Background On My Association With Pacific Trailways

Chapter 1

My association with Pacific Trailways actually begin in June of 1974. As a young boy with a less than desirable homelife, I boarded a Trailways bus for a new chapter of life. Filled with trepidation, I was scared and excited, I was traveling to La Pine Oregon to live with my mother, who I had not resided with since I was 5. As the bus pulled out of the Union 76 station (also bus stop) at Dayton Washington, I looked out the window on the life I had there, good and bad, and settled in for a long trip. I was surrounded by strangers and truly alone. When the bus reached Biggs Jct., I had a layover, with no money, and no one to meet me, the kindly bus driver (I think Paul Gatley) apologized for the small bus station being locked for the night. He proceeded to let me sleep in the bus where I would be safe and have a restroom. The next day, it was off to Bend and La Pine, via Columbia River and Shaniko. (Image taken at Bernard's 410 Steakhouse) where I worked just previous to my departure. This experience changed me from a boy to a young man.