BY 3 FORD MODEL T VEHICLES
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(1984) I made a backpacking/walking trip along
with 3 friends and a
pack donkey, on the nearest roads we could determine, to follow the old
Santa Fe Trail. We started from Fort Osage, where the
original 1825 Government Survey of the trail began, near Sibley,
Missouri and walked to the Plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The
distance we walked was about 980 miles and took us 91 days to complete
- 80 walking days and 11 rest days. (Click on "ABOUT LES"
above) On the 40th Anniversary of this adventure (2024) I decided to attempt to travel the trail again. This time, I'm going to travel by car - a 1923 Ford Model T Roadster. It'll be a little faster than walking, but still slow enough that I can admire and take in all the beautiful scenery as I travel. I visited as many of the trail sites as I could. There have been so many places along the trail that have been "rediscovered" since I made my journey in 1984. There have also been several new advances that have taken place concerning the trail since 1984 - In 1986, the Santa Fe Trail Associaton was formed; in 1987, the Santa Fe Trail became a National Historic Trail; New maps, printed and digital, have been created of the trail; Geo-Caching is available along the trail; and New books have been published about the history of the trail. In my opinion, the greatest advancement that has taken place concerning the trail is the availability of Cell Phones for the everyday person. Digital maps of the physical trail are now available at your fingertips. Some of these maps, like the maps developed by the National Park Service, contain links to historic sites along the trail, with directions on how to find them. Cell Phones also allow a trail traveller, like me, the ability to find lodging, food, and, maybe most importantly, emergency facilities in case of illness or injury. We didn't have cell phones in 1984. If something would have happened to one of us, somebody would have had to run to the nearest farmhouse or town for help. Fortunately, we never had to do this. That 2024 trip caught the attention of several other Model T owners/drivers. I was asked if I would lead a tour for Model Ts (and other early 20th century vehicles) along the Santa Fe Trail. How could I refuse? THE FOLLOWING is my journal of our 2026 journey along the trail in a Model T. My goal is to post something every day. I may not get to posting every day, but as oftern as I can. I will also be posting pictures of places we're visiting. Our journey is set to begin on September 15, 2026. This tour is scheduled to end on September 29, 2026. There are 3 Model T vehicles participating in this tour and one modern pickup pulling a "Vulture Trailer". The "Vulture Trailer" is used to pick up the dead (cars that may die along the way and need a ride to a place it can be fixed). Come back and visit often to read of our travels and adventures. This tour is taking place in conjunction with the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the forming of the Santa Fe Trail Association in 1986. Please visit the Association website to learn more about the Anniversary Events taking place: https://santafetrail.org/ |
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| Here are a couple shots of the 1923 Ford Model T Roadster before I leave on the Trail. The first photo is of me looking SouthWest toward Santa Fe. The second photo is taken a little closer to the car so everyone can read the sign on the door: "Santee Fay or Bust". |
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| This
will give you an idea as to where the Santa Fe Trail is/was.
The
vast majority of the trail is on private land. We will be
driving
the nearest roads to where the trail used to be. You can visit this National Park Service webpage to view an interactive map of the Santa Fe Trail: https://www.nps.gov/safe/planyourvisit/maps.htm The Trail was in operation from 1821 until the Railroad arrived in Santa Fe in 1880. There may have still been a few wagons travelling the trail after the Railroad arrived, but the Railroad offered a much more economical option to hauling freight to Santa Fe. To read/learn more about the Santa Fe Trail, please visit the Santa Fe Trail Associaton website at: https://santafetrail.org/ |
| The 2026 Map will begin on September 14, 2026. In the meantime, please enjoy the 2024 trip map. |
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| 9/14/26 - Monday |