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In all our leisure time, we like to explore the area around where we are camped. Right now we are staying near the south entrance of Joshua Tree National Park and on this day took a ride to the Salton Sea. It is much larger than we expected. This body of water was created in 1905 when flooding of the Colorado River broke through an irrigation canal and almost all the water flowed into this low area for one and a half years. As the water evaporates, the salinity increases and is now higher than that of the ocean. The source of the water is still the Colorado River which is used for irrigation in the Imperial and Coachella Valleys. Runoff from these valleys replenishes about the same volume of water which evaporates each year. (There is no outlet for the sea.) The Colorado River is slightly salty and as the water is used for irrigation it picks up more salt from the soil. We saw many water birds and some nice camping areas along the shore.
Over the years we have heard and read much about the Slabs, so since we were in the area, we went out to see it for ourselves. It is an abandoned military training site and all that remains are the concrete slabs, hence the name. It is a very popular place for people of all types to camp and the motto seems to be, live and let live. It has become a self governing community with many activities.
One of it's residents has created Salvation Mountain. Over the years he has painted his art on a hill there, and people donate paint so he may continue his work.The latest story is that a group wanted it torn down, as they claimed that the paint was contaminating the ground. Samples were taken and it was determined that the soil was not any different than other samples taken in surrounding areas. It has now been named a folk art monument, offering it some protection.
A campsite at the shore of the Salton Sea.
The Range is a stage at the Slabs, where music happens each day at sundown.
Some unusually decorated vehicles we spotted at the Slabs.
The Coachella valley has many agricultural crops. Here are some grapevines we saw.
A roadrunner taking a slow walk past our campsite.
This beautiful hummingbird was a frequent visitor to our feeder.
Sweet water, what a treat!
Hummingbirds have iridescent colors that glow in the sunshine.
A mom hummingbird sitting in her nest. The nest is about the size of a half cup measure. She doesn't even fit.
An egret at the Salton Sea posing for a photo.
White pelican at the Salton Sea.
This blue heron was looking for lunch along the shore.
