On a whim, I went to McDonald’s for a McGreasy a little after 5:00 a.m. I walked up the hill to Gregory Park. I had this weird feeling someone was in the dark, unseen. The 19+ acres is a spectacular place to sleep.

Because of the season slipping, it didn’t occur to me that I was there too early to walk up the steep hill to watch the sunrise. You wouldn’t think so, but it’s a beautiful spot up on top.

I sat on the outside perimeter with my feet hanging off, stuffing the McGreasy into my mouth.

“Hey, do you have an extra sandwich?”

The skin on the back of my neck crawled. I couldn’t see him and wasn’t sure how far away he was.

“No, but I’ll get one and leave it here for you. Give me 10 minutes.”

I walked back down to McDonald’s and got a sandwich and drink. Trudging back up the hill again, I was just about to place the food and drink on the outer edge.

It was time for my second startle. A short man wearing an absurdly large white hat came out of the woods on the side closer to Sycamore. He had a backpack on, so he probably got up early from wherever he was sleeping. I said good morning but he didn’t answer. He cut through the parking lot entrance and went down through the McDonald’s parking lot.

I left the food and drink on the ledge for the unseen person in the woods.

I took two pictures, both of them long exposures, even though it was totally dark where I was.