Model T owners enjoy Ekalaka

A group of Ford Model T enthusiasts spent three days in Ekalaka last week. Members of the group come from all over the country and get together every year to travel back roads in an area chosen by one of the members. This year John Steele chose Ekalaka. Steele lives in Manhattan, Montana but has traveled to the area for years to hunt.

The group met in Miles City, unloaded their Model Ts and headed for Ekalaka via the Miles City Cutoff road. At speeds between 20 and 40 miles per hour, depending on road conditions, it took the better part of a day to arrive. The group planned on driving as many gravel roads as they could while here and take in all the sights. Steele seemed especially excited to drive through the Long Pines.

After Ekalaka, plans included visiting the Van Horn Antique Auto Museum in Marmarth, North Dakota and spending a night in Baker. Of course, all of their driving adventures were pending weather conditions.

The informal group of enthusiasts has been meeting on similar trips for around ten years, though none of them could remember exactly how long. Last year, they met in Arkansas and drove several back roads in the Ozarks.