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Date:         Wed, 19 Oct 94 15:11:33 EDT
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         psellers@ha.osd.mil (Pete Sellers)
Subject:      Re: Street camping

Responding to David Carment's message ....

There have been times that I WAS in that "permanently 'on the road' " category. Something in my mind about the law, pride, ego and stupidity did not permit me to consider buying a vehicle and "camping out" on the street (some of the places I did, however, were much worse).

It's strange, that almost as soon as I decided to make lemonade out the lemons I was being handed in life, things began to change!

As I was able to get back in school and become more self-sufficient, getting a car and "getting away" from my daily environment was a relief and high priority. There were restrictions from time-to-time, mostly money, that prevented visiting some places.

With cooperation and an adventurous spirit of my mate, we took off on a few trips with full knowledge that we had just enough money for gas, tolls and maybe to recover from a minor emergency. There would be just enough to get there and back! Definitely, there was no money for a hotel/motel/KOA (not even a cheap one)!

We spent many in highway rest areas (some with hourly restrictions - no hassle from the law). We spent time in truck stops (met some really wonderful people and took strange showers). We visited YMCAs & YWCAs for showers and comfort facilties. We visited 'kitchens' and shelters for some meals. In one instance, even pretended to be arriving early for position interviews and were allowed to use the employee facilities to 'freshen up'.

Now that we have gotten to where we can "pretend" to afford better, we try little things at least once during our road trips, just for the fun of it.

We don't forget that there are people out there who may not have the OPTION. We try to look for signs of them and make an effort to offer a bit of comfort and assistance, if it does not seem to be infringing on their pride, dignity and privacy.

Wish all of you would take that kindly into consideration and sometimes extend a helping hand just because ...

A helping hand can make sunshine on a very cloudy day.

* * * * * * * * * * Pete Sellers "Constant And Never-ending Improvement"


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