Salvation Mountain and Slab City, Niland, California

     Salvation Mountain is Leonard Knight's masterpiece.  Leonard got right with God in 1967, but he couldn't seem to fit in with any organized religion.  In 1984 he traveled to Slab City in Niland, California and found his home.  His goal was to erect a monument to God.  The first attempt was to build a hot air balloon with the message, "God is love," written on it.  Every time he tried to launch the balloon it ripped.  Next Knight decided to build a mountain containing religious messages.  He used cement, but he added too much sand to the mix, trying to extend the material.  The mountain collapsed.  His second attempt at mountain building was successful.  He switched from cement to adobe mud and straw.  The mountain is covered with non-toxic latex paint - layers and layers of paint.  This prevents erosion of the adobe from wind and rain.  Leonard Knight had to enter assisted living in 2011.  He died in 2014.
     The state of California tried at times to evict Knight, but they eventually gave up.  The mountain was declared a National Folk Art site in 2001.  Today, Salvation Mountain is a non-profit charity run by a board of directors.  The structure requires constant maintenance, all of which is done by volunteers.

The site is open every day from dawn till dusk.  Admission is free, but donations of cash and latex paint are accepted.

Visitors should walk only on the yellow path.

I took the yellow path to the top.

Mike found an easier way to the top by going up the back of the mountain

They take any color.  The "ugly" colors are used as primer, and the "pretty" colors go on the top.

Empty cans - artfully arranged.

This is Ron, the caretaker.  He does most of the finish painting, and he supervises volunteers.

The mountain is held up with trees. poles, tires, and God-knows-what.  I had some concerns about walking around inside the structure, but I comforted myself with the fact that it has been standing for years.  It will probably stand for a few more.

Mike, inside the mountain.

This domed room was cozy and cooler than the outside air.  It was also covered with a thick layer of dust.

     Salvation Mountain sits at the entrance to Slab City.  Slab City is a community of squatters that live on public land.  The name comes from the concrete slabs on the site - the remains of World War II's Camp Dunlap.  There is no electricity, running water, sewers, toilets, or trash pick up.  Residents call Slab City the last free place in America.  My impression was that this is true enough: You are free to collect all the garbage you can carry home and toss around your tent, RV, or lean-to.  There are some art installations in Slab City, but an actual community of artists live further down the road in a place called East Jesus.  The road to East Jesus is unpaved, so we decided not to drive the rental car there.  Maybe next time.

This is called Soul Tree.  The tree is decorated with shoes.  

I think most of these shoes had some more mileage left in them.  Just sayin'.

This is the Bedazzled Truck.  I expected more shiny stuff like costume jewelry, but the bedazzling was mostly done with mirrors and pop-tops.

The crafter in me wonders what kind of glue they used.

The outside is fancy, but the inside is plain.

I liked this mural.

     Slab City residents travel four miles to Niland, the nearest town, for gas and groceries.  We stopped at the Buckshot Deli and Diner in Niland for a quick meal and bathroom break.

Duck hunting is popular at the Salton Sea.

The restaurant is a modest establishment, so we were pleasantly surprised to find the food so delicious.  We received salsa and chips to snack on before the meal.  We had sandwiches which were made with whole grain bread.  The cold cuts were as good as the meat at an east coast deli.  The lettuce was fresh and crisp.  The tomatoes were vine ripened, not picked green.  We had to leave the dining room and go around the side of the building to find the toilets.  The restrooms were clean, so no problems.