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When we were in our early teens, before any of us had a drivers license, there was only a few ways to get around. We could walk, or if we had our bikes, we could ride. There was also a third option...... The terrible "H" word. Hitchhike!
Our parents were always warning us about doing that, "You never know who you will get a ride with!"
We were well aware of the risks and believe you, me, we did get some pretty far-out rides. One day comes to mind above all the rest.
Back in those days, there was four of us that hung together. If you saw one of us, chances were really good that the other three would not be very far away. It was one of those lazy late summer days, you know the kind I mean. The time just seems to drag, and we were faced with the prospect of going back to school in a couple weeks. Someone mentioned that we ought to go somewhere and do something before we had to be in early because of school.
"Hey guys, let's go up to Niagara Falls."
That started the ball rolling, and soon we were on our way out North Main Street, walking at first, lest we be seen by anyone who knew our folks. Once we were "in the clear" so to speak, out went our thumbs. I seem to recall, we had really good luck with rides, and soon we were well on our way to Niagara falls about 70 miles away.
Back in those days, the border was pretty open, and we had no trouble getting across the peace bridge into Canada. Going over, no-one even checked us out, and on the way back, mostly we just got asked where we were from, and we told them, and that was that. We had a grand time, but, the time soon got away from us and we had to think about getting home.
Well, now, getting home wasn't near as easy as getting there, for one thing, four guys usually have a hard time getting rides even in the daytime, but with it almost dark, and the hour getting later, no one wants to take a chance with that many people. I wouldn't do that myself. We were going to do a lot of walkin, it looked like.
Finally, after hours of walking, we got a ride with an off duty policeman. Nice guy, but about halfway home he pulled off the road and said, "Sorry guys, but this is where I turn. I wish I could take you farther, but, I can't." "That's ok, we sure appreciate the ride this far." we replied.
Now I've seen some dark nights before, but this was the darkest of them all! There was no moon, and it was overcast, so there wasn't even stars. I mean it WAS dark! We couldn't even see the road, so one of us straddled the edge of the road, one foot on and one foot off to keep us on the road. The rest of us were walking alongside, and talking as we went to keep oriented.
One of the gang was named "Dave", and someone asked him,"Say, Dave, are you going over to Lonnie's tomorrow?".......no answer....."Dave...Dave!" We counted noses. Dave wasn't there! So, we backtracked up the road. In a little ways, we heard moans coming from the edge of the road. One of the smokers lit his lighter, and we found Dave.
Dave had been walking on the far right edge of the road, and unknown to us, a culvert came almost to the road! Poor Dave had just walked right off the edge and fell down about five feet into the ditch below. He had a few scrapes and bruises, but, thankfully, nothing was broken. Soon, we were back on the road. This time we were all walking in the road. Once in a great while, a car would pass us, but, no-one stopped. Would you stop, on a secluded road, at 11 o'clock at night to pick up four kids you didn't know? Neither would I. I can tell you who will..... the police!
It went something like this:
"Where you boy's been?"
"Niagara Falls, sir."
"Where are you going?"
"Jamestown, sir.
"Your not running away from home, are you?"
"Oh, no sir! We're trying to get home."
"Uh huh, get in!"
Well, it wasn't exactly the ride we had hoped for, but, it was a ride, and we were going to Jamestown. Soon, we pulled up in front of our house. "I want to talk to your father." one of the officers said.
I replied, "He's asleep."
"I don't care, wake him!" was the unsympathetic reply.
Dad was not happy, but I must say he handled it gracefully. We were too old to spank, but, we really got a chewing out, and restriction for a week. That hurt more than anything, not being able to go anywhere.
We came away from our Niagara Falls Trip with memories to last a lifetime.