Page 2
(Editor Bob’s Note: This is the last column that I’ll
write about this time of my life. Meanwhile, the psycho-
logical implications of my returning to this theme peri-
odically will be examined by a qualified counselor.)
I’ve never seen one, but have always thought that if one
existed, I’d buy a T-shirt that read, “I survived 18 hours on a
Greyhound bus.” Yeah, I still remember those almost non-
stop runs from San Diego to El Paso, Texas.
Every summer my mom and I, and later my younger
brother, would go to her hometown to visit her sisters, other
relatives and friends. Usually we were gone for at least three
weeks. Although it was mostly a fun time, despite the in-
tense, dry heat (in El Paso), I especially enjoyed the trip
aboard a glass and aluminum, streamlined-looking, blue-
and-silver, hell-bent for leather, air-conditioned Greyhound
bus that wouldn’t stop for anything.
These trips were so long ago that long-haul buses were-
n’t yet equipped with rest rooms. So we were forced to use
the gruesome facilities at the dubious rest stops. I acciden-
tally discovered during one trip that the bus drivers almost
always slipped out a side door of the bus terminals and went
to the closest greasy spoon. With good reason, unless you
like high-priced, green-tinged sandwiches.
Not all the stops were that bad, but many were. Occa-
sionally we’d get a driver who somehow was able to stop at
restaurants that were pretty decent. Decent meaning clean,
well-lighted and with food that you weren’t afraid to put in
your mouth.
Our trips always began in late afternoon from the Broad-
way terminal in San Diego, a veritable zoo of all sorts of
people. After climbing out of San Diego County, we’d even-
tually roar through Plaster City out in the middle of no-
where, eventually reaching El Centro, our first rest stop. The
driver also urged us to remember our bus number and how
long the stop would be.
Nothing stopped our momentum, as we rolled on, high
above the cars and pickup trucks, and at about the same
level as the semi-trucks pulling their trailers. We’d stop in
Yuma, Ariz., home of the Yuma Territorial Prison; and our
diesel exhaust fumes would leave their scent in towns in-
cluding Gila Bend, Tucson, Wilcox, Lordsburg and Deming.
And somewhere around 9, 10 or 11 a.m. of the day after
we left San Diego, we’d maneuver into El Paso, and make
our way to Grandma Vicky’s stately brick house sitting high
above N. El Paso Street.
On these trips I usually managed to get the seat immedi-
ately to the right, rear-side of the driver so that I had an
amazing view through the huge windshield. I thoroughly
enjoyed those rides, rolling through the deserts, passing eve-
rybody going the speed limit, seeing new sights in strange
cities, some of them small and with more cockroach resi-
dents than humans.
The passing scenery fascinated me. Especially the dry
simplicity of the deserts, and the lights and shadows in
black-and-white, and garish blues, reds and greens. Houses
and stores of many architectural types; people of many ar-
chitectural types; early morning people and late-night peo-
ple. The utility poles flashed by as we sped forward, and we
sometimes encountered desert storms that would cover the
windshield with momentous sheets of water, and spectacular
light shows from above.
Once, just before dawn, we came upon a rolled-over car.
There were two families in that one car, and it looked as
though at least one person was dead. Our driver stopped and
told the people that he couldn’t stay, but would get help at
the next town. But after driving only a few miles, we saw a
sheriff’s deputy and an ambulance already responding to the
wreck.
Sometimes at rural stops we’d pick up cowboys carrying
their saddles, or Mexican women with their bolsas. They
were interesting people.
When not sleeping, sometimes across both seats if I was
lucky, I’d usually trade comic books with the Sailors riding
the bus, and sometimes strike up conversations with fellow
passengers. I thought that some were weird, but they proba-
bly thought that I was an odd kid.
On those trips I was an adventurer, an explorer, a man of
the world. Kinda’ miss that.
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, April 2, 2003
(Editor’s Note: Views and
commentary expressed in
letters to the editor are
strictly those of the letter-
writers.
* * *
Typed,
double-spaced
letters are acceptable for
consideration.
Hand-
written letters that are
double-spaced and highly
legible also can be con-
sidered for publication.
Cards of thanks are not
accepted as letters.)
* * *
‘Please understand’
From Terry Cain
Selma
Please be clear: Those of
us opposed to war, and its at-
tendant attitudes and atrocities
before and after, do not turn
our backs on the men and
women in the armed services -
we want them safe and back
home.
It is the U.S. government
and its woefully misguided
choices that we do not sup-
port. No war is worth the
wrath of the world, or the
lives of its inhabitants. And
when dissent is disavowed,
polarization arises - fostering
further destruction.
‘Thorn in flowers’
From Ann Reser
Cave Junction
The other day I had some
time to kill so I started a walk-
ing tour of our small town.
I automatically homed in
on Bebe’s to let my eyes feast
on all the incredible art found
in that little store. As I walked
I viewed the new benches and
trash receptacles -- such a
great addition to the town.
Within the proximity of the
trash can I picked up dis-
carded trash left by some un-
caring individuals. I hope oth-
ers will do the same.
As I progressed up the
street, I again was delighted
by all the rock planters and
sculptures that are popping up
along the business section --
such a unifying feature. We do
owe Sandy Kaminsky and his
helpers a wheelbarrow full of
appreciation for all their crea-
tive work.
One of the newest addi-
tions is a seating area at the
Dairy Queen. I was tempted to
buy a soft serve, seat myself
in this spot and watch the
world go by while enjoying a
treat. As I worked my way
south, I noticed little daffodils
in the tree wells waving their
yellow heads at the cars. They
could have been shouting,
“Hey, look at me!”
Since these flowers are
not “native plants” you know
they were planted by loving
hands for all to enjoy. The
Illinois Valley Garden Club
has contributed so many hours
and drops of sweat to add the
beauty of flowers to our town.
The “Welcome” structure
at the south end of town was
built with many hours of do-
nated labor and materials.
This all happened because so
many good people are proud
of this town and want all who
enter to know it.
And then I read that some-
one wants to put a sex shop in
the heart of our town. I don’t
think so. I would hope that
this idea is opposed in every
civil, peaceful and legal way
possible. What a blight. What
a thorn in the beautiful spirit
of the good people of our
community. It should not be
allowed.
allow minors in their store and
do not display the merchan-
dise in the window, why
would anyone have objec-
tions? The surest way to run a
business out of town is if there
are no customers.
It also seems to me that
there has been a bigger “stink”
raised than there was when a
“head shop” moved into the
downtown area. This defies
logic. Or maybe, only my kind
of logic.
In this day and age, when
more than a few churches are
accepting, if not embracing
homosexuality as an accept-
able lifestyle, why such a fuss
over an adult “toy” store, for
adults only?
It seems to me that there
are far greater dangers out
there, such as drugs of all
kinds and their related crimes.
I, myself, have never heard
anyone say, or use as their
defense, that they needed to
rob, steal, kill, to get money to
buy lotions, magazines, “toys”
or anything else Motley might
have for sale.
PRESCRIPTION FAIR - Three Prescription Help Fairs were
held recently in Cave Junction, Grants Pass and Central
Point to help Oregonians learn about opportunities for re-
ceiving free and reduced priced medications through phar-
maceutical companies. The fairs were sponsored by Sen.
Jason Atkinson, Reps. Gordon Anderson and Dennis
Richardson. Atkinson, along with Southern Oregon Federal
Credit Union (SOFCU) spearheaded the organization of the
event.
(Photo courtesy of SOFCU)
‘Rights and
responsibilities’
From Steven Coley
Cave Junction
The time for all the poli-
ticking and demonstrating, all
the “ayes” and “nays,” all the
“this is or is not rights,” is
past.
Now it is not our politics
that is over there. Now it is
our fathers, mothers, sisters
and brothers doing the best
they can to carry out the or-
ders given them by our leader;
and elected by, possibly, the
majority of us.
If you do not agree with
the politics that got us there,
when this is over, write your
senator, congressmen, and
president and let them know.
Better yet, vote them out of
office. Yes, in America we
have that right. Due largely to
our readiness to defend it
worldwide.
Right now, our only re-
sponsibility, as part of the
greatest nation in the world, is
to support our fathers, moth-
ers, sisters, and brothers. To
say, “We are proud of you and
are thankful for you. We wish
you Godspeed, and a quick
and safe return.”
As for me, I wish them a
speedy and total victory. I
thank them for being ready to
help to keep this the greatest
nation and the greatest place
to live in the entire world. To
our United States and Allied
armed forces, I and the major-
ity of the free world, support
them and thank them with all
of our hearts and souls.
In closing, I wonder how
many of the people
“politically” opposed to this
war, voted in the last election.
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MANSFIELD R. CLEARY
Attorney at Law
General Practice in
Illinois Valley since 1980
Practice includes but not limited to:
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financial problems
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592-2195
200 W. Lister
(Continued on page 3)
Siskiyou Community Health Center
30th Year Anniversary
Open House
Siskiyou Community Health Center in Cave Junction is having
an Open House celebrating our 30th year and introducing
Lucinda Kolo, M.D.
Please come join us and meet Dr. Kolo, the staff, and some of
our board members. We look forward to seeing you.
‘Why the fuss?’
All life is an experiment. The more experiments
you make, the better. - Ralph Waldo Emerson -
From A.R. Vandolay
Cave Junction
I am writing in response
to the article in the March 19
edition of “Illinois Valley
News.” I have a couple of
thoughts I want to pass on.
My first point is that if
Motley and his partner stay
true to their word and do not
We will have the latest information on our new clinic building
planned on the north end of town.
Date: Friday, April 11
Time: 4 to 7 p.m.
Location: 319 Caves Hwy.
Cave Junction, OR