It was early March, 2019… and a great time of year in the sunny Southwest to take a Road Trip! Therefore, Alice & I, along with good friends Duane & Becky Sutherland, decided… lets go check out the Salton Sea! So we planned our trip, traveling from Yuma, Arizona, heading to the East shore of the Salton Sea… and as we discussed our trip, we noticed on the map – Slab City is on the way! Slab City… 640 acres, 120′ below sea level… with no local laws, no local governance, no services, and described by some as an ‘Enclave of Anarchy’… and to we Children of the 60’s…(at least some of us) vaguely reminiscent of the 1960’s. View the pictures… and see what you think!
Among RV’ers, Slab City has a ‘reputation’ – a 640 acre Winter home for Snowbirds… or those that just wish to live ‘off the grid’… or those that just wish to be left alone. For some, it is all they can afford (there are no fees). The term ‘slab’ refers to the still present concrete slabs that once supported the buildings for the WW2 Marine Corps training center, Camp Dunlap.
Map of the Southwest… and our Road Trip
Salvation Mountain
As we first approached Slab City on Beal Rd out of Niland, CA., we came upon ‘Salvation Mountain’… a very well done outdoor display of Biblical themes, Scripture, and images. There was a very informative gentleman here, that acted as a ‘information-greeter’ for folks coming into Slab City – he advised us that there were three main areas to see… Salvation Mountain (here), the Slab City Community itself… and an ‘Art Colony’ called ‘East Jesus’. When we asked about going on into the city/Community, he advised us: “Feel free to take pictures… and please know that folks here are the kind to provide a helping-hand to those in need… perhaps food & water… or whatever… just ask!” He went on to describe a comfortable ‘Christian Commune’ type environment… that left us feeling quite comfortable – time to drive on.
Slab City… Salvation Mountain is the first Theme ‘encountered’ when entering Slab city on Beal Rd, driving in from Niland, CA.
The Founder/Builder of Salvation Mountain… Leonard Knight:
Slab City… Salvation Mountain Plaque to the founder, Leonard Knight – CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT TO READ.
Salvation Mountain… Literally, ‘Bible on wheels!’
Contrary to what one may conclude, given the appearances… much of Slab City, starting here at Salvation Mountain, seems to portray a strong Christian Belief structure.
More Art… and Scripture!
Slab City… Salvation Mountain
Salvation Mountain Slideshow… 7 images… 5 seconds each
We moved on… Leaving Salvation Mountain and driving into Slab City Community…
The Slab City Community
Slab City… “The Last Free Place”… right out of the 60’s, Peace Sign and all.
This appeared to be a home and perhaps a retail store of some kind.
Slab City Community… Peace flag and all !
Shade in the desert.
Slab City Community… a little shade in the desert
Satellite Dish… so it must be occupied!
Slab City Community… – I am sure the story behind the name of this home would be interesting.
A neat, well-kept area that appeared to be California Snowbirds (?).
Slab City Community… This area looked very much like ‘Snowbird’ folks.
Library…
Slab City Community… This is a well-kept-up Library area… we did not go inside, but it looked well used, & well maintained. There was also an Internet access facility in a close by location.
Be interesting to try a breakfast here… the overall ‘in-person’ reaction here was… it might be a very good Breakfast!
Slab City Community… Like many areas, this was a well-kept & maintained facility… but definitely ‘Slab city’ in appearance. Note the ‘pillar of rocks’ on the right… very common here.
Slab City Community Slideshow… 14 images… 5 seconds each
Slab City…East Jesus ‘Art Colony’
After a slow drive thru the Slab City Community, we found a ‘fork in the road’ (literally – a large fork, 3 feet tall, 3 prongs, handle buried in the ground… but alas, we didn’t get a picture) that pointed us towards East Jesus. We parked, and entered in… and the first thing was this interesting piece of art – Alice loved it!
Slab City… East Jesus. Entrance to this fascinating & imaginative ‘Alternative Art’ part of Slab city.
