Visiting Slab City | Destination Adventure
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Published 2022-05-07
My first impression of Slab City was not very good to be honest, but that is because I was just driving around looking from my window, like a typical tourist. Once I stopped, met the locals and really got in touch with the community, then I started to understand what the Slabs is all about. This "City" has been home to people ever since the 50's. Many of the citizens living there now have been there for decades, and some only a few years. The winters are wild, the summers are brutally hot, but something still calls people to this place. The citizens of Slab City are by definition "homeless" but so am I. I felt very welcomed into the community, and if it wasn't so darn hot, I would have certainly stayed longer. Meeting Dot and Peter were definite highlights of my visit, but so was my time at salvation mountain. Many folks come to Slab City just to see the mountain in all of its glory, and to me it was a dream come true. I truly hope you all enjoy this video, and if you have the chance, I definitely recommend a visit to the slabs. If you do visit, don't just take photos out your car window, get out and meet the locals. Offer yourself the opportunity to properly enjoy Slab City.
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All Comments (21)
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My husband and I wintered in slab city some 35 years ago ! I really liked living there in winter ! A mix of people from homeless people to people with RVs (expensive RVS) we had a 24 foot travel trailer that we called home ! A well used trailer ! But I loved that old trailer ! It was comfortable , easily kept neat and clean ! Even camping out ! Most of the people were really nice folks ! There were some who were trouble makers ,I heard they were encouraged to move on ! Last time we were there they had a stage and the music was played and they had a talent show I heard! Yeah , I miss going to SLAB CITY ! Happy memories now ! My husband passed away a few years ago and I am getting close to 90years ! Enjoy each day even if it don’t quite turn out the way you 🥴 planned ! When you get older you will only remember the happy times 😊 hopefully 🙏👍❤️✌️🙀👵🏻😱🖖👽😳😆
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We have our own slab city in Michigan we call it Detroit. I lived there during the 60s,70s our house is long gone.
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I can't believe I survived here for 3 months man.. the desert makes you realize how much you love plants
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Thank you for interviewing me when you were in slab city. I really like the video. You're welcome to come back and interview me anytime
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You hear so many stories about the Slabs, and usually they're from the outsider's point of view. On the other hand, you resisted the temptation to just show the superficial, and instead presented the story of Slab City from the perspective of those who actually live there. Simply brilliant, Dustin. This is an instant classic Destination Adventure episode.
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I'm a member of Flamingo Camp and I really like the way you presented Slab City. I do feel this place has had a magical healing for me. ❤
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2006 was the first time I rode to The Slabs on my Harley .Leonard woke up from a sleep on his porch swing when he heard the roar of a Harley roll into his camp just before sunrise. Leonard introduced himself , shook my hand , then he invited to take me on a tour of the mountain and I accepted Leonard’s invitation . The reason I came to the slabs was to see Salvation Mountain . Leonard told me he came from the east coast , to The Slabs in his station wagon with the intention to build & fly a Hot Air Ballon. His car broke down , the ballon deteriorated. He virtually had nothing but his two feet and a bicycle he acquired at the Niland Dump. . He went on a mission for God to build a monument for God. He began going to the dump getting items & he went into the desert & picked up dead trees to build Gods mountain. Farmers in the area who heard of Leonard’s project gave Leonard hay to use on the mountain . Paint was donated to Leonard to paint Salvation Mountain . Leonard made a adobe mixture , put the adobe mixture on top of bails of hay that he spread on top of Salvation Mountain and he hand painted the mountain. After Leonard had given me a personal tour of the mountain he squatted & started stirring paint. I said what are you doing Leonard. He said I have to go to work. I’m going to paint ! Leonard truly loved God and no one that I know of accomplished what Leonard accomplished in the Slabs. He had nothing and built something to influence and lead others to Eternal SALVATION. Salvation Mountain has been in motion pictures and is a known historical monument built for the people .
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I've watched so many documentaries on Slab City- and the more I see- the more I fully believe- I've found where I belong- if I could only get there.
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I'm happy to see that 20 years after viewing Slab city life back then things have settled into a far more positive path. Life back then seemed a bit hair raising to say the least. This is looking like a challenging, satisfying community now. To each his own - I could never live there because of the heat but I admire folks who have found their sanctuary there.
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this is one of the more positive stories I've seen about Slab city and I'm sure there are many more.
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Peter and Dot are both amazing people.
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Different strokes for different folks, I see a seemingly endless junk yard with trash all over the place.
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Greetings from Ireland, good to see a community working together and also encourage to be yourself rather than a corporate robot
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ive lived in a few countries but ive got stuck back in a cycle working / earning money / spending money etc and watching this has nearly had me in tears because there is a better way to live your life and this is much more like the life i was happy with. just living, travelling, not bothering anyone but talking to people and appreciating their stories.
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Cherokee Native here I appreciate everything you guys are about living off the land despite how hard times may get you guys are still doing it I've been living in a little city for a time now and they have way too many codes even if you own your property they still in control but they won't be before long ☝️💙🔥🤲
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I lived there 20 years ago when it was a very different place. Really glad to see it's still there, and seems like its going in a great direction.
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I have watched so many videos about the Slabs. This is by far my favorite one yet! Great job!
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Oh, this is different than a lot of other stories I’ve seen about Slab City! If I was a hot weather creature, this would be my kind of community. 🥰 As it is, I’d have heat stroke on day 1.
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More power to ya'll! I love the concept of having freedom in art and for people who love art! I remember Slab City years ago and it was a whole different atmosphere from the major populous, this is where real people live and people who can be themselves 24/7. You guys proved that people can live a harmonious way of life. There is respect and a lotta love! You all have a TRUE soul!
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I went through slab City a few years ago and all I saw was a bunch of places that had been burnt out ... I was told that was a slab way of saying you're not welcome to burn your s*** down... Didn't hear much about that in this video.
