If I’d asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses. – Henry Ford
The Ocean-to-Ocean team has completed its first full week of travel. The total trip will be 30 days on the road beginning in Tarrytown, N.Y., and ending in Seattle, Wash., (approximately 4000 miles) following Henry Ford’s original route from 1909 as closely as possible.
The O2O team is comprised of 35 Model Ts, four modern vehicles that serve as trouble trucks, luggage haulers and the parts required for repairs on the trip. Several states and two foreign countries are represented. The youngest traveler has yet to see his second birthday and the oldest participant is in his mid-80s.
When traveling in a Model T, there are no creature comforts. If it’s cold, you’re cold, if it’s hot you’re hot. Raining? You get wet. Because many of the cars still have wooden components, the safest traveling speed is 40-45 mph.
The opening ceremonies welcomed members who were revisiting the Ocean-to-Ocean trip for a reboot, having made the trip previously in 2009. The rest of the team were novices to the cross-country effort, but not to the Model T.
Leaving on the second morning, the team was greeted with American flags waving and a courtesy coffee stop. They had been waiting since 6 a.m. to see the cars parade through the area. After that, it was a consistently rainy day that slowed everyone down but didn’t dampen spirits.
The media was in full swing at the third overnight stop in Utica, N.Y., and word got out that we were there. People came from all over to see the cars and speak with the owners.
The fourth overnight stop was in Hamburg, N.Y. Between Utica and Hamburg, the scenery was beautiful with farms, vineyard and orchards. We also saw local flooding and had to make several detours to avoid inclement weather and potential street flooding.
The week rounded out in the Detroit/Dearborn area. It was Model T Week and we were honored to be guests of Steve Shotwell, who hosted a two-day tour of Ford attractions. Greenfield Village, the Henry Ford residence at Fairlane, and the Ford residence in the Boston-Edison neighborhoods were included. The Piquette Plant where Ford Motor Company started was a true highlight, as was the Harrison Street Plant which was the home of the infamous conveyor belt process.
There have been friendly honks and waves from citizens of all ages. We have been touched by the reactions of people, some who are seeing the Model T for the first time and some with memories of parents and grandparents who had a Model T. We are headed out in the morning to see if the corn is really as high as an elephant’s eye in mid-America.