Memories of Canada
Here are some memories of mine. Feel free to add yours.
Back in the early 1960s a few of us would ride our bikes across the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor and Detroit. Canadian officials waved us through with a smile. We would ride to Point Pelee and camp for a couple of days. We were 12-13 years old. That would be unthinkable today.
After diesel locomotives had replaced steam in the late 50s the Canadian National kept a stable of steam locomotives maintained for excursion service, and they often ran trips out of Windsor. We would take the bus trough the tunnel and then walk to the CN depot to catch the train. Out and back day trips might be to London, St. Thomas, etc. I can still smell the coal smoke and hear the whistle.
Back when there were only 6 teams in the NHL the Detroit-Toronto rivalry was epic. The Red Wings played in the old barn, Olympia Stadium, and the place would rock when the Maple Leafs were in town. Toronto fans would take the train to Detroit to see the game.
During the Viet Nam war a friend of mine refused deployment and went to Toronto and was out of communication. His father died while he was there and I went to Toronto to try to find him. The Canadians I met on that trip were supportive and helpful. I found him, we tried to get back into the states, but US customs snatched him and turned him over to the MPs. He got leave to go to the funeral. The night of the funeral he and I were on the front porch and the local police showed up questioning us. Not unusual as we were active in the antiwar movement and Civil Rights and the cops were always hassling us. He mouthed off and we both got arrested. "We should have stayed in Canada, eh?"
In the 70s I played in an Irish band. Half of the members were from Windsor and half from Detroit. We had gigs on both sides and went back and forth often. We kept instruments on both sides of the border to avoid nasty experiences with US customs. We would alternate using the bridge and the tunnel.
Farewell to Nova Scotia
The sea bound coast
Let your mountains dark and dreary be
When I am far away
On the briny ocean tossed
Will you ever heave a sigh
Or a wish for me
Canadians always did a fantastic job of preserving the old traditional music, and we would go to the fiddle contests in different locations in Ontario. To play around the campfire late into the night with some of those great Canadian musicians - heaven.
The late, great Graham Townsend - Joys Of Quebec"
"And here's one for all our Polish and Ukrainian friends."
Graham Townsend - Lord Athlone's March
"Vive La Canadienne" with Philippe Bruneau, the greatest button accordion player ever.
Elbows up, Canada. Detroit loves you.
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