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While I was visiting my family in Borrego Springs, my dad offered up his tour-guiding services of the Salton Sea and surrounding areas, just a short drive from where they live. He volunteers his time giving tours of the fringe towns that time forgot. I have always wanted to visit these places. It was everything, and nothing, of what I expected. The Salton Sea is so much larger than I had envisioned. Strange dilapidated towns surround. It truly is the land that time forgot.
The highlight of the trip was getting to visit Salvation Mountain, and the adjacent Slab City. They have long been on my list of places I have wanted to visit. Salvation Mountain is located in Niland. A folk art installation that covers a hill made from adobe, straw bails, and thousands of gallons of paint. The brainchild of local resident, outsider artist, and God enthusiast Leonard Knight. The project was started in 1985.
While, I am not myself a God enthusiast, Knights vision and dedication to it is truly remarkable. The scale, artisanship, and burst of color in an otherwise colorless landscape is something to behold.
Knights health is in decline. There is concern for the future of this piece of history. When I was there, there was a flash flood the day before, leaving much of this incredible work destroyed. Volunteers and donations of paint, or time, are always welcome. You can find out more on facebook and various sites on the internet.
Slab City is located just down the road, a fringe, off-grid community. It reminds me a lot of the places that are around here. People wanting to live their lives self-sustainabley and outside of society.
Worth a visit if you are ever in the area.
11 comments:
So amazing! I've always wanted to see Salvation Mountain! Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos! x
Such intriguing pictures of a place with strong energy!! What a colorful treat to the eyes... if it's this great in the photos, I can only imagine what being there was like! So cool - I'd never heard of it before and now so glad I have!! Thank you as always for this share! ! !
Wow, wow, wow. So vibrant! I'd love to visit this place next time I'm in the US!
Dig x
WoW this is amazing dedication... Thanks for sharing your pictures...
I love that place. There used to be a chopper event near there called the Slab City Riot but the local law wont allow it any longer :o(
My dad used to hike around in Borrego springs when he was growing up. He said there's an area where he found a bunch of Native American stuff that no one knew about?? This was in the early 60's. He said he asked about it and nobody knew anything. But maybe somebody knew something but did'nt want to say anything to prevent other people visiting the site. He can't remember the spot where it was.
One day I'll make it to Borrego.
it is definitely on my list of places i need to visit. it is amazing how one can live in california your whole life and still there are so many places i have yet to see. as always, i love seeing as many pictures of this place as possible!
Love this. saw this in another blog and dreamed of going there through time travel :-)
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Such an amazing place, did you happen to stop by Bombay Beach on the way? Such a haunted town, it seemed almost deserted with no signs of life but a few stray cats...
@ The Aquarians...yes we did stop at Bombay Beach. such a strange place. eerie, really. we did happen to see a few people who were riding bikes and following a packed van slowly. it feels as if you landed in some time warp or episode of twilight zone.
Salvation Mountain is literally one of my DREAM destinations!! So envious of you, was it perfect?! I imagine so. One day I hope I'll get there and be as inspired by it as you.
Also, I'd just like to say that from your introduction "living in the middle of nowhere, the high desert in the Land of Enchantment. i live and work in an Earthship, making leather goods, and living free. ♑ Capricorn Sun. ♐ Sagittarius Moon. ♌ Leo Rising." you already seem to shine with positivity, I'd love to talk some more! Elle X
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