A MONTH AT THE SLABS---PART 1

CB HAD A VISION: "Lets settle in at the Slabs for the month of February; post a national invite for friends to join us; immerse ourselves in its culture; see what we learn; what we might contribute; how we might relate with a spontaneously assembled "tribe".  I said yes! So we did!  Here's a report:

Entering the Slabs--don't know how or why that guy is up there.

Side view from a distance of rigs parked at the Slabs---on the remains of an old marine base.

I estimate 300 people were here during Feb.

I settle in among about 30 LOW (Loners on Wheels) members.

CB settles his splendid Airstream on a nearby sand hill.

Folks began to arrive in response to his electronic invitation.(Facebook, etc)

We decided to meet every day for a sundown ceremony.

Folks amble in like Eugene, a bright, congenial talented singer/songwriter

Pish comes in dressed formally; a dramatic interesting addition to our group.

Brilliant sunsets almost every day.  We developed a ritual of "checking in"---telling how our day went.

Sometimes in the mornings we would walk.

Super Bowl Sunday--CB engineered a giant screen TV for us.

We began our mornings usually at this nearby social club. CB and I officially joined it.

Benefits include coffee, internet, interesting company.

Myself on the left--then "Hollywood Bob" more about him here  ( a friendly lady then CB and a friendly guy at morning Oasis.

All sorts of people show up--kids, hippies, dogs.

I've forgotten this guy's name but he was a brilliant conversationalist and a good musician.

The Oasis club displayed a touching sense of occasion on Feb 14th.

Games, prizes etc.Note that skirted lady barely visible on the left.

It isn't a lady--It is Doc--a fixture at the Slabs who prefers to wear dresses--is an elected member of the Slab Council.  The broad, non judgmental tolerance here is astonishing.

Meet Builder Bill who earned his name by building things--most notably the famous RANGE theater featured in the movie INTO THE WILD. He performs and hosts a show every saturday night.

He seems to be the central personality around which much of the Slabs personnel orients itself.

In ancient Israel he would have been called a Judge.

He made space for me to perform at Saturday nights show.  A startling surprise occurred--but more about that in part 2