Slab City
By pokumon
@pokumon (644)
United States
March 22, 2011 12:00am CST
Hey everyone. I just got back from an awesome weekend in Slab City known as one of the last free places on Earth. It used to be an old military base that turned into a homeless community when they tore all the buildings down and abandoned it. Bunch of people living out in the Colorado Desert in RVs and tents. Very friendly people. We went to a movie night on Friday night at the Range (a concrete stage) and they had live music on Saturday night there complete with refreshments. I went up on stage and sang a couple of my songs with an old man's synthesizer. I was so nervous before I went up that I didn't talk to anyone. Just kept going over the songs in my head. I forgot one line while doing this, but remembered it by the time it was my turn. I killed it. Everyone loved it and told me so afterwards. It was the warmest reception I've ever had at an open mic. I told this one girl I wish I could have done more songs and she was like you should have been like "Screw it! I'm doing 3 songs." The host told me I have a really good voice. I can't wait to record so I can put some songs on the internet. I recommend that people go out and camp with these people in the desert. During the summertime it gets too hot so only 150 brave hearted souls live there then. But in the wintertime as many as 3000 people live there. They have a hot springs pool nearby where people bathe. It was 106-108 degrees. Probably the hottest pool I've been in. It was a total surprise because we didn't read about it on the internet prior to going. My friend had found out about this place and Salvation Mountain from the movie Into the Wild. They actually filmed there and just supplied the residents with lots of beer and water. People have some cool stories out there.
3 responses
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
11 Apr 11
Sounds like an interesting spot but I do not think that I will ever be that far out west. I wonder if they see it as a community for themselves. How do they eat and stuff if they are all homeless and jobless.
It sounds like your singing went over well there and I would hope that maybe you could go back out there and do a performance for them again.
@pokumon (644)
• United States
11 Apr 11
They do see it as a community for themselves. I think some or most of them get Social Security checks, but I'm not exactly sure. Some sell things to make a little money. They don't have to worry about rent so they can live relatively cheaply. Some don't have cars and just hitchhike. I would like to go back. It was neat and everyone was so friendly.
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
22 Mar 11
Sounds like an interesting place then. I might visit that place when I get the chance. I'm saving up for a big trip, actually. First stop is France. Second stop is Krypton. Third stop is the core of the Earth.
