The Bum

For the past few weeks, on my long drive too and from work, I’ve been noticing a particular bum.

Now, that’s not so amazing in itself — I see bums and homeless people every now and then in the city where I work.

This is a different kind of bum, though — this is a bum with a sense of _adventure_.

Why, because this bum has decided to leave the city, and set out into the countryside.

From where I live to where I work, I drive through about 50 miles of barren countryside. No cities, hardly any homes, nothing. It’s a big road, though, and quite heavily traveled.

For the past three weeks now, I’ve seen this bum slowly make his way out into the countryside from the big city, pushing two carts of some sort filled to the brim with junk. I’d say he makes it only about a half of a mile every day — he’s having to push these two carts in some pretty thick grass.

Every night, as I’m driving home, he’s parked his carts just a tiny bit farther off the road than where he usually pushes them, and I assume he’s trying to make a “camp” for the night in the forest (which there is a lot off around here).

He must be carrying quite a bit of food and water in those carts, since he’s been in the wilderness for about three weeks now, nonstop.

What drives this man? Where does he think he’s going?

I notice he’s been let to do this, unaccosted by the police or state troopers. You may find this heartless, but I commend it. In my opinion, if the man wanted help, he would seek it out — he obviously wants to be left alone.

Will he make it? Will a car swerve off the road one day and take him out before he reaches his goal?

I must admit I’m actually starting to worry about him. He’s coming up to a (very) small community of houses that are on the road (about or six) — they’re “country” houses, though, so they’ve got very big yards, are very big in size themselves, and are more than likely lived in by very rich people not wanting to live in the city… people very likely to call the police if they see strange bums wandering around the outskirts of their property.

So, how’s he going to do it? Personally, I’d recommend trying to make the trip across all those yards during the night — it’ll be risky, but it’s the only way.