ARKANSAS HOG WILD FRN & THE FREEPMOBILE

Budge | 10-13-2002 | Budge

[Budge]

Last year during the Klamath Falls fiasco created by the environmentalists over the legal authority by which the federal government was withholding water from the farmers – to protect the bottom-feeding sucker fish, which is said to be endangered or threatened, and the ensuing movement spearheaded by Jeff Head to get the water flowing to the farmers again, I longed to join the Bucket Brigade, the Shovel Brigade and just plain FReepers who were there.

It really hit me when I read about the lack of sanitary facilities for our FReepers. I thought how great it would be if I could take my elderly motor home, “The Money Pit” there and give them a little comfort and do what I could to help.

Unfortunately that was not to be. But the idea remained, how to utilize The Money Pit to advance Free Republic and Conservativism. I mentioned this when five of the Arkansas Chapter Hog Wild FReepers were on a 400-mile round trip to Van Buren for our September meeting there.

Sweetliberty, crammed into the back seat, immediately jumped on to the idea. A lot of room for up to thirteen people, our own traveling bathroom, refrigerator, computer, TV and VCR to show tapes, all the amenities of home.

We discussed the idea of using “The FReepmobile” (as The Money Pit was renamed) several times a year to travel throughout the state to attend meetings where it was often too far for other FReepers to attend. The idea expanded. We could even travel to nearby states to meet with FReepers in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee and so forth. Then at last night’s meeting Don Friovinai came up with the slogan, ”Freedom On The Move!”

I checked with Jim Robinson after out Van Buren trip and told him of our idea. Here is what Jim said:

“Well, I cannot be responsible or liable for any damages, etc. You should do it as a chapter. I don't own or control any part of any chapter. I'd say if your local chapters go along with it, you can use a Free Republic Chapter banner and make sure you are reasonably covered for any potential liabilities and go for it. Is your chapter part of FRN? If so, this maybe something they could get excited about.

”Sounds like a great idea to me! “

I then checked with diotima and BobJ and got the following responses:

Diotima: “Wow Budge! What a great idea! I think you should put a post up on the forum about the Freepmobile. What sort of suggestions were you looking for regarding advertising? I think if you put up a big post on FR introducing everyone to the FReepmobile, you just might get some requests from neighboring chapters to make a visit.

“PS. You have just GOT to get a picture of that thing up! We will be starting a newsletter for the Network soon, and it will be announcing and summarizing FR chapter events. When we start doing this, I will for sure let you know and put the FR mobile information in it.”

BobJ: “Budge, I don't see this costing too much money, maybe better for your chapter to get together and have a fundraiser of some kind to cover the costs! let me know how it comes out or if you need any help!”

This is a picture of The Money Pit when we took it on its first outing over a year ago.

As you can see, it’s old and kinda ugly, but it’s mine and it’s paid for. =o)

True to its original name I have spent all I can, as I can, getting it in shape for the road. New brakes, new tires, engine and transmission checked, belts replaced, interior slowly being re-done, etc.

I am going to take Bob J and diotima’s advice and ask for your help.

The Freepmobile itself: I would love to have The Freepmobile re-painted to look like a waving American flag. I found what I thought would be the perfect solution on e-bay recently where someone was auctioning a plastic or vinyl flag covering for a motor home 30 to 35 feet. Unfortunately the starting bid was $ 700.00 then I’d have to find someone skilled enough to install it. Also, as you may be able to tell from the picture, The Freepmobile does not have a nice smooth side, but sort of corrugated. I fear the non-smooth sides would preclude the use of vinyl covering anyway. Or am I wrong about this? See picture below.

Can anyone offer ideas or suggestions on where or how best to get the flag painting?

Signs: We would like to have large interchangeable signs we could put on the sides and rear promoting FR and FRN. Does anyone have any ideas how to accomplish this? How to do it? Who could paint them? What would the cost be?

When I had new tires put on, the old metal spare tire cover no longer fit. I went to the cloth cover below. This may be the perfect place to put the Free Republic eagle!

Who among the talented FReepers could duplicate the Free Republic eagle on the tire cover? How much would it cost?

I realize none of this has to be done right away, or even done at all. But it sure would be fun if it all could be!

[Budge]

The three chapters of FR in TX are talking about having a joint meeting at the George Bush Library at TX A&M in the near future. Perhaps the Ark chapter can join us for this. We haven't finalized our plans, yet, but will let you know when (and if) we do.

