Fall tour to Washington Missouri

[South park zephyr]

The St. Louis club is planning a drive to Washington, Missouri on October, 21 this year to have lunch. We will be traveling some 2 lane blacktop roads and a fair amount of gravel. The gravel has several low water crossings, if the rain gods favor us, we might get our tires wet. Along the route we are planning a couple of photo ops, one being in the historic town of Augusta, MO. We have a room reserved at 514 Chop House for lunch. A slightly varied route will take us back to the commuter parking lot at Highway 40 and highway 94. Wes have arranged for the St. Charles police to have extra drive thrus to watch over the trailers that will be left for the day.
Drivers meeting will be at 9am and we will depart at 9:30 for a 38 mile drive down and a 35 mile drive back.

We would be happy for anyone who would like to join us to let me know so I can let the restaurant have a head count.

Hope to hear from you,

Scott Francis

[South park zephyr]

Just over two weeks until our tour ti Washington, Missouri. We have 14 so far, including a 29 AA ford 2 ton pickup. ( it was my fathers)
Open to anyone who wants to join us for a day of fun

Feel free to contact me thru the forum if you are interested.

Scott

[South park zephyr]

Getting closer, leaves are starting to change, but no rain to fill the creek bed so we probably will not be getting out tires wet.
We have made arrangements to park any trailers at the commuter parking lot and St. Charles county will run extra patrols thru to keep an eye on the truck and trailers.

We are looking forward to meeting our new friends from the KC MO area that are joining us!

Scott

[hailey.harris03]

Sounds like a good drive! Count me in with my new 1923 touring!

[TXGOAT2]

May you have fine weather and good color.

[South park zephyr]

Thanks Pat,
We are getting close to 30 participants. I need to give the restaurant a head count mid week. All are welcome.

Scott

[South park zephyr]

We have had a couple more sign up for the trip. Closer to 35 now and a dozen or more cars.
For any thinking about it, we are meeting at the western commuter parking lot off Highway 40/61 in between highway 94 and highway K at 9:00ish for a 9:30 departure

Confirmed that St. Charles County P.D. Is going to drive thru several times to keep any eye on the trucks and trailers.

Looks to be a glorious day, sunny with temps predicted to be between low 50’s to low 70’s

Scott

[JohnM]

Scott, I'll be leaving at sunrise. I'm planning to meet you and all in Augusta.

[South park zephyr]

We had a glorious day today with the weather. 10 cars were in attendance, the AA ford joined us for a few miles before throwing a belt and dropping out. I will say, it was quite the adventure. There were some difficulties had, but everyone stuck together and made sure that they were overcome. I have a few photos that I will post, but I spent more time keeping my eyes on the road as I had my granddaughter riding with me. We had to bypass the photo stop in Augusta, MO due to losing some time on the way to the restaurant. We had 26 joining us for lunch at the 514 Chop House, in Washington, MO, the food and service was great.
An unfortunate failure of a brake band sidelined my daughters 23 Touring and she and her husband were able to ride in a different car. One of our members talked with a homeowner on the way down and we were invited to stop on the way back to take photos on their property. I overheard the homestead is from the early 1800”s.

After a very long day ( we had to go back to get here car) everyone made it back just as the last of the fading light of day was slipping away.
Thank you to everyone that attended.
Overcoming the obstacles is what keeps this hobby great

Scott

[Wayne Sheldon]

Looks like a great time for all! Thanks for the follow up.

Some of the tours and/or Endurance Runs I have had the most fun on were the ones where I had the most trouble. Once I got the "Hard Luck, but Finishing" award for a 200 mile Endurance Run that I had thrown a car together for (after having sold my previous speedster shortly before). The car had an about fifty foot test drive before loading up and taken to the start of the run! One quickly thrown together thing after another gave us trouble, but we made it to the finish line, last except for the friend that followed us the last fifty miles in!
I have never sought trophies. But that one I am proud of! I EARNED that one!

[South park zephyr]

A couple were earned yesterday. But a good time was had, I hope.

[DLodge]

I concur with Scott's description. My T wasn't running so Jane and I joined the tour by tagging along behind in a modern car. For several the tour provided validation of the Model T phrase "seven-gallon hill." In my case, I learned that a 2011 FWD Taurus is not a good tow vehicle going uphill on a gravel road. The whole day was a confirmation of the flexibility and affability of Model T people. (And both the weather and the food were just as Scott described.)

[AndyClary]

Every tour is a good tour Scott. I’d love to go on these local tours all over the country, but California isn’t really centrally located. Thanks for sharing your story.


Andy

[JohnM]

I was supposed to meet the group at the Augusta Garage, but, as Scott said, plans were changed and I caught up with them on the road. But while I was waiting I met glass blower and owner, Sam Stang who gave me a tour of the garage. It is the quintessential "dream garage" One side was originally built in the 1800's as a blacksmith shop, it was expanded in the 1900's with a show room big enough for one car where they sold Chevrolet's. It is a fantastic work space for his custom glass works and he has collected many signs and advertising memorabilia on display from when it was a dealership and service garage.

[SamInStL]

The morning meeting spot was at a commuter parking lot near the Interstate where we soon learned a Porsche Club was also meeting so the T's gathered on one side of the lot and 40 Porsches on the other.
Minor trouble started almost immediately after departure but the real fun began half way up the "Hill From Hell" where repeated attempts to reach the summit were unsuccessful until a kind fella in a big Dodge Ram pickup graciously agreed to pull 2 cars the rest of the way up--actually he had no choice because we had the road blocked. After a few more breakdowns, roadside adjustments and "which way do I turn here" we finally got to our 12 O'Clock lunch reservation at 2:15.
Weather was perfect, the route was the best ever, the restaurant was fabulous and the roadside repairs were 'educational'. It was one of those tours where everything went wrong but the participants were loving it. Scott, thanks for a great tour--let's do it again!
I'll bet those poor saps on the Porsche tour didn't have near as much fun.

[South park zephyr]

It was pointed out that they all came over to see our cars as we were gathering. Nice people, and the sure had an interest in our early iron. I know lots of questions were asked of, and answered by our club.
I’m already thinking of the next tour ( I promise to mindful of the 7 gallon hills)

[DLodge]

It was pointed out that they all came over to see our cars as we were gathering....

But, as I recall, none of us went over to see their cars. Just sayin'.

[OlGeezer]

Washington, Missouri is a great spot, and the route with the photo ops in Augusta should make for some memorable stops. I recently stayed at this resort which was excellent for a relaxing getaway, and I can tell you that a scenic drive and a good meal can really make for a perfect day.

[South Park Zephyr]

Andrew,
This was last years adventure.
I’m planning this years now, it will be on 10/12/24

Scott

[Steve Jelf]

Washington is about 25 miles from the intersection where I turn north toward New Florence when I'm driving to OCF. Missouri has a lot of pretty countryside. This post makes me wish I had a T I could drive.

[South Park Zephyr]

Steve,
If you are ever in the area, please get in touch and I’m sure we can find something you would enjoy driving

Scott

[JohnM]

Yes!! Mtfc St Louis overnight tour to Fulton Mo is this weekend. That's a little closer for you.