Patcher Walt Bateman writes with his account of a conversation with a wayfaring stranger who, apparently, has been on the road for a long, long time. and who was "just passing through" Lamorinda on his way to -- somewhere else.
"I have been reading reports on the sighting of the man and his three mules and am amazed that perhaps my friend and I were the only ones to actually be able to say that we had an interesting conversation and pleasant conversation with him," Bateman wrote. "He seemed somewhat unapproachable at first (near Rheem Blvd on the Laf-Moraga Trail) but became very friendly as we talked to him. Apparently he has been walking with his mules for 28 years-- he said he traveled 3 months at time when he was working but now travels full time, never sleeping anywhere but outdoors. He carries everything he owns and does have a cell phone which he recharges with a solar panel. I asked him how far east he has gone and he said as far as Arkansas and Missouri. He also told us he has a website managed by a friend and that the website was www. traveling with mules (or something like that). Haven't been able to find it though. At times he carries food for a month when not near cities. He emphasized his connection with the spirit and spirituality with nature. Truly he was an unbelievable person to see, meet and talk to. Perhaps we can track him down and follow his adventures. We feel very fortunate to have had this encounter with a modern day pioneer. Fabulous. His destination at the time I talked to him on Sunday, Aug. 13, was Palo Alto."
