Back in the early 70's, I was on a steady dedicated weekly peddle run from central Ontario to the Maritimes.

As often the case, I'd run as hard as I could (remember, no logbooks back then, lucky us?) to deliver as many stops as possible on my first two days. Then sleep one night. The next day I'd get the load finished and run as hard as I could to get my re-load. (We had dedicated pick-ups back then, or I did anyway). That night, usually Wednesday, I'd get as far as I could up the road toward home before pulling over for a sleep. It was on one of these nights that, at about 2:30 in the morning or so, I pulled into one of those rest areas overlooking the Saint John River in New Brunswick.

There was a pick-up truck with a camper on the back already in there and obviously they were also sleeping. As quietly as possible, I rolled in behind them and shut down my mighty 318 detroit so as not to disturb the people sleeping in the camper. It was summer time so I opened up all my windows and jumped into the bunk, fast asleep I'm sure within minutes.

About 7:30 in the morning, I woke up (came too?) to the unmistakable smell of fresh bacon being fried. After orienting myself, I got up, dressed and jumped out. I walked around the back of the trailer and up the right side. When I got to the front, a voice called me over. "Would you like to join us for breakfast driver?" Now who could refuse an invitation like that? I wandered over and sat with the couple on their makeshift table and chair (a guard-rail) and was promptly offered a plate with a great breakfast. As we started talking, it became apparent that this nice couple were enjoying their retirement by travelling. The husband had been a driver for many years for a company out of Cambridge, Ontario, then Hespeler. Of course, the conversation turned to trucks. (Surprised?) Somewhere in the conversation, the man noted that he heard me rolling in and he appreciated my concern by being as quiet as possible, shutting down my engine and lights and all. He appreciated my courtesy, which, by the way, was the norm back then. "But you must've been very tired when you pulled in eh?" he continued. I acknowledged that, yes I was. "We thought so," he again continued, "we could hear you snoring all the way in our camper!" To which his wife gave him a dirty look and I was profoundly embarrassed and red-faced. What do you say after that? We became friends after that and laughed until tears were rolling from laughter. Needles to say, I did not make it to Montreal in time that day. And you know what, it didn't matter much in those days. Tomorrow was another day.

Submitted by:
Ed Wesselius.
Guelph, ON.