The evening times., 1911-08-10
. = . . . = . . . .
VERY FEW BAD
ROADS IN OCEAN. =
TO OCEAN TOUR =

z
With the first ocean-to-ocean run
by pleasure tourists almost at an
end, the positive announcement can
be made that transcontinental high
way for the gentleman motorist. driv-
ing his own car, already exists. That
the highway needs vast improvements
will be admitted by the most optimis-
tic members of the forty men and
women in the transcontinental cara
van Of ten cars that is now nearing
its destination at Los Angeles, after
leaving Atlantic City June 26. How
ever, it has been demonstrated that
the awful crags peaks and chasms of
the Rockies, the illimitable western
plains, the bad lands of southern Col
orado and Wyoming and the vast
in Nevada need hold no terrors for
the bold motorist. There are no un-
surmountable difficulties for the par
ty that goes prepared.
When the tourists left Denver be-
hind, July is, two-thirds of the A.
500-mile journey had been completed
and the mechanical difficulties con-
sisted of broken rear spring and
broken front spring. On that day the
entire caravan was caught on Medi-
cine Bow range by a cloudburst
which made the roads impossible.
The eight women, including the Coun-
tess De Calatrava, slept in a barn,
while the men made the best of con-
ditions in their army tents outside.
The following day Wyoming was en-
tered, Laramie being the noon con-
troll A municipal trout dinner was
the feature there. Rawlins, Wyo.,
was the night control. the tourists
finishing 157 miles through the heart
of the Rockies with parade through
the principal streets.
Eight Thousand Feet High.
The next night found them at Rock
Springs. Wyo., after passing the con-
tinental divide at noon at an eleva-
ton of nearly 5000 feet. The cars
at that excessive height showed no
lack Of power, indicating there is no
altitude for motor cars. The party
was then on the Pacific slope, with
every member in perfect health and
enthusiastic over the future and what
had gone before. Not minute OF
monotony had been reported, while
the cars were pronounced better than
at the start. At first glance that has
the sound of an extravagant state
ment, but it must be remembered that
the cars had received daily attention
from experienced tourists, notwith-
standing there are no expert mechan-
les or chauffeurs in the party. The
run from Rawlins to Rock Springs
was over $50 miles Of the worst roads
of the tour. The enthusiastic tour
lists predicted that it will be boule-'
ward within q year.
Salt Lake City was the next con-
troll, the ocean-to-ocean tourists be-
ing escorted by the mayor and his
official family who travelled over into
Wyoming 100 miles to meet them.
The days run was 147 miles through
the Rocky mountains. Between Rock
Springs and Salt Lake the speedo-
meters on all the Premiers passed
the 3,000-mile mark, setting an un-
precedented record in motoring. Not
a car had been lost and the only me-
chanical difficulty consisted of two
broken springs.
The party had been on the road
twenty days, taking time out for re-
ceptions and stopovers along the
route and the average mileage was
over $50 miles a day. Five noun
tain ranges had been crossed, includ
ing two great divides, 5000 feet at
Tie Siding, Wyo., and 1900 feet at the
Continental divide. The plains Of
the central west and the bad lands of
Wyoming and southern Colorado
were behind with seven of Americas
greatest rivers.
Salt Lake City H0spitable.
For two days the ocean-to-ocean
tourists were feted by the people of
Salt Lake City. The church Of the
Mormons arranged for special recit-
ais on their great organ and other
wise entertained. The commercial
club gave a big banquet in honor of
the guests, Gov. Spry being Of the
party. The mayor abandoned busi-
ness and personally looked after their
welfare, while the chief of the depart
ment of tourists looked after their
comforts. According to the telegraph
ic reports of the tourists it would
nave UcSu iluPObSlUAo w uoSS oAAuA6-
ed a greater welcome. Three days
were spent in Salt Lake City and
Ogden was reached Wednesday, July
26, when the festivities of Salt Lake
City were repeated. The following
day the most difficult portion of the
tour was started. Six hundred miles
Of desert sand lay before the motor
lists, but they were without fear.
Unable to Make Camp.
Montello, New, was tie night con-
troll, but the road conditions were
such that they were unable to make
it and camp was made at Lucin,
Utah, the women again sleeping in q
barn and the men in their cars. The
days run was 147 miles over the
worst roads of the tour up to that
time. That motor cars could stand
such a severe drubbing caused the
tourists to marvel. Nevada was en-
tered the following day, leaving only
one more state to cross. Elko was
reached Friday night. The next morn
Ing the journey was renewed on a
new route. They left the old route