ng east to west. The names were Seeley, Meloland, and Holtville, farm towns of the first order. The road I recognized as Old US 80 which became defunct back about 1964. I'd been meaning to explore Old US 80 for some time so I packed the family and off we went. But I didn't tell them our destination would be Slab City in Niland.Starting at the town of Ocotillo on the Old US 80 we made our way east through desert than farm country of the Imperial Valley. We stopped 
only to photograph stretches of road, old neon signs, and delapidated structures left to the elements. I wanted to capture some of the economic decline that occurred once Interstate 8 was finished which resigned US 80 to a frontage road. But the towns had survived to some degree. They remained small but they certainly didn't degenerate.
only to photograph stretches of road, old neon signs, and delapidated structures left to the elements. I wanted to capture some of the economic decline that occurred once Interstate 8 was finished which resigned US 80 to a frontage road. But the towns had survived to some degree. They remained small but they certainly didn't degenerate.We crossed the city of El Centro and took Highway 111 north through 
Brawley. This highway is slowly being rebuilt. There's already a stretch called Old Highway 111. Closing in on Niland, the Salton Sea appeared directly west and close to the Sonny Bono Salton Sea Wildlife Refuge. First through Calipatria then reaching Niland, a railroad crossroad of a town with little to do but stay out of the sun.
Brawley. This highway is slowly being rebuilt. There's already a stretch called Old Highway 111. Closing in on Niland, the Salton Sea appeared directly west and close to the Sonny Bono Salton Sea Wildlife Refuge. First through Calipatria then reaching Niland, a railroad crossroad of a town with little to do but stay out of the sun.Ultimately, our destination was Slab City. This is not a real city but old military facility where people have been coming to live in the desert at 
no charge on BLM land. Most are snow birds who come only in the winter. There are some all-year round types. Each sets up their RV like a home with the desert floor being their front yard where art and other junk collect. There are no rules as there is no HOA!
no charge on BLM land. Most are snow birds who come only in the winter. There are some all-year round types. Each sets up their RV like a home with the desert floor being their front yard where art and other junk collect. There are no rules as there is no HOA!I did not tell the family about Slab City or what was there until just a few miles from it at a rest stop. They had seen a 
show called Weird America where they highlighted a man who created a mountain by making adobe brick then painting it. His name is Leonard Knight and his mountain is called Salvation Mountain. The pictures speak for themselves. 
show called Weird America where they highlighted a man who created a mountain by making adobe brick then painting it. His name is Leonard Knight and his mountain is called Salvation Mountain. The pictures speak for themselves. 
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