The First Trans-Canada Auto Trip

Halifax: August 27, 1912 <<<    >>> Victoria: October 17, 1912

Daily News: September 12, 1997

To the Sault (Soo)

Today's Statistics:	Travelling from Massey, Ontario, to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Distance: 235 km	Driving Hours: 4.5 h	Fuel: 57 l	Weather: Sunny	Temperature: Min. 13 Max. 22

The North Channel is separated from Lake Huron by Manitoulin Island, which is the world's largest island within a like (2800 square kilometres) and contains the world's largest lake within a lake (Manitou Lake, 103 square kilometres). For centuries, the island has been the subject of many aboriginal stories and legends. Its name means "Spirit Island" and it is said to be the home of the Great Spirit known as Kitche Manitou.

The Reo made a short detour for a lunch stop in the small town of Thessalon. It was here that Thomas Wilby and Jack Haney stopped for the night on their 1912 trip.

A short drive later and the Reo was in "the Sault" (pronounced Soo). Sault Ste. Marie is situated in between Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Just across the river is the American city of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Lake Michigan. The Sault is at the heart of the Great Lakes.

While at the Sault, the Findlays stopped in to have some repairs done to the Reo. First they made arrangements to have a new windshield glass installed at Apple Auto Glass, then they visited Rector Machine Works to (once again) have the windshield brackets welded. They happened to visit the Rector shop just as the entire staff was enjoying a mini corn roast. The staff welcomed them as if they were part of the Rector family and so the Findlays ate corn and sausages while Ernie welded the Reo's windshield brackets. The Findlays were most impressed with the warm atmosphere that was present and the professional job that was done to get the Reo on the road again. They are grateful to Herv Rector and all his employees at Rector Machine Works for the hospitality that they showed as they added one more fine memory to the 1997 cross-Canada tour.

The Reo headed along the Thessalon River to see the town where Wilby and Haney spent the night in 1912.

Welcome to Sault Ste. Marie

While the Findlays ate corn, Ernie (of Rector Machine Works) welded the Reo's broken windshield brackets.

... Having dinner on the town - at Rector Machine Works in Sault Ste. Marie.

On this day in 1912 ...

• Jack Haney had considerable difficulty finding a shop that sold gasoline
• The Pathfinders discovered that there were no passable roads beyond Sault Ste. Marie
• The Reo was loaded on a boat bound for Port Arthur