Ashley and Brittany Hill
After being inspired from the release of the 2011 WK model commercial, the slogan “The things we make, make us” has stuck a chord. I’ve always wanted to see Toledo, Ohio… the place where Willy’s were first made.
After packing up our Flame Red Jeep Wrangler with our Martins and a few snacks from Trader Joe’s, we did just that! We were on a pilgrimage to find the meaning behind what makes a true American Legend.
There is so much more behind the product. It is the people that create these products that make us who we are.
Brit and I drew up a map, pulled out the Atlas, recruited our mom to be our official photographer and off we were! We headed to Toledo, snapped a couple of quick photos in front of the JK assembly plant and even found the original 1901 English Tudor Tillinghast-Willys mansion that just so happens to be for sale!
After cruising the city, and waving to every single Wrangler in sight, we got off at Willy’s Parkway and stumbled upon the Holiday Inn French Quarter that happened to be celebrating 60 years of the American road trip! It was meant to be! We couldn’t believe that every single Jeep Wrangler that is on the road originated right here, in Toledo!
To celebrate we helped blow out the candles in the New Orleans-inspired lobby, visited with the friendly staff, and continued to head East as we started writing our first song inspired by The Band’s “The Weight!”
“The Jeep Girls pulled into Nazareth
We were feeling jus ‘bout dead
We just needed some place
Where we could lay our head”
As the sun was rising on our mighty Jeep, we pulled into the town of Nazareth, Pennsylvania! Nazareth happened to be the high school that we went to with our first Jeep many moons ago, but this Nazareth has a different meaning. It is the birthplace of another American Legend…The Martin Guitar!
We spent the day with Martin Guitar owners, watched the guitar making process, and shared a great day of American Heritage in our Jeep as we toured C.F. Martin’s original factory in downtown Nazareth.
To continue the journey we drove the Jeep among the horse drawn carriages right in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
As day turned to night…and the lyrics of “The Weight” continued to spill through the “tweeters” as I played along with my Dreadnought, it only seemed appropriate to share some tales at the Four Seasons in Philadelphia’s premier museum district.
We began practicing our new song and drew up a new road map in our spacious window sill.
More to come…and more American Legends to discover!
Remember to always “Have Fun Out There!”
Ash & Brit
