I got too see how Neil was charging through life long before he was my brother-in-law. In the early 70's Neil and Beth were in Vancouver and Neil was looking for work. I had the enjoyable task of driving him, and also Beth, to Powell River for an interview to be an editor at the local paper. Powell River is two ferry crossings plus about a 2 hour drive from Vancouver. A bit of planning was in order so as to make the return trip in one day. I took a day off college and we got an early start. We had a great trip up, uneventful, but full of beautiful scenery. We dropped Neil off for his interview, which must have gone well - I recall he got the job. Because of our tight schedule to return home we took off back to the ferry straight away. It wasn't until we were actually at the toll booth that Neil was surprised to learn the ferry fare didn't cover the return trip. Well, no problem says Neil , put it on my credit card. Well, says the toll booth guy, problem, we don't take credit cards. And then Neil was very surprised to learn I had no money, then even more surprised Beth had no money. However he was not as nearly as surprised as the toll booth agent was when Neil said to me just drive on, and I did, being young , foolish, broke and believing entirely in this world traveller of a guy who had lived in places i couldn't spell, had a foreign wife [how cool is that when you're 20!!] and was, if he accepted the job, the editor of the local paper! Unfortunately the staff at the Ferry terminal did not agree with Neil's assessment that we be allowed to ride now and pay later. So they parked a big Ferry Terminal Truck in front of my car and called the RCMP. This may have been the start of Neil's life long fascination with the mounties because the constable who came to resolve the dispute decided the solution was to force BC Ferries to accept Neil's credit card. I believe to this day that Neil was responsible for changing BC Ferry policy for credit cards. I also believe to this day that he was very happy he did not accept the job offer.