekend, We drove north from Pasco to Wenatchee, where we picked up my great aunt Evelyn for the drive to Seattle. We arrived in Wenatchee a little early, so we decided to do some jeep hunting before picking up Evelyn.

Okay, I might not have mentioned the ‘jeep hunting’ part of that to Ann. Instead, I think I probably suggested something more innocent, like “how about we tour downtown Wenatchee?” But, between you all, me and the computer, I was jeep hunting.

It didn’t take long to find our first jeep. And, wouldn’t you know it, it was downtown! How convenient for us 🙂 This CJ-5 is part of a Gas for Less retro gas station display (museum?) on the main street of Wenatchee. I tried to learn more about the station online, but all I found were photos. Here’s a nice shot of the station.

15 minutes later, after entering the city of East Wenatchee, we encountered a second jeep, which looked to be a CJ-3A.

After finding the CJ-3A, we picked up my great aunt and headed for Seattle. The drive through Blewett Pass was beautiful, as the leaves had turned a beautiful yellow (similar in color to the 3A above).  While most of the drive to Seattle was filled with blue sky, about forty miles from my folks place fog enveloped us. We saw no more sun for the next two days.

Saturday started with a trip down to Bonney Lake so I could pick up my T-18 transmission (and bellhousing a few other parts). When I arrived, Daryl was showing Brian (you might know from Jeep Thing on Facebook) and Joe (who made their own trek from Kennewick) around his place. So, Ann pulled out her camera and captured the four of us.

On Saturday night, twenty five of us gathered for the 50th anniversary party.  Here’s a rare photo of my sister, mother, father and I. We don’t have many family photos like this.

And, this is the cake my sister made. It told the story of my parents: their births, their meeting, their family, their careers/hobbies, and their grandchildren.  Of course, no cake would have been complete without a jeep, even if it is made with fondant.

Here’s a jeepish/m151ish bed spotted on thebooandtheboy.com website.

http://www.thebooandtheboy.com/2013/05/eclectic-kids-rooms_20.html

UPDATE: Thanks for all the well wishes. We had a wonderful evening!  Next updates are Monday morning. I also picked up my T-18 from Daryl (thanks) and some assorted parts to help complete the drive train.

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Saturday was my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!

L to R: My mom’s sister Marilyn (AKA my book editor), Mom (Marjorie), Dad (Karl), and Dad’s brother B.B. This was taken on October 19, 1963, the date of their marriage.

We’ve traveled to the Seattle area to spend the weekend with family to celebrate, so eWillys will be a little disrupted until Monday morning’s posts. During our trip from Pasco to Seattle we detoured north to Wenatchee to pick up my great aunt. While there, we spotted a couple vintage jeeps (photos I’ll share on Monday). We even discovered (via the web) a “Jeepers It’s Bagels” Bagelry, which apparently has nothing to do with jeeps. Unfortunately, it will be closed by the time we arrive back in Wenatchee on Sunday to investigate.

Both Ed and Phillip forwarded this ad to me. It is pretty funny way to sell a XJ. It was initially submitted to hooniverse.com.

http://enid.craigslist.org/cto/4119280944.html%3C/div%3E

In case the ad gets deleted, here’s the full text and I pic. The jeep is priced at $1750.

1997 Jeep Cherokee  (XJ)
220K Miles
4.0 L in-line 6
4WD
AUTOMATIC Transmission
Bright Red
Straight Stock
Crank Windows, no cruise, no tilt, no delay wiper, no nonsense
POWER MIRRORS!  Woo Hoo!

$1750

Here’s the deal, kids:
This is a Jeep Cherokee.  This is not a luxury SUV, or a maintenance-free disposable import.  It has solid front axles, wind noise, and character.
It’s a Jeep.  It rides like a Jeep.  It drives like a Jeep.  All of these are GOOD things.
It is not new, it is not pristine, it is used.  This will be apparent in the pictures.

If you do not own a toolbox, have never changed your own oil, and are scared of firearms: THIS VEHICLE IS NOT FOR YOU.
If you have been posting on facebook all about how excited you are for pumpkin latte season: THIS VEHICLE IS NOT FOR YOU.
If you get offended easy and often, whine to your co-workers, and bitch a lot: THIS VEHICLE IS NOT FOR YOU.
If you feel you are owed anything in the world & have a bullshit job where you fail to produce: THIS VEHICLE IS NOT FOR YOU.
If you own a bieber album, white oakleys, affliction t-shirts, or those candy-assed stitched-pocket jeans: THIS VEHICLE IS NOT FOR YOU.
If you consider the 2nd Amendment an anachronistic relic and have never owned a firearm: THIS VEHICLE IS NOT FOR YOU.

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