Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/89721
working for you Great Canadian Crossings A nation-spanning road trip marks 50 years of the Trans-Canada Highway and 100 years since the country's fi rst coast-to-coast drive by Tracy Hyatt O N SEPTEMBER 3, 1962, Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker delivered a moving speech to 3,000 spectators who had gath- ered at Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park for the opening festivities of the Trans- Canada Highway. The event had begun under inclement skies, but by the time Diefenbaker delivered his nation-building speech, the sun was shining. "This highway, may it serve to bring Canadians closer together. May it bring to all Canadians a renewed determination to do their part to make this nation great," he said. In the crowd, looking on, were a teenage John Carruthers and his family. They'd been on their way home to Calgary, from their annual summer vacation in B.C., when John's father remembered that the Trans Canada was set to open that day. They'd arrived just in time for the speech. Little did Carruthers know that 50 years later, as an AMA board director, he would be repeating Diefenbaker's fateful words. The occasion: the CAA-sponsored Trans Canada Trek – a cross-Canada drive by auto journalist Mark Richardson to celebrate 50 years of the Trans-Canada Highway. Under sunny Calgary skies, Carruthers welcomed Richardson, who was partway through his journey from St. John's to Victoria. The day before, he'd been welcomed to Medicine Hat with fanfare at an AMA-hosted ceremony at Medalta Potteries. "This is an incredible journey on a high- way that connects us all as Canadians," said Richardson at the ceremony. Richardson's trek marked another anni- versary as well: 100 years since the fi rst road trip across Canada. At the turn of the century, there were fewer than 50,000 automobiles in the country. So, needless to say, road building wasn't a top priority. Others saw the need, and they were willing to go the extra mile to make their case. In 1912, Albert E. Todd, president of the Victoria Automobile Association, offered a gold Auto journalist Mark Richardson (black shirt) with AMA board directors (left to right) John Kong, John Carruthers and John Rule at AMA's Calgary Crowfoot Centre. medal to the fi rst person who would drive across the country on only Canadian roads. It would take 13 years for this ocean-to- ocean feat to be completed. The trailblazer was Perry Doolittle, who had founded the (CAA) in 1913. Doolittle made the journey travelling through bogs, swamps and roads that today would be considered impassable. It would be 50 years from the time Doolittle fi nished his celebrated road trip to the day the Diefenbaker offi cially opened the Trans-Canada. During that time, AMA played a key role in pro-highway lobbying efforts. At a 1948 national convention attended by provincial and federal politi- cians, an AMA representative declared, "It is a dumbbell proposition for Canada to be found without at least one Trans-Canada Highway." By the end of the conference, the feds agreed to partially fund the project and allow the provinces to choose their own routes. Ultimately, two highways were completed in the western provinces: the Yellowhead Highway and the Trans-Canada. In Alberta, the Yellowhead passes through Lloydminster, Edmonton and Jasper. The Trans-Canada passes through the southern communities of Medicine Hat, Calgary and Banff. AMA MEMBERS SAVE MORE This summer, award-winning auto journalist Mark Richardson drove across Canada to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Trans-Canada Highway. Now you can save on a few of the things Richardson did in Alberta: • Fuel up at Husky and dine at Husky House Restaurant. AMA members earn CAA Dollars on fuel, restaurant, automotive and in-store purchases. Some conditions apply. • Zipline and bobsled at Winsport Canada Olympic Park. AMA members save on the summer bobsleigh and zipline adrenaline combo; $99 plus GST. Members get two-for-one mini golf. • Whitewater-raft along the Kananaskis River with outfi tters Inside Out Experience. AMA members save up to 15% on outdoor adventures, including snowshoeing and whitewater rafting. AMARewards.ca WESTWORLD >> NOVEMBER 2012 51