Slab City

[Foiled Again]

Maybe the WBCCI could hold their next international there. Mental picture of the IBT members!

[SilverRanger]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

Maybe the WBCCI could hold their next international there. Mental picture of the IBT members!

Thanks for the visual, Paula. I've often said Perry was my first and last International. But I would make an exception in this case.

[62bam]

I feel like I must have been living in a cave. I never heard of Slab City before. You never know what one can learn on the AS Forum!

[ArtStream]

Part 2

Slab City: The Last Free Place
Do come here with an open mind if you plan to visit. Many people we know would be completely offended by the post-apocalyptic look of the place.
What Slab City Isn’t:

• Lawless. Contrary to how the media portrays it, I don’t feel in any more in danger here than I do in most cities. Sure, there are some sketchy looking characters, but if you keep away from them, they’ll most likely keep away from you. The county sheriff makes regular runs through here, and Border Patrol is constantly driving through.
• Depressing. There is more creativity here than any tidy suburban neighborhood I’ve been to. Residents have contributed many hours of labor to build free amenities like the golf course (with free equipment!), concert stages, church, or the public shower down near the springs. I’m impressed that people would do so much with so little, in such an unforgiving desert environment. Now if they could only get it together to do something about the trash . . .
• Mainstream. It’s as if someone took a sampling of every kind of ethnicity, personality type and mental disorder, and shipped them here. There are international travelers, old folks, musicians, fulltime Rvers, wandering travelers and offroad enthusiasts, all camped out in the same area as drifters, people struggling with addictions, mental illness and/or homelessness. Everyone seems to get along, following a live and let live attitude.

The desert scenery outside Slab City is beautiful, surrounded by a rugged mountain range. On most days, you can look east to the Chocolate Mountains, about 2 miles away, and watch the US Navy spend your tax dollars by practicing bombing runs and playing war games in the air.I took two hour bike rides without seeing another soul. My friend Bill, (I just met him a few days ago and he is the closest camper to me) Is leaving in a few days, "I'm to old for this" says he. "I used to come here in the 80's, with my late wife." Bill is leaving for a park with hook-ups. But he did give me a few tips.


For those who want to know about hook-ups, this is boondocking folks. That's why your Airstream has tanks.


Of course SOLAR is king here, but many casual boondockers relay on generators.


Water and dump at the Niland Community center $5.00
Propane in Niland
Gas in Niland
Grocery store in Niland


in part 3, the clubs/tribes...


Michael

[matrixdutch]

Originally Posted by ArtStream

Bill is leaving for a park with hook-ups. But he did give me a few tips.

What were the tips?

[SilverRanger]

Great information and pictures, Michael. Can't wait Part 3, clubs/tribes.

[Stefrobrts]

Sounds like a place everyone should visit once, even if they don't stay long!

I had a friend who spent the winters at Quartzite? Is that the same place or something similar? Because it sounds a lot like his description of the place.

[VIKING]

QZ is in AZ, not CA.

R the V

[Goin camping]

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

Sounds like a place everyone should visit once, even if they don't stay long!

I had a friend who spent the winters at Quartzite? Is that the same place or something similar? Because it sounds a lot like his description of the place.

Trust me when I say this. Quartzsite is nothing like Slab City. Night and day.

[ArtStream]

Brian & Connie,

My plans are to stick around till the Quartzsite Thanksgiving rally, afterward I may return.

Viking is right, Slab City in in California, Quartzsite is in Arizona.

GoingCamping, sections of The Slabs are very different from Quartzsite, than again, other sections are very similar.

[Rawfoodgirl3]

Some undesirables at SC:

Criminal and Sex Offenders Database from Homefacts.com - know more about offenders who live in Niland, CA .

[Aage]

Originally Posted by Rawfoodgirl3

Some undesirables at SC:

Criminal and Sex Offenders Database from Homefacts.com - know more about offenders who live in Niland, CA .

Well, it's always good to know your neighbours...!

[Goin camping]

Originally Posted by ArtStream

Brian & Connie,

My plans are to stick around till the Quartzsite Thanksgiving rally, afterward I may return.

Viking is right, Slab City in in California, Quartzsite is in Arizona.

GoingCamping, sections of The Slabs are very different from Quartzsite, than again, other sections are very similar.

I have never seen the eclectic mix of Slab City in Quartzsite. Oddly, we prefer Slab City. It is a wonderful daily experience.

Let's have a rally there.

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by Goin camping

I have never seen the eclectic mix of Slab City in Quartzsite. Oddly, we prefer Slab City. It is a wonderful daily experience.

Let's have a rally there.

I think this would be really, really fun.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by Rawfoodgirl3

Some undesirables at SC:

Criminal and Sex Offenders Database from Homefacts.com - know more about offenders who live in Niland, CA .

Ummm, yes, and this can be a problem any where you are. There are more of these folks out there than anyone would imagine. Always know where your young'uns are, keep 'em close and lock your doors at night.

Child sex offenders are not allowed to live within a certain distance of children, schools, etc. Laws vary by state, I believe. Adult offenders are not so closely restricted.

Aside from sex offenders, there are meth labs and other such criminal activities that take well to remote and off-the-beaten-path sites. It does sound like a) this is an adult area and b) it is patrolled frequently enough by law enforcement that they are undoubtedly running plates and otherwise closely monitoring the residents and activities.


Maggie

[Chief]

Michael,

Thanks for the info and pics of Slab City......always wanted a "first-hand" account of the place from someone I knew.

I did wonder about one of the things you said in your post regarding the view (quote): "watch the US Navy spend your tax dollars by practicing bombing runs and playing war games in the air." Just keep in mind that if those fine young warriors don't maintain their skills, many of the residents of Slab City would be in a work camp vs. enjoying the freedom our great nation provides.....freedom is never free, but is cheaper for some!

If you happen to be traveling back East this Winter......Canopener is going to have a great turnout this year.....you need to schedule a return.

Chief

[airstreamjudy]

Very Interesting . . . I'm putting this on my list of "must see" places. Thanks for the information. Judy

[Charlie M]

Have to post on this thread so I get most recent info. Thanks, Michael. We are going to a RV Park near El Centro, CA for turkey week, I might take a look at Slab City for a future trip.

[ArtStream]

Originally Posted by Charlie M

Have to post on this thread so I get most recent info. Thanks, Michael. We are going to a RV Park near El Centro, CA for turkey week, I might take a look at Slab City for a future trip.

Hey Charlie,

I'll be up at Q and the Four Corners TDay bash so won't be at the slabs if you visit. If you do visit while I'm away, stop by the LOW's (You'll see the signs) and mention my name (Michael, the guy with the Airstream) for any advise and tips.

[ScrapIrony-2]

I'm slabbering over the thought of our venture...would you like some Salton that Sea(food) meal...???...What's for desert?...and, lastly, is that a Martin guitar on your right...???...a 'Bear' essential...?
I happen to have it on good word that Michael spends most of that tip money on ascots and Boy Scout uniforms