Don't know how many of you may be heading to this years MTFCI Canyonlands Tour but there's only enough time left to get the oil changed and air in the tires.
See you There
Gene
Looking forward to meeting you Gene and other forum participants. Others, please post if you are going so I know who to look for. It will be nice to put some faces to names. Looks like some big miles being done of some days of the Tour so the cars will definitely need to be 'tour ready'!
Regards,
Warwick.
We will be there.
Yvonne, Spencer, and I will be there.
: ^ )
Keith
Will this tour go to / near Green River?
Five T's from Kitsap County, WA will be there (including ME !!!)
Be_Zero_Be
We'll be there bringing our '26 Roadster Pickup.
Keith
Bill, Green River is on I-70 near the middle of the state. Kanab is near the Arizona state line. Looks like about 160 miles by air, but a lot farther by road.
Bill, The tour stays way south of Green River.
Teresa and I won't be arriving until late Sunday afternoon as we have a wedding to attend in Rapid City on Saturday. We are then driving non-stop to Kanab.
I sure wish I could have had a car in shape to make this trip. That's one of my favorite parts of the country. I guess I'll have to do it on my own when I have a T that's up to it.
Tim and Joan from Abilene, Texas will be there with a red 14 touring. Just installed Kevlar after woven low band gave up at the Show Me Tour the last of May. Hopefully will not have any trouble with that addition. Looking forward to a great tour, 'cause Russ and crew always come through.
Warwick,
I remember our last tour there and the drive to the Grand Canyon was quite a long one with some "good" wind on the way back. I couldn't pull it in O/D with the front windshield up on the Torpedo.
It's some of the most beautiful country with the diverse landscape of spires and canyons with desert and forest in between.
Sure looking forward to see some of you guys again!
The Canyonlands III tour in 2009 was very special to us. We had heard about it over a year before it took place and Anja said right away that she wanted us to go on it, which we planned to do. In October 2008, she was diagnosed with her brain tumor, had surgery, then radiation and chemo. Statistically, it was likely that she wouldn't be in any shape for the tour by the following summer. In late March/early April of 2009, she was doing fine and we signed up for the Show-Me Tour in May. We also realized that she was doing so well that we could go on the Canyonlands Tour as well, but the registration deadline had passed. I e-mailed Russ Furstnow and explained the situation, and he let us register. There were 183 cars on that tour and we were Car No. 183.
Ken and Marge Meek and Kent Gilbane from the St. Louis club were also on the tour.
Here we are at the Grand Canyon. Anja is wearing her post-radiation fuzzy knitted cap.
What a great time we had for a whole week. It's among our best Model T memories. You will all really enjoy it, I can guarantee you.
My wife and I came over from England for the Canyonlands 111 tour in 2009 as passengers ,and had such a good time decided that I wanted to buy another T in US and drive it this time and that's exactly what we are going to do , the car has had many issues since purchasing, engine requiring rebuild so this is the maiden voyage please come say hello especially if I am sat at the side of the road , will be driving 1915 touring with AZ tags .
The UK T Register members will be well supported this time we have about 10 on the rally, I am really looking forward to it see you all next week .
Steve Jelf,
are you saying that neither your Touring nor your Runabout are sorted enough to be driven on a tour. YOUR cars?
Will be there with my freshly repainted and upholstered 1911 Touring. Will be great to see many Ocean-to-Ocean Participants as well.
I sure wish I could be there but between work, the travel time, fuel prices, etc. I thought I better skip this one. I hate to miss it though!
Have fun everyone and, above all, be safe!
Put down one more from Kitsap County.
Paul
Jerry and Marge Davis....Houston TX will be there. We attended the Canyonlands Tour 1995. It was a super tour then and will be again.
I can't wait. We are spending a week at the beach starting today and I am sure I will spend much of that time thinking about the little details I hope I have already thought of. Looking forward to seeing all of your smiling faces as well as that incredible GODs country out there.
