Mid January on the Desert

It is mid January on the desert which often means pleasant days and fairly chilly nights.  This year things are a wee bit reversed - the days are often quite pleasant but the nights have not been chilly.  We are surprised when often we haven't needed any heat in the evening - unheard of in this RV, but very pleased.  We have had a fair bit of cloud with periods of rain.  While that is not the kind of weather we want, it is definitely a plus for the desert which has been suffering from drought (other than regular dry desert) the past few years.  Bonus is that this weather will likely create a spectacular wild flower bloom once again - the start of this is already starting to show.

Agave plant - known as a Century Plant

Devil's Trumpet  - similar to Angel's Trumpet at home

We made a trip up Coyote Canyon - a trip that terrified me the first time we went.  While I don't have a photo of the rocks in the early days, I do have one of the water crossings.  As many things have changed, so has th the trail.  I have included a before and after of the third water crossing.

2009

2023

This past week we headed out on a circular drive around the Salton Sea - first stop - Salvation Mountain, and then onto Slab City.  We haven't been here for quite a number of years and Salvation Mountain has been preserved and maintained quite nicely; however, Slab City, on the most part, it has not aged gracefully.

Salvation Mountain is a hillside vision created by a man by the name of Leonard Knight who spent 28 years creating his vision.  It's upkeep and continuance is done through donations and the dedication of various artists.

Slab City is an area a bit past Salvation Army which is the remnants of an old, abandoned WW2 military site. Apparently people can live here without any encumbrances and it is known as "the last free place in America". That may be a dream for some folks but let me say "this is no paradise", at least in my opinion.

Other than a lot of dilapidated old trailers and RVs, this is what you see!

There is an area called East Jesus which is a community, within Slab City, which was founded in 2006.  This is an area for artists, and nothing is thrown away - it is reused, recycled, or repurposed.  There are many pieces and forms of artwork, I am the first to admit that sometimes it's beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

A use for TVs

Then it is off to Bombay Beach on the Salton Sea, which at one time was a thriving little resort town.  Now it is derelict little community with the beach holding a number of "art" exhibits - again,  beauty is in the eye of beholder.  Some are rather interesting while some require a bit of imagination - unique, yes.

Another use for TVs

Or you can live here

Behind us are the  Santa  Rosa mountains and there are many trails up and over and around.  In one area is another "art" display - all created by the placement of rocks and some are really quite creative.  It's a bit of a hike which must be made at least once a year so this week, it was time.  There have been some additions - some interesting, some not.  It is a nice hike and an enjoyable one.

And us!!

And throughout the winter, we meet many different folks with many different types of RVs.  Here is a Canadian couple who full-time, with their cat, with very  basic accommodations, and seem to be very happy with their travel equipment.  They can certainly move in a moment's notice if they so wish.

The little tent is simply for some shelter during the day is is taken down each evening.

I have often ended with a photo of a sunset but today, I will end with the start of a day and the end of a day.  As the song goes

"Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days"

Sunrise

Sunset

And with that, I hope everyone has a great week!!