We thought we would explore the area again
today. We ended up in Niland California at the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National
Wildlife Refuge. Originally named Salton
Sea National Wildlife Refuge in 1930 it was renamed to honor the areas late
congressional representative in 1998. The area was originally 37,600 acres but
much of that has been inundated as the Sea has enlarged, only about 2,000
manageable acres remain.
The Salon Sea
Very large California Fan Palm
From the
wildlife preserve we continued north through Niland to check out a RV Resort, Fountain
of Youth Spa and RV Resort, that had been highly recommended. The story on this
Resort is that hot springs had been discovered after WWII by construction
workers who recognized the therapeutic and healing effects of the artesian
mineral water and spread the word. By the late 50’s people from all over the
country were coming to camp by the pools.
After a
quick tour of the park we headed back toward the town of Niland. Just east of
town on government land on the site of an old military installation is the
infamous “Slab City”. Slab City is both the strangest and most disgusting place
we have ever seen. The first place you come to is Salvation Mountain. This is a
work in progress and just keeps growing. Other than the large main painted hill the new
addition is man made out of hay and mud plastered on logs, sticks, garbage,
ladders and who knows what else. I’ll just post the pictures and let them tell
the story.
Salvation Mountain
A couple of the vehicles parked at the foot of Salvation Mountain
Salvation Mountain
Entering the addition
One of many side rooms
Continuing through the maze
Another room
and another
and another
Shows some of the garbage that goes into the structure
What would the place be without a shoe tree
Once we got
back to Yuma we stopped for dinner at the Quechan Casino and enjoyed the Prime
Rib special.
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