It takes a certain type of person to love a Jeep. And I’m talking the type of Jeep that bounces your head into the roof on rough roads, with big tires that rumble so loud you can’t hear anything over them. The type of Jeep that allows you to take off the roof, and doors and drive with the wind whipping around you like you are in a cyclone, while the sun warms your skin. That’s total freedom unlike anything else I’ve experienced while driving. I fell in love the minute I drove my first Jeep. Hooked…for life.
It’s hard to explain. My Jeep is my happy place. If I’m sad, angry, happy, ecstatic, joyful…doesn’t matter, stepping into my Jeep makes any mood I’m in better. I can’t help but smile. My kids were little when I purchased my first Jeep. Yes, I got some strange looks with a car seat in the back, a little blond boy sitting in it happily giggling as the wind gushed at his chubby little face; his big brother waving at all his friends from the topless Jeep, tunes blaring for all to hear. Some of my happiest memories.
Selling the Jeep felt like getting rid of a pet. Family obligations made it impossible for me to keep the Jeep I loved. I was heartbroken but vowed to get another one someday. True to my word, I bought my new Jeep in 2014 and she’s my pride and joy! Her name is Lil Red (like little Red Riding Hood). She sits in the garage while the new truck sits outside in the driveway. Of course, being a little older, she has some nicks and thanks to a flying rock from a car passing me on the highway, now a cracked windshield that is on my list to get fixed. I’m even learning how to fix some things on her myself. I’m no mechanic per se but I’m learning!
When you are a Jeep owner, you are now part of a unique family. The Jeep wave is a tradition, especially among Jeep Wrangler owners, that traces back to World War II. The Jeep was an integral vehicle in the war, when it was turned into a civilian vehicle, a tradition slowly emerged. No one knows the specific origin, but it’s thought that the Jeep wave was started by soldiers flashing the “V” sign with their index and middle finger to each other as they passed as a sign of victory during/after World War II. The tradition has been carried on by Jeep owners as a way of honor and respect. Check out this article by Matthew Wilson at https://jeepmodified.com/jeep-wave/.
A new tradition started in Ontario, Canada in 2020 – Ducking. My first ducking was at my nail salon. I came out to find an Elisa duck on my door handle of my Jeep. I admit, I had not a clue about Duck, Duck Jeep then. Since then I’ve collected three more and they always make my day! In researching, I found a great article about when and why the tradition was started. It’s a fun way to brighten a fellow Jeeper’s day. For more in depth information, read the following article by Jeff Bogle: Here’s What It Means if You See a Rubber Ducky on a Jeep.
Driving a Jeep is not only fun and relaxing, but being part of the Jeep community of people is amazing. I will now own a Jeep forever. I’ll be the coolest 80 year old great grandma, wrinkled with my long gray hair in a ponytail, Jeep top off, and heading down the road with a big smile on my face. Peace!
