The Washington herald., 1911-07-09

change in vacation methods. The busi-
ness man is no longer dependent upon
railroad trains to join his family when
the weekend comes. His car now waits
at the curb outside Of his office and
whenever 1t suits his convenience he can
start. Whether the distance to be tray-
eled be twenty or hundred miles makes
but little difference, providing the
roads are good. There is a certain
amount of rest and relaxation In sitting
behind the wheel Of a car and reeling
on the miles at an average speed of
twenty miles an hour. II not in the
habit Of driving his own machine he can
recline back in the tonneau or sit up
alongside the chauffuer where the riding
Is easier and after a ride of an hour or
two in the fresh air the cares OF Office
have been driven from his mind and he is
in the best of humor. Thousands and
thousands of business men who own mo-
tor cars adopt this method Of spending
the summer months.
Delightful Touring Trips.
However, they are not the only ones
who enjoy motoring trips through the
country. There is the man who sets out
in view and no specified time Of arrival
In company with his family he starts
out over a good road leading out from
his home city with perhaps but one stop
ping point in view, the place he will
spend the first night. He leaves his sec
ond nights destination to fate and his
route book.
Trips OF this nature are growing in
popularity every day. 1t makes no diff
ference whether the days journey be
200 or but 75 miles, the party Is out for
a joy ride. A side road looks as though
1t might present a bit of interesting
| scenery, and It is taken. A cool spot
looks inviting. and a stop OF an hour or
so is made. Business worries and office
cares are left far behind in the city, and
the only thought in mind is to have a
good time. The head of the family as
| well as the other members are afforded
the chance to become acquainted with
nature. Steel rails and Pullman coaches
do not tie them down. Moreover, the
question Of dress is the least of their
| cares An old suit OF khaki with a blue
flannel shirt. a coat to wear in the chill
of the morning and evening. with rain
! shower, is raiment enough. In an auto
trunk clothes to wear when a stop is
made in a city aIe carried, as is a change
Of linen.
Not an Expensive Undertaking.
A trip OF this kind Is inexpensive, and
It is becoming quite the thing to organize
q crowd OF two or three owners to start
out together. Many prefer carrying along
q tent and cooking utensils, so that II 1t
be the wish Of the crowd a camp can be
pitched along the roadside at night and
the culinary artist Of the party afforded
an opportunity to show his skill in cook
ing chickens or eggs that have been
purchased at a farmhouse along the
roadside
II one Is planning a trip Of this nature
It is well to carry along a sufficient sup
ply of their favorite motor oil to last
from one city to another. Though in
most every small town throughout the
country a garage is found the oil carried
is not always the same kind that the
owner has been in the habit of using. There
are motor oils and motor oils and like the
wind they vary. Sometimes they are
good and sometimes they are not. When
a
not so when the lubricant Is exhausted.
Unless the fact be detected by the driver
it will run until very hot or until a
knock announces that a bearing is gone
or badly scored
Another wise thing to have on a trip
through the country is a chamois
through which to strain gasoline. This
will insure that there will be no trouble
with water in the carbureter. Extra
spark plugs are a wise thing to have on
band, for one is apt to become fouled or
a porcelain crack and II an extra spark
plug or a porcelain is not part Of the
kit It means Iimping into the next place
they can be purchased with a cylinder
missing.
The Durability of Tires.
AS to the question of tires the ones
on the car may have run but hundred
miles but this does not mean that you
will necessarily be free from tire trouble
though a shoe is supposed to run $500
miles. A tack, piece of glass, nail or
sharp stone may puncture a tire and
necessitate a change. Many Of the cars
to-day are equipped with demountable
rims. In such cases when tire trouble
does occur it is but the work OF minute
or two to slip the bad tire on and put
on the one already inflated which has
been carried either on the side or rear Of
the car.
It is always wise to have on hand at
least two extra shoes and at least three
or four inner tubes. This hot weather
especially, when fast time is being made
over q level stretch of road, is hard on
tires, or, in the parlance OF the trade
burns them up" The air expands un-
der the heat created by the constant
friction of the tire with the ground. and
II blows out through the tube and case.
During a trip Of 1000 miles on more
which will occupy one or two weeks
most enjoyable time can be had at mini
mum expense and without any wear ana
tear on a car. Automobiles have reached
such a stage of perfection that, barring
accidents and perhaps some slight tire
trouble. not the least difficulty should
be experienced
Road Maps Are Complete.
Many have hesitated from making trips
of this nature owing to the fact that
they Tear they might not be able to find
their way from point to point. On this
score they should have no fear. Every
main road in the country has been
mapped out and can be followed with but
little trouble. In addition TO this. many
OF the various automobile clubs have
posted the highways between different
points. At every crossroad they have
erected a sign telling which way 70 go