'Been there, done that, got the bumper sticker'

By Maggie Plummer

These are a handful of the proud "road warrior" bumper stickers we found while cruising around in the Arlee Powwow parking area and camp last week. (Maggie Plummer photos)

Some of the serious traveling units at the powwow, the real powwow trail wagons, sport an astonishing array of bumper stickers.

On vehicles from all over - Connecticut, New Mexico, California - and ranging from rickety old campers to blindingly shiny SUVs, the stickers are a way for people to dress up their "ponies" and proudly list the places they've been and the things they've done.

Sometimes they'll include "in loving memory of" names, or design a back window logo that is uniquely theirs.

Other times it's a simple matter of decorating the vehicle by printing in the back window dust: "Rez van...snaggin wagon."

Here is a small sampling of bumper stickers found among the cars and campers parked at the Arlee powwow last week:
    • "My student can beat up your honor student"
    • "Don't get mad, get naked!"
    • "Do it sober"
    • "Still CRAZY after all this sobriety"
    • "Treehugging Dirt Worshipper"
    • "Indians discovered America"
    • "When in doubt, go higher" and
    • "Phish '03"