Old trucks...

We met friends at the XXX Drive-In in Issaquah today, and were so surprised to find a classic Chevy truck show there. We love old trucks!

I loved that this was a club event, and all S10 truck were welcome, no matter the age or condition. These weren't just fancy show cars, that never put rubber to road. It was fun to see all the trucks from the 1970s (ours is a 1977), but my favorites were from the 1930s, like this beautiful 1938 painted orchid and white.

The utility vehicles were pretty cool, too... like this panel van in red and black.





And this green dump truck.

Car shows (and truck shows) are big around here; the Issaquah XXX hosts one nearly every weekend from March to October. One of these days we'll make it to the big Tri-Five (1955/1956/1957) show this summer. DW's uncle gave him a 1955 Chevy when he was in high school, and it's still in the family.

Red truck...

It was a complete accident, a glance sideways as I drove toward a sharp corner, a bit of rusty red and bright chrome tucked behind a row of trees.

I kept going toward my goal: a red barn trimmed in white, with a good-weather, jaw-dropping view of Mount Rainier. There was no view of my favorite mountain that day, the clouds were down to the clamshell of foothills that hold up the mountain. But I got my barn shot, then came back to find that red truck.

Studebaker. 1940s vintage. Red with black fenders. That's all I know, but I'd like to know more.

Old trucks...

There are so many memories linked to our old truck, I'm glad I never convinced Dave to get rid of it back in 2003, when it quit running.

We bought it new in 1977, and it moved us away from home to a new life in the Tri-Cities. We never would have managed landscaping our bare lot without the truck. It took us camping and fishing, hauled railroad ties (and got stuck in the mud), and took us on our first trip to Montrose, Colorado, to visit Dave's uncle Dee. The dents and dings have stories, like the one on the top of the tailgate, put there when Mike Budden dumped a log there before flipping it into the bed. We even still have the original license plates... although it has graduated to collector plates now, and we'll never pay another license fee.

Dave and his uncle rebuilt the engine two years ago. They thought it was a timing chain issue; turned out two of the cams had rounded off. It took four days to locate the problem and many trips to the parts store, but they figured it out. It's still parked in the barn, covered in dust, but it runs great.

Dee is visiting this week, and before the guys took it out for a spin, I got out my paint cleaner and did a few test spots on the paint. I think it's going to clean up really well. The test spots are bright and shiny, and not that much oxidation came off on the rag. This week it will get a bath and I'll start detailing. It needs work inside, too... new mats and seat coverings, new seat belts and door panels. Minor stuff that will make a big difference in looks.

These old trucks are really in demand these days. People love them because they can work on just about anything in the engine. No computer-controlled anything to get in the way. But I suspect we won't sell it... too much history.

Old trucks

At first I thought we were unlucky... the railroad museum in Toppenish was closed for the day. We looked through the iron fence and I swear my husband drooled. All the rolling stock, the restored depot, it had everything he loves about a railroad museum.

As for me, I zeroed in on the restored green and black depot truck. Trains, especially steam trains, are great. But I love old trucks. And this one is amazing.

As we got our fill of the museum yard from the wrong side of the fence, a man drove up in a truck and unlocked the gate. He was one of the restoration volunteers, waiting for gravel to be delivered. So he kindly gave us a personal tour while he waited. That made our day.

It gave me an up close and personal look at the truck, and we even got to climb inside. How cool is that!?

Vintage Seagrave

One thing I love about exploring the back roads is that you never know what you'll find. The unexpected roads, the secret streams and hidden waterfalls, the flush of new fall colors, the sight of a moose grazing near a river. Whenever we travel by road, my camera rides on my lap, ready for whatever I see.

Today the unexpected was an old Seagrave fire engine, slowing rusting away in a vacant lot in Curlew. Red and rust, with surprisingly bright emblems and badges. There was no indication of year, but if I had to guess, I'd say it was probably made in the late 1940s.

Peter and I were out of the car before it came to a stop, cameras in hand. We walked around and marveled at all the detailing, the bits and pieces you wouldn't expect to find intact, given its age. A quick search told me that Seagrave has been making fire engines continuously since 1881. I hope this fellow is slated for restoration.