2008 Fernie to Victoria Tour

AUGUST 17, 2008: Across Kootenay lake

Today's Statistics:	Travelling from Creston to Castlegar
Distance: 155 km	Driving Hours: 3.0h	Weather: Hot	Temperature ... Min: 20 Max: 34

Day two of the 2008 Fernie to Victoria Tour was not quite as gruelling as the previous day. The morning started out with a lovely drive from Creston to Crawford Bay, the eastern terminus of the Kootenay Lake Ferry. The drive was shady with lots of rolling hills and very light traffic - perfect for a bunch of old cars like ours.

The ferry ride across the lake took about 35 minutes and was a chance for many tourists to look the cars over in their own "private showing." Once on the other side, the cars headed into Nelson, about 20 miles away.

At Nelson the tour was met by members of the Kootenay Chapter of the V.C.C.C., who had organized a tour stop at the Chahko Mika Mall. There the group members had a chance to have lunch and chat with many interested onlookers. Many thanks go to Reid Henderson, Wally Penner, and the Nelson members for helping out.

After departing Nelson it was a short drive to Castlegar for the evening stop. After a dinner break, some of the group took a trip out to Emil Garay's home to view Ron Garay's unbelievable licence plate collection. At the same time, some of the women had a craft session, where Teresa Findlay showed them how to make Eastern European rag dolls.

All in all, it was a good day. Mike, from BCAA, reports that he had no cars on his truck today, but a number of drivers spent time fixing problems that have popped up. The 1912 REO driver lent out his gas can in the morning, then ran himself out of gas in the afternoon - with no can. Fortunately, he did it right in front of a gas station and coasted up to the pumps. He's planning to get his gas can back tomorrow!

The road to Crawford Bay was a delight to drive.

Intermittent ignition problems have been a frustration for the driver of the 1912 Roll Royce..

The ferry timing was perfect and most of the group loaded onto the 10:40 AM sailing.

Jim and Greg in the 39 Olds. Jim is making Greg work tomorrow, so Greg leaves the tour today.

Dave and Noella dress the part for a 33 Hupp - even in the heat.

Brian and Marie, in the 29 Nash, also had a small ignition problem which was fixed on the roadside.

The Osprey 2000 crosses Kootenay Lake with up to 58 cars every hour.

The Morris Cowley, one of the 1958 tour cars, will finish the trip in the trailer. It has blown a rod bearing after the rod lost its oil dipper.

Having breakfast at a quaint little restaurant/antique store resulted in a few extra goodies for Jack and Noreen.

The route into Nelson led us past the historic Blayock Mansion. Mr. Blaylock was the president of Cominco in Trail and was the original purchaser of the 1934 McLaughlin-Buick that has been on the tour this weekend.

Tour chair Peter Findlay says thanks to Reid Henderson and the Kootenay Lake Chapter for organizing the Nelson stop.

Ernie and Colleen Stepney joined the tour today in their 1938 Chrysler Royal.

Doris and George Hoffman are driving this tour in their honeymoon car, the 23 Model T Coupe.

The cars lined up along the edge of the Kootenay Lake in Nelson for the afternoon stop.

Nelson member Wally Penner replaced a fuel pump and had his Dodge Brothers coupe back on the road this morning.

Some of the tour members rode along the lakefront on number 23, Nelson's restored streetcar.

A highlight of the day - meeting four members of the 1958 Centennial Tour. From left to right are: Wally Penner (2008 Nelson member), Peter Findlay (2008 tour chairman), and 1958 tour members Art Stevens, Gord Pickering, Marge Pollard, and Derek Pollard.

Gord and Art drove a 1923 Chev 490 Touring and Derek and Marge drove a 1924 Dodge.

A whole crew of Model T guys gave this one open heart surgery, right on the trailer.

The 25 Packard has been overheating badly.

Nelson member Josh Smienk drives his 36 Dodge Pickup and tows his 1905 Orient Buckboard. The Orient often comes off the trailer for short parking lot runs.

By evening, most cars were safely parked in the lot in Castlegar. A good number of local citizens came out to see the historic group.

Ron Garay showed hundreds of licence plates of all ages and all locations.

Hoping to solve the Diana's over heating problems - a good flush.

We said goodbye to the 1934 McLaughlin Buick today as Dick and Diane leave the tour.

Looking back ...

1958 Fernie Tour Cars

2008tour@vccc.com