Hi, Erik. Are you aware that a movie with an almost identical plotline to your story was made in 2017 about a man named Harry Hallowes?
Hallowes, known as ‘Harry the Hermit’, lived in a shed on Hampstead Heath in London, and had quite a few run-ins with the authorities who were trying to evict him because they had no sympathy for his unconventional way of life.
The movie was based a true-life story, and I think that you 'd like it, having just read what you’ve written about that other hermit - 'The Hermit of Merrimack River'.
Thank you! Love this story and the quote by Khalil Gibran- “a hermit is one who renounces the world of fragments that he may enjoy the world wholly and without interruption.” 💕🙏
There is nothing so sacred as being one with the earth, with the stars in the universe from which we come. To connect so purely, he is never lonely. He was never alone.
I could swear I saw a documentary about this man years ago, but I cannot find a trace of it online, alas. Here's the longest news clip I could find: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIJbND2I0o8
Also reminds me of the “The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill” a documentary about a squatter in San Fran who befriended/ photographed feral conures ( they are so cunning!) not Condors/ conures are a little bigger than parakeets.
thank you for this very moving story, Erik. I am glad he found another refuge, but deeply saddened by the fact that "the world" (or maybe I should just call that malign force "THE MAN") wouldn't simply let him be where he was.
Such a beautiful,sometimes sad,story...I loved this.His little dwelling was so cool...River Dave is my kind of people.Being a cat lover,I am wondering if his cats and pets made it through that fire...I myself lived through a horrible fire that took my beloved cats.Thank you for sharing Dave's story;any update on the animals would be much appreciated.
I LOVE YOU, ERIK!!! ALL THAT YOU WRITE THAT I READ, I ALWAYS RESONATE WITH YOU.
IF I WEREN'T CRIPPLED (UNABLE TO WALK BUT A FEW STEPS AT A TIME),
I WOULD SURELY LIVE MY LIFE LIKE DAVE.
I AM A HERMIT, A RECLUSE MONKETTE, A WRITER AND A LOVER OF ALL THINGS NATURAL.
I AM FORTUNATE TO HAVE A GIANT GARDEN JUST OUTSIDE MY BEDROOM DOORs!!!
IT IS FILLED WITH BIG TREES, SMALLER FRUIT-BEARING TREES, FLOWERS OF ALL TROPICAL COLORs, AND MANY CREATURES, BIG & SMALL, I CAN WATCH AND COMMUNE WITH ALL DAY LONG!!!
I'M 79 NOW, LIVING ON BALI, AND RIDDLED WITH DISEASE.
BUT I KNOW THE TRUTH OF THE POWER OF GOD -- SO NO REGRETS, NO INTEREST IN TOMORROW -- JUST WATCHING AND FEELING AND TASTING AND TOUCHING THE JOY OF BE-ING, RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW. ☮️❤️
21 years is adverse possession under the law. Its a grandfathering possession. I wish he had gotten a lawyer before they burned his home. He actually had a right to be there at the 21 year mark. What a great sharing to now know him a bit.
I went to the University of New Hampshire in the early eighty's and we had a local hermit in town. His name was Herb I think. We would see him walking along the road and sometimes give him a ride. He had a shack in the woods, like River Dave, although not quite so large. It was a small lean to where he lived. He seemed happy enough with life and often had a smile on his face. There are many ways to live and closer to the cycles of the earth makes sense to me.
There's a few people like River Dave left in Massachusetts, who I sometimes work with, and never mind where they are. I had a friend in NYC named Bernard who the news called "the king of the mole people." He hated that. He and a group of unhoused folks lived under the streets along railroad tracks. It was temperate down there year round. Cops left them alone. I'd visit and bring batteries and water. They got along eating discarded school lunches. Eventually they had to clear out as the railroad wanted to use that track again. It was scary when they tested it and had had trains run through, you'd have to press yourself against the walls. Most of them were using crack cocaine, were not taking their psych meds, and I was worried someone would get killed by a train. The city got them other housing and last i heard a bunch of them were doing okay. Bernard said something to me that stayed with me, "I deal with the topside world at my leisure."
Hi, Erik. Are you aware that a movie with an almost identical plotline to your story was made in 2017 about a man named Harry Hallowes?
Hallowes, known as ‘Harry the Hermit’, lived in a shed on Hampstead Heath in London, and had quite a few run-ins with the authorities who were trying to evict him because they had no sympathy for his unconventional way of life.
