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Salvation Mountain

December 14, 2012 By Anne McKinnell 8 Comments

Have you ever considered throwing in the towel, parking yourself in the desert, in the middle of nowhere, where you can live for free and pursue your art?

Welcome to Salvation Mountain
Welcome to Salvation Mountain

Salvation Mountain, Slab City, California

Salvation Mountain, Slab City, California

If you did, you might end up like this crazy dude extremely creative artist who built Salvation Mountain. It’s an art installation made out of adobe, straw and paint – thousands and thousands of gallons of paint.

Painting Salvation Mountain, Slab City, California
Painting the Mountain

Painting Salvation Mountain, Slab City, California

Painting Salvation Mountain, Slab City, California

He paints cars too.

Car at Salvation Mountain, Slab City, California

Car at Salvation Mountain, Slab City, California

In fact, everything there is painted!

Mailbox at Salvation Mountain, Slab City, California
God’s Mailbox

Salvation Mountain is built in “The Slabs” which is an old World War II marine barracks near Niland, California. All that is left of the barracks now is some concrete slabs. You can camp there for free and if you visit you will find everything from people who have been hippies for decades to people with hundred thousand dollar RV’s equipped with solar panels all camping for free in the desert.

It’s really something to see.

What do you think? Could you live in the desert and paint for years on end? You know, I think I could ๐Ÿ™‚

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Filed Under: California Tagged With: california, niland, salvation mountain, slab city, the slabs

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Comments

  1. John @ http://hwyfly.blogspot.com/ says

    December 14, 2012 at 1:15 pm

    I hope you were able to meet Leonard Knight, the creator/artist. Just about the nicest man you could ever meet and he doesn’t spew any religious talk when you visit with him. The last I’ve heard though is that he’s moved into town (Niland) as he’s really get up in years and needs a bit more attention than what he has at the Mountain alone. That is not him in your pictures, just a volunteer who’s helping maintain the project. I spent a day doing that hauling adobe to the top of the Museum. My if that didn’t instill some respect into me in all that he’s accomplished! The next day I repainted the blue in the waterfall, no easy task in itself either. Glad that you went in to see Salvation Mountain and Slab City.

    Reply
    • Anne McKinnell says

      December 20, 2012 at 4:03 pm

      Hi John, no I didn’t. I understand that Leonard Knight is in a care home now. I think his legacy is going to last a long time. It’s such an unusual thing to see. Thanks for your visit and comments!

      Reply
  2. Russ Bishop says

    December 14, 2012 at 5:48 pm

    Very cool Anne! I’d never heard of this place (or its landmark), but I’ll have to check it out the next time I’m down that way.
    Russ Bishop recently posted..A Land of ExtremesMy Profile

    Reply
    • Anne McKinnell says

      December 20, 2012 at 4:05 pm

      Hi Russ, yes definitely check it out – it is an unusual place. With some unusual people ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  3. Len Saltiel says

    December 17, 2012 at 4:33 am

    What an unusual and colorful find Anne. You couldn’t describe it without the images.
    Len Saltiel recently posted..Beach Club ReflectionsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Anne McKinnell says

      December 20, 2012 at 4:14 pm

      Thank you very much Len! No, I don’t think people would believe me without the images to back it up!

      Reply
  4. Gale says

    December 22, 2012 at 6:35 pm

    I’ve come across info and photos of Salvation Moutain before but your photos are the best I’ve seen of the site.

    Reply
    • Anne McKinnell says

      December 27, 2012 at 8:47 pm

      Wow, thank you very much Gale, I appreciate that. It sure was a unique place to see. Very colourful. Thanks for your comments!

      Reply

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I’m Anne. This is my new life.

I traded in a traditional career for a new life as an outdoor photographer and writer. I live in an RV and travel around North America photographing beautiful places. I write about travel, photography, and how changing your life is not as scary as it seems. Read Moreโ€ฆ

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