Wyoming Guy Drives His Old John Deere Almost Everywhere

People used to pretty much walk everywhere.

Horses and maybe a wagon would be used when it was necessary.

But it's a lot of time and work to saddle and set all of that up just to go down the road a bit.

Today people will drive one block up the road just to get something from a store.

No wonder we are all so out of shape.

But driving is so easy, so we do it.

One Wyoming driver has an idea that beats both.

Meat Josh Hopkins of Chugwater, Wyoming and his old John Deere.

This is how Josh prefers to get around.

Just chugging around Chugwater on his old John Deere.

That old engine makes a wonderful popping noise that can be heard all across this tiny Wyoming town of 175 people.

Need something from the store?

Just step on the starter peddle and "pucker-poppity-pop-pop" she goes.

Josh will never worry about getting a speeding ticket on this thing.

She goes zero to 60- NEVER!

It's perfect for summer driving because the top is always down.

Okay, there isn't a top, so maybe rainy days are a hassle.

No worries when winter piles up the streets with snow.

Folks will probably call Josh to pull them out.

He wasn't parked here for long before some old timers came up to admire this classic machine.

Operating the old gal is easy.

But it's nothing like today's cars.

You'll have to be shown how and it takes a little practice.

No need to worry about leaving the keys in it.

There aren't any keys.

There is a starter peddle, operated by foot, if you know what that peddle looks like.

But you had better have the hand-operated clutch and the gear in the right position.

Don't forget the choke.

Any idea what the switch below those three gauges is for?

NO? Then don't bother trying to drive it.

Not many people out there will have any idea how to operate it, even if it is simple.

So the chances of it being stolen are slim.

If someone does try to steal it they won't be making a fast getaway.

Josh might be able to run them down on foot.

Besides, this is Chugwater, Wyoming. How much crime do they really have?

These days Josh saves his car for the longer trips.

Considering where Chugwater, Wyoming is, everywhere else is a longer trip.

You might wonder how he carries anything around.

No trunk, no seats to put things on, not even a glovebox.

That's okay, Josh can attach anything he needs to the back depending on what he wants to haul.

But if it's just lunch from Wyoming's oldest soda fountain, he can carry that in his lap while he drives.

Then again, we are not talking about a smooth ride here.

That means he will have a lot of trouble getting the straw or burger in his mouth as the tractor chugs and bops down the road.

Better get extra napkins, or maybe just pull over and eat.

Then again home is never far away in Chugwater.

So, if you ever find yourself driving up or down I-25 in Wyoming and you see the sign for the town of Chugwater, Wyoming, pull on down and visit.

Get some lunch or a malt at the soda fountain.

Then stroll across the street to the Tri-County Mercantile.

If the tractor is parked out front, Josh is probably inside.

A FUNNY SIDE NOTE ABOUT THE PHOTOS IN THIS ARTICLE!

Chugwater is such a small town there is hardly ever any traffic.

But each time Tim Mandese tried taking a picture of Josh and the old John Deere half a dozen cars and big trucks would suddenly appear.

What was supposed to be a quick photo shoot took about 45 minutes.

It was the damnedest thing.