{"id":23089,"date":"2023-01-13T13:07:05","date_gmt":"2023-01-13T18:07:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/?p=23089"},"modified":"2023-01-13T13:28:07","modified_gmt":"2023-01-13T18:28:07","slug":"episode-716-year-1955-when-few-teens-had-cars-hitch-hiking-was-normal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/?p=23089","title":{"rendered":"EPISODE 716 YEAR 1955 WHEN FEW TEENS HAD CARS….HITCH HIKING WAS NORMAL"},"content":{"rendered":"
EPISODE 716    YEAR 1955 WHEN FEW TEENS HADCARS….HITCH HIKING WAS NORMAL <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
alan skeoch<\/div>\n
January 12,,2023<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
The year was 1955 when we decided to head to Lake Simcoe for a week end.  Nobody<\/div>\n
I knew had a car\u2026.only Russ has even access to a car. So we hitch-hiked as did<\/div>\n
lots of kids our age.  It was normal.  And being picked up was normal as well. Even<\/div>\n
interesting.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cWhere are you going boys?<\/div>\n
\u201cLake Simcoe for the week end.\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cI can get you close\u2026heading for Barrie myself.\u201d<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Conversation was very relaxed most of the time.  We were not alone<\/div>\n
as hitch hikers.  Taken for granted that there would be boys here and<\/div>\n
there with their thumbs out.   Rarely girls, if ever.   Common to be two<\/div>\n
maybe three.   <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Hitch hiking alone was the fastest way to get to a destination but it<\/div>\n
was a little chancy.   One car picked me up heading from Wasaga Beach to<\/div>\n
my grandparents farm in Erin Township.  The driver and two passengers<\/div>\n
may have been drinking.  Not sure.  They decided to scare me by speeding<\/div>\n
and weaving.  \u201cThis is not good\u201d, I thought and waited until the car came<\/div>\n
to a sharp corner whereupon I jumped out\u2026perhaps rolled out.  Think they<\/div>\n
laughed, That kind of thing was rare. So it was remembered.  Not rude were<\/div>\n
great.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Hitch hiking in the 1950\u2019s was a good cheap way of getting from one place to another.   That\u2019s Big Red Stevenson and i<\/div>\n
en route to Lake Simcoe .  Would you stop to pick us up?  Three of us.  My brother Eric took the picture.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
My good friend Big Red Stevenson, brother Eric and I took these pictures in 1955 \u2026. Here we are at a horse ranch which is rather odd.<\/div>\n
Horses were obsolete.  No one seeks to hitch a ride on a horse.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Three boys hitch hiking .   We did not always get rides so it was a chancy thing.   My brother Eric and I do not look too<\/div>\n
happy resting on s pile of rubble beside some highway.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
1959 == HITCHHIKING IS MADE ILLEGAL<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
I guess Red, Eric and I grew up in the halcyon days of hitch hiking.   Another reason that our generation (the teen agers of the 1950\u2019s ) were the<\/div>\n
luckiest generation of all time.  Is this an overstatement?  Not so sure.  <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Hitch hiking became more and more dangerous as more and more cars were built and sold\u2026.new and wider highways followed\u2026increased <\/div>\n
speed limits.  Hence more danger should some kind soul decide to pull to the shoulder because Alan and his brother and Big Red are<\/div>\n
begging a free ride.   Try pulling to the shoulder at 110 km some time.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
FEMALE HITCH HIKER \u2014 ANOTHER SLIGHTLY RELATED INCIDENT \u2014 WHAT WOULD YOU DO?<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
A while ago I was driving north on Trafalgar Road and stopped at a red light<\/div>\n
ar Dundas.  And a woman jumped into the truck.  I never lock the doors.  Neither<\/div>\n
do you.  She was about 40 or so and not exactly dressed for a big dance.  First thing<\/div>\n
she did was reach for my coffee money on the dash.  Grabbed a few dollars as fast<\/div>\n
as a rabbit with a coyote after it.   Then she settled in\u2026maybe even put on the<\/div>\n
safety belt.   <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
I was startled and soon became scared.  As a high school teacher I have feared touching.<\/div>\n
Especially touching female students.  Even shaking hands.  Teachers are considered guilty<\/div>\n
until proven innocent when they touch students.  And some students are huggers.  They<\/div>\n
like a teacher and hug him or her.  Not me.  I back off like that rabbit I mentioned.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
So there I was.  Driving with a strange woman in the truck.  This<\/div>\n
could be bad\u2026real bad.  What if she screamed \u201crape\u201d?  Even kidnapping.<\/div>\n
I would be judged guilty until proven innocent.   What to do? My first <\/div>\n
thought was i would drive to the nearest police station  wherever that<\/div>\n
was.   Perhaps Milton\u2026a long way.   <\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
How the hell would I get this oddball out of my truck?  She could take<\/div>\n
all the change she could find on the dash or in the glove compartment<\/div>\n
if only she would leave.   Now she assorting my road maps.  he did<\/div>\n
no know I had a fiver clipped  to the sun viser.  At least not yet.<\/div>\n
She never said anything.  Too busy rummaging<\/div>\n
around for cash.  But she had settled in.  And I was damn scared.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Then I got an idea.  Why not get her to become someone else\u2019s problem?<\/div>\n
I reached Brittania Road and the light turned red.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cI turn left here.\u201d<\/div>\n
No comment.<\/div>\n
\u201cThis is a good hitch hiking corner for you.\u201d<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
And wonder of owners, miracle of miracles she unhitched the seat belt <\/div>\n
and got out of the truck.   I breathed a sigh of relief and made<\/div>\n
my left turn even if  it took me in the wrong direction.  She was now<\/div>\n
someone else\u2019s problem.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
I suppose you think I lock the truck door now when I drive.  NO. You<\/div>\n
are giving me credit for too much intelligence.  Maybe you think I keep<\/div>\n
loose change in my pocket rather than the dashboard.  NO.  Hard to <\/div>\n
teach an old dog new tricks.   The left turn idea is best I can do.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
I think my police idea was best.  \u201cOfficer, this lady jumped into my truck<\/div>\n
stole my loose change and I fear she might claim I touched her. Can<\/div>\n
you help me?\u201d<\/div>\n
\u201cOfficer, this man touched me.\u201d<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Who would the police believe?<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
That\u2019s a reverse hitch hiking story.<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
alan skeoch<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
HITCH HIKING IS ILLEGAL IN ONTARIO .. FINE IS $65<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
WOULD YOU BELIEVE THIS MAN\u2019S STORY?<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\n

