Village Squire, 1981-04, Page 12Exploring
north...
ina34
year old
airplane
Ross Smith and his
flying machine
by Paul Ellis
For most Canadians, the opportunity to travel this great
country and really see and feel the beauty that exists in
abundance is well within one's grasp. Yet most never dare to
venture out and explore, to fulfill what most dream of doing.
Ross Smith of R.R. 1 Mitchell, and Josef Grau of R.R. 5,
Mitchell dared to make such a journey. And they did it in style;
they flew from Exeter to Dawson City in the Yukon Territory, and
back, in a 34 -year-old airplane.
Leaving from the small, privately owned Sexsmith Airport
north of Exeter. the pair began their adventure "on a sparkling
day in June". The two seater plane was loaded with clothes,
camping gear and a small tent, which was to serve as their
accommodation for the voyage.
They headed north along Manitoulin Island, then under Lake
Superior. At that point, the only thing to be seen from the air was
the endless forest of Michigan. Wisconsin and Minnesota.
During the long distance hauls over the vast forest regions, and
over the twenty-five mile stretch of open Lake Superior water,
the men were thankful that they had both a reliable aircraft and a
good mechanic to keep it running smoothly.
Many interesting people were encountered on the trip,
including one agricultural spray operator who didn't mind being
disturbed at 7 a.m. to get the visitors fuel for their plane, and
only eight gallons at that. "Congenial folks at these country
airports," remarked Ross.
In Rosetown, Saskatchewan, the flight was grounded by a
strong headwind, and they ended up having to walk four miles
into town for lunch. Back at the airport, lots of free help and
advice came their way from local pilots, as was the case at
several stops.
For people of the air. a "fly -in" is an important social
gathering, and the two voyageurs chanced to encounter one in
Oyen, Alberta. They were openly welcomed to the festivities
which included a wiener roast, a singsong around a bonfire and
entertainment by a small orchestra and a guitar player,..Aftania 6
a.m. breakfast the next day, the local men departed as many
more planes started to arrive for another day of the family event.
At Watson Lake, the two man crew drank in the beauty and the
calmness of the still water and the landscape reflected in it as
they approached a runway on a peninsula jutting into the lake.
After many stops for fuel or rest, Ross and Joe finally reached
their Northern destination. Dawson City. They describe Dawson
as being "all torn up." Not the most picturesque city to visit, yet
still historic and rather interesting.
PG. 10 VILLAGE SQUIRE/APRIL 1981