THE WONDER OF THE SLABS--PART 1

I AM PREPARED TO SHOW YOU SEVERAL WONDERS OF THE SLABS--BEGINNING WITH ITS FUNDAMENTAL WONDER:  A FREE PLACE TO LIVE.  Perhaps you already know that "Slab City" is a one square mile of desert land three miles east of Niland, California, owned by the state, where "squatting" has been allowed for the past 40 years and seemingly will continue to be allowed.  Here are a few examples of squating:

About a hundred of us assembled here to experience the wonders of the slabs--some for the first time. (For me about my 20th visit)

Here's a relatively new a-frame type construction.  Note the pallats wall that defines the territory he or she is claiming.

Here's a modest cabin built under a much sought after shade tree.

Here is a "home" built into a one time sewage tank.  Don't worry--it's perfectly OK in there as I will show you.  70 years of desert heat will purify anything.  Marvel with me at the quality of the artist that painted this mural.

Here's the door that was chiseled through 8 inches of reinforced concrete..

Here's the current occupant that I persuaded to let our group have a look.  He told us amazing stories--such as: that he and his lady walked all the way here from Tucson, Az refusing all rides offered. 

Here is his lady who he said was once his drug counselor.  She was quite amiable.

Here's one view of its circular walls.  Don't know what to make of that human-like thing seated there.

I climbed an internal ladder to the top and took this shot looking North.

Looking west.  Note the artwork inside the pit.

A ground level view.

RANDY PHILOSOPHIZES:  PERHAPS THE GREATEST THIEF OF AMERICAN ENERGY, TIME AND CREATIVITY IS THE COST OF HOUSING.  (about 47% of average take-home pay)

It is an outrageous tax we have imposed on ourselves as our culture drifted into modern housing--which became ever more expensive.  AHHH BUT HERE IS ONE ANTIDOTE---living in the wastelands for free.  More and more of us have "gone mobile" as a strategy to avoid rent and mortgages.  Here is a real live free zone that could serve as a model for other free zones that might spring up outside major cities.  Solar power and modern electronics can give us a good lifestyle living off the grid.  Next I will show the wonder of social life of the slabs.