Halifax: August 27, 1912 <<< >>> Victoria: October 17, 1912
| Today's Statistics: | Spending the day in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario | |||
| Distance: 25 km | Driving Hours: 1 h | Fuel: 4 ll | Weather: Sunny | Temperature: Min. 4 Max. 23 |
With the windshield brackets now welded, the Findlays took the Reo to Apple Auto Glass for a new piece of glass. The manager, Guy Emond, was extremely helpful as he expertly cut a piece of glass and installed it into the Reo's 85 year old windshield frame. The Findlays are most grateful for his help.
Sault Ste. Marie is another historic Canadian city. Founded in 1668 by Jesuit missionaries, it was the first white settlement in Northern Ontario. It is located at the St. Mary's River rapids ("Sault" is french for falls) which join Lake Superior with Lake Huron.
For many years, the Sault served as a trading post for the North West Company. The surrounding areas were rich with wildlife including moose and beaver. Pelts were brought by the trappers to the Sault, where they could be loaded and shipped to Europe. In later years, after the fur trade, Sault Saint Marie continued as a shipping centre, particulary after the canal and locks were built in the 19th century. The canal joined Lake Superior with Lake Huron and the rest of the St. Lawrence seaway.
In addition to its shipping business, Sault Ste. Marie is a major steel producer. Mines just north of the city produce the iron ore which is made into steel by The Algoma Steel Company.
One of the Sault's most famous citizens is Dr. Roberta Bondar, the scientist and astronaut. There is a park and pavillion named for her along the Sault Ste. Marie waterfront.
In the afternoon, the Reo stopped in at the Sault Ste. Marie Speedy Auto Centre, where the Findlays were greeted by Mayor Steve Butford and manager Daryl Burns. As usual, many local citizens showed interest in the car and the trip, and the Findlays enjoyed meeting and chatting with them.
From here, The Reo will tackle the challenges of Lake Superior. The long, hilly stretch between Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay will be the most challenging yet. The tasking of finding an internet link may also be challenging as some of the phone systems in northern Ontario cannot handle computer-dialed long distance calls. Reports may be sporadic for a few days.
The International Bridge links Canada and the U.S.A., crossing right over the
Sault Ste. Marie canal locks.
On this day in 1912 ...