Thursday, August 28, 2003

Words Of Wisdom

Failure is the only opportunity to begin again more intelligently.

-Henry Ford

Wednesday, August 20, 2003

You're Not At A Car Show Anymore





The pictures just keep on coming. Check out the latest additions at the 2003 Doughty 500 Photo Page.

Saturday, August 16, 2003

Off Roadin' On The 500?





Check out the latest additions at the 2003 Doughty 500 Photo Page.

Wednesday, August 13, 2003

Sam's Wrap Up

Here's a summary of this year's Doughty 500 from Sam:

Thirteen Model T's, ranging from 1914 to 1927, (plus a 1931 Model A), five modern vehicles, and 57 persons took part in the 2003 Doughty 500. The navigation plan promised "Rocks, Mud and Fun". The tour met these goals, though many details of the plan fell by the wayside due to missing bridges, thunderstorms and mishaps.

Days one was uneventful, All hands made the long trek to Hayward with minimal problems.

Day two was an easy tour to Moose Lake, with lunch at Louie's Landing.

Day 3 started well, with an 8 mile run through Phipps Fire Lane providing the promised mud and rocks. Some spoilsports did not seem to see the fun in jouncing over the rocks and into the mud holes. One Model T came down a hill a bit fast, hit soft sand, jack knifed and went down about a six-foot slope, barely missing a big oak tree.. Driver and passenger escaped unscathed, One of the follow-up cars, a 4X4 Astro van, pulled the T back to the roadway. The T, undamaged except for a running board brace, continued the days tour. The next leg was to be through forest roads northwest of Cable. The route was blocked by construction of a new bridge.
Deputy navigator Mike found an alternate route northeastward to Telemark Lodge, where we had a delicious lunch. The afternoon tour was to be an enjoyable drive back to Hayward. A thunderstorm, with high winds and vicious lightning, quickly put an end to the "enjoyable" part of the drive for those in open cars. Those few in closed cars were the envy of all the sopping wet touring car types. The storm let up just as we reached a snug little roadside bar, where we dried our outside, while wetting our tonsils with some of the bar stock.

Day 4 was our day off. Most stayed around the Comfort Suites, although several insatiable Model T types made the optional run to Stone Lake to check out the antique stores. That evening we held our group dinner at "Famous Dave's", where all joined in for a great feast of barbecue served in garbage can lids!

Day 5 was the finale. Some participants trailered their cars home from Hayward, but most joined in the convoy back to Eau Claire. We made our obligatory stop at the old farmstead in Ladysmith, where the "Model T shed" is the last reminder that this was once the Doughty farm. All was going well until 30 miles out of Eau Claire, when the engine of Brendan's 17 touring decided to shed a few interior parts. Towed to temporary rest in a farmyard, Bren later trailered it back home, No autopsy report yet.


And more pictures added to the 2003 Doughty 500 Photo Page.

Tuesday, August 12, 2003

More Pictures Now Available




Check out the latest additions at the 2003 Doughty 500 Photo Page.

Friday, August 08, 2003

Ford Museum Get's A Tuneup (and more)

From Thursday's Wall Street Journal Opinionjournal.com by Dale Buss:

Yes, they really are. Fascinating artifacts have been scattered throughout this place since the indoor Henry Ford Museum and outdoor Greenfield Village opened in 1929 here in Ford Motor Co.'s hometown. Ford himself built the collection, mainly to illustrate forever the role of a handful of innovators in improving American life. Since his death in 1947, stewards have broadened that charter and now seek out and showcase just about anything that has had a role in raising our standard of living. "We have a bias toward things that demonstrate innovation, resourcefulness and ingenuity," says Steve Hamp, president of The Henry Ford.

2003 Doughty 500 Photos Now Available




Many more "action" photos now available at the 2003 Doughty 500 Photo Page.

Saturday, August 02, 2003

2003 Doughty 500 Wraps Up