Reading another’s blog about his childhood made me nostalgic for my own. Here is another glimpse back to those halcyon days.
My parents and I once took a month long vacation took while we were living in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. I was probably 9 or 10. We packed the car and started out okay until we hit a particular section of highway that is 100 miles long with nothing but trees the entire way. It was a two lane highway so some passing of vehicles was required. It was also popular with trailers which of course drive slower then most cars. We had successfully passed several of these vehicles when we encountered a problem just as we came alongside one of these trailers. No acceleration. Fortunately my father had just enough power to finish passing and pull over on to the shoulder. A kind soul passing by stopped and between him and my father they determined that the accelerator cable had broken. This stranger promised to stop at the next town and send back a tow truck. We made ourselves comfortable. Soon another stranger going in the opposite direction stopped to say that there was no tow truck so he would stop at the previous town and try to send one back from there. Eventually the same news came back: no tow truck available. Never one to admit defeat my father was able to rig up a solution. A trusty coat hanger attached to the accelerator was threaded under the hood of the car to the driver’s side window became a makeshift solution. My father wrapped socks around the coat hanger and pulled on it to accelerate. Sounds good, with a few caveats. It was hilly terrain so the car had to go at least 100 mph downhill to get up the next hell. My mother sat close to my father so she could jam the gear shift into neutral if necessary. It was a very long run to the next town I must say. When we did finally make it, the local mechanic was amazed by the ingenuity but didn’t have a replacement cable. He did however rig the coat hanger through the floor board so it was much easier the next day. It was replaced later.
Butterfly Sand 
That is amazing.
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Thank you so much Phil.
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What a story. Today of course, there would have been a big recall with CNN jumping up and down with glee.
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I know, crazy! But it was a simpler time where there was less fear and more kindness.
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Thanks for liking my post
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🙂
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What a great story 🙂 So many helpful people back then! And your Dad sure was clever 🙂
I love your painting too 🙂
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Thank you! It is a wonderful memory.
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The kindness of strangers attempting to help and relaying messages. Wonderful. The genius of your father. Wow!
Fabulous story.
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Thank you so much!
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This is a fabulous story! He totally MacGyvered it! So happy you made it safely to the next town albeit somewhat slower than expected. 🙂
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hahah Thanks. He was a brilliant man.
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Wow.
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Thanks
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Great story. The Renous right? Been on that road a few times. A wonderful shortcut but an awful long stretch of nothing in the event of a breakdown.
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I don’t remember the name but Airstreams used to use it a lot. Still, good memory.
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What a beautiful story. Ah, the beauty of a coat hanger! 🙂
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Thanks Jack. My Dad always said a metal coat hanger should be a staple in every tool box.
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Pam, Thank You for your wonderful memory.
And yes, Sometimes you need to go fast to get up the next hell.
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The pleasure is mine Kevin. I’m glad you enjoyed It!
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I sent a link to my boys (grown), who have have all done similar such rigging at one time or another. Ingenious, I think, your Dad, and coordinated, your Mom. ❤
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It was a wonderful time and a wonderful memory.
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