East Jesus has a reputation in it’s own right… Click for Another traveler’s view…
East Jesus… Manager (?), and Very nice guy. He told us – “if you break anything, please tell us so we can use the pieces to make some new art”.
I think I remember seeing this vehicle in my rear-view mirror once… Chicago, I-80 !
Slab City… East Jesus
East Jesus Slideshow… 17 images… 5 seconds each
Our Destination… the Salton Sea
The Salton Sea… We got here late – but we got here! Beautiful… Readers should know, the future of this inland sea is highly at risk. It was created back in 1905 by an overflow of the Colorado River… but has limited water replenishment with no outflow, and is slowly shrinking. Read This (click here) for a good description of problems. And consider making plans to go see this unique inland sea before it is too late.
Salton Sea… our original destination.
Salton Sea Slideshow… 3 images… 5 seconds each
This concludes our post… Duane, Becky, Alice, and I… all hope you enjoyed reading / viewing it!… any questions, feel free to contact us. Your Comments are welcomed!
Jim & Alice LaPeer
Restores my faith in humanity, and God,No hate, no completion,sleep when you feel sleepy, get up when you feel like it, eat when. and what you have.Iam a combat disable Vietnam Marine,I need looking for along time for serenity.
Thanks for the Slab city tour.
Thank you
Supergrunt
Thank you for posting these pictures, Jim & Alice LaPeer! I very much enjoyed the slice of life they provide!
Hi Jim and Alice,
Very well done I’m impressed. Brought back some recent memories. Can’t wait for more.
Hello, Duane! Glad you enjoyed the pictures… we had Great Company! Lets stay in touch, and maybe have that lunch this coming Fall while we’re back in Michigan.
Jim
Jim,
I’d seen a few pics but you covered it where I feel I k ow it a bit more now. Thanks for the great article and pics!
Hi, Derek – Good to hear from you! Alice and I have been living quiet here outside of Yuma, AZ, enjoying the Winter. Hope all is well for you… Slab City is worth a visit – East Jesus certainly for it’s ‘alternative art’. I haven’t been getting into the Escapees Blog as much as in the past, so I am a little behind on things. Do you still plan on heading for Colorado?
Jim
This is a cool place. We stopped through there on our way to Palm Springs Sunday and chose NOT to stay overnight!
Hi, AJ ! I agree, its a cool place… the East Jesus Art colony is something that Alice and I will be willing to go back for. Hope you enjoy Palm Springs… and nice trip along the Salton Sea on the way there. Wish You & Barb safe travels and we enjoyed our ‘long lunch’ last month!
We never dreamed that this was in the United States, let alone California. Great pictures, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading, Donna! Yea, it is kind of ‘different’ – and the underlying Christian influence, at least in spots… is real. Say hello to Harold for us!
Very interesting Jim. Never heard of it. I’ll have to ask my S CA friends if they know about. As always, Deb and I enjoy your postings. Say hi to Alice for us.
Hi, John! Yea, it’d be somethign to check out… Never seen anythign quite like Slab City…at least, since the 60’s! And the Salton Sea seems to have a special ‘quality’ to it… at least, in appearances.
Very interesting place! Will probably plan a trip there some day to get a taste of the 60’s. The lake looks gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing your adventures with us.
I think you would enjoy it, Mikael! The lake is somehow… ‘different’. Very pretty, tho.
” a taste of the 60’s.”
He said it seemed like mostly snowbirds, though? Also, though many of those cars are made with scraps, the one’s parked next to them (thee Subaru with the carriage on top, esp) do not, imo, taste of the 60’s to me?
“cars are made with scraps”
Decorated with* Whoops!
Nice pictures Jim,
Thanks, Dave. Much appreciated!
Great job Jim. loved.it
Thanks, Jack – Glad you enjoyed it! Lots of interesting things out here in the Southern California area… along with the sunshine!