Giant Boot Stops for Repairs in Nyack

A giant boot-on-wheels had some engine trouble Tuesday evening when passing through Nyack, and ended up at the Shell station on High Avenue for an unscheduled repair stop.

The odd vehicle, dubbed the "boot-mobile," is driving around the country for L.L. Bean marketing efforts — it's the company's 100th anniversary, and one of the company's first products was its signature hunting boot.

L.L. Bean is also aiming to raise $1 million for the National Parks Foundation's programs for kids. Want to pitch in? If you tweet photos of you and your family enjoying the outdoors to L.L. Bean, or like them on Facebook, they'll donate $1.

There's only one boot-mobile in existence, and it stands over 12 feet high. Learn more here.

Charles Yex, president and creative director of ECHO Artz of Kissimmee, FL., designed the boot — a converted Ford F250 — and is driving it for L.L. Bean's promotion efforts. He said the truck developed a problem with its fuel system and could not be driven further.

Soon after pulling into the Shell Station, which does not have a repair business, Yex got help from just across the street, where Andy Jersey owns and operates JARA Auto Centre at 73. N. Highland Ave. (Route 9W). Jersey and one of his technicians were helping Yex with special fluid that's needed for the truck and trying to diagnose the truck's problem.

Yex said he was very surprised by the help and the reception he received when he stopped in Nyack for help. Not only getting mechanical help, he got to meet the mayor, Jen White, who lives nearby and spotted the big boot at the Shell station.

"People here have been very helpful," Yex said. "Even when they just came over to take a picture they would ask permission first. Everyone has been so nice to us."

As of 7 p.m., the boot-mobile was at JARA Auto Centre. Yex was uncertain whether he would be able to get back on the road tonight in time to reach his scheduled stop Wednesday morning in Wilmington, DE. Yex was on his way from Boston to Wilmington when the truck malfunctioned.

After being unveiled for L.L. Bean employees, Yex said the boot-mobile made its debut in New York City.

The boot-mobile took about a month to design and two months to build. Yex said the bottom of the boot is fiberglass, with the top made our of an epoxy to create the brushed leather effect of the classic L.L. Bean boot.

Yex and his company design special vehicles and other devices used by theme parks, professional sports teams and for private promotional efforts.