CROWN POINT, Ind. – This guy takes his love of all things retro to prehistoric extremes.
Nonagenarian Dick Zimmerman fancies himself the adventurous type, and one would be hard-pressed to argue: he’s been living in a cave for 58 years.
“I always seemed to want to be a Robinson Crusoe kind of guy,” Zimmerman said.
Indeed. While the rest of the world spent the last half-century going digital, Zimmerman used his digits to carve out a cave of his own — with just a hammer, a chisel and some serious elbow grease, KIFI (Local 8 News) reports.
Some of the caves are 100 feet long, and feature amenities like tire steps, straps for door handles and dryer-turned-storage units.
Though Zimmerman insists his cave-carving days are behind him — he’s got arthritis and has broken his hip twice on the rocks — he’s happy to rent out his work for $5 a night, if you’re looking for somewhere a bit … rustic to get your shuteye.
One of his tenants, a guy named Bruce, says he enjoys staying at the caveman’s lodge.
“Everybody thinks a cave is dark and damp,” he said. “But it is not. It’s real bright and sunny in my place.”
Zimmerman says he loves the cave life, except for his spooky suspicion that his ex-wife haunts his rocky abode.
Thanks to Out There reader Marie R.
I Bet They'll Throw Some Killer Block Parties
GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) — Plans to build a subdivision named "Sinnerville" have been given a blessing by local officials.
The Campbell County Commission voted this week to approve a 42-acre subdivision named for its developer, Jason Sinner — despite a name that led some to oppose the subdivision.
Commission Chairwoman Marilyn Mackey, who previously said she wouldn't want to live in a development called Sinnerville, said potential buyers know what they're getting into.
"They're going to have a choice to make," Mackey said.
"The first thing that comes to mind 20 years from now is not going to be, 'The name of the developer must be Sinner,"' said Commissioner Craig Mader, who voted against the subdivision. "I'm fine with the subdivision. I'm against the name because I think it affects property value."
Mackey said the commission shouldn't get involved in approving subdivision names.
Commissioner Alan Weakly said even an unpopular name should be welcome in Wyoming.
"I have deep respect for Craig's comments, but we are the Equality State," Weakly said.
Better Late Than Never
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Sneakers the cat is being reunited with his owner, hundreds of miles away from where he disappeared in 1996.
The long-haired black cat was given to Sacramento's Animal Care Services last week, where an employee scanned him for a microchip, a routine procedure.
The number on the chip was used to track down Allison MacEwan of Seattle, who said she placed newspaper ads and went door-to-door with fliers in a futile search for her lost cat a decade ago.
"It was very surreal," said MacEwan about first hearing the news. "I was completely surprised. I mean, completely."
Officials said they aren't sure how the cat wound up in Sacramento.
MacEwan's daughter was four years old when her cat disappeared, and officials said she is now looking forward to being reunited with her childhood pet.
Bigfoot Gets Some New Kicks
ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) — German shoemaker Georg Wessels traveled across the pond this week to personally deliver some king-size footwear to a Rochester man.
Igor Vovkovinskiy, who stands at 7-foot-8, received three pairs of size-26 shoes crafted specifically to fit his feet.
As part of his business, Wessels makes shoes free-of-charge for the world's 10 tallest people, which include the 23-year-old Ukrainian immigrant.
Wessels said he gets a kick out of helping tall people get properly fitting footwear. "I'm a little bit proud, of course," he said. "We like to make friends all over the world."
Vovkovinskiy, who works for Mayo Clinic's computer help line, said he was in need of the new shoes, having worn one pair for the past three years.
"I was embarrassed to go to the Mayo Clinic with my shoes this year because they are so black and worn out," he said. "Now it's like a new beginning."
Wessels' family has been making shoes since 1745. But not until Georg took over, did the company start specializing in super-sized shoes.
The extra-large shoes are made with material from Red Wing Shoe Company, located in Red Wing. The soles of Vovkovinskiy's shoes were designed using molds of his feet.
As the weather warms, Vovkovinskiy looks forward to trying his new custom-made sandals, he said. "It's going to be different in the summer to have (shoes) that actually breathe," he said.
They Must've Taken Too Many Misfortune Cookies
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Wendy Dershem may think twice before leaving that egg roll on her plate at her next Chinese buffet.
The Des Moines woman, her boyfriend and her two children were kicked out of a restaurant last week after management accused her of leaving too much food on her plate.
"They told us we are not welcome there anymore," said Dershem, a repeat customer at the Dragon House buffet. "We waste too much food. But the buffet is all you can eat. And you know kids. They won't always eat everything and they want something else."
Dershem said she paid her $5.95 fee but was abruptly told to leave after eating one plate of food.
"They just take one bite and throw it away," said cashier Lin Huyen. "They take four egg rolls and crab rangoon, take one bite of egg roll and throw the whole plate. That is wasting food."
Dershem said she was shocked by the scolding and complained to management.
Dragon House manager Kent Cao said his restaurant offers all you can eat buffet, not all you can waste. Dershem's family took food, didn't finish it and then piled on the same food again, he said.
"Shes done that too many times," Cao said. "We would welcome her back if she has respect and knows what she wants."
Compiled by FOXNews.com's Taylor Timmins.
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