SLAB CITY & SALVATION MOUNTAIN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I remember making a long and never-ending ‘things to see’ list before I came to America. I would sit and daydream about these things I wanted to do and have read about, heard about and only seen in movies. The feeling of driving for hours and ultimately getting closer and closer to something you have imagined about over and over in your head is hard for me to grasp. It’s like no other feeling really. On top of that ‘things to see’ list was Slab City and Salvation Mountain. And during our second last day in America, I was able to finally tick this one of my list. I truly believe we had managed to save the best till last. To describe this place for what its worth and the magic I felt when I was there, I feel that no matter how hard I try it would still be inadequate. But I will give it my best.

Slab City takes its name from the concrete slabs and pylons that remain from the abandoned World War II Marine barracks. Once the original purpose for the scene passed, a bunch of squatters and hippies moved in and became 'slabbers' - the now locals of this strange and fascinating place. Salvation Mountain is an art installation by Leonard Knight covering a hill next door to Slab City. It is made from adobe, straw and thousands of gallons of colourful paint. Leonard Knight lives in Slab City and spends all his time in loving and caring for Salvation Mountain. It is said he created this dreamlike place for his love of God and people.

Kieran and I had bought a handful of fireworks whilst we were in New Mexico with the hope of setting them off somewhere in the middle of Nevada. But because we were not able to see this through, we brought them with us and gave them to the slabbers in Slab City who were very thankful and kind. Within Slab City the locals had built an outdoor open-mic range where they play acoustic guitars and sing songs all night long every Saturday night. The slabbers told us they would set off the fireworks we gave them during the following Saturday night at the range and invited Kieran and I to join them. We were saddened that we had to leave the very next day and was not able to but promised them that we would stay a longer while the next time we are passing by– whenever that may be.

It was hard to drive away from such a place and it was even harder to swallow that it was all over. I started to reminisce about the last 3 months in my head. And how different these travels had been to any other I have been on before. I realised that every single time I soar off to see the world, it had been for different reasons. To learn different lessons. To find and gain different things. In the past I have travelled to sightsee, to lay by a beach every single day or to visit family. But it had become apparent to me now more than ever what I had found, gained and learned in chasing my wanderlust this time around.

I found that even after the most trying times and isolation of the wilderness, Kieran and I can love and relish each other like no other. I have gained aplenty from the things that I have lost. And amongst everything else, I have found that I am but a mere girl looking for more brain, more heart, more courage and a home. More brains to grow older and wiser, more heart to love even harder, more courage to follow my dreams and a new home to look forward to in London.

Just follow the yellow brick road...