A few months ago, I took a roadtrip out to the Salton Sea area with Kevin. It had been a place I’ve always wanted to see not for the traditional beautiful landscape but because it is a place that has really interesting history, especially for California. The Salton Sea is one of the most toxic bodies of waters in the world. Its absolutely amazing to learn how it used to be a thriving region for farming and fishing. However, as time as moved along, the salt levels in the water have increased and wiped out most species of life in the water aside from the tilapia that still live in the Salton Sea (but die off quickly). The water is also toxic from all the runoff waste coming from the surrounding farms.
We started off our roadtrip from San Diego and drove up through the Anza Berrago Desert state park and went in search of desert wild flowers. I think I was expecting fields of wild flowers and I don’t know why. But it was more of a desert park with lots of deserts flowers I’d never seen before. Still, it was quite an amazing landscape to see and it was a fun drive for Kevin in the Mustang. Then we drove south east towards the south side of the Salton Sea where there are lots of farmlands. The farmlands here were so green and you could see how big the contrast was between the desert and the farms. This really just sums up Southern California. A desert region that thrives through borrowing water from aquaducts. It amazes me how we do this.
After driving around farmlands, we drove east toward Niland and found some deserted buildings and headed further inland towards Leonard Knight’s colorful playground – Salvation Mountain. This place is phenomenal. We met Leonard that day, and he is really getting old. But he is as happy as can be, continuing to create art and share his love of God. He isn’t someone that preaches either, just someone who spreads his love through his art.
After wandering around a colorful mountain, we drove to slab city (the last free place), and found some interesting sights! This included two water towers that have been drawn on overtime that is completely mind boggling. One is themed the water tower of war, and the other is the water tower of love. Can you guess which is which?
In the afternoon we drove northbound along the Salton Sea coast visiting Bombay Beach, the Salton Sea wildlife preserve, and North Shore before heading up towards Palm Desert to stay for the night.
For full gallery of photos from day 1, check out below.