BECOMING A VAN DWELLER more than seven years ago changed me in ways I couldn’t have imagined back then, and gave me opportunities I’d never have believed. Here are five people who changed my life:
BOB WELLS
In the fall of 2013, I drove my 2001 GMC Safari van to Quartzsite, Arizona for the first time. I met the man whose blog had inspired me to leave my tiny apartment and go on adventures I’ll never forget. When a cold snap reminded me how unprepared I was for camping, Bob came to the rescue with a 20-degree sleeping bag that he insisted I keep. It kept me warm for years.
LINDA MAY
That first year, I met my best friend. Linda is warm, generous, smart, and funny but she doesn’t hesitate to set boundaries. When she bought a small plot of desert land, Linda extended a permanent invitation to me to be her next-door neighbor, and I accepted. I learn from her every day.
JESSICA BRUDER
When she introduced herself to me as a writer working on a magazine article about van dwellers, I was afraid she would portray us as a bunch of homeless bums, but no. Jessica wrote about our lives in such a vivid, compassionate way that her article morphed into a book and now, a major motion picture. Wow! But best of all, she became my friend and writing mentor. With her help, my essays about van dwelling and homelessness have appeared in several publications. My mantra is, “All good things come from Jessica Bruder.”
CHLOÉ ZHAO
The director of two wonderful independent films I’d never heard of until then came to Linda’s place in the desert and spent two days listening with genuine curiosity to our stories, many of which became part of Nomadland the movie. Later, I got a chance to take part in filming along with dozens of other van dwellers, recreating the early RTR experience. We all drove away with extra dollars in our pockets that improved our lives. I went straight to Mexico, 90 miles away, and got pretty new teeth.
FRANCES McDORMAND
You don’t move into a van and come out to the desert with the expectation of acting in a scene with a bonafide, two-time Oscar-winning actress, but that’s what happened. My scene with her was cut but watching, up close, a master at work was magic. On top of that, Fran (as we like to call her) was warm, kind, and friendly. She even dragged me onto the dance floor during one scene (that was also cut, to my great relief.) It was a memory to last a lifetime.
The movie experience was mind-blowing, of course, but I have made many more great friends I never would have met if I hadn’t decided to give up stuff and rent to set out on this astonishing life on the road. I am so grateful that I did.
Do you have 5 Things about the nomadic life you want to share? Experiences? Wisdom? Tips? Stupid jokes? And do you want to make a couple of bucks? Write it up, include any relevant pictures, and email it to editor.crvl@gmail.com
Love this article as it reminds me of my experiences in this now 5 month old van dwelling lifestyle. Like LaVonne I, too, start my list of appreciation and gratitude with Bob Wells and his Cheap RV Living videos. Watching his and Suanne List of Essentials gave me my start of hope, plugging away at getting those basic needs. His videos on his philosophical views coincided with mine and made me realize my inner yearnings. And then the many folks that have been part of my travels, giving advice, sharing the sunrises and sunsets. Ah. I ramble on. Thank you for this reminder.
Thank you LaVonne. That was nice of you to share.
I enjoyed the movie, and wish your parts were not left on the cutting room floor, but I can guess why. From your photo you are a beauty, and sometimes producers don’t want women who are too pretty, up against their stars.
How are you feeling about gas prices, and do you find Nomads running from or staying ahead of bad weather?
Toni
I can feel your memories and wish you many more. Thank you for sharing.
What a great article thanks for sharing your story
Bob Wells has changed the lives of so many people including me. I am thrilled to now be in a place to support his and Suanne’s work through the Homes on Wheels Alliance. I am sure glad I was able to attend some RTRs and other of Bob’s gatherings before they got so big! I hope all of you still out there are doing well.
We always meet nice people on the road!
Great article, thanks for sharing!
Same with us. If it wasn’t for the Nomad life I would have never met and learn to respect my friend, Bob Wells. Even though our paths don’t cross as often as I would like. Ours is an association that will last a lifetime.
I have been watching Bob for a few years now. During COVID-19 I decided to use my time off to renovate my motorhome and equip my Jeep for camping and boondocking. Now come July I will be fulltime RVJeeping if God permits. Thanks to all those great brave ones on youtube that shared their lifes experiences that can help us throughout this journey. Hoping to meet some of you! God bless and safe travels!
One our visits to Bob’s Quartsite gathering we parked next to his area (pretty crowded). The area was a club of pretty well off people (lots of new expensive class A’s)and we took a very wealthy lady over to see who these People were. She thanked us repeatedly for taking her over and we saw her over there chatting with folks. It makes you smile to see humanity function as it should.