"Wagons Hoooooooooo..."
Dick, that warms my heart. Gonna be great to meet all you folks from both near and far.
What is the story on this tunnel I keep hearing about?
Eric, in Zion National Park there is a mile long tunnel through the mountain. There is no lighting, a couple of windows. If you are the first car in with no taillights to follow it is the blackest hole I have ever driven into.
The Canyonlands Tour committee is ready for a great week of fun and touring. There will be new events and some new things to see on the drive to Colorado City, so be prepared for a fun-filled week. We look forward to seeing everyone in five days!!!
Russ Furstnow
I have a classmate and wife coming from Iowa while his corn grows and they would really appreciate a ridealong if anyone has room to accommodate them on one of the days tours.
I hope there is a sign up sheet for those looking for rides or those offering a back seat.
Bernard, unfortunately that's exactly right. The roadster is still in reassembly after the engine/transmission rebuild, which was done only this spring, plus other fixes. I've rebuilt the touring's rear axle, but have never looked into the engine. After all the other things I've had to fix on that car, I absolutely do not trust it for a long trip without seeing the guts. I hope to have the roadster ready at least for the Kansas tour in September.
Because of the warning about the tunnel, I had wired up a brake light on my car. When we were about 5-6 miles from the tunnel, Ken, Kent and I pulled off the road onto a parking lot - I forget why. While we were there, smoke began coming out from under my floorboards. We quickly lifted the back floorboard and disconnected the battery, but the new brake light switch was fried. That meant that, just before the tunnel for which I had installed the brake light, I was back to no brake light. In the tunnel, the three of us stayed together and we were in the middle. Worked fine.
Susie and I will be there with our '26 touring. Our friends Jerry and Becky Hutchison will be riding along. Looking forward to meeting some of the forum guys and seeing some old friends.
Steve
Russ, thanks to you and everyone else putting this tour together for our enjoyment. Gene, we will give a ride day if they need one. I can't imagine it being to hard to find a back seat each day.
My last post before starting my journey to Kenab. two hour car trip to near airport, overnight stay at my sisters,14 hr flight to LA, two nights in LA, flight to Vegas, hire car to Kenab then start Tour! Cant wait to exit our Winter and visit Summer and be there to meet all you guys! See you soon.
Warwick, Paula, Jackson & Calvin.
Warwick - We look forward to meeting you.
We're leaving tomorrow morning. it's 1,710 miles = about 3.5 to 4 days driving each way. I'm doing last minute adjustments and greasing the bearings on the trailer this afternoon.
Keith
Safe trip Keith. It will be very different for me to arrive at a Tour not towing a car and trailer or having our T there! Which T are you taking? My wife, Paula has got very used to travelling in our Fordor Sedan and is always very comfortable. I have said this tour will be all Touring cars with the top down just to tease her a bit!
Hi Warwick - We're taking our '26 Roadster Pickup - it's the one we usually use on these tours.
I have a Fordor also...it was my first one and it's a keeper. Nice solid wood and the doors close beautifully. Click, click, with no pressure needed to close them.
See you soon,
Keith
I made the decision to change out my 4:1 for a 5:1 26 steering column. I didn't realize, after rebuilding the lower steering bracket, that it didn't fit without drilling new holes either in it or the frame. I'll get it in tonight!! The steering will be tight, engine runs well, tho the tranny and rear end are noisy. 2 spare seats in the back for guests! Canyonlands here we come!!
Noel (and Teresa)
The back seat in a touring does get all the wind. I plan on keeping the top up for sun protection, and to keep the seats from super heating.
Not sure how a week of driving in that heat will affect my Lizzy, so I'm bringing extra oil, grease, lube, coolant, etc
P.S. DON'T BOTHER WITH A RADIATOR CAP ORNAMENT FOR THE CONTEST BECAUSE I HAVE THE WINNER. CHALLENGE ON.