The movie was based a true-life story, and I think that you 'd like it, having just read what you’ve written about that other hermit - 'The Hermit of Merrimack River'.
Thank you! Love this story and the quote by Khalil Gibran- “a hermit is one who renounces the world of fragments that he may enjoy the world wholly and without interruption.” 💕🙏
There is nothing so sacred as being one with the earth, with the stars in the universe from which we come. To connect so purely, he is never lonely. He was never alone.
River Dan sounds like a good man. He reminds me of my son who chose to live off-the-grid. His story didn’t turn out as well.
Moved me to tears. Thank you. 🙏🏻
I could swear I saw a documentary about this man years ago, but I cannot find a trace of it online, alas. Here's the longest news clip I could find: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIJbND2I0o8
Thank you so much for that link. Just what I needed to hear. A person at peace with himself and the world, against all odds.
I recall reading about him, this incident …
Also reminds me of the “The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill” a documentary about a squatter in San Fran who befriended/ photographed feral conures ( they are so cunning!) not Condors/ conures are a little bigger than parakeets.
Found this: https://www.bangordailynews.com/2021/12/14/news/how-a-mainer-with-a-fierce-temper-gained-folk-hero-status-as-river-dave/
River Dave is my hero, I’m trying to live like him! In a world so corrupt with greed, people like Dave are important now more than ever
thank you for this very moving story, Erik. I am glad he found another refuge, but deeply saddened by the fact that "the world" (or maybe I should just call that malign force "THE MAN") wouldn't simply let him be where he was.
Such a beautiful,sometimes sad,story...I loved this.His little dwelling was so cool...River Dave is my kind of people.Being a cat lover,I am wondering if his cats and pets made it through that fire...I myself lived through a horrible fire that took my beloved cats.Thank you for sharing Dave's story;any update on the animals would be much appreciated.
Thank you River Dave ❤️
I LOVE YOU, ERIK!!! ALL THAT YOU WRITE THAT I READ, I ALWAYS RESONATE WITH YOU.
IF I WEREN'T CRIPPLED (UNABLE TO WALK BUT A FEW STEPS AT A TIME),
I WOULD SURELY LIVE MY LIFE LIKE DAVE.
I AM A HERMIT, A RECLUSE MONKETTE, A WRITER AND A LOVER OF ALL THINGS NATURAL.
I AM FORTUNATE TO HAVE A GIANT GARDEN JUST OUTSIDE MY BEDROOM DOORs!!!
IT IS FILLED WITH BIG TREES, SMALLER FRUIT-BEARING TREES, FLOWERS OF ALL TROPICAL COLORs, AND MANY CREATURES, BIG & SMALL, I CAN WATCH AND COMMUNE WITH ALL DAY LONG!!!
I'M 79 NOW, LIVING ON BALI, AND RIDDLED WITH DISEASE.
BUT I KNOW THE TRUTH OF THE POWER OF GOD -- SO NO REGRETS, NO INTEREST IN TOMORROW -- JUST WATCHING AND FEELING AND TASTING AND TOUCHING THE JOY OF BE-ING, RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW. ☮️❤️
Great story. The world needs more River Daves to remind us of the tings that are truly valuable.
21 years is adverse possession under the law. Its a grandfathering possession. I wish he had gotten a lawyer before they burned his home. He actually had a right to be there at the 21 year mark. What a great sharing to now know him a bit.
I went to the University of New Hampshire in the early eighty's and we had a local hermit in town. His name was Herb I think. We would see him walking along the road and sometimes give him a ride. He had a shack in the woods, like River Dave, although not quite so large. It was a small lean to where he lived. He seemed happy enough with life and often had a smile on his face. There are many ways to live and closer to the cycles of the earth makes sense to me.
He has found God.
There's a few people like River Dave left in Massachusetts, who I sometimes work with, and never mind where they are. I had a friend in NYC named Bernard who the news called "the king of the mole people." He hated that. He and a group of unhoused folks lived under the streets along railroad tracks. It was temperate down there year round. Cops left them alone. I'd visit and bring batteries and water. They got along eating discarded school lunches. Eventually they had to clear out as the railroad wanted to use that track again. It was scary when they tested it and had had trains run through, you'd have to press yourself against the walls. Most of them were using crack cocaine, were not taking their psych meds, and I was worried someone would get killed by a train. The city got them other housing and last i heard a bunch of them were doing okay. Bernard said something to me that stayed with me, "I deal with the topside world at my leisure."