The First Trans-Canada Auto Trip

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

Daily News: September 24, 1997

Into the Wind

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Today's Statistics: Travelling from Portage La Prairie, Manitoba to Brandon, Manitoba
Distance: 156 km Driving Hours: 3.5 h Fuel: 33 l Weather: Sunny Temperature: Min. 11 Max. 30

Day 29 of the 1997 Trans-Canada tour saw the Reo working hard as it pushed its way into westerly winds gusting up to 40 kph. The winds slowed the Reo to about 50 kph, but the old car managed the short drive to Brandon without too much difficulty.

The early part of the trip was along the portion of highway 1 that is also part of the Yellowhead Highway. The Yellowhead stretches from Winnipeg to the Queen Charlotte Islands. It was named for a young Iroquois trapper who, because he was part white, had light coloured hair. The French voyageurs called him Tete Jaune - Yellowhead. Around mid-morning the two highways separated as the Yellowhead takes a northerly route west.

Along the way, the Reo passed farmers harvesting their potato crops. The potatoes are taken directly off the truck onto conveyor belts where they are sorted according to size and quality.

The day ended in Brandon, known as "The Wheat City" because of its location in the fertile wheat belt of Manitoba. Farms in this area produce a variety of grains including wheat, barley, and oats. Members of the Western Manitoba Pioneer Auto Club met the Reo at the edge of town and escorted it into the city.

Located on the Assiniboine River, Brandon is the second largest city in Manitoba. The Brandon Wheat Kings junior hockey team has produced many well-known players such as goaltenders Ron Hextall and Glen Hanlon.

One of the highlights of this day was lunch at Harry's Ukrainian Kitchen, including cabbage rolls and pyrogies. The prairie provinces are known for their ethnic variety. After the C.P.R. came through in the 1880's, many immigrants to Canada came to the prairies to settle on the rich farmlands.

At day's end the Reo had covered almost 5000 kilometres since leaving Halifax with no major problems - a feat even more modern cars can be proud of.

Yellowhead Hwy





The Yellowhead highway runs west from Winnipeg all the way to the Queen Charlotte Islands









Potatoes





Farmers are harvesting potatoes. The potatoes are taken right off the truck on to a conveyor belt ...










Potatoes






... to be sorted for shipping.





Picture of the Day ... It's not uncomomon to see a combine driving through downtown Portage La Prairie


On this day in 1912 ...

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