Eric, if at all possible put the top down the day we go to Zion, you won't want to miss any of the majesty or splendor of the drive through that canyon. There is a lot of looking up!
I'm looking forward to seeing your radiator caps!
Erich has thrown out the challenge!!! ;-)
Here is my winning radiator cap from 2009, I plan to donate it to the youth auction, so everyone will have a chance to own a winning cap!
Mike, good point about zion. And yes I have thrown down the gauntlet regarding the radiator cap contest.
Erich,
Mike's made a good one, this might be quite a contest .
Wish I were there, enjoy.
Rob
The Tunnel.
How long is the tunnel?
Many of you are loading up and getting ready to make the drive to Kanab.
Have a SAFE and EVENT FREE trip. Don't forget to double check everything before taking off and stop frequently to check everything out like on gas stops.
Excited to See Ya There!!
This is the tunnel entrance in the other direction. According to my caption on this one, the tunnel is 1.1 miles long.
Erich and Mike,
Both of your contest entries lack elegance (even the unseen entry from Erich). I guess I will have to show you what you don't know how about radiator caps !!!
Be_Zero_Be
Bob, the cap pictured is my old one, I have an all new cap for this year!
Mike
I have my new '25 pickup ready to go. It's never been out of California, and is barely broke in, so I'll see how it goes.
Larry, We have a "fleet" of trouble trailers following behind the T's, so don't worry. We hope we don't have to put anyone on the trouble trailers this tour!!
Russ Furstnow
That tunnel to Zion is difficult in a T, because there are openings along the way on the side of the tunnel. The lights on a T are quite dim and as one passes those holes, the eyes adjust to the light from outside, and then it is hard to see where you are going inside the tunnel. Be very careful and leave a lot of following distance so you don't run into the T in front of you.
Norm
Russ, what about parking lot security in Kanab?
Norm, close one eye when passing a window.
Erich, I am sure Russ will address that, but my recollection is that I didn't spend one second of the week I was there worrying about my car on the parking lot. The population of Kanab is about 4,500, which in a sense means there are 4,500 people keeping an eye on your car for you. If you look at the demographics and crime statistics, I think any danger to the cars is pretty minimal, if not nil.
http://www.city-data.com/city/Kanab-Utah.html
Dick, thanks. I will stop any worries and just have a great time. I did take off the fancy rad cap for the drive out there though.
Wow, that is a serious tunnel. Looks like fun.
See it here at about 2:34
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyS6RYz-i8Q
Gee, it took us a lot longer to get through it than it did those guys....
I got confused. Our friends Jerry and Becky won't be with us on this trip. It is the National Hillbilly tour that they will be with us. Just us on this tour.
Great video! As fast as it moves, though, it's easy to miss the intersection at the east end of the bridge where you start climbing out of the main canyon toward the tunnel. I had to go back and pause at :47 to find it.
We have been on the tour twice and enjoyed them very much. WE cant make the tours anymore.
If you cant decide if you want to go on a tour
or not. GO! As there will be a time when you
cant go Russ the speedometer I got from you is still working fine after 6 years Lee
Day one got is from portland to boise (who was that who passed us with a black roadster on the back with WA plates?). Day 2 got is to salt lake city. Only lost one tire on one of our trailers. It was old. Tomorrow on to kanab.
How many miles each day Erich? We arrived safely in LA and have enjoyed the sights. Fly to Vegas tomorrow to pick up the hire car.Should arrive Kanab late tomorrow afternoon. See you there.
Okay, all you Canyonlands tour participants, listen up!
Those of us back at home who can't be there expect to see lots of pictures here in the next five days. Got it?
We are having a great time at Canyonlands. Went through 10 gallons of water on Monday!
Sorry no pics from me. Maybe Erich...
: ^ )
Keith
Kieth T,
Was the ten gallons of water for you? Or the car?
