America is Changing... fast!

[Holt Webb]

The Vanishing America Project
America Is Changing… Fast
Contact:
Holt Webb
Phone: 858-229-1939
Email: holt@vanishingamerica.net
Website: www.vanishingamerica.net
Twitter: www.twitter/holtwebb
Facebook: www.facebook/holtwebb
Facebook: www.facebook/vanishingamerica​

Can photography change our country’s future?

"What will our country be like 100 years from now? Will there even be wild horses, bears, and mountain lions that aren’t confined to a zoo? Will still there be vast tracts of undiscovered natural wilderness? Will there be such a thing as a small town? Will our descendants even care? If we continue to let Progress go unchecked, these, and other cherished aspects of our country and culture, will be lost to us forever.

What:
Precious aspects of our country and culture are in danger of vanishing within the next 2-3 generations, and photographer/writer Holt Webb is using his artistic eye to show the world what is at stake when we let Progress run rampant.

Where:
The lower 48 states plus Alaska.

When:
Now!

Points of Interest:
• Endangered Ecosystems and American culture
• Alternative Fuels – Biodiesel, Vegetable Oil, and Solar Power
• Art – Digital and Film
• Land Rover -- 1994 Defender 90 runs on used vegetable oil!

Beginning in May of 2007, and continuing through the end of 2012, Artist and writer Holt Webb will be driving an ecologically-friendly motor coach, powered by Vegetable Oil and Solar Energy, around the United States documenting and publishing images and stories of American treasures that could be lost to us during our lifetimes.

Holt’s Vanishing America Project looks to enlighten Americans on the fragile nature of our wildlife, our landscapes, and our own ways of life. Subjects include the great, but vulnerable, Okefenokee Swamp, the dying shrimping industry of the Atlantic coast, the uncertain fate of the Wild Mustang, and the search for authentic small-town life. Visiting 49 states, and traveling only by back roads, Holt seeks to capture scenes of America and American life that are all too easily forgotten in this age of technology, reality shows, and global commercialization.

The images and stories he brings back are both beautiful and shocking as we are shown man’s encroachment on nature, nature’s changing ecosystems, and our own forgotten cultural icons.

“America is changing fast. And, often, change is good. But sometimes change destroys the things we love about our country. Hopefully these images, and the ones that will follow as I travel across the United States, will remind people how precious, how ephemeral, and how important these aspects of our country and our culture are.”
-- Holt Webb

Articles, presentations, photo essays, books, Fine Art gallery exhibitions, a documentary, and a TV show will be forthcoming. Holt’s progress can be followed at www.vanishingamerica.net.

 

[Scott Brady]

Thanks for posting up Holt.

Holt Webb won the Overland Society award for his travels and photographic excellence. Hopefully he can keep us up to date with new images and various thoughts on his routes and the good/bad of a veggie powered Defender.

 

[Streakerfreak]

Thanks for posting up Holt.

Holt Webb won the Overland Society award for his travels and photographic excellence. Hopefully he can keep us up to date with new images and various thoughts on his routes and the good/bad of a veggie powered Defender.

Deffintly looking forward to see this transform over time. Fantastic images and your living my dream Holt!

 

[IRWIN CLARK]

fantastic website you made...:victory:i liked it..

 

[Christian P.]

Holt,

great work - maybe you should join me here and do the same project in Africa...it is also changing....maybe not as fast...but it does...

 

[Holt Webb]

The Vanishing America Project

You bet, Scott!

Here's a little info to get started...

Running on used veggie oil used to be a great idea.

We all knew it was coming... but who knew it would come so fast?

You may know that The Vanishing America Project's motor coach (BABS) and Land Rover (the Greasy Beast) have been converted to run on used vegetable oil as well as diesel and biodiesel. The used oil not only burns cleaner but it saves me a fortune in fuel costs.

However, as time goes by, used veggie oil is becoming harder and harder to find for a guy like me. It's not that it isn't out there, it's just not being given away like it used to be.

History Lesson...

There was a time when a restaurant's used vegetable oil was considered waste. Restaurants had to pay companies to come pick it up and dispose of it properly (and some of the smaller eateries just dumped it in the trash or in the woods).

As the process to convert used veggie oil into useful products became more efficient, and less expensive, the more agressive recyclers and renderers (the companies who process the oil) began to offer to drop the fee and pick it up for free. Heck, it was like found money to them.

As the uses for oil increased (biodiesel, animal feed, cosmetics), the demand for oil went up, and new companies sprung up all over the country in an attempt to capitalize on this new market.

Now, used vegetable oil is a commodity that nobody ever expected to see. Now, renderers and recyclers are actually paying restaurants for their used oil. That's right! They're now paying for what was once considered trash.

And, can you believe that this all took place in less than 5 years?!

More...(click here for the complete article) (click here for more articles at www.vanishingamerica.net)​

 

[Holt Webb]

Africa

Holt,

great work - maybe you should join me here and do the same project in Africa...it is also changing....maybe not as fast...but it does...

Thanks!

You know, I've been considering spending a a few months in Africa after the 2010 Overland Expo. If you know anyone who can help me find some sponsors to pay for the trip, I'm all over it!

 

[Holt Webb]

Pictures

I've been trying to figure out how to include pictures in with the text, but I for some reason, I'm coming up short.

But, I promise, I'll keep trying!

 

[Holt Webb]

Images on sale!

Oh, I almost forgot!

In addition to the Vanishing America Website, I have hundreds of gorgeous images from my travels suitable for framing, and available on sale at:

www.vanishingamerica.smugmug.com

 

[Jacket]

And a fan of the Belleville Outfit to boot! I've enjoyed your blog and pictures Holt - thanks for doing what you do.

 

[Holt Webb]

And a fan of the Belleville Outfit to boot! I've enjoyed your blog and pictures Holt - thanks for doing what you do.

Hey Jacket!,

Thanks for the kind words.

How do you know The Belleview Outfit? Ever seen them live?

Speaking of great music, if you haven't heard of him already, check out Xavier Rudd (www.xavierrudd.com). He's unbelievable! Very unique sound (my favorite of his albums is Solace).

 

[jeepmedic46]

Those pictures are gorgeous, :sombrero:

 

[Jacket]

Hey Jacket!,

Thanks for the kind words.

How do you know The Belleview Outfit? Ever seen them live?

Speaking of great music, if you haven't heard of him already, check out Xavier Rudd (www.xavierrudd.com). He's unbelievable! Very unique sound (my favorite of his albums is Solace).

I've seen them live a few times when they've been out to CO (you and I exchanged emails about this a couple months ago when I heard them on your video from the Overland Expo). Very talented group, and a fun and energetic show for sure! Coincidentally, they were out in Colorado last weekend but I couldn't get out to catch a show....

Thanks for the tip on Mr Rudd - I'll check him out.

 

[Holt Webb]

I've seen them live a few times when they've been out to CO (you and I exchanged emails about this a couple months ago when I heard them on your video from the Overland Expo). Very talented group, and a fun and energetic show for sure! Coincidentally, they were out in Colorado last weekend but I couldn't get out to catch a show....

Thanks for the tip on Mr Rudd - I'll check him out.

Now I remember! We talked a little about King Konga, too.

Here are the CO dates for Xavier Rudd:

Thursday, August 27, 2009
Bluebird Theater
3317 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206 (United States) - Map
(303) 377-1666 Set: 8:00 PM
21+


Friday, August 28, 2009
Red Rocks Amphitheater
16352 County Rd #93, Morrison, CO 81401 (United States) - Map
(303) 640-2637 Set: 8:00 PM
All Ages

 

[Holt Webb]

Veggie Oil Colletion

Both my motorhome and my Land Rover run on used vegetable oil that I have to collect from restaurants. In these hard economic times, finding free fuel is like striking oil (literally!) But, it's a dirty job.

Many people have asked me how I get the oil that I use to run my vehicles. Well, read on...

Restaurants
Now, keep in mind, you can't just pull up to any restaurant and take what you want. Most restaurants have contracts with renderers (oil collection companies) for exclusive rights to pick up the oil. That's why I avoid the chain restaurants (they are less likely to bend the rules) and focus on the independently-owned eateries (who tend to be friendlier and more interested in helping out the little guy... like me).

But, simply finding the mom and pop shops won't guarantee that you'll get your oil. With used veggie oil being such a commodity these days (what with it being used to make biodiesel, animal feeds, hair products, cosmetics, etc.), simply taking what you need without permission amounts to stealing, as most places have a bin (often provided by the renderer) outside near the trash dumpsters where they dump the oil and the renderer comes to collect it.

But, if you get permission, or make arrangements ahead of time to get the oil before it is dumped into the renderer's container, then you can have whatever the restaurant is willing to give you.

This photo series is from a recent collection visit to a country club in the Southeast (names have been withheld to protect the innocent.)

Getting the oil from the dumpster to the fuel tank:

Obviously the process is easier if I collect the oil in the Land Rover because I can maneuver it closer to the container. But, sometimes I have to collect in BABS (which requires a lot more room).

To get the oil from the dumpster to the tank, I use a pump. Some people use buckets, but many dumpsters now have grates on them, and a bucket just won't fit through those little holes.

I have two types of pumps...

More... (to read the full article, click here).

To read other articles about The Vanishing America Project, click here)