Today, he was dressed in work clothes – jeans, boots, hoodie, gloves and he was working in the woods. He looked the same.

We returned to this beautiful place to see what was new and what stayed the same! We spotted him while driving along this woody road as we hunted for the Fox Squirrel with my telephoto. We stopped our car to chat. He remembered us as we did him; an old friend who last year was a new friend and to think – I don’t even know his name.

We met last year when we were camping at Three Rivers State Park. We would be hiking in the woods and he would be working on the trail. We also would meet up with him – us hiking in the woods and him riding his trail bike on his day off. He was always friendly and seemed ever so happy and the same was true this day.

He loves to share his experience and appreciation for nature never seeming too busy or in a hurry for a chat. I guess he is just happy doing what he loves – volunteering in Florida State Parks enhancing the trail systems, finding Bald Eagle nests (which he shared with us last year) and a sundry of other woodsy tasks.

His work is hard, his life style simple and his rent is free. He is a full-time Rv’er and he can stay in a park for 4 months then he has to move on to the next one – rotating between his favorites. In his spare time you will find him hiking, biking or kayaking the rivers – a way of life that would suit very few, but just right for him it would seem. He is definitely an interesting person with an interesting way-of-life.

In parting today I said “You look so happy!” and he replied – “Yes, I am very happy!”

We hope to meet up with him again and I must remember to ask his name not that it really matters. And, next time just maybe I will get my photo of the elusive Fox Squirrel.