Do they still have alot of old cars out their? I am curious how many are left after the clean up. If you have been out there currently, could you let me know by putting up a reply post. ty.
There must be at least a handful of poor people who choose to live in the Flats, rather than move to the 'burbs where the camping is better. I suppose they remain socially isolated in the Flats for much the same reasons that those living on our city streets seem to congregate in one part of the city, socially isolated from the rest of the population.
You provide some very interesting insights. I really appreciate it.
The article also said there is "vigilante justice" in the Flats, strongly suggested that if you get on someone's bad side you can expect to have your camp burned down, and that the place to buy groceries in Niland was "grubby."
I have to admit, the article did sound a bit over the top. Good to hear from a real "slabolian" that life on the Slabs is more respectful and tranquil than the article suggested.
Read the NY Times article (Dec, 2004) about Slab City. Apparently, there is an invisible, but very real, line that divides this place based on social status: north of Main is Poverty Flats, south of Main is the RV Suburbs. People from one side don't cross over to the other. Sounds very much like it is in the bigger cities, especially so because, from the map I saw, 90% of Slab City is south of Main.
What happens if someone decides to pitch their tent right in the middle of the RV 'burbs?
I love the video.........nice selection for background music. To bad more people don't have quality videos of the drive around the slabs. I've got a good taste for the area thanks to you. I hope to get an RV so I can be there for the 2008/2009 winter. Take care.
My wife and I spent our first winter there last year. We don't go to the movies and usually don't see them until they come out on video. Into The Wild didn't come out until March 08. We had been there a while at that point. We will be going back ever winter from now on. Great place and good people.
@Djeezes Well I was there 10 years ago and lived there for 2 years....My ex at the time would go collect brass at the bombing range wich is dangerous and illegal lol....But yes you have to have money there or you won't survive it cause you have to buy your own water and everything and the store in Niland is expensive so I suggest going to Elcentro Walmart once a week or so.
@djkissbird Actually, Brawley has a Super Walmart now. But we still buy certain meat (like Hamburger) at the store in Niland because it's cheaper. Water is $15 a hundred gallon or $8 for 50. You can go to town to get it for free (donation). Lots of people out here with little or no money. That's why they are here.
@unionjack67 Yah when I was there Brawley didnt have that we had to go to Elcentro...and well we did get our water from a spicket outside the back of the store in Niland...but bought bottled water for drinkin cause tht water made me sick...I would live in town in the summer and the slabs in the winter so I was what you call a local snow bird haha..But it was hard to survive the slab city specially w babies....
