Corona, California. Outside an Arco gas station at the Green River Road exit of the 91 Freeway.
Bill and his dog, Cheyenne, built themselves a home in the nearby river bed of the Santa Ana River, just beneath the Prado dam. I asked Bill if anyone bothers him. "They had me tear down my first one, but then they told me that they don't have the jurisdiction there, so no one bothers us."
Bill said he was Jersey. "Trenton, the Shore . . . but I was born in Chester, in Pennsylvania." He came out to California as a child, when his parents brought him here.
"People back there are nicer. Here, they give me a buck at most and you can't get anything to eat with that. Back in Jersey, they feed you, they make sure you have a meal. But they're tough, too!"
"I got three wives and five kids." I asked why he was here. "To get away from them!" (laughs)
He said he was happy. "I got what I need, I got my Cheyenne. She's loyal and the best company. We watch out for each other. I made sure she's got all her shots."
This is a contribution to the $2 Portrait Project started by Thomas Hawk, a street photographer. Shooting urban areas, he would often be approached by homeless looking for some spare cash, so he came up with the idea of offering $2 in exchange for a portrait and their story. Learn more here.
I gave Bill more because there are two souls here. I pass Bill almost everyday and promised I would bring some treats for Cheyenne. He asked me if I would print out one of my pictures, so he could always have a picture of her. Sure thing, Bill - and thank you, sir.
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