Bob Richards

I couldn't believe it! It couldn't be true! I checked other sources and to my great amazement discovered it was! There was snow on the ground,  in my region of southern Ontario, Canada in the summer months of July and August in the year of 1816! I was doing some research into the history of my city from the book, "Oshawa, The Crossing Between the Waters" published by 'The Alger Press Limited' and came across this, The summer of 1816 was a particularly trying one for the settlement as there was frost in every month of that year. The story of that tragic year is told in W. L. Smith's book "Pioneers of Old Ontario", as related by Benjamin D. Wallbrook, son of an early settler, who recorded it in these words: ' "The spring of 1816 opened with as fair prospects as have ever been seen at the same season. But the sunshine of the year's morn was followed by a long night of dark despair.  Snow commenced falling in June, ...

        I saw a snippet from history the other day concerning April 15th in the year of 1931.   Apparently that date saw the very 1st Walking Across America backwards event.  Talk about courage! Courage that you'd risk not tripping over something you couldn't see and courage that you'd not be afraid to step out facin g the ridicule of others who'd think you're crazy! I think I'd pass on this one though.    If I were to walk across a whole country I'd want to do it going forward first. We all might all have a different way of doing things though. We are after all...different. . If they're enjoying each step of the journey maybe it's not for me to question. We must make our own footprints in the sands of time. Who knows...perhaps they might see my way of doing things a more sensible way but they learnt it by observation. You know what they say...Life itself can be a learning experience! Fortunately we only have to ta...