You Don’t See That Everyday! Why Was the L.L. Bean Bootmobile on the NYS Thruway?

You Don’t See That Everyday! Why Was the L.L. Bean Bootmobile on the NYS Thruway?

New York State Thruway Authority, Facebook

You Don't See That Every Day on the NYS Thruway!

What's the strangest thing you've ever seen while driving on New York State roads?

For me it was the Big Moose Deli in Hoosick, New York. I just wasn't expecting to see all those lawn ornaments in the middle of a small Upstate, NY town.

Read More: Is This The Most Unique Roadside Souvenir Shop in New York?

With that being said if you were driving on the New York State Thruway in Utica on Monday June 23rd, you may have seen something even more random. . .

The LL Bean Bootmobile!

The New York State Thruway Authority shared photos of the sighting on social media:

According to some of the comments LL Bean is opening a new location in the Utica area so it makes sense that they would bring their Bootmobile to town.

But that's definitely not something you see every day on the Thruway!

What's The LL Bean Bootmobile Do?

Back in 2012 LL Bean was celebrating their 100th anniversary and in celebration of such a big milestone the unveiled the LL Bean Bootmobile.

It's a 13 foot-high, 20-foot-long "road-ready replica of the iconic L.L. Bean Boot" according to it's website. Since then, 2 more Bootmobiles have been added to the fleet.

New York State Thruway Authority, Facebook
loading...

The Bootmobile website states that their mission is to "surprise and delight, while inspiring more people to find joy in the outdoors. Our three Bootmobiles have covered more than 350,000 miles, appeared at hundreds of events in 25 states, two countries, and dozens of college campuses."

L.L. Bean In the Hudson Valley

We checked on the L.L. Bean Bootmobile website, but unfortunately there are no upcoming Bootmobile events nearby.

However, over the last few years the Bootmobile has made a few stops in the Hudson Valley. Usually during the fall months the L.L.Bean Bootmobile will pop up at Marist University or Vassar College for a day or 2.

READ MORE: LL Bean Planning To Add A New Location In New York

While you keep an eye out for the Bootmobile, you can always get your L.L.Bean fix at their newest Hudson Valley location in Kingston on Ulster Avenue.

15 L.L. Bean Items Decades Old and Still Used

Gallery Credit: Lori Voornas

What New York State Thruway Rest Stops Looked Like in the 1950s

According to the Thruway Authority, the very first rest stops were erected in the mid-1950s offering travelers cafeteria-style food, coffee, and snacks. Today, these rest stops are going through their second major remodel which will bring new restaurants and amenities for Thruway travelers. According to these old images from the Thruway Authority, our local rest stops have come a long way in seventy years.

Gallery Credit: Boris

New York State Thruway Land For Sale

Gallery Credit: Clay Moden

Filed Under: hudson valley, New York State Thruway Authority
Categories: Articles