Gallery: 61 Days Off the Grid, Posted to Instagram of All Places
Rachel Bujalski01-MG-0394-ecrop
"I was about to give up on Honeydew \[California\] and then I walked into their only store in town. The girl behind the counter (a deer hunting volunteer fire-fighter) helped me uncover this very special community."
Rachel Bujalski02-MG-5511-ecrop
"Melanie and Beau live with their two kids on a boat moored in the middle of Morro Bay, California. They are completely off the grid."
Rachel Bujalski03-MG-3298-ecrop
"When I met James \[outside of Los Angeles\] I thought he had a strong resemblance to the legendary Robin Hood; wearing a feather in his hat and green suspenders. After I learned more, just like the folklore character, James goes against the grain and is an extreme off the grid dweller. He keeps only a few items in his outdoor home in the woods; a blanket, his hat, and his smartphone-- to keep updated with the news."
Rachel Bujalski04-MG-9208-ecrop
"The inside of a Christmas tree must look something like the inside of Garth's teepee near Pioneertown, California."
Rachel Bujalski05-MG-0539-ecrop
“Yesterday I spent the day with Judy. I've never met someone who loves animals as much as she does. She has 20 goats, 18 cats, a handful of chickens, 2 dogs and a goose. She lives completely off the grid on her desert farm she bought with her husband, Leo. After he passed, her friends told her she needed to move closer to town—off the farm—since it's a lot of work for someone at 76. She refused to leave and couldn't be happier taking care of her animals."
Rachel Bujalski06-MG-9837-ecrop
"I met these girls in a laundromat parking lot in Garberville. They were on a work break. So we hung out for a bit and traded stories."
Rachel Bujalski07-MG-5548-ecrop
"Brother Frog, or 'BroFro,' the name everyone knows him by, peers out of his moored sailboat in Morro Bay, California at sunset. BroFro is an artist who lives on his boat and is famously known for designing custom T-shirts he sells every weekend to locals and tourists."
Rachel Bujalski08caindome-ecrop
"A solar-powered homestead near Pioneertown, California."
Rachel Bujalski09-MG-1059-ecrop
"Suzie is one of the residents at the transitional housing dome village #RiverHaven. She is full of spunk and positive energy. Not only does she have a sparkling wardrobe but she has an amazing hot pink wig she wears on days she's not blond."
Rachel Bujalski10-MG-3133-ecrop
"A friend told me about a man living high up in Malibu who collects loads of marble. So, I had to find him. Marble literally lined every inch of his property."
Rachel Bujalski11-MG-0137-ecrop
"[@Pascothegreat/](https://instagram.com/Pascothegreat) grilling aboard his pirate ship, The Illahee, anchored in the middle of the harbor. "
Rachel Bujalski12garth-ecrop
"With his main road sign knocked down in the dirt, it took me almost two hours to find Garth. Garth is an off-the-grid caretaker that still loves to watch Disney VHS tapes in his teepee. He's a lover of all beings, even the rattlesnake we spent an hour trying to extract from his front yard near Pioneertown, California."
Rachel Bujalski13IMG-3598-ecrop
"Off grid in Big Sur means waking up on mountains, little makeshift cabins and amazing lighting."
‘Darth Vader’ Wants You to Know He Definitely Supports Flock Surveillance
Anthony Ralphs was frustrated by the San Diego City Council's support for Flock. He decided it would take something more than reasoned argument to get their attention.
Vittoria Elliott
The Best Early Labor Day Kitchen Deals for Busy Fall Days
With school and sports starting again, these discounts on Instant Pots, cookware, and coffee gear arrive right on time.
Kat Merck
Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold Is Better, but Not the Best
A polished update to Google’s foldable brings real improvements, but the price bump and rampant competition make it a tough sell.
Simon Hill
The US Just Recorded Its First 2 Measles Deaths This Year
The fatalities come amid declining vaccination rates and calls from President Donald Trump to split up the MMR vaccine.
Emily Mullin
The Supreme Court’s Mail-In Ballot Ruling Is a Step Toward Chaos in the Midterms
The Supreme Court has removed one roadblock from the Trump administration’s attempts to impose severe restrictions on voting.
David Gilbert
Apple Refreshes the Mac Mini and Mac Studio, Both With New AI-Ready Chips
Apple’s Mac Mini and Mac Studio have been tough to buy for months, but updated versions have arrived. Both include new chips optimized for AI, with the M6 Mac Mini getting a $200 price bump.
Luke Larsen
I Tested the Best Kitchen Composters and Food Recyclers—and Yes, Some of Them Stink
After years of smells, strange noises, and “tea,” these are the composters and food recyclers I’d actually recommend.
Kat Merck
The Best Car Phone Mounts Are Magnetic. Change My Mind
The best car phone holders keep your phone firmly in place while never getting in your line of sight. I took a dozen on road trips this summer to find the best.
Matthew Korfhage
The County Prosecutors Who Became ICE Informants
Illinois prosecutors shared defendants’ personal data with federal immigration agents without criminal warrants, public disclosure, or legislative oversight.
Aura Bogado
This Projector Is a Hole-in-One as a Golf Simulator, but Subpar for Anything Else
The Optoma GT2400HDR laser projector is great for setting up a driving range in your living room, but mediocre video quality makes it less appealing for home entertainment.
John Brandon
Border Wall Construction Threatens 6,000 Years of History on Private Lands
Archeologists are confronting an “unfathomable” loss as border wall construction is set to cut across ranches that are home to unique historical sites, many of which haven’t been fully studied.
Gabrielle Saulsbery
It Should Be Harder to Apply for a Job. No, Really
Thanks to a dwindling supply of open roles, “one-click” applications, and the rise of artificial intelligence, it’s easier than ever to apply for a job. We’re all paying the price.
Kate Taylor