You never know who may park next to you at WalMart

[rgatijnet1]

This is sort of an interesting story about a guy in a 1978 Volkswagen camper staying at a WalMart in Dunedin, FL.
Van Man

[J-Rooster]

Ronnie, there was a similar like VW Van in Port Angeles, WA. around 1977 camping in PA and touring the Olympic Peninsula and it was Actor Pernell Roberts from the TV Series Bonanza. Big Diesel Pusher was not his style, he loved traveling around the country in his VW Bus.

[Mr_Mark1]

I can see where it sounds like he was a 'dumpster-diver'.... it says he was parked next to a dumpster then dug into his cooler to check the eggs in the carton where he then smells them to see which ones are good. If you read it too fast, it sounds like he pulled the eggs out of the dumpster.

The story brought back memories... I bought a similar looking bus used at the age of 20 although mine was a '73 (blue with a white top) and it was not a Westfalia..... but a fun bus!

I admire the guy doing his own thing. As long as he is not bothering anyone, who cares.

Also, I don't believe 'all' homeless people choose that lifestyle, events in their life that they can not control can cause them to be homeless. But, some do choose it.

MM.

[toedtoes]

The only reason he is in the Walmart parking lot is because the local cop directed him there. His first choice was to boondock at the beach.

As long as the Walmart and the police are OK with him being there, what does it matter? He's not doing anything illegal, he's not doing anything against the property owner's wishes, he's not causing anyone any trouble.

Whether he's got money in the bank or not, I see nothing wrong with it. If I don't like the idea of shopping with him nearby, then I have this wonderful option - shop elsewhere. What you think is right or wrong has no bearing - he's within his rights as determined by the police and property owners.

[MrWizard]

He is Not dumpster diving
The article never said he was
He likes to be alone
Being parked by the dumpster
Let's him be alone
Away from the parking lot traffic

[Bird_Freak]

rgatijnet1 wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:

It's all about personal liberties and deciding what is best for you and not caring what other, less fortunate, people think. .... "He's in great shape.

There's also around 100 people on death row that are "in great shape". so this point is what? :R

...right now, the van and all that is secondary. He has great values, and they're working for him."

Is living in a van and dumpster diving one of the 'GREAT values' anyone would want their children to have and aspire to? :H

What parent would want their young teenage daughter going to Walmart to shop where a guy is living in a van parked there?

Obviously you never read the article, or you just can't comprehend what you did read. I suspect that you just skimmed it and pulled out what you wanted to with a preconceived opinion of this young man.
He never dumpster dived. I'll bet that 99% of the parents would be tickled to death if their children met the same standards he sets for himself at 21 years of age:
HE HAS ALWAYS lived by his own code, no matter what anyone thinks: a three-sport star athlete in high school who spent weekends camping alone; a hippie who has never tried drugs; a major league pitcher whose first corporate relationship was with an environmental organization called 1% for the Planet. He is 21 and says he has never tasted alcohol. He has had one serious relationship, with his high school girlfriend, and it ended in part because he wanted more time to travel by himself. He was baptized in his baseball uniform. His newest surfboard is made from recycled foam. His van is equipped with a solar panel. He reads hardcover books and never a Kindle. He avoids TV and studies photography journals instead.

The way I see it some people are just jealous of the fact that this kid is more successful at 21 then most people will ever be.
"Research the things you love," he wrote one night. "Gain knowledge. It's valuable."

"Be kind. Be courteous. Love others and be happy. It's that simple."

"Where else can you be as free as by yourself in the middle of nowhere, or in the middle of the ocean, or on the peak of a mountain. Adventure is freedom."

Doesn't his outlook on life sort of mimic what RVing is all about?
Personally I think that his detractors on this board would accept him with open arms if he drove a DP instead of a VW gas pusher. :B

Very well said. It amazes me how some folks read a article and never understand what they read. There was no mention of dumpster diving or bothering people at Wallys and I would not have a problem with my daughter going there. This is just stuff folks added to the post. Come on people time to get off that high horse your riding.

[SuperiorBound]

I think I would fix up the van so he doesn't have to worry about it starting. He seems a bit eccentric writing cards to his van but as long as he is happy and not hurting anyone, pays his own way. Gotta say I have a bit of envy

[mowermech]

He can set up in my local Walmart anytime. I will bring my grandkids over to talk with him, they might learn something about life and how to live it.

However, I agree he needs to put some money into the engine of that rig. Even allowing for "journalistic hyperbole" (it is a shame that so-called "journalists" can't just report the facts), his engine seems to need some work!

[rgatijnet1]

rockhillmanor wrote:

It's all about personal liberties and deciding what is best for you and not caring what other, less fortunate, people think. .... "He's in great shape.

