More than 400 nomads gather in Oregon for their own ‘town’

More than 400 nomads came together this month for one of America’s largest ‘vanlife’ gatherings.

Incredible images of Descend on Bend in Oregon show a huge array of vans and mobile homes parked up for the annual gathering.  

The event featured potluck sharing dinners, scavenger hunts, a fundraising breakfast, yoga, and live music.

Parked up: More than 400 nomads came together this month for one of America’s largest ‘vanlife’ gatherings

Mix and mingle: The event featured potluck sharing dinners, scavenger hunts, a fundraising breakfast, yoga, and live music

Mix and mingle: The event featured potluck sharing dinners, scavenger hunts, a fundraising breakfast, yoga, and live music

Incredible images of Descend on Bend in Oregon show a huge array of vans and mobile homes parked up for the gathering

Incredible images of Descend on Bend in Oregon show a huge array of vans and mobile homes parked up for the gathering

At night the nomads gathered around a campfire where they sang songs and chatted into the early hours. 

It is estimated that more than six million Americans – 1.8 per cent of the population – live life on the road.  

Breanne Acio, 30, from California, attended with her wife Lacey Mayer, 28.

She said: ‘There are over six million people in the United States living in non-traditional housing (i.e., RVs, vans, and boats), not including tiny houses,’

‘However, this is how many people report their non-traditional residences. The actual number is estimated to be millions more.

Nomads put foods on to their plates at dinner time where they shared roasted peppers cooked on an open flame

Nomads put foods on to their plates at dinner time where they shared roasted peppers cooked on an open flame

At night the nomads gathered around a campfire where they sang songs and chatted into the early hours

At night the nomads gathered around a campfire where they sang songs and chatted into the early hours

It is estimated that more than six million Americans - 1.8 per cent of the population - live life on the road

It is estimated that more than six million Americans – 1.8 per cent of the population – live life on the road

‘Because of the stigma, most people don’t realize what a common lifestyle this is and people don’t often share it freely. Gatherings help you to realise that there is a community out there.

‘There are only two or three large annual vanlife gatherings in the United States. People travel from long distances to go to them.

‘Sometimes, this lifestyle can be lonely because the community is so spread out; plus, the lifestyle is often stigmatised. Gatherings give people an opportunity to connect with community, collaborate, and learn from others who are living an alternative lifestyle.’ 

Breanne explained the reason so many people are turning to this way of life and rejecting societal norms.

‘Many people in this movement feel disenfranchised by a system with declining wages and increasing costs of living,’ she added.

This image shows several vans and tents parked up at the gathering in Oregon. Many of the nomads have bikes with them

This image shows several vans and tents parked up at the gathering in Oregon. Many of the nomads have bikes with them

A nomad couple smile of the cameras as they celebrate their feeling of freedom gained from living life on the road

A nomad couple smile of the cameras as they celebrate their feeling of freedom gained from living life on the road

This is the queue for dinner at the Descend on Bend gathering in Oregon which was attended by more than 400

This is the queue for dinner at the Descend on Bend gathering in Oregon which was attended by more than 400

Vans and lorries drive off at the end of the festival after nomads packed up their stuff and prepared to move on

Vans and lorries drive off at the end of the festival after nomads packed up their stuff and prepared to move on

This image shows two vans parked alongside eachother with two women sitting outside, enjoying the autumn sun

This image shows two vans parked alongside eachother with two women sitting outside, enjoying the autumn sun

‘The ‘American Dream’ of owning a home, having a secure job that pays well, and having time for family and friends, doesn’t seem like a possibility to many people in our generation.

‘So, people are pursuing happiness and a lifestyle that allows for more time to pursue the things they love.

‘Unfortunately, in America, and many other societies, our economic system has smothered our ‘unalienable rights’ to ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness’, with the pursuit of monetary survival.

‘Vanlife, minimalism, and the tiny house movements are primarily comprised of people trying to carve out their own, alternative path, and to regain these rights.

‘Gatherings are important because they allow you to meet and collaborate with people who are changing the dominant narrative.’

This image shows some of the live music that was on offer. Vanlife, minimalism, and the tiny house movements are primarily comprised of people trying to carve out their own, alternative path

This image shows some of the live music that was on offer. Vanlife, minimalism, and the tiny house movements are primarily comprised of people trying to carve out their own, alternative path

Descend on Bend attendees gather around a campfire where they chat and play music until the early hours

Descend on Bend attendees gather around a campfire where they chat and play music until the early hours

One festivalgoer said: 'The 'American Dream' of owning a home, having a secure job that pays well, and having time for family and friends, doesn't seem like a possibility to many people in our generation.'

One festivalgoer said: ‘The ‘American Dream’ of owning a home, having a secure job that pays well, and having time for family and friends, doesn’t seem like a possibility to many people in our generation.’

This image shows a family of nomads including a small boy sitting by a fire above the main campsite

This image shows a family of nomads including a small boy sitting by a fire above the main campsite

Two nomads smile for the camera and pose next to their van at the Descend in Bend festival which took place this month

Two nomads smile for the camera and pose next to their van at the Descend in Bend festival which took place this month

Breanne and Lacey have started to host bi-monthly gatherings in San Diego, although these events only last for a day rather than a weekend.

‘Our first one was in September and we had over 50 vans throughout the day,’ Breanne said.

‘The next one is November 4th, and our meet-up page has over 200 members, just in San Diego. We plan to have workshops on building and collaborations on making a living digitally.

‘We also started an Instagram account, @vanlifegatherings, to help people share and find more events and places to connect.’ 

One festival goer said: 'Sometimes, this lifestyle can be lonely because the community is so spread out'

One festival goer said: ‘Sometimes, this lifestyle can be lonely because the community is so spread out’

One festivalgoer said: 'Gatherings are important because they allow you to meet and collaborate with people who are changing the dominant narrative.'

One festivalgoer said: ‘Gatherings are important because they allow you to meet and collaborate with people who are changing the dominant narrative.’

Breanne Acio, 30, from California, attended with her wife Lacey Mayer, 28. Pictured: the couple's van

Breanne Acio, 30, from California, attended with her wife Lacey Mayer, 28. Pictured: the couple’s van

This image shows  Lacey Mayer, 28, sitting in her van before driving to the Descend on Bend festival

This image shows Lacey Mayer, 28, sitting in her van before driving to the Descend on Bend festival

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