Post by Condor on Apr 27, 2010 21:36:20 GMT -5
For over twenty years I have camped and hiked at a state park alone, with my wife, with my wife and kids, and with my kids. Since I've been going, there has been a older man who has been there with his dogs. He used to stay in the campground but eventually had to move out. He lived in a van. Someone who owns land just right outside the state park let him stay on it. We saw him every time we'd go camping. A few times I gave him some food and offered him what I could. He told me he liked living that way and that he didn't really need much. His name was Charlie. Once on New Year's Day, I took him some sparkling apple cider and chatted with him for a little while. Eventually someone gave him a small trailer and that is where he lived and stayed. No one ever bothered him. In fact, people kept an eye out for him. The last couple of times I went camping out there I noticed that he wasn't there. I finally asked the park ranger if he knew about him and he told me that he was found half in and out of his trailer practically freezing to death. Luckily they found him in time. They ended up taking him to a nursing home and eventually found out that he had family in California. His sons came by and took him home. Turns out that the Man in the Van was a retired college professor with a Ph.D who just gave it all up and decided to live the minimal life. Every time I go out there I miss him. It's as if I can still see him from the first time I saw him down to the very last. I miss the Man in the Van.
Condor
Condor