Please let us know, Basil, as soon as you find anything out.

[Budge]

A late bump for you, my friend! I'd welcome more of your comments!

[mjf]

Up in Nebraska I ran into some farm woman who has a computer - PC - that runs a sewing machine. She uses it for intense embrodery. (Hope I spelled that right). Mostly rodeo ball caps, shirts and such.

Now, I figure that there is somebody in your neighborhood that is doing exactly the same thing and would be happy to actually sew the FR emblem on your spare cover. It might have to be acrylic coated to stay fresh, but it would last you longer than paint.

It's an option you could look into.

Anyway, glad you liked the layover of photos and good luck finding the best way to do the spare cover!

mjf

[mjf]

Travelgirl;

I just got back from a ten day tour of Colorado and Utah and as always found myself overwhelmed by the scenery. The Aspens were marvelous, the red rock canyons equally amazing, and as I was photographing one of the canyons, I looked over to my traveling companion and suggested that I could take the three photos and scan them into my computer and knit them together.

Then an older man started chuckling at me. It was a friendly chuckle. I couldn't tell if he thought it was impossible or knew that it could be done from experience.
The day after I got home I had my pictures being developed and went out to pick up a $99 Microsoft product called "Picture It Pro" which seemed to be a good cheap substitute for Adobe Photo Shop at $600 and demanding a Pentium 4 processor.

While waiting for the photos to get completed I experimented with the software and discovered that Britney Spears could be in any of my photographs. All I had to do was digitize them - scan them in, and make a "cutout" of the person that seemed appropriate to the photo and then stick them together.

After the photos from the trip came back I found a way, using the software to take three or four photographs of a scene and stick them together creating a super wide angle view of the subject without having the distortion of a super wide angle lens.

Anyway, to make a long story long, I used this software for post #28, took me about 10 minutes.

And, as to "some day I'll figure out how to do stuff like that,..." I hope I'm giving you a good start. And, I'm sure that you are smart enough to do it. If I was, then pretty much anybody can!

Glad you liked it.

mjf

[Budge]

Fresh bump!

[Don Friovinai]

Well the sewing of the emblem on the wheel cover is a good idea. I'm not sure the magnet signs would work very well b/c of the courigated sides. only part of the mag would be on the FReepmobile. I'm asking some friends about the Flag Paint job to see how much it would cost. Any other Ideas Please post them.

[Budge]

I tried a small magnetic sign. Won't work, sides are aluminum so that lets that out. =o( Wasn't planning on sewing FR emblem on tire cover, but paint it. Unless you know someone who could make a cloth emblem!

[sweetliberty]

That is GREAT! Now to get it done for real!

[sweetliberty]

"Perhaps the Ark chapter can join us for this."

That sounds like a good idea.

[sweetliberty]

I don't think you want to try to go for a fabric cover. It wouldn't tolerate weather well.

[cmsgop]

Great Idea!

I am sure there is a Freeper who is in a Body and Paint Shop that can make this happen. The way I look at it the Dem's will do it soon enough,......Lets get a Jump on it!

[RedWing9]

This is a most fantastic idea! Please stop by Chicago any time. I'd be happy to coordinate a gathering. If its summertime, I've got the deck, grill and pool to support a large group! Now, about that paintjob...

American Dream RV's has a phone number you can call. They have a Body Repair Shop and they mention painting and graphics. They are in Leander, TX.

Performance Painting is in Elkhart, IN.

BodyWorks USA is in Tampa, FL.

I found these using Google.com for my searches. You can probably find your signage and wheel covers too.

See you in Chicago, '03...

[Budge]

Many thanks for the invite. I'd love to visit, just don't know when. =;(

I will check the links out you provided. Somewhere there is a place to paint The FReepmobile. Maybe one of these! Thanks again!

[Seeking the truth]

What is the material of the wheel cover?

If its polyester, I can dye sublimate the FR logo onto it as large as a 15" x 15". It would be a permanent transfer.

Let me know.

[Budge]

The wheel cover is vinyl. Does that count a polyester?

[Budge]

PING

[ppaul]

It doesn't have to be painted. In fact, it would look better if it wasn't. The logo can be reproduced in all of its original splendor.Actually, any decent sign shop with a good graphics program on their computer, with the right printer or plotter should be able to do it, lickety split. There are even some Kinko's shops that might have the capability. Good luck. Great idea. Great story! Thanks.

[Budge]

Good suggestion. Thanks!