Please, drive carefully, and DO enjoy! W2
Both... Weather has been very Hot but tempered with rain. We sat in a down pour waiting for it to pass so we could have a picnic BBQ. It cleared up and enjoyed wonderful food, ice cream and great music from a local singer. A few of the T's suffered from the water taking off afterwards for awhile till they dried out.
The dyno testing has been going on and several of the guys have run their cars on the test stand.
Our trip to Bryce was fun with some of the folks getting hit with heavy rain and hail stones on their way back.
Tomorrow it a run to Cedar Breaks National Monument with an elevation of over 10,000 ft elevation. We'll travel just over 130 miles for the day.
I picked up the gauntlet that Erich had thrown out and won the radiator cap competition for the 2nd time. Here is a shot of the winning cap! It shoots a 21' stream of water and then barks at you. It is remote controlled and can be operated from 300' away. I used 5 gallons of water during the competition. There were a ton of nice caps, very creative and a lot of fun.
Congrats on the winning cap - that is great.
Question - What do you do with them after the win? Do you provide entertainment while on other tours when the folks walking by get a little too close?
We still have ours from the 2009 Tour - "When Pigs Fly" - but it sits in the back room on a shelf because it's too heavy to leave on the car all of the time.
Anyone have any photos of judging day and who won the Stynoski??
Roy, Sorry I don't have photos. There were no cars in the judging eligible for the Stynoski so it was not awarded this year.
Kathy, I donated the winning cap from 2009 to the youth auction at this tour, it brought $150.00. I do have fun with my cap at other functions.
Congratulations Mike. I suppose your already thinking about the next one
Mike V,
Despite the tragedy, I would hope everyone had a great time the rest of the time. That is the most important part of most of the activities we involve ourselves in connected to our beloved Ts!
Congratulations on the win!
I hope everyone comes away from the tour with many fond memories.
Always remember the good times.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
And Mike, thank you for the report. It was a day-brightener!
Wayne, Thank you, despite the very sad and tragic event on Friday the tour was very successful. It was very well planned and coordinated. Lots of wonderful scenic drives and great people from around not only this country but from around the globe. Great people, great cars, great scenery and plenty of food = a memorable time!
Wow, what a great time we had. I am very sad about the accident and loss of life, yet the week was otherwise a fantastic experience. As a first timer, I was in hog heaven with over 200 model Ts swarming all over such a small town. The tour was a real test of man and machine. I took about 2000 photos I am still going through them and will post a link ASAP.
I learned so much. What a nube! I didn't bring anything to wash my car with, so it went into the judging all dirty. Still got a ton of valuable info from the judging and a nifty trophy.
I have never seen so many very fine Ts that not only look superb but also run like you know what.
Each day was a new challenge, both road and weather. We loved it. Did you know rain and hail can come in from the side at terminal velocity and it hurts? Need some side curtains, etc....
I got back yesterday afternoon. I went to the South Rim on Saturday, then Sedona, Prescott, Scottsdale, and LaQuinta, California on the way home. I enjoyed the tour, and the car ran perfectly. I'm sorry I slowed so many cars down on the hills though. I guess I'll install a low head in the future.
We also had a great time on the tour. Yes, it's a challenge for man and machine in this type of terrain, but lots of fun too.
Erich - dirt on the T from the tour doesn't count or detract for judging.
We stopped at the Mormon area in Salt Lake City, climbed to the top with the T in Rocky Mountain National Park (really cold up there!), and toured Speedy Bill Smith's Museum of Speed in Lincoln, NB. Speedy Bill Smith's museum is really great! Those of you who haven't seen it should put it on your bucket list. Sorry Rob, we didn't have time to stop at your place....
All in all, it was a great trip. We are thankful to be able to do these tours, and give thanks to Russ, his crew, and everyone who puts in so much time and effort to organize tours.
Keith
Two things I forgot......
1. A huge thank you to all the people who put this tour on for us to enjoy. I already am looking forward to the next one because of how great this tour was.
2. I was robbed at the rad cap judging, but that is O.K.