“Living out of your car” can have a negative connotation, but many people wouldn’t spend their life any other way. Photographer
Andrew Waits discovered this when his aunt and uncle quit their jobs to buy an RV and live the rest of their lives on the road. Even though it seems crazy, there are people all over the country who do it. You may be inspired to as well once you realize the amazing lives these people can live.
Andrew began driving out to meet people who lived like his aunt and uncle. He visited them in his hometown of Seattle and down the West coast.
He was surprised by just how many people sought this unconventional life. People wanted to live out of their vans, trucks, RVs, and compact cars.
When he met the van and RV settlers, he discovered it was a large and diverse community.
He met with locals for months. Then, he headed out on the road to find more communities.
Some people were on the road because they didn’t have a choice. They were down on their luck and facing hard times. And others went out on the road for spiritual freedom or individuality.
There’s a divide in the communities between those with large, fancy RVs and the people who live in more modest RVs or vehicles.
The support for the RV communities are overwhelming. There are even meet-ups on how to modify an RV.
This is “Gizmo Joe,” he spends his days creating new machines and gadgets for RVs from spare parts.
Most cities have areas where RV dwellers can find a place to camp without harassment.
Cars usually have an easier time finding a place to stay.
If on the road, the best place to park is a national park (where you can stay up to two weeks) or in Wal-Mart or strip mall parking lots.
No matter what the reason for road living, it’s a departure from life as most people know it.
It can be thrilling, giving people a sense of freedom.
But planning your survival is a very real concern.
Finding a decent bathroom is also a problem. The travelers often have to find creative ways to shower and use the bathroom.
Bringing along domestic comforts can make the RVs or vans feel more homey.
Solar panels and generators can help them easily access the Internet, charge electronic devices and more.
This life isn’t for everyone, but some people would do nothing else. It’s in their blood.
Andrew Waits’s photo series is called
Boondock. The photographs help illustrate the point that a vehicle isn’t just a mode of transportation, but a means of shelter and sustainability. This sub-culture has spread throughout the US, growing after the recent housing crisis and economic troubles.
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