Joshua Tree National Park - and - Desert "Art"

Joshua Tree National Park

(not quite what we expected)

The "Cholla Garden" was pretty overwhelming.

Don't even think of getting near these cactus!!

We were so surprised at all the weird rocks in this National Park.

Skull Rock

We were just glad to find a close parking place for this major attraction!

Outside the Park:

The Glass Outhouse 

(museum)

\

Yep, it really is!

and it works, 

and you can use it.

(a one way mirror is a big help!)

😀

Somehow, the desert attracts some really weird art things!

Then again, sometimes there are some pretty nice things.

This small (very small) church has hosted 10 weddings this year.

Desert Christ Park

This park was started in 1951 with the donation of a 10 foot, 5-ton statue of the 'resurrected Christ'.  The sculptor (Frank) Antone Martin kept building more statues for this delightful respite in Yucca Valley.

Featured in *Life Magazine for their April 23, 1951 issue.

This was a nice end to a day of kinda crazy sights!

(I love to get your comments!😊)

Thanks

 

Bombay Beach and the Fountain of Youth (NOT the same place!)

 Bombay Beach

This community on the Salton Sea is the lowest elevation in the US, 

located 233 ft below sea level.

Salton Sea was created by a dam failure along the Colorado River in 1905 which allowed the water to flow into this natural depression in this valley.

After the repair of the dam there is very little water flowing into the lake.

 

During the 1950s, Bombay Beach was a popular beach-going destination. Celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, the Beach Boys, and Bing Crosby^[7] frequented the luxury resorts along the Salton Sea, which was known for its fishing, boating and water skiing. The area attracted half a million tourists annually.

The evaporation of the water and the increased salinity (50% saltier than the ocean) has decreased the population to  231 people (in 2020).

A 2018 article in The Guardian stated that it was "enjoying a rebirth of sorts with an influx of artists, intellectuals and hipsters who have turned it into a bohemian playground."^[6] The Bombay Beach Biennale, an annual art festival, is held here.

I have heard that somehow the festival may be compared to Burning Man.

Driving on the beach is really kind of 'trippy' and funny.

"DROUGHT RESISTANT LANDSCAPE"

"PORCH WITH A VIEW"

"THE OPEN HOUSE"

"BOMBAY BEACH TV'S"

The 'town' has 2 shops (one for food, one for coffee) and they invite the 

tourists to drive up and down all the streets to see the artistic endeavors.

Drive in moves - Bombay style

What a trip!

it's only 7 miles from our "home" (for a week)

Fountain of Youth RV Park

The water that heats all the pools and spas comes out of the ground at 131 degrees.

You can enjoy 3 'regular' pools, 

and 3 hot spa pools, as well as private bathtub spas.

"The Lobster Pot"

with all natural mineral water.

Unique campers 

So many people stay for the winter that they decorate their yards 

in desert landscaping.

It's been a fun week.  

I love getting your comments😀 (and name)

The Salton Sea - Salvation Mountain and "The Slabs".

SALVATION MOUNTAIN 

Started in 1984 by Leonard Knight

He worked on it for 30 years, endured and won battles with the 

County of San Diego to keep building his mountain.

Here is an interesting link to the complete story of the battle.

https://www.salvationmountain.us/history2.html

Leonard was so taken with the message that 

GOD IS LOVE 

that he kept building the mountain, getting donations and help from others.

Many parts of the mountain are built with bales of straw

and covered with adobe, then painted with 

the pretty colors of paint that have been donated.

SLAB CITY

(The Slabs) 

Slab City (The concrete Slabs) became a collection of squatters, artists, snowbirds 

and survivalists after the dismantling of the  

Ft Dunlop Marine Base after World War II  .

There is no 'official' water or sewer or trash service, but the free area deep in California's Mojave Desert is a favorite getaway for all types of RVers.

Some just come to survive, and others come to enjoy the winter weather.

 Slab City has evolved into an active community with a Christian Church, 

school busses pick up the kids for school, and water can be delivered in 50 gallon tanks (for those who want to buy).

The huge variety of living facilities (different neighborhoods)
is interesting to see.

Anyone can come!

(there is also a Christian Church)

Even a shoe tree for landscaping.

This little journey has been so interesting, and just 20 miles from our RV Park.