Letting Go of My “Chilkat Mobile”
Back side of my 1991 Toyota Corolla — Clarissa calls it her “Chilkat Mobile” — license plate “CNH 794” She considers these letters and numbers “good…!”
My “Chilkat Mobile” is originally from Juneau, Alaska. In December I put the car on the ferry for a 3-day sail to the port of Bellingham, Washington State. From Bellingham, I drove down to the mountains above Los Angelos, then across to Scottsdale and up to Pagosa Springs, Colorado. I drove through all kinds of storms, wind, rain, sleet, snow and finally sunshine! This car can make it up the infamous Wolf Creek Pass to Denver no problem. Though remember because it is a 4-cylinder, you have to drive in 2nd gear up the mountain passes.
Front of Clarissa’s “Chilkat Mobile”
“Chilkat” was owned by an elderly blonde woman who is now 92. 22 years ago, she and her husband bought two of these cars, a his and her pair: one for her, one for him. The cars were originally red, but they had both custom painted yellow. A little over a year ago, they both went into an elder-care home and so they sold both of their beloved machines. They took VERY GOOD CARE of these cars; in fact, they each had their own garage built especially for them; no kidding! Except for a few tiny nicks here and there from tiny rocks on the drive down here, the body is straight, no dents and no rust anywhere except for a small strip across the bottom part of the window on the back hatch door; I remedied that situation by placing yellow duck tape (the exact color of the car!) across the line of rust.
I bought the “her” car. Peggy was retired when she bought the car and had no children or grand-children, she mainly used the car to go do errands and such in the remote town of Juneau which has about 70 total miles of road as the town is land-locked. The car most likely did not ever go more than 60 miles an hour, if that, until of course, I drove it on the freeways from Bellingham — the car hums at 75 no problem with a load. When I drove down from Bellingham, I had the car packed with two suitcases, my paintings and prints and weaving looms. It probably hasn’t had any kind of load like that before.
On the car deck of the “MV Malaspina” ferry from Juneau, Alaska to Bellingham, Washington, then the long drive down to Colorado…!
Both cars were well maintained partially due to the fact that the husband was a boat and car mechanic as well as an inventor and both he and his wife were meticulous about everything they owned. I knew them personally. I grew up with them. They talked me into buying this car because they wanted me to have it because they knew I liked older cars and they knew I took care of my things. They also knew I needed a car to teach my classes up in Yukon Territory! For a 22-year old car, the interior is clean, barely worn anywhere because the car was mainly used by one person, so the grey upholstery is in great shape, no tears, no stains, no worn spots – there is only one worn spot on the carpet. I have my own maintenance records for a little over a year I’ve owned it since, I’ve had the oil changed three times; totally serviced and new rear brakes before I jumped the ferry with the car. I haven’t had to do anything major. It handles snow real well, hugs the road like a roadster; it’s a sweet thing!
As you can tell, I am proud of my “Chilkat Mobile”. I would not have sold it if it weren’t my need for a travel van. I need something larger because I am an artist who travels to a variety of shows “west of the Mississippi!” I need to carry all my art plus the display units. After at least 10 inquiries from prospective buyers from around the country in just a couple of days on the Craigslist market, “Chilkat” is now living in Taos, New Mexico with her new owner. I wish her a longer and more prosperous life; she served me well and in turn I wish her the best!