My dad was born in 1889 in Bottineau, North Dakota. He came to Canada in the early 1900’s, like lots of others, to get free land in Saskatchewan and Alberta as a homesteader. He married late but by all accounts he travelled quite a bit (presumably by train and steamship) as a young man. He would winter on the West Coast and work as hired help on farms along the way to help pay for the trip. [Like lots of people that I know, I regret not having asked him many more questions about that part of his life.]
I was thinking of my dad while I packed today. I am sure that for him packing was quite different. The suitcase or trunk was probably made of wood, metal and leather. Maybe there was a carpet bag. But, for sure there were no laptop cases, ear buds, fancy backpacks or suitcases on wheels built specifically for the overhead bin. His luggage would likely go on one of those wagons with large wheels that saw in the train stations when I was a kid and be wheeled out on the platform to await the arrival of the baggage car.
This is some of what I packed today:
My dad didn’t die until 1979 and he saw a lot of change during his life. But ,it’s a bit mind-boggling to think that in his 89 years he did not live to see any of this digital technology pictured above considering how much this technolgy has become an integral part of our lives.
I think my dad had one big advantage though. He got to enjoy the distinct but pleasant smell (not sure what- maybe polished wood or waxed floors) of the old CPR and CNR rail stations. While I get to enjoy the distinct smell of manufactured black plastic.