Yellowstone 2023

[Rich Eagle]

We left for Yellowstone yesterday. The cool weather was perfect for the T but chilly for us. My fascination for the 5-ball Kingston had me thinking we were going faster and smoother than ever before. When we climbed a hill in high that we had never been able to before, I was convinced this is th e best I've ever had it. Less adjustment to throttle and spark seem evident. It still starts on the 2nd or 3rd pull. Saying that may be asking for trouble. Everywhere we stop is a car show. We are renting a wonderful cabin in Island Park and the kids are all coming for the weekend. Then 100 relatives for a Family Reunion.
I'm using a borrowed laptop and won't be able to post photos til we get back.
More later, Life is good.
Rich

[Dan Hatch]

Rich: Be careful. Last time I bragged on my T, in the next 5 seconds the crank broke. Right in front of High Meadow campground at Hershey.

[Scott_Conger]

Rich, I am guessing you used to run an NH?

if so, on top of a superior (expensive) design of your 5 ball, you are benefiting from the enormous float bowl and a very consistent fuel level...it's a wonderful thing!

On our side of the Rockies, we're drowning in very unusual amounts of rain and chill (BRRRR!!!)...enough to wash out my road and turn it into a 4 wheel drive adventure.

[Rich Eagle]

I have forgotten already but think it was an L4. I know you and others can get more out of NH's than I have but I enjoyed them being trouble free. I was afraid of brass carbs but now have an ultrasonic cleaner and plan to rework some to try out.
There are some great roads here in the trees to drive in and we are going to do some driving and pictures.
Thanks
Rich

[Rich Eagle]

Update. Dan, you were right about "bragging on my T" The group wanted to see it start. First, the tickler stuck and gas flowed freely from the carb. Then it would fire a few times and stall. I trained an assistant to pull the spark down, but it wouldn't stay running until I gave out. After showing off all the wonderful details I gave it one last crank and Vowalla, it ran. The back roads were great with some nice puddles to splash through. It impressed those who hadn't ridden in it.
More later.
Rich

[Dallas Landers]

Sounds like you are having a wonderful time Rich. A model T will keep you on your toes and your mind sharp. Look forward to photos. Have a great time.

[kevinf]

Rich, sounds like a great time. We will be in the area as well.
Have fun and enjoy time with family,
All the best,
Kevin

[Steve Jelf]

That part of the country is high on my Model T bucket list — Yellowstone, Red Rock Lakes, Alder Gulch, Russell's studio, ferry crossings — got to do it while I'm still able.

[Art M]

Pictures, please

Art Mirtes

[Rich P. Bingham]

Steve, if your circle takes you through Blackfoot, I hope you'll spend an evening with us. Plan now, mid-July through mid-August is best in the high country. It will be a great trip for sure !

[Rich Eagle]

I had to jack the car to start it yesterday. The gravel sloped and the T slid sideways twice after starting and off the jack. About 40 degrees and it did start after a few cranks. We went into Old Faithful, about 57 miles. I got 22.3 mpg and hit 37 mph at one speed sign. The traffic was not bad, and we pulled over a few times to let them pass. However, at the thermo wonder sites, the lots were full, and cars were parked for a mile or so on the road in both directions. As usual, the car was popular, and we had many good visits with the tourists. Both English speaking and not. It warmed up nicely, but the cool was good for the car. It was a great drive.
Today it is rainy, but we didn't plan to go anywhere.
Pictures when I get home to my computer.
Rich

[Art M]

Stupid me. Didn't read close enough to see that you are unable to post pictures until return home. Keep us up to date. Many of us would like to take this trip.

Art Mirtes

[Rich Eagle]

No problem, Art. I'll try to get some good ones.
Kevin, I hoped our paths would cross. Maybe still. My time isn't my own, so I can't make a plan.
I'm having trouble keeping what I type on this setup so I will limit my posts until I get Home.
Rainy this morning but some driving and pictures later.
Rich

[david_dewey]

Rich, we were hoping to go through your town on our trip around the USA, but there is so much to see back east (Pennsylvania) that we have deleted our Idaho side trip. Maybe another time, as I still want to see Yellowstone!
T'ake care,
David Dewey

[Rich Eagle]

Sorry it didn't work out David. Someday we will meet.
We reminisced with relatives about the old days in Yellowstone this weekend. Our store Grandpa started in 1908 has new owners now so I can talk about it without it being an endorsement for it. Wonderful memories from my childhood still race through my mind. I'll post pictures of it later too. Jems still surface from its history.
We're headed home tomorrow.
Rich

[david_dewey]

Yeah Rich, it is a bit of a dissapointment for us too, but you are really only two day's drive away, so we can do another trip sometime--Pennsylvania is many many days away (as is the Henry Ford and the Piquette Plant, both still on our list) so need to have days to spend there! Looking forward to posts about you family; I am starting to work on a book about my folks and Cave Springs Resort, which is now in other's hands, and IMHO they are screwing it up!
T'ake care,
David D.

[Rich Eagle]

Actually, we are away more than home for the next few weeks, so we might not have been there.
Our store has changed drastically too. Making a buck is their goal, not carrying on a long tradition. They are keeping the building which is on the register of Historical Places rather than tearing it down for a modern high-rise.
But we didn't have the drive to continue the business in the present-day environment.
It served its purpose for us.
Rich

[david_dewey]

Rich,
A similar situation with Cave Springs, the new young people have remodeled the modern motel units, including painting over one wall of natural Hemlock (12 feet at the peak, beam ceilings with a dark grey, painted the natural redwood outside a dark green. Then they kicked out all the long term residents in the mobil/modular units (it's the third licensed trailer park in California), and have relented to rent out the 100 year old motor lodge cabins for one more year (with no annual maintenance on them) and then come October they will tear them down and put in new cabins--the image looks like something from IKEA. The trailer park will be converted into Airstream rental units. All the while they are touting how they are preserving the history of Cave Springs; but everything I've seen them do is just "trendy" and will look outdated when tastes change. Now I wish I had nominated the cabins for the National Register, as they definitely qualify.
So on with our lives, I guess!
T'ake care
David D.

[Rich Eagle]

Some things are better left to our good memories.
We leave for home today. The camera battery is gone but there should be some good photos to post later.
Wish us luck.
Rich

[Rich Eagle]

Ultimately, getting home is the final satisfaction. The last day has mixed feelings of things being over and the last ride. We had no major problems and the car performed as good as any T I have driven. At 75 I am pleased as can be. The sounds and smells of the forest are incredible to drive through. It's so much like it was a hundred years ago. We are lucky to live so close.

Yellowstone is fantastic despite the traffic. One T at 37mph can survive nicely. A group of old cars would be difficult these days.

This is our crew for the day in the park. We changed passengers as we went. The dragon fly joined us for about an hour. I am thrilled that the 5-ball Kingston does so well.

I perused the backroads until the sky became threatening.

[Rich Eagle]

Then the skies opened up and did their thing.

The "09" is perfect for these trips. It shows how driving was then, but my later parts keep me from destroying parts that can't be replaced. It truly is the best of both worlds for us. So many folks showed interest.
Rich

[Rich Eagle]

As for the store in West Yellowstone, this is it in 1908 as first built.

Here it is prior to 1927. Winters were quite severe and there was little to no traffic through at the worst of it.

The beginning of the new structure can be seen at left in 1927. Eagles was the local Post Office from 1909 to 1935.

Nearly completed in 1930. It was designed by Bozeman architect Fred F. Willson to promote the Western Rustic architectural style similar to that of Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone Park.

As a child, West Yellowstone was so magical to me. The high peaked roofs and all the festive advertising seemed like a fairy land. The hustle and bustle of the family members running the store was delightful. We spent many weekends there helping out after the 3-hour drive from Idaho Falls. Now we are lucky to get there once a year and into the Park.

[Scott_Conger]

Wonderful, Rich!