There's also around 100 people on death row that are "in great shape". so this point is what? :R

...right now, the van and all that is secondary. He has great values, and they're working for him."

Is living in a van and dumpster diving one of the 'GREAT values' anyone would want their children to have and aspire to? :H

What parent would want their young teenage daughter going to Walmart to shop where a guy is living in a van parked there?

Obviously you never read the article, or you just can't comprehend what you did read. I suspect that you just skimmed it and pulled out what you wanted to with a preconceived opinion of this young man.
He never dumpster dived. I'll bet that 99% of the parents would be tickled to death if their children met the same standards he sets for himself at 21 years of age:
HE HAS ALWAYS lived by his own code, no matter what anyone thinks: a three-sport star athlete in high school who spent weekends camping alone; a hippie who has never tried drugs; a major league pitcher whose first corporate relationship was with an environmental organization called 1% for the Planet. He is 21 and says he has never tasted alcohol. He has had one serious relationship, with his high school girlfriend, and it ended in part because he wanted more time to travel by himself. He was baptized in his baseball uniform. His newest surfboard is made from recycled foam. His van is equipped with a solar panel. He reads hardcover books and never a Kindle. He avoids TV and studies photography journals instead.

The way I see it some people are just jealous of the fact that this kid is more successful at 21 then most people will ever be.
"Research the things you love," he wrote one night. "Gain knowledge. It's valuable."

"Be kind. Be courteous. Love others and be happy. It's that simple."

"Where else can you be as free as by yourself in the middle of nowhere, or in the middle of the ocean, or on the peak of a mountain. Adventure is freedom."

Doesn't his outlook on life sort of mimic what RVing is all about?
Personally I think that his detractors on this board would accept him with open arms if he drove a DP instead of a VW gas pusher. :B

[DutchmenSport]

I would not call him homeless. His home has wheels, but that's his home!

[rgatijnet1]

jfkmk wrote:


Add that to NIMBY. I wonder how many of the "supporters" would change their tune if someone who lived like a derelict (forget he has money, they wouldn't know) was staying behind a dumpster in a Walmart, or any business, in their neighborhood? What if it lead to multiple broken down vehicles parked behind or near dumpsters in their neighborhoods? I sincerely doubt the reaction would be the same.

Apparently WalMart didn't have a problem with this, just like many WalMarts would allow you to park your coach in their lot.
You can make up all kinds of fictitious scenarios, that don't exist, but the truth is he didn't hurt anyone and it apparently helped him reach his goal of being an asset to his team. The sky is not falling because this guy doesn't meet your mold of how people should act. :B

[Effy]

Some of the comments on here echo in large part what is wrong with our society today. The guy is doing what he likes to do and what makes him comfortable and not hurting anyone. And as a reward he gets criticized for it. Not sure why people just can't let other people do what they want to do and respect that. I guess some folks can't feel good about themselves unless they are criticizing others. smh.

[jfkmk]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Woo-hoo Look at me I have money and I live in a old van at Walmart.

IF he didn't have money he would be a derelict but:

Because he has money it's OK for him to live in his van at Walmart
Because he has money he is just 'non-conformist'
Because he has money he is just eccentric.

Funny how money changes what is accepted and looked upon as 'cool'

SAD

Add that to NIMBY. I wonder how many of the "supporters" would change their tune if someone who lived like a derelict (forget he has money, they wouldn't know) was staying behind a dumpster in a Walmart, or any business, in their neighborhood? What if it lead to multiple broken down vehicles parked behind or near dumpsters in their neighborhoods? I sincerely doubt the reaction would be the same.

[rgatijnet1]

It's all about personal liberties and deciding what is best for you and not caring what other, less fortunate, people think. To have millions in the bank at 21 years of age is a dream most will never enjoy. He's traveling all of the world during his off season and flying from ball park to ball park during the season. I guess he could act like others want him to act but his manager said it best with:
"He takes care of himself as well as anybody we've got," says Tony LaCava, Toronto's assistant general manager. "He's in great shape. He competes on the mound. If that wasn't the case, maybe we'd be more worried about some of the other stuff. But right now, the van and all that is secondary. He has great values, and they're working for him."

[Old-Biscuit]

Woo-hoo Look at me I have money and I live in a old van at Walmart.

IF he didn't have money he would be a derelict but:

Because he has money it's OK for him to live in his van at Walmart
Because he has money he is just 'non-conformist'
Because he has money he is just eccentric.

Funny how money changes what is accepted and looked upon as 'cool'

SAD

[45Ricochet]

With his numbers, he is a smart man :W
I would love to be his age and in that position though. Playing in all the major league parks would be a dream come true. Great story