T time in Ellensburg

ELLENSBURG, Wash. -- Since leaving New York in his 1914 Model T Ford, Cassel Adams has had to repair an engine and two flat tires. His car broke down in the middle of nowhere a few days ago, and some friends made a shim out of a penny to fix his steering.

But despite the mishaps along the cross-country journey, Adams is having the time of my life with his wife, Pearl, and granddaughter, Annie.

"It's been wonderful," said 66-year-old Adams of Richmond, Va. "I kidnapped my 31/2-year-old granddaughter. Her mother has been trying to get her back ever since."

Adams is one of 55 drivers participating in the re-enactment of the Ocean to Ocean Tour, a 4,000-mile endurance contest from New York City to Seattle that was part of a publicity campaign for the 1909 Alaska-Pacific-Yukon Exposition. On Wednesday night, the group passed quietly through Yakima, where no events were planned.

Thursday, the Model T drivers stopped in Ellensburg to celebrate. A group of locals -- driving a modern sheriff's patrol car, a historic Ellensburg fire engine and a vintage Ford delivery truck -- escorted the Model Ts through a downtown parade to Kleinberg Park.

There, the drivers parked their cars, listened to the Kittitas Fiddlers and chatted with throngs of admirers. The event was coordinated by numerous groups, including the Kittitas County Historical Museum, Kelleher Motor Co. and the Ellensburg Daily Record.

"I have to put Ellensburg right up there," said Dolph Cramer about his favorite part of the trip. "It's a beautiful day, and these are beautiful people."

Cramer, 82, has owned a 1922 Model T since 1947. When the chance came to exhibit his shiny, black vehicle, the New Yorker jumped at the chance. Like everyone else, he's had to make some repairs along the way, but when that happened, he dropped out of the race for a little while and caught up with the group later.

"I don't know if I'm the oldest one or not, but I've gotten younger on this trip," Cramer said.

Dan Crane of Lansing, Mich., had the worst misfortune. A few days ago, his 1922 Model T was hit by a garbage truck in Wyoming. Crane was on Interstate 80, a half mile from the exit, when the accident occurred. No one was hurt, but the vehicle, dubbed "Clara," sustained a broken wheel, a bent frame and a smashed rear end.

Crane is continuing with the group in his support vehicle. When he's close to the final stop, he will unload his car from the trailer and "putt-putt" his way across the finish line.

"It's not the best thing to happen, but we're making the best of it," said Crane, 71. "I'm determined to put it back together. We've had a lot of fun in it, and we can't stop now."

Since the trek began about a month ago, there have been five rear-end collisions, seven busted engines and three to six transmission replacements. One driver had to quit for health reasons and another, Cramer, won't be able to showcase his vehicle as planned.

Similar misfortunes, as well as severe weather conditions, were experienced during the 1909 expedition, when six automobiles raced from New York City to Seattle in 22 days.

The vehicles, including the Model T, Stearns, Acme, Shawmut and Itala, drove on dirt roads through summer rains, deep snow and deserts on their way to Seattle. Weighing less than 1,000 pounds, the 1909 Model T Ford beat out the other cars, which weighed between 3,500 to 4,600 pounds each.

Organizers have done their best to mirror the original trip by traversing the country on back roads and forest service roads, traveling at about 35 miles an hour the entire way.

Unlike the first trip, this one is not a race. Instead, it's been an opportunity for Ford owners to show off their vehicles, meet interesting people and see a wide swath of the nation.

"All cars will drive on their own power when they arrive in Seattle on Sunday," said Peter Bernhardt of Charlottesville, Va. "We love to see the best of America, and we hope to keep our heritage alive."

The caravan left Ellensburg on Thursday for Cle Elum, where they were treated to dessert by the Cle Elum-Roslyn Chamber of Commerce. The cars were on display downtown on Peoh Avenue and then headed up west to Snoqualmie Pass, where participants spent the night.

The 29-day journey ends with a parade in downtown Seattle on Sunday.

* Erin Snelgrove can be reached at 509-577-7684 or esnelgrove@yakimaherald.com.

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