Friday, December 11, 2009

Return to Slab City

Since my campground at Wiest Lake near Brawley, CA is so close to Slab City, within 18 miles, we dropped things off at my rig this afternoon, then drove out there. The friend who gave me the ride from the Desert View Tower had never been out there, so I played tour guide for a while. We had a 4X so were able to go a few more places than in the RV.

We first went to Salvation Mountain. Leonard wasn't there, but we looked around a little and I noticed the glass windows inside at the top for the first time. We climbed up the Yellow Brick Road, then back down the other side, and took off by foot up to the painted water towers. The artist hadn't left, as he hinted last time that he might. In fact, his little MH is now parked right next to the WAR tower. and it looks like he's still working on that tower. Lots of painting materials laid out.

Drove around Slab City a little, then headed out the dirt roads behind the main part. We found these enormous hills of what I assume are fresh water clam shells. The whole area has been bulldozed up, so who knows how far down the shells were buried.
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We also found part of a C-Ration meal. Makes sense as this whole area used to be a military base.
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Check out the view of the mountains in the distance about an hour before sunset. Beautiful.
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On the way back into town, the car turned into the desert toward some bunkers. This one was occupied. The dog came out to meet us, but didn't seem very friendly, so we didn't get out of the car. When we drove by, noticed the back door was open, but no one seemed to be around.
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These particular bunkers looked like they might have been occupied at one time but no more. Interesting graffiti, though.
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When we drove back into Brawley to find some Mexican food for dinner, the sun was just beginning to go down. I love this view of the sunset with steam from Plaster City at the bottom.
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Lots of dark clouds, but they made for a beautiful sunset.
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Excellent Mexican food in town at Fuentes Restaurant, then back to my RV where I'll stay tonight and tomorrow night before heading into Yuma. Tomorrow I'll explore the lake a little. And the coyotes sound like they're out in full force here tonight.

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