Driving Driving Driving

Peter Rukavina

Saturday morning bright and early brothers Mike and Steve and I headed east from Carlisle by U-Haul truck and VW Golf for Montreal to deliver Steve’s life to his new home.

The day started poorly when a bizarre transmission problem with the U-Haul caused a disconcerting clunk at random speeds between 90 and 100 km/h. With the pedal to the floor, Steve could hardly keep the truck over 100 km/h; this slowed our trip somewhat, and caused brother Mike no end of frustration, as he was driving the chase car behind (and more often in front).

We arrived in Montreal around 4:00 p.m., and found that Steve’s new apartment is on the fourth rather than third floor, a grand total of 53 elevator-less steps from ground floor to his front door. With Steve working at about 140% of capacity, Mike at about 100%, and me at about 60%, we managed to lug, push and carry Steve’s life up those 53 stairs. At the end of this, 2 hours later, we were all dead to the world.

After a brief time for recovery, we returned to U-Haul, and found a good Thai restaurant on St. Laurent for dinner. We were back home and fast asleep before midnight.

Sunday morning we were off to Home Depot to buy Steve some blinds, and to the grocery store to get him stocked up on Diet Coke and Kraft Dinner. After a hearty Quebecois lunch at the deli around the corner from Steve’s, Mike and I loaded up the Golf and headed back down the 401 to Carlisle, where we arrived around 8:00 p.m.

Of the 36 hours between 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning and 8:00 p.m. Sunday night, we spent about 16 hours driving, 3 hours moving, 5 hours eating, 3 hours shopping, and 9 hours sleeping. I got a good chance to spend time with Steve on the way up and Mike on the way back, and although it was a little crazy and swift, it was a good weekend.

Wee Oliver, meanwhile, enjoyed the rapt attention of his grandparents for the weekend: went swimming, twice to Tim Horton’s, walks in the woods, etc. As far as I know, he was not called upon to move any boxes.

Tomorrow, weather-willing, we’re back on JetsGo to Halifax, then a drive to Charlottetown. Wish us luck.

Comments

Submitted by Ritchie Simpson on

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GL/BC

Submitted by Cameraguy on

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How was the drive from Hfx to Chtn? Weather not great.
I’d bet you weren’t driving a U-haul at 100km/h in that mess!
Safe-home!

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Photo of Peter RukavinaI am . I am a writer, letterpress printer, and a curious person.

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