Sept 28, 2021 Ole Southwest Tour

Here is the latest from Bob & Geri! (This time with pictures) - This is a tour that I would like to do someday -- who's up for it?

We saw lots of train tracks but only one train until New Mexico.  Oodles of freight trains..  Most were carrying double stacked containers.  Bet the truckers are not happy about that.

 We arrived, 2600 miles later, at the start of our 2500, 4 state tour.  The Welcome Dinner is tomorrow.  Bob has scheduled another oil change and I'm doing laundry.

Really surprised how good the pics turned out that I took today.  Drove due north from Flagstaff, AZ to Kanab.  I wish I had tried to take pics earlier.  I really thought I was wasting my time trying to take pics in a bumpy car. 

Bob and Geri

Sept 27, 2021 Ole Southwest Tour

Long Tour - Day 11 Albuquerque, NM

Bob and I joined the Model A Touring Club (MATC) out of CA 3 years ago.  Our tour to Chille in 2019 was cancelled due to nonparticipaption.  We were scheduled to do the Route 66 tour in Oct of 2020 but it was cancelled due to Covid.  This year we're doing the Ole South West Tour covering 4states, 2500 miles, 10 National Monuments, and 10 National Parks.  The tour commences at Kanab, UT.  We'll start taking pics then.

We would have liked to take pics of all the wind generators in OK and TX but it was too dangerous.  No place to pull off the road safely.  Miles and miles and acres and acres of them.  Very little farming under them.  Some alfalfa hay for cattle.  As soon as we crossed the border to NM there were no more wind generators. Just lots of open plains with what I think was mesquite bushes/trees.

Route 66 pretty much parallels I40 starting in OK.  OK and TX appears to maintain the route with all the applicable signage.  No passing zone, speed limit 55, dip, stop, Etc.  NM does not maintain the route except for some service roads for ranches?  I could see the road but it would turn to gravel, be completely overgrown with weeds and sticker burrs, or have a barrier placed in the !Middle of the road.  Nothing to do but Retrace your tracks.  Don't think we'll sign up for that tour if it is rescheduled.

We're spending the night in Albuquerque NM, 2100 miles and 500 to go.  Tomorrow is Flagstaf AZ and then last stop Kanab.  We plan to arrive one day before the official start of the tour allowing for car trouble.  We do 250 to 300 miles a day.  We are early risers, so get started at sunrise and arrive early at our nightly destination.  Gives us time to relax, recharge, and Bob to service the car.  We're  enjoying the trip so far.  Bob has more details on his blog on VintageFordForum.com

Bob and Geri

Sept 24, 2021 Ole Southwest Tour

Following email from Bob & Geri on their 6000 mile trek!

Day 9 Elk City OK.  Spent 3 days in Tulsa OK vicinity visiting Geri's extended family.  She grew up in Claremore, OK, the home of humorist Will Rogers.  Bob also changed the oil at my brother Bob's place. 

We've completed 1600 miles and currently 900 miles away from Kanab, UT.  We anticipate arriving there Tues, the 28th.  Next stop Tucumcari, NM, 260 miles away.

 Bob and Geri

Model A Day 2021 and Mini-Tune-Up Day

Saturday September 18th was the Model A Day at the Gilmore Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan. Don and Judy, and Kristin and Grier were on hand to experience this event. It is a wonderful event and by my estimation about 150 Model A cars came. There was also a Model A parts swap area too. Below is a picture that Judy took of our Club's Commemorative brick we purchased. Followed by two pictures I took of the brick installed.

Our brick is on the top row third from the right side.

The following pictures are just a few that I took on the grounds showing the Fire Trucks and then some of the Model A's

The following are a few pictures inside the Model A Ford Museum. The first one is of a very interesting custom Model A that I believe was probably used for weddings. Not really practical, but neat to look at.

The next two pictures are of the 1931 66A Deluxe Pickup Truck. Only 293 of these were made with only about 30 known to exist today and 10 of which are restored (according to an ad I saw).

In the afternoon Wayne Carini from Discovery Channels "Chasing Classic Cars" gave a little talk. It was enjoyable to listen to him and to learn that his Dad was the inspiration for creating the Model A Restoration Club (MARC) along with another person. They started it all!

Finally Mike Morton hosted a "mini-tune-up day" at his place where Randal, Mike and Larry did a little maintenance of their cars. Looked like fun!

Sept 20, 2021 Ole Southwest Tour

Bob and Geri Reid have taken off on their 6000 mile journey in their Model A this past week and have made good progress. Below is their email I received yesterday. I will post everything they send, so keep a watch!

Looong Tour

This has been our third day of our 38 day tour.  We traveled all day in light to heavy rain, remnants of Hurricanes Nicholas.  An overturned 18 wheeler caused an additional 40 minute delay.  Our next scheduled stop is Conroy, AK, then on to Tulsa for an oil change.

Of possible interest to the club is a new 64 West bypass completely skirting Ashboro,  I don't remember it being there the last time we went to Blowing Rock. Sure was nice.

 Bob and Geri