Is hitchhikin<\/font>g legal in Ontario<\/font><\/a><\/h1>\n

Administrator<\/a> | Jun 04, 2019 | Comments 0<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
\n
<\/path><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/span>PrintFriendly<\/span><\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>Twitter<\/span><\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>LinkedIn<\/span><\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>Email<\/span><\/a><\/path><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/span>Share<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

While it was mainstream in the 70s as the cheapest way to travel, \u201cthumbing a ride\u201d has dwindled to almost no takers in past years \u2013 due to dangers for riders and passengers, and the advent of ride share programs.<\/p>\n

However, with the summer weather creeping in, the Prince Edward County (PEC) detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) urges people to stay safe, and be vigilant with hitchhikers.<\/p>\n

Constable Pat Menard, Community Safety Officer, clarifies that Section 177(1) of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) states that no person, while on a roadway, shall solicit a ride from the driver of a motor vehicle other than a public passenger conveyance (i.e. taxi or bus). If caught, a $65 fine could be issued.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe safety risk goes both ways when it comes to hitchhiking,\u201d he said. \u201cA driver deciding to pick up a hitchhiker is unaware of what issues that hitchhiker may have, or what reason they may have for hitchhiking at that point in time. Vice versa, the hitchhiker is unaware of who the driver is or what intentions they have for stopping and picking them up.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a driver, picking up a hitchhiker comes down to personal judgment and trusting that gut feeling or vibe. There is nothing wrong with deciding not to stop, or passing right by that hitchhiker enroute to your own destination. Drivers who come across an individual or group hitchhiking while in the County, are reminded to allow plenty of space, and be aware of your surroundings.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n


<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

EPISODE 716    YEAR 1955 WHEN FEW TEENS HADCARS….HITCH HIKING WAS NORMAL  alan skeoch January 12,,2023 The year was 1955 when we decided to head to Lake Simcoe for a week end.  Nobody I knew had a car\u2026.only Russ has even access to a car. So we hitch-hiked as did lots of kids our age. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23089","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23089","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=23089"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23089\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23089"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23089"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alanskeoch.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23089"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}