southern California

A day trip to the Coachella Valley Preserve found us walking through the desert sand to an oasis. For years this was known as Thousand Palms Oasis and was a favorite swimming hole for youngsters growing up in the area. The preserve was created to protect the fringe-toed lizard.






Gary, Joanne, Leon and I spent an evening in Palm Springs at the street festival held each week. Joanne and I stopped for a visit with Sonny Bono before savoring a meal at Ruby's. Indio was another fun town and we were lucky enough to be there for the date festival where we enjoyed the Arabian Nights play.



After two weeks at the slabs we then traveled further north to Leon's home in the Tehachapi Mountains east of Bakersfield. Here we enjoyed both the last of winter snows and the arrival of spring. From Tehachapi we had a good view of the San Joaquin Valley.

Slab City near Niland, CA

In February 2006, Leon and I were each camped in the desert of southern California, where we met. The place is hard to describe in "normal " terms. The people make up for the lack of diversity in the landscape.

People come and go but each day's ritual basically stays the same for the retired RVers that stay in the LOW section on Edith Lane. Each morning begins with coffee around the campfire which is located inside a painted plywood fence of sorts. Here you meet new people, plan the day, and visit with friends. Some of us made several trips south to Algodones, Mexico. Click here to see some photos of Algodones.



This slab is transformed on the weekends to a venue for dancing with a live dj. Where else can one dance under the stars while fires burning in barrels placed on each side of the dance floor warm the chilly desert night air.



The Slabs are located outside Niland, California on an old military base that was turned back to the state of California. The concrete slabs remain from the previous inhabitants hence the name. Anyone can come and stay here without having to conform to much of anything or anybody and they do!
This day a group went four wheeling in the desert and then stopped for a picnic at the Bat Caves. I had lunch on this rock with a view of the Salton Sea behind me.


Leonard Knight's creation, Salvation Mountain, which is made from paint, sticks, and daub, welcomes the newcomers as they arrive.



Here Leon, JoAnn, and Gary prepare to cook over the coals while watching the sun set on another day at the Slabs. In this case it was setting on our stay but not our new found friendships.



Leon and I spent many hours on his quad riding in the desert, and this was only the beginning.