Saturday, February 16, 2013

Slab City


 Slab City the is known to some as "The last Free place in America! 640 acres of free land that was once an old military base, now handed back to the state of California with no restrictions on the deed. There is no form of government, no police, no water, no electric, no services whatsoever. Yet you can come stay here as long as you want, even build a house if you wish, and never have to pay property taxes

 When I first pulled into the Slabs my first thought was to turn around, and get the heck outta dodge, but I decided to explore a bit. After driving around for a half hour getting a feel for the place, it appeared that I had found the good part town, so I parked the Turtle.

 Walking around a bit looking for my ideal camp spot, that's when I heard a voice shout out "Can I help you?" I approached the women who invited me into her motor home, and introduced herself as Donna. She pointed to the area  bombs get dropped. Told me about the various clubs, where the stage was, skate park, and much more. (Still gathering pictures of all those, so Ill save them for a later post.) After the long introduction to the city I continued my search.

 Eventually I found my spot on the edge of town across a wash, with a few neighbors, always did enjoy the country. Here is a few pics of some of the dwellings in the area occupied by retirees, hippies, artists, conspiracy theorists, and all other walks of life.

 Snowbird heaven
 A well kept area nicely fenced
 Old school buses which were occupied, but also guarded by large dogs which seemed to be rather aggressive luckily they were on large chains.

Small dwelling with TV
Large Compound
Another Compound
Home built from scraps of just about anything
Interesting lil Casa
Camo Camp a well kept area
Another well kept home

My slice of heaven in Slab City, and to think I could build my own home here for just the price of material. There's still plenty more to explore, so Ill be getting more pics, and insight on this anarchist commune. Thanks for visiting!

15 comments:

  1. Howdy.

    I finished reading your entire blog, in one sitting last night. I'm not sure what took me so long to start reading it, since I found it in my “Favorites” places on my computer. I read a few other van dweller and RV blogs, and yours was among them. Then as I started reading through yours I realized why I stopped after I originally put it there. During my first reading I read the entry about those weird mushrooms and I got distracted trying to research that big red one with the white dots.

    Anyway, it's awesome that you made it to the Slabs. It's amazing how freedom lovers will embrace any spot, where individuality and a free spirit is not only tolerated but embraced.

    I tend to think of that place as the “Mecca” of the mobile crowd. Hope to make it there someday myself, if I ever hit the road, which I've been wanting to do ever since I can remember.

    Gabe.

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    1. Thanks! The Slabs is definitely an experience to witness. I struggled for years to make the first step, and hit the road, but it is well worth it

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  2. Love your photography and stories of your life. Quite chilly here in Western NC - few snow flurries last night, in the 20's and 30's with a wind, so just seeing the warmth and blue skies is nice on a cold day.

    Keep sharing. The Slab sounds interesting. I like that it isn't owned by anyone. In our area, we see well-to-doers coming in and buying up land on the mountains and building huge condominiums, taking away the beauty of the area. It isn't needed. But...that is another story. Thanks for the pictures of the variety of the dwellings....

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    1. Glad the pics are warming yah up. Slabs are very interesting have quite a few more pics now Ill get posted soon.

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  3. Hey Nomad, I was looking at other parts of you website and noticed on one of your doors, it looks like you have a rack with different condiments. That made me curious about what types of food do you take when you plan to boondock for awhile. I was thinking if those are condiments you must be a pretty good cook. Dan, Phx.

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  4. There's been no fatalities yet, caused by my cooking. The rack is a combination medicine cabinet/spice rack, so theres not as many spices as it looks like.

    Breakfast items include yogurt, eggs, peanut butter and crackers,oatmeal, and dry cereal. Eating the dairy first, and the rest last a long time.

    Lunch or snacks cheese and crackers, jalapenos, pickles all but the cheese have great shelf life. Block cheese I eat first, then the processed slices which seem to have the shelf life of a twinkie

    Dinner week 1 eat all the raw veggies, fresh meat, and usually a pizza.
    2-4 weeks processed meat sandwiches, and turkey tacos. Tubes of turkey meat last a long time as well as some tortillas kinda a scary, but taste good. Sprouts are added to just about everything to keep it somewhat healthy
    4+ weeks usually ready for a town by then, but canned tuna,and chicken. Spaghetti noodles, ramen, canned mac and cheese. All good after 4 weeks but are good to keep on hand as alternatives as well. Theres more but will do a separate post on this sometime.

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  5. Hey Nomad, thanks for stopping by my blog.

    I am glad you did because your story and blog look really interesting to me - now to find time to do some catch up reading.

    Hubby and I have always thought it would be cool to sell everything and buy a van and travel around. Now I can live vicariously through your blog.

    Cheers, Brandy aka Trobairitz

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    1. Please send gas money then :) just kidding. Glad you are enjoying the journey.

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  6. Nomad, there is something special about your blog. I really enjoy it. Thanks for writing.

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  7. I'm going to have to make it to the slabs one day! Looks like an interesting place to visit though I wouldn't want to live there. :)

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    1. Its worth the experience. Id live there except for summers

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  8. im thinking about heading there after i go visit my daughter in so cal. im a little nervous though. i envision myself driving in and then freaking out and leaving, which i don't want to do.

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    1. At first glance its a bit intimidating, drive around a bit and get a feel for the place youll find good people. It will be getting hot there very shortly.

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  9. yeah i definitely have no intentions of going there during summer. ive heard horror stories lol. if i don't make it before the heat ill go after summer.

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