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June, 2007

2100 Walnut Street

Kansas City, MO 64108

Local Chapter of MAFCA and MARC

NEWS

‘A’

LETTER

Heart of America Model A Ford Club

“

Certificate of M erit” 2006

“

A ward of

Continuing Excellence” 2006

THE ROAD TRIP EXPERIENCE

The summer vacation season has begun. Even though the price of gasoline continues to rise, many families will spend their vaca-

tion time on a road trip. People hop in their modern vehicle and set sail down an interstate enjoying the comfort of a climate con-

trolled environment. Road maps are quickly becoming a thing of the past, replaced by the technology of GPS systems. A friend of

mine recently purchased a new car with a factory installed GPS system. This system is so advanced that it not only talks to you,

you can talk to it. For example, you say, “hungry.” Immediately the system shows a variety of places to eat that are along your

route. Yet somehow, with the four lane plus interstate systems, the climate controlled environment, the GPS systems, some of the

romance, adventure and challenges of the road trip have been lost. Perhaps this is because the destination is more important than

the journey. Anyway, in this month’s article, I’d like to share with you three books that take us back to the excitement and adven-

ture of those primitive road trips of the past.

“On the evening of May 19, 1903, in the University Club in San Francisco, a group of well-to-do men were sharing drinks and

conversation. The talk centered on President Theodore Roosevelt’s political fortunes, recent flooding along the Mississippi River,

and the chances that the Boston Pilgrims might take the pennant in the brand new American League. Then the discussion turned to

another topic: the future of a new machine that only recently had been showing up on the streets of major American cities---the

automobile.” Horatio Nelson Jackson was a physician who unfortunately contacted tuberculosis. He gave up his medical practice

but was brimming with new ideas. He came up with the idea of taking a road trip from California to New York. He bought a used

1903 Winton, hired a mechanic, Sewall K. Crocker, and began his cross-country adventure. Dayton Duncan wrote a book that tells

the story of this cross-country road trip. The name of the book is Horatio’s Drive. The famous filmmaker, Ken Burns was im-

pressed by this journey. Working with Duncan, Burns made a film that tells the story of Horatio’s journey. Actor Tom Hanks nar-

rated the film. I have this book and am willing to lend it to anyone who would like to read about this incredible road trip.

I’ve talked about the next book in the past. However, it is such a great story I’d like to bring it up again. The name of the book is

American Road: The Story of an Epic Transcontinental Journey At The Dawn of the Motor Age. “On July 7, 1919, an extraordi-

nary cavalcade of motor vehicles set off from the White House on an epic journey. All told, the eighty-one vehicles and nearly

three hundred men would take two months to reach San Francisco, demonstrating the need for good roads to both the federal gov-

ernment and to a young officer on the expedition named Dwight Eisenhower. Four decades later, as president, Eisenhower

launched the building of the interstate highway system.” In his younger years, Eisenhower was a real practical joker. He loved

playing pranks on the men in this expedition who were from the east and had no experience with the midwest. I’d like to thank

Mike and Nancy Clayton for recommending this book. It is a great story of another transcontinental road trip. I also have a copy of

this book and am willing to lend it to anyone who would like to enjoy this great road trip.

Finally, I’d like to recommend the book, Route 66 Adventure Handbook by Drew Knowles. Some years ago, Harvey Roseberry

sparked my interest in the “Mother Road” Route 66. Bob Hess recommended this book and it is a great read. The book takes us on

a historic road trip into the cities and towns that were once part of Route 66. This book is unique because it is a guidebook or

handbook of what to look for instead of a road trip travel log. Still, after reading the book you come away with a feeling of what it

was like traveling the Mother Road before the modern interstate system replaced the old route. Again, I have a copy of this book

and it is available to you.

Whatever road you take and whatever vehicle you drive; enjoy your road trip experience.

Chris Launer