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Wasteland, CA 95811

Danny Valadez, 48, rests after splitting wood with railroad ties. He has lived in Sacramento all his life but moved to Tent City in April of 2008, shortly after his grandfather died and the family-owned painted business failed. "I used to sell meth," said Valadez. "But when my daughter started getting old enough, I didn't want her to see me like that." Unable to find a steady job, Valadez spends most of his time lingering along the American River parkway waiting for his next step.

Kathleen Walker stands with neighbor David Cuch beside a fire. "While it's dark and more dangerous at night here, having a pit bull and friends you can trust makes things a lot easier," said Walker. Tom (last name withheld) stands outside his tent the morning Sacramento's tent city is shut down. "I've lived around this area with my wife for almost nine years," said Tom. "We like this way of life--the freedom-- I don't have to answer to the governmenet or worry about paying bills."