by Claire O'Neill

The idea of a Great American Road Trip may be more mythic than realistic nowadays. But one culture is still living that myth: America's truckers — the men and women who drive 40 tons and 18 wheels across thousands of miles of American landscape every day. That trucking culture is the focus of Kim Reierson's book, Eighteen: A Look At The Culture That Moves Us.

  • Larry Ganaway, from Indianapolis.
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    Larry Ganaway, from Indianapolis.
  • James Tartlon's truck. Although decorative in appearance, all knobs and switches have a purpose.
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    James Tartlon's truck. Although decorative in appearance, all knobs and switches have a purpose.
  • Andre Bellemare's truck, photographed in Ontario, Calif., at one of the largest stops on the West Coast.
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    Andre Bellemare's truck, photographed in Ontario, Calif., at one of the largest stops on the West Coast.
  • Bob Hartness' truck, photographed in Iowa.
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    Bob Hartness' truck, photographed in Iowa.
  • Amilcar Guitierrez, from New York.
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    Amilcar Guitierrez, from New York.
  • A King of Movers truck, photographed at the New Jersey Turnpike.
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    A King of Movers truck, photographed at the New Jersey Turnpike.
  • Troy Sharp, from Kansas.
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    Troy Sharp, from Kansas.
  • Truck Tub Truckwash, in Kingman, Ariz.
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    Truck Tub Truckwash, in Kingman, Ariz.
  • Mickey McGregor has been driving with her husband in their truck, named "Cozy Cabin," for more than 30 years.
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    Mickey McGregor has been driving with her husband in their truck, named "Cozy Cabin," for more than 30 years.
  • Near Dalhart, Texas, a truck rest stop is located on the side of a road, next to an abandoned building.
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    Near Dalhart, Texas, a truck rest stop is located on the side of a road, next to an abandoned building.
  • Shipping containers by the Port of Long Beach in California.
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    Shipping containers by the Port of Long Beach in California.
  • Tammy poses in her truck, parked at a Wal-Mart in Kansas.
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    Tammy poses in her truck, parked at a Wal-Mart in Kansas.
  • A driver checks the trailer load on his Peterbilt truck.
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    A driver checks the trailer load on his Peterbilt truck.
  • Tim Young, from Flat Rock, Ala. "It's a conversation piece," he says, referring to his shirt.
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    Tim Young, from Flat Rock, Ala. "It's a conversation piece," he says, referring to his shirt.
  • Two trucks on I-40.
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    Two trucks on I-40.

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Born in California and raised in Bolivia, Reierson is the daughter of a truck driver. Over the course of five years, she has woken up in 20 different states while accompanying truckers in transit. Initially drawn to truck stops, she was intrigued by the stories of these men and women, and her book tells the unsung story of their daily lives. One section consists of portraits taken largely in their sleeping quarters — a view rarely seen by most Americans. She also offers landscapes, truck exteriors and stylish cabs replete with tiger print and wood paneling.

It's a reminder of the long journey that our food and clothing (and pretty much everything else) must make before arriving in our hands — and an introduction to the people who make it happen.

To view more of Reierson's photos, and to learn more about the book, check out her Web site.

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