Huge News!

We're doing a REBOOT!

I don't know how many people are still following this blog since I've essentially abandoned it for years, but if you're following, you're in for a treat!

I've been asked to create a Vanishing America pilot by an Emmy award winning documentary filmmaker, so it's time to get back to work.

We're having our first pitch meeting on Monday and are tasked with filming a pilot in six months. Follow me and the Vanishing America Project on Facebook, Instagram or Youtube for current updates. :)

Here's the latest from Luke and Ely at The Shop in Norcross...

This is the second LT1 we've put in and it looks like a winner!

We're getting close!

I'm sorry I haven't been keeping up with this blog very well, but that's about to change. 

The Vanishing America Project is just around the corner from once again hitting the road. All we're waiting on is the completion of the engine transplant in the Defender.

Long story short...
The Defender came with a stock Land Rover gasoline V8. We swapped it out for a Cummins 4cyl Diesel and converted it to run on used veggie oil (read the 4x4 article here). It turned out that the Cummins had a bad cylinder and was only running on three. But the 4 different genius diesel mechanics I took it to couldn't figure that out, so I sold the engine and swapped in a Chevy LT1 350 V8.  After all, the transmission is an NV4500, one of the best 5-speeds out there for doing anything off-road. The first LT1 to go in was unbalanced, so Luke and Ely at The Shop in Norcross, GA picked up another LT1 and are putting it in this weekend. If it runs smoothly, then they'll button up the D90 and I'm back in the saddle!

So, keep your fingers crossed. It's about to get awesome!

  

The first ever e-book from The Vanishing America Project is here! And, guess what?

It's FREE!

Yes, it's free. :)
This is a first for The Vanishing America Project. Though the goal has always been to publish in print the images and stories from this ongoing journey (and I do intend to do just that -- eventually), I figured everyone has waited long enough. It's time to make a concerted effort toward that goal. In that light, I have published my first e-book of images from the project. This is a first draft e-book, and only has a small sampling of the thousands of images and stories collected during my four years on the road. But the best part is that I'm making it available for free. Yes, that's right... FREE. If it turns out to be a popular e-book, I will work toward producing more -- toward that ultimate goal of hardcover publication. I hope you enjoy it. :)

Here is the link: http://store.blurb.com/ebooks/p7db961e6b2dec0ff525f

Calendar is here!

It's finally here! 

 The very first Vanishing America Project calendar... just in time for 2013!

On sale now at Lulu.com
http://www.lulu.com/shop/holt-webb-and-holtwebbyahoocom/the-vanishing-america-project/calendar/product-20602212.html

Is this the end...? Not by a long shot!

Like many other businesses around the country, The Vanishing America Project has suffered from the poor economy. I've had to put it on hold indefinitely. That's not to say it's over. It's just on hiatus. ;)

I donated BABS to the Louisiana Environmental Action Network, but I still have the Defender. It's currently in the shop getting an engine transplant. When it's done, I plan to take little road trips to continue the project (on a smaller scale).

In the meantime, I've been building up my presence in the southeast by pursuing my art (through the Sentire Collection and the Parolè Collection) and by building up my photography business (shooting homes, portraits, events, concerts and much more).

You can see and purchase my work (both old and new) at www.holtwebb.smugmug.com

Drop me a line at holtwebb@yahoo.com to say "hi".

Spirit of the Salton Sea

Check out my latest article in RV Life Magazine: Spirit of the Salton Sea

Here's a taste...

The year is 2007. The air is heavy and hot. A slight breeze blows in off the water, but it, too, is warm and only adds to the weight of an already record-breaking summer’s end. A strange sense of desperation envelops me as I shuffle up to an abandoned building that is shimmering in the afternoon sun. Like a bizarre scene from some yet-to-be-made post-apocalyptic western, the North Shore Beach & Yacht Club bakes in the blistering heat of another dry summer in the California desert...

Click this link for more

Save $350 on a Limited Edition print!

SUNSET!

For the month of June only, I am offering this signed Limited Edition full color 20"x20" custom print of this amazing sunset over California's Salton Sea for only $250** (regularly a $600 value!). This is a limited edition of only 25 images and I am offering 10 at this special price.

You can make your payment via credit card or bank transfer through my secure PayPal account by going to www.PayPal.com, choosing the "Send Money" tab, and entering the following email address into the appropriate field: holt@holtwebb.com. Or, if you prefer, you can mail a check (contact me for more details).

If you have any questions, you can email me at holt@holtwebb.com.
You can pre-order now, but after June 30, the price goes back up to $600.

**(Add $15 shipping - anywhere in the US)

LAST CHANCE

This is your last chance. April is almost over!

This special is for the month of April Only! This limited edition Fine Art 16x24 Print, signed and numbered is available now for only $250 (add $10 shipping)! This is a limited edition of 25 images and I only have 9 left at this size. This is a steal, for this print at this size normally costs over $600! Get your orders in now, for once the edition runs out, no more will ever be printed. Ever.

Email holt@vanishingamerica.net to order yours today!

Drew Landry -- Family Farm

This is a great song by a great songwriter. Family Farm, by Drew Landry really says what Vanishing America is all about.

You can find Drew's music on iTunes and on Amazon.com

Photography by Holt Webb