Old Dime Store Turtle

I know that turtles have a very long life span, I have heard three hundred years is not unusual. So, I am wondering about a little turtle I had for a bet 44 years ago. It was one of those little guys that I bought at what used to be known as a "dime store", Woolworth's was the original, I think.

So, my little turtle lived in a turtle island container on my dresser. He/she could sun bathe, swim, or hide in a little cave I made. I named her/him "Fred."

Fred and I were happy together for five years, he/she grew bigger and bigger. Alas, all things must come to an end. I was going to be married and I did not think that Fred would receive as much attention as I gave when I was single. So, I drove to a nearby farming community and let Fred loose in a creek, wishing him/her well. I wonder if Fred survived.

Every time I see a big turtle crossing the roads out where I live, I always stop and help the turtle across to the other side. I hope that Fred is still alive somewhere and that someone may have helped him/her.

Do you think natural instinct took over and Fred 'knew' how to catch flies and other bugs? Do you think Fred knew what to do when winter came?

I remember those little "dime store" turtles, and mine probably came from Woolworths, too. I also had the little island turtle bowl for him. I was pretty young when I got him, so I don't really remember what happened to him any more. We might have turned mine loose, too.
They were usually little painted turtles, and were pretty common in Idaho where i used to live growing up. I think that your turtle probably did fine after you turned him loose, and the natural instinct would have taken over when the weather turned cold.
He probably enjoyed having a creek or pond to lounge around in and catch bugs.