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| A chronicle of an amazing journey in another time. |
"Ford Tramps" concerns the adventures of two young men; Seegar Sawnson and Elliott Nystrom, who hailed from Ashland WI, home of the Model T that I was to take care of. The book is based on the journals that Swanson had kept on the trek. Though the journey took place when the two were fresh out of High School, Swanson didn't use the notes in the journal to produce this book until he was about 90.
The adventure took them to the four corner states of the mainland USA. This took from September 1924 to July 1925 in a 1919 T Touring that Swanson had just bought. They spent most nights sleeping in the car, while washing and doing laundry at YMCA's along the way. All this with no more than $100 to their name.
The adventure took them to the four corner states of the mainland USA. This took from September 1924 to July 1925 in a 1919 T Touring that Swanson had just bought. They spent most nights sleeping in the car, while washing and doing laundry at YMCA's along the way. All this with no more than $100 to their name.
If they ran out of money, they stopped and got jobs until they had earned enough money to carry along on their way. They spent 4 months in Florida over the winter months. There were plenty of jobs to be had, and they could get a job pretty much whenever they needed one.
The journey was tough. Well constructed roads that we take for granted today, were rare and a good proportion of the trip took place on rough gravel roads that were hard on the tyres. On one particular day nine punctures were recorded. A fender fell off after they left Florida behind, the salty atmosphere had corroded the bolts that fixed the fender to the car. Then as the journey drew to a close crossing the Dakotas and Minnesota, the concern was that they wouldn't make it home because one of the wooden wheels was set to fall to pieces.
The journey was tough. Well constructed roads that we take for granted today, were rare and a good proportion of the trip took place on rough gravel roads that were hard on the tyres. On one particular day nine punctures were recorded. A fender fell off after they left Florida behind, the salty atmosphere had corroded the bolts that fixed the fender to the car. Then as the journey drew to a close crossing the Dakotas and Minnesota, the concern was that they wouldn't make it home because one of the wooden wheels was set to fall to pieces.
The book is a fascinating account of a different time, a time when everyone seemed friendlier. Morals were different. Distant relatives and strangers welcomed the travellers into their houses and Ashland, Wisconsin citizens were found all over the country eager to help and learn of the journey.
All in all, an interesting read. It can easily be found at used book sellers like abebooks.com
All in all, an interesting read. It can easily be found at used book sellers like abebooks.com
