SLABCITY
Cód:
491_9780974512471
Every work of art has the ability to take on a life of its own. It is only now that I realize the life force in ‘American Gothic Revisited’—it is a collection that honestly describes, in pictures and words, the character and characters of Slab City, often referred to as ‘The last free place in America.’ The word ‘free’ is associated with the Slabs because of two facts: there’s no rent and there are no laws—except respect you neighbor’s territory and clean up after yourselves. That makes for a truly unique America place. Of course freedom is always a challenge. Located 126’ below sea level in the Sonoran desert of southeast California, Slab City is ‘off the grid.’ What you bring in is all you’ve got. Formerly U.S. Marine Corps Camp Dunlap during WW II and long ago decommissioned, all that remains are the barrack slabs that gives it it’s name. 150 or so true Slabbers live there year-round under the harsh-est of environmental conditions—summer temperatures can reach 120° F, rainfall averages 3.23” per year, solar panels supply a minimum of power to get by, andfor sewage treatment, think out houses. Plus there are sandstorms, rattlesnakes, tarantulas and earthquakes in clusters. Outside of the sun baked summer months the population swells to over 2,000 people and the Slabs take on the feel of a city. Seasonal Slabbers return every year with appreciation of the life style; Snowbirds arrive escaping the winter climates at home in the northern United State and Can- ada; backpackers and transients ‘jest passin’ through.’ as Mr. Natural used to say, stay a week or two; and then you have those on ATVs, day trippers and touristas in for a day of sight seeing, picture taking and selfies. Moving in 2014 clear across a continent from New York City, a megalopolis of skyscrapers, superhighways and billionaires, I found Slab City to be a 180 degrees change fr
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