It was early years in my already checkered career. I was employed in an Ottawa firm but not enjoying it. One employee had left for Dublin only months early. A message from back home regarding his brother who was wounded in the conflict with Northern Ireland, made him duty-bound to return there.
Impressed with my Irish friend’s momentous change, I decided on a drastic leap of faith and head for Vancouver. One highway would take me all the way – less chance of getting lost. I quit my job that same afternoon and never looked back.
I went to the apartment I was sharing, collected what I could and left a note saying I wouldn’t be returning.
I had a letter prepared for my parents too. They would be in shocked at my unexpectedness. The first leg to Sudbury began with excitement and bravado. I was heading for notoriety! The second half was pensive. Did I act too hastily? I had to, otherwise no new lifestyle.
I stayed overnight at a friend’s place in Sudbury. I told him, “I’m a little paranoid about being robbed so I stuffed a $100 bill under the dashboard.” My car was a Volkswagen. I halfheartedly hoped he would advise against my venture and to stay in the Westmeath vicinity. He encouraged it instead.
The drive north of Sault Ste. Marie on Highway 17 was absolutely breathtaking. The scenic drive followed along the beautiful Lake Superior! There are places that look like you’re going to drive right into the lake but you don’t of course.
Near the Manitoba border I picked up a hitchhiker also heading for the west coast. This guy talked non-stop, either bragging or using trash talk. Later in the day, I pulled into a Rest Stop, asked him to go ahead in while I parked. I took the effortless way out, threw his backpack to the ground and took off with a mix of emotions.
Time dragged and for a brief moment I missed his jabbering. Reaching Winnipeg was a novelty to saunter about the Portage & Main intersection. I also stopped by to see a relative I’d never met. She had a grandson who needed a lift to Calgary so I volunteered for that. He was a breath of fresh air to listen too.
Through Saskatchewan we drove along for hours never getting any closer to the horizon stretched in front of us. At Calgary, I dropped my passenger and drove as long as I could before taking a motel room.
Southern Alberta was such a beautiful ride. The Rogers Pass so interesting; it
passes through five or six short “tunnels” which are pathways to keep the massive flow of snow off the roadway.
Finally busy downtown Vancouver. I booked a hotel room then got familiar with the nearby streets, all jammed with pedestrians. While asking directions, someone overheard my accent and shouted, “Ottawa Valley.” I turned to look but he was gone.
In the morning I drove through Stanley Park and found ‘Room & Board’ in a quiet North Vancouver neighbourhood. A handful of days later I just couldn’t stay there. First, the landlord’s son was a pacer. All day he would walk back and forth on the porch which was adjacent to my front window. Second, the washroom was on the second floor where two confrontational guys had a room. They would hassle me every time I needed the washroom – stressful.
The next morning, sure enough one of the bullies pushed me. I pushed back and he awkwardly fell over the toilet seat. The second grabbed me. In a sort of wrestling position, we tumbled down the stairs to the first floor. Up first, I made it into my room and locked the door. By now the boarding house owner was on the scene and screaming at him.
In mere moments I had gathered my sparse belongings and lowered them out the side window close to my parked my car. I burned rubber leaving and didn’t look back. I was lonesome and relieved to have no choice but to head back where I came from.
Years later – after I traded in my Volkswagen – my Sudbury friend asked about the $100 bill I had hid in it. Son of a gun, I had forgotten all about the money and had left it in the car!
