Bicycle Charlie Traditional Cache

Charlie Burg, known to many as Bicycle Charlie, lived on a 15.6 acre piece of land south of Saline at the intersection of Maple and Saline-Milan Road.

When he passed away, several years ago, he left behind the property that could soon become a nature preserve.

Charlie was well liked. Tributes to him when he died included the phrases: “one of the most interesting people in Saline,” “super nice guy with a big heart,” “a sweet person who truly cared for everyone.” At least a hundred people attended his funeral.

Burg lived alone in a small trailer near the Saline River and had a menagerie of pets that at one time included six dogs and seven cats. He “marched to his own drummer,” said Jim Peters, one of his friends.

“He was a bit of a character, but he was Saline’s character,” Peters said. “He was a gentle soul. For instance, he didn’t allow any hunting down there.”

“One time we went down to visit him he was putting up a wall to keep the turtles from going out onto Saline-Milan Road, because turtles were crossing and getting killed.”

Peters and his wife Geraldine helped Burg with his pets when his health deteriorated. After Burg’s death they made sure that the animals found good homes. The new owners’ love for these pets was a tribute to the excellent training they had received from Burg.

Perhaps it is appropriate then that the land Burg left behind is now to become a sanctuary for plants and animals.