Road Trip To Vernon - Part One

On a sunny summer's morning in 1974, while the sparrows chirped approvingly and most of the neighbours watched with melancholy resignation, DON and DAN and BARTHOLOMEW and myself packed a few belongings into the trunks of two 70's era automobiles (my Dudge and Dan's VW) and headed east in search of adventure. Young and fancy free, we were eager to leave behind the familiar 4-walls of Blazerville and taste the bright city lights of Vernon.

This now ancient journey has lived long in the collective memories of those that participated in it; not just for the rather serious injury that befell one of us during the course of the week, but also because it would turn out to be one of the last times we would ever meet up with fellow Blazer member EVERT - who, during a group outing together in downtown Vernon, would take the time and trouble necessary to introduce us to the bizarre drinking game of: Zoom, Shwartz, Perfigliano.

The injury to Don's right knee (seen at the end of this rare video after being stitched up at the Vernon hospital) forced us to abandon plans to extend our vacation for a few days in Manning Park - which was a shame really, considering the short shelf life of youth, but completely understandable. The entry presented here is merely part one of a two part retrospective. (Part two is way cooler.)