Adventures in Hitchhiking 1960 (Part 2)
Now we have reached Fargo and will be steering SSE toward Chicago,Ill. Then ENE toward Detroit/Windsor. What an exciting time for two Ontarians from small towns. We first have to pass through Minneapolis/St.Paul, Minn. Then on to Madison, Wisc. and on to Chicago.
Remember this is June, and it’s very hot and humid. We, being very Pusser, are wearing our serge jumpers. Temp. 80F Humidity 90% so we decided to soak in the good old Red River running south from Winnipeg. What a treat, bell-bottoms rolled up to our knees, like a couple of NUNS in their HABITS. After cooling our bods, we had to get back to some serious HITCHHIKING.
We arrived in Minneapolis at sundown and wandered through the streets till we came upon a Laundermat, where two lovely ladies were dobeying their gear. We went inside and asked the way back to the highway heading south. "If you can hang around for an hour we are heading in that direction" "No problemo senora, we’ll wait!" They drove us quite a distance to a bridge that crossed the MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI RIVER. We got a ride instantly and entered Wisconsin.
It was dark and lonely out there, when all of a sudden this station-wagon pulls up and the lady, who was driving to New Orleans, wanted one of us to drive. She said she was getting sleepy and didn’t want to pull in for the night. So it was my turn to drive. She and Glen fell asleep instantly, so I was on my own to steer us toward Chicago. Remember this is Sunday ‘round midnight and I haven’t slept since early Friday. But we’re tough Matlows, trained to stand watches and fight for our country. Hearts of Oak,etc,etc.I drove till I dozed - off behind a motor home and woke up with a start, almost crashing into the rear-end. I hit the brakes, Glen and the lady flew forward with much vigor. "Lady you’d better drive or we won’t be around for long, if I keep driving" She continued on to New Orleans and dropped us off at Rockford,Ill. Where we thanked her so much and suggested she stop for the night. I often wondered if she arrived in New Orleans in one piece, hope so.
Now we are still a long distance to the Canadian Border and we have to bisect the 2nd largest city in the US, Chicago, at "the wee small hours of the morning," thank you Frank Sinatra! Because we haven’t slept for days, my wee brain isn’t remembering this next part around Lake Michigan in the dark. We must have dozed off till we got to Detroit/Windsor. I remember crossing the Ambassador Bridge to Windsor and home again, thinking how great it was to be back in our home province where every one recognizes the RCN uniform and is proud of our NAVY. WRONG AGAIN! Glen and I stood for hours while Ontario cars passed by. "No dice with the mice" After two hours and hundreds of cars later, a nice chap with VIRGINIA plates gave us a lift from Windsor to Port Colborne across the Welland Canal, 11 miles from Crystal Beach when he blew a tire, DAMN!! We’re almost home. Not to worry boys and girls. The next ride was a fellow with ALASKA plates driving from Anchorage to New York City, wow! He told us he had seen us all the way across the US and wanted to pick us up but missed an opportunity to stop safely. I don’t know about that, but who was I to complain.
He was heading on through to Buffalo, NY on the old Garrison Road past the Ridgeway/Crystal Beach turn-off, when he asked how far it was to my home. "Only two miles? I’ll take you to your door." I remember it was still daylight and Dad was in the front yard, beaming when the three of us arrived. I introduced him to Dad and Dad, like always invited him in for a drink for bringing his son safely home. He said he couldn’t stay and wanted to get on to NYC. After many thankyous he drove off to the BIG APPLE.
Dad said go inside and give your Mum a big hug and kiss, she was really worried about our Adventure in Hitchhiking. I would have been also if it were my son. "There"s no place like home,Toto; there’s no place like home."
If anyone is wondering, Glen Shippam was my partner in this SAGA OF THE OLE WEST. We have been mates now for 47 years this month. July 28,1958 we in term 10 booked-in at the Assiniboine Hotel at HMCS Cornwallis. I recommend this resort in Nova Scotia. For those on the heavy side they have an excellent fitness program, along with many sport activities, 3 swimming pools, rifle range and my favourite, the assault course. Very friendly staff who make sure you are up early every morning so you don’t miss anything. Write to the Department of National Defence or your local MP for brochures and more information.
Frank Blackley, Term 10.