The Inaugural Mohawk Run: An Adventure Through the Berkshires

Some events are about the cars. Others are about the people. The inaugural Mohawk Run managed to be both.

When Brian Lenox reached out and asked me to photograph his new event, I was excited to see what he had put together. Brian and I have known each other for years through the concours circuit, where I've photographed his 1950 Mercury Lead Sled at concours events across the country. Knowing his passion for the hobby and attention to detail, I had a feeling he was going to create something special.

The inaugural Mohawk Run kicked off at The Farm Table Restaurant in Bernardston, Massachusetts, where approximately 30 cars gathered for a 150-mile reliability tour through the scenic roads of the Berkshires. As the event photographer, I needed an open-top four-seater that would allow me to shoot freely from the back seat and capture the cars without obstruction. Since my wife, Alexa, had the weekend free, having the extra seat also gave her the opportunity to join me for the adventure.

Fortunately, Steven Remy and Leah Shetler came to the rescue. They offered us seats in their straight-piped 1936 Ford, a true barn find that had just received a replacement engine a night or two before the event. The Ford was exactly what you'd expect from a well-loved hot rod, full of personality, quirks, and stories.

Truthfully, I couldn't have chosen a better car to ride in. Steven and Leah made the journey unforgettable. Every mile brought another story, another laugh, and another reminder of why events like this are so special. While I was there to do a job, the day felt less like work and more like an adventure shared among friends.

Once we worked our way through downtown Greenfield and escaped the traffic lights, the group regrouped at the base of the mountains before beginning the more scenic portion of the route. The roads quickly transformed into the winding, twisting back roads that make the Berkshires such a special place to drive.

As the convoy stretched out ahead of us, I was treated to one of those rare photographic moments that you simply can't plan for. Nearly 30 cars flowed through the mountains in perfect succession, without a single modern commuter vehicle disrupting the scene. Looking back from the Ford, all I could see was a ribbon of vintage and enthusiast cars winding through the landscape. It was the kind of view that perfectly captures the spirit of a reliability tour and reminds you why events like this are so special.

The lunch stop brought us to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, where Alexa and I joined the Lenox family at the historic Red Lion Inn. At 253 years old, the inn wears its age beautifully. The floors slope and creak beneath your feet, and every room feels as though it has a story waiting to be told. After lunch, while browsing the gift shop, I came across a dachshund-shaped purse complete with a tiny raincoat. Knowing Alexa's love for dogs, I immediately knew it was something she would appreciate. Judging by her reaction, it may have ended up being one of the highlights of her day.

Because we were among the last groups to leave and had already completed much of the event photography, we decided to take a more relaxed approach to the afternoon. We stopped at a nearby train station to capture a few additional photographs before continuing along the route. That simple detour led to one of the most unexpected moments of the entire trip.

As we headed back toward where the Massachusetts Turnpike meets Jacob's Ladder Trail, we spotted a gathering of dune buggies at a Mobil station and decided to pull in. Almost immediately, a gentleman named Steve Hunt from South Carolina introduced himself. His buggy caught my attention because it shared a few similarities with my Autozam. During our conversation, he smiled and said, "You're in for a treat. Winnie Meyers is here."

What we had stumbled upon was the Manx Club's Buggies in the Berkshires gathering. Winnie Meyers, wife of the legendary Bruce Meyers, was there with the group. Realizing the opportunity in front of me, I quickly gathered everyone for a group photo before the buggies departed, then captured a few portraits and candid moments as they headed back onto the road. It was one of those unexpected stops that ended up becoming a highlight of the day.

As we continued our journey back toward Greenfield, another priority emerged: ice cream. We pulled into Tom's Famous Long Hot Dogs, which naturally generated the level of immature humor you'd expect from a group of car people. After satisfying our craving, we got back on the road.

Not long afterward, we passed a dinosaur fossil gift shop and immediately turned around because, honestly, how do you not stop? Inside, we found a grabber arm marked half price. It was a completely unnecessary purchase, which made it perfect. For the rest of the trip, I sat in the back of the Ford using it to wave at spectators along the route, earning plenty of laughs and more than a few confused looks.

Eventually we arrived back at Kringle Candle and gathered at Incandescent Brewery to share stories from the road and reflect on the day's adventure. Drivers compared notes, laughed about wrong turns and memorable moments, and enjoyed the camaraderie that only comes from spending a full day together on the road. Once we stopped, I noticed a screw rolling around on the floor and pointed it out to Steven. Without hesitation, he picked it up and tossed it aside. We all burst out laughing. That pretty much was the tone for the entire day.

With another photography assignment scheduled for the following morning, I spent the ride home in the passenger seat editing images. By the time I finished processing and uploading the gallery, it was nearly midnight.

The inaugural Mohawk Run was everything a good road tour should be. It featured beautiful roads, interesting cars, and great scenery, but what I'll remember most are the people. The laughter in Steven and Leah's Ford, the unexpected encounter with the Manx Club, the conversations over lunch, and all of the small moments in between are what made the day memorable.

Sometimes the destination isn't the most important part of the journey. It's the stories you collect along the way.