Desert Dwelling Van Lifers in Joshua Tree National Park
New friends, old vans, and ancient cacti in one of California's most treasured landscapes

Author
James Barkman
Photographer
James Barkman
Camera
Minolta XE-7
Film
It seems most Americans these days are content to pump their gas with a scowl on their face and headphones in their ears, happy to let the world around them exist with minimal interaction. Thankfully in the vanlife community this isnāt the caseāthereās always someone whoās stoked to share a few āyewsā and a high five or two. This is how I met Sean Collier, at a gas station in San Luis Obispo California, on his way back from a camping and surf mission in Big Sur. I complimented his badass van, and before I knew it we had agreed to meet back up and camp out in Joshua Tree shortly thereafter. One brief conversation was all it took.
Thankfully Sean and his girlfriend Avrie were not tweakers, and eventually showed up at the designated meeting place, Hidden Valley Campground in Joshua Tree. His 1995 GMC Vandura was late, of course. Canāt push the ole girl.
Fortunately the only trouble that either van gave us on the trip was a stubbornāyet easily bypassedāignition switch. Otherwise it was smooth sailing. The next few days were spent camping, driving around the desert, exchanging campfire stories, watching shooting stars, and climbing rocks. And then there was the mysterious UFO sighting⦠still trying to figure that one out.
Itās funny that to so many people, the way Sean and I met would seem foreign, or āweird.ā But really, Iāve made many friends this way, and would never think twice about it. The nomadic/vanlife/traveling community is fascinating to be involved in, and a part of. Friendships are often forged in minutes, and moments of mechanical breakdown only stand to make them stronger. Itās safe to say I look forward to making many more trips and memories with Sean in the years to come.
When Iām old and feeble, I think what Iāll remember most about this time of my life will be the characters I met and came to know. Iāll throw my grandkids on my knee and tell endless tales of crazy people and wild places. Canāt do that with headphones in.


















Published 08-19-2016