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At the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous, nomads find community in the Arizona desert

By Alina Hartounian

Published January 26, 2026 at 3:53 PM EST

In Quartzsite, Ariz., self-described nomads who live on the road converge on the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous. There, they fix each other's vehicles, swap practical tips and share resources.

Alina Hartounian

Alina Hartounian is a supervising editor for NPR's NewsHub, an audience focused team of reporters and editors who largely write for NPR.org. While guiding coverage, she has also taken time to write about bicolored lobsters and microchip graffiti.

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