It seems like you went from vagabonding on a bike, to travelling in a truck. You got bit early if I'm understanding right, but I also wonder what kept you doing it and why do it at all in the first place? What was your thinking back then and now as you've progressed through the years. What are your regrets, and what are your victories?
You make me think. Been so long ago. Beginning at some point I just needed money, all kids need money. 25 cents was enough for a movie date. Then grander things and more dates. copping more feels of the fairer ***.
Got a job at a lumber mill In a near by town (Grants Pass, Oregon) I did well there, muscle work. Forman Liked me. After a few months I had more money but less time for going on dates..
Anyway, One day he told me that a friend of his in the next town (Medford) needed some one to drive his truck, was I interested? Yes I was. Big, noisy smelly truck would make me more handsome to the girls. And truck drivers were rich.
He drove me over there. (Harry and David orchards) I got hired. No drivers license required back then.
Anyway I was asked if I would take a load of pears to Pittsburg, Pa. Never heard of it but I said yes anyway. Got a map at the local gas station and away I went the very next day.
The deal was that I'd take the pears to a market in Pittsburg, Pa, then go to Oil City, Pa and pick up a load of box ends and slats for return to Harry and David Orchards.
By the time I had gotten well underway and with the help of other drivers The round trip was made. I was paid $300 dollars, took me 21 days.
Well-- I was rich, I mean really rich. I bought a car! An A Model ford for $25 dollars.
I had girls all over the place.
Well that sealed the deal, I are now an official truck driver. With all that money and all them girls and a car - shoot, I could have anything. Got a job hauling gasoline and diesel around Sothern Oregon and into Northern California, Over the mountains and expanded from there.
Hired on and quit many jobs, Ended up on long haul work from West to East coast and back, More big money but less and less time to do what I really wanted to do, get the girls.
Enlisted in the Navy while still under age. I lied. Had to make up the time so ended up in the Navy for over 6 years.
when I got out, I went back to driving, still, getting the girls was my aim. Wasn't working out so well till one trip I ended up in a town called Bad Axe, Michigan.
Back then, drivers waited by a Phone booth for a call from dispatch for next load.
A young guy walked by. I asked him where I could be something to eat. He told me there was a Dairy Bar down the street where his sister worked. I could get a hamburger and shake there. I followed him. Turns out His sister was darn good looking and did not have a boy friend. I told her that I was a truck driver and that I could get a load back there the next week and asked her on a date to the local skating rink the following week end. She said sure.
Turns out she was one of 9 sisters and 6 brothers. JACK POT. I dated them all over the next several months. Some times one at a time, at other times in bunches, always had to take a brother along, that put a cramp in my style.
Anyhow, I quit the long haul thing and took a more local driving job. Long story short, I was frustrated as all get out. At last I asked a middle one to marry me, well she was frustrated too so it was she who asked me to marry her..
I didn't care who asked who - We got Married. No more brother. What a relief.
By that time I had spent all of my saved money and then some. You know, big spender, flashy. Slow climb back up from the hole I was in. We didn't care, it was summer and living was easy.
I gotta tell ya, she was the best thing that ever happened to me.
I was hooked. just like a story book only real. She got herself pregnant. It was all her fault.
I asked her how many babies she wanted, considering the number of kids her dad and mom had. She said she wanted a lot of babies. I told her that I was willing and able.
Anyhow , I told her to pick out a house she wanted, which she did. Six bed room old farm house, I told her we could put on an addition if and when needed.
We made two babies when her baby making stuff went to hell, mean time I went back over the road long haul for the extra money.
We lived here until she died and that's where I am right now.
Or first born, our son is 55 now and like me is getting older, Our daughter Drowned in a pond at age 6 almost 7 while fishing for Polly wogs with a fruit jar.
Of course The thrilling things happened along the way, We never lost the excitement of going riding. When young, before babies we toured all over the place on various Motor cycles, I still have them all tucked away, all still working. But those things take a very far back seat to the excitement that Linda and I had each day just living and planning and doing crazy stuff.
So now, I'm getting things together for our last big plan. Going off like we did when we were young. This time I'll be just showing her stuff, writing it down for her to read about later. I'll say hey honey look at that and I'll hear her delighted gasp and comment, "take a picture" "did you get it"? She'll say "take me over there", She always did know how to make me feel macho. She'll say, "taste this" and then look at me to see if I approve of her concoction. I always did. I really miss her.
Especially if you fall down in the attempt... 
