Halifax: August 27, 1912 <<< >>> Victoria: October 17, 1912
| Today's Statistics: | Travelling from Thunder Bay, Ontario, to Ignace, Ontario | |||
| Distance: 259 km | Driving Hours: 5 h | Fuel: 61 l | Weather: Sunny | Temperature: Min. 10 Max. 17 |
At 9:30 AM, members of the Lakehead Antique Auto Club escorted the Reo to the local Speedy Auto Centre, where the Findlays and John Nicol were greeted by Thunder Bay Alderman Lorne Allard and Speedy Manager Nick Enders. Local radio, television, and newspaper reporters were on hand to interview the travellers before they left Thunder Bay.
Just west of Thunder Bay the Reo stopped at Kakabeka Falls. These impressive falls drop over 39 m and have been called "The Niagara of Northern Ontario." The name Kakabeka means "Thunder Waters." An Ojibway legend tells of the brave Princess Greenmantle and how she tricked her father's Sioux enemies into paddling their canoes right over the falls. In the process, the Princess also died, so the Great Manitou turned her into the huge rock that stands in the midst of the falls.
At lunchtime, the travellers were met by Quebec artist Robert Beaulieu. Robert does pastel drawings of cars, boats, and other machinery and had been tracking the Reo down for several days as he made his own way to Winnipeg. He was quite excited to see the cross-country Reo and took a number of photographs which he will use for his drawings.
A little further along highway 17, the Reo passed a sign marking the Arctic watershed. North of this point, all creeks, rivers, and lakes end up flowing into Hudson Bay and the Arctic Ocean. To the south, all water drains into the Great Lakes and on to the Atlantic via the St. Lawrence. Years ago this division was used as the boundary for land treaties between the Ojibway people and England.
Another important marker was passed today as the Reo crossed 90 degrees longitude, which marks the entrance to the Central Time Zone. The Findlays and John Nicol set their watches back one hour as they entered this, the third time zone of their cross-Canada trip.
The day concluded in the small town of Ignace, Ontario. Ignace is located in an area known for its logging, hunting and fishing. Local residents were surprised to see such an old car travelling along the streets of their town.
Entering the Arctic Watershed - all ground water beyond this point
eventually runs to Hudson Bay and the Arctic Ocean
... Quebec artist Robert Beaulieu tracked the Reo down at lunch today.
On this day in 1912 ...