Halifax: August 27, 1912 <<< >>> Victoria: October 17, 1912
| Today's Statistics: | Travelling from Frank, Alberta to Cranbrook, British Columbia | |||
| Distance: 201 km | Driving Hours: 4 h | Fuel: 41 l | Weather: Showers | Temperature: Min. 4 Max. 13 |
After over 6000 kilometres, the Reo finally reached its home province of British Columbia and began the final leg of the 1997 cross-Canada tour. The day's drive took it through the mining country of the Crowsnest Pass and the Elk River Valley. The area is rich in coal deposits and its history is closely tied to the mining industry.
The day began back at the Frank Slide, where it had left off yesterday. The Findlays and John Nicol took the Reo along the Old Frank Road to re-create some of Jack Haney's 1912 photos. The old road still runs right over the massive rocks and rubble that came crashing down in 1903. Later, as they continued along the Crowsnest Highway, they were able to duplicate other shots of the Reo with Crowsnest Mountain in the distance. (See Photo Galleries 1912 and 1997.)
After just a short drive, the Reo entered British Columbia. The drive through the pass had been relatively easy, with just gentle slopes and under sunny skies. The mountains linging both sides of the highway stretched up to heights of 3000 metres, with fresh snow on their craggy peaks. The Findlays expressed great joy at being in their home province again.
Farther along the way the Reo passed through Sparwood, a coal mining town which was originally two towns - Michel and Natal. In the 1960's the residents of both towns were moved to a new town called Sparwood. On display in Sparwood is the largest dump truck in the world, according to The Guiness Book of Records. The truck was used in open-pit mining at the nearby Westar Mine.
Today's lunch stop was at Fernie. Fernie has several very historic buildings including the Court House and the City Hall. Legend has it that the city was placed under a curse after prospector William Fernie noticed that the local chief's daughter was wearing a necklace featuring chunks of shiny black coal. Fernie learned the location of the coal deposit from the girl and her father declared that valley would suffer from fire, flood, strife, and discord. Fernie, the prospector, started the Crowsnest Pass Coal Company and became quite rich. Fernie, the city, suffered from several fires, mine explosions, and floods.
After lunch, it was back on the road for the Reo. By now the clouds had moved in and rain was falling. The drive was pleasant, though, as the Reo wound its way along the Elk river Valley until it finally reached Cranbrook, by which time the rain had stopped falling. Members of the East Kootenay Antique and Classic Auto Club met the Reo just outside of town and escorted it into the city, which is nestled in between the Rocky Mountains and the Purcell Mountains.
The mountains through the Crowsnest Pass are freshly snow-capped.
The world's largest truck - 350 tonnes and 10 metres high - at Sparwood, B.C.
On this day in 1912 ...