By KALEY CONNER

kconner@dailynews.net

LUCAS -- As a child, Carl Kennedy remembers playing on a Ford Model T that has been in his family for generations.

Kennedy, a resident of Miltonvale, can see that antique car whenever he wants -- he purchased it from his uncle in 1987.

"I'd rather have a Model A or something newer, but this has been in the family, and we've got family pictures with grandparents and parents and everybody in it," Kennedy said. "So it's just going to stay in the family."

But Saturday morning, Kennedy was one of many who gathered in front of the Garden of Eden for a rare opportunity to see many other Model Ts, which are slowly making their way across the United States.

The caravan of 55 vehicles -- one representing each state, plus several from outside the country -- made a brief stop in Lucas before continuing on to Goodland, where they were scheduled to spend the night.

Several residents gathered to welcome the drivers, and the Lucas Chamber of Commerce served up traditional Czech pastries. Tours of the Garden of Eden and Grassroots Art Center were available at the discounted rate of $5.

"It's a nice opportunity to showcase our town," Les Schneider, Lucas, said. "And they can stop and have a little break."

The ocean-to-ocean tour commemorates the centennial of the original 1909 Ocean to Ocean Endurance Race, and Model T enthusiasts are following the original 4,000 mile route as closely as possible. The tour began June 14 in New York City and will conclude July 13 in Seattle.

It truly is the stuff history is made of -- Milt Roorda, a driver from Tampa, Fla., is braving the heat in a replica of the Ford No. 2 car that won the race 100 years ago.

There's no windshield, no air conditioning, and no roof. So far, the group has mostly encountered only light drizzles, but when it rains, Roorda gets wet.

"There's a pro and con to everything in life," Roorda said with a laugh. "On cloudy days you don't get sunburned, but you get wet."

As he was preparing to pull away from the Garden of Eden, he donned an oversized jacket to help keep him dry in the event of a shower, and safe from the splat of passing bugs.

Across the street, Byron Wertz and his daughter, Allison, were also ready to hit the highway. The drivers tackled a stretch of road about 360 miles long Saturday, and were anxious to get moving before afternoon heat set it.

It was Byron Wertz's second time to complete the journey -- when he rode in 1984, Allison was in the womb, and her mother was along for the ride.

"Some people say 'You did it once. Why would you ever do it again?" Wertz said.

But the duo is enjoying some family bonding time, and the chance to take part in the historical event, which is expected to be the last one, according to a press release.

Kansas is represented by Gary Hylton of Prairie Village, who coordinated the group's stops in the state. Riders were also invited to spend a lunch hour in Damar before heading west.

A long-time enthusiast, Hylton said he saw the tour advertised in a Model T magazine, and decided to sign up. Hylton considers the journey a great adventure, but admitted it could be a more comfortable ride.

"We're either crazy or we're Model T enthusiasts," he said with a laugh. "Maybe both."