Well, the fun is still there. Each day I’m trying to transcribe the letters of my father’s trip to Ontario during the dirty thirties. The trip began in July of 1937. What today is a ten hour drive to Winnipeg takes a few days. Town mentioned include Biggar, Saskatoon, Guernsey, Brandon and Foam Lake.
The term for the approach to travel was called “thumbing”. A driver notes those who have their thumbs stuck out, and may chose to slow down and accept them for travel. This form of transportation seemed to have carried on for a number of years – into the 70’s and 80’s. By that time there were not a lot of people who picked up passengers – there had been too many muggings. On the other hand, not many wanted to hitchhike – there had ben too many muggings.
But, back them this was an acceptable form of transportation. If you would not pick some one up, then when you needed a ride don’t expect anyone to pick you up.
Dad mentions two particular rides. One a young couple who blew a tire when they had inadvertently left the highway. Further reading of the letters indicates that gravel roads were considered highway grade. Even plain dirt served as a channel for travellers.
The other ride was on a ten ton truck with two threshing machines. A 320 mile journey. Needless to say they were looking up friends in the next big town and taking a bath!
Where to next? Let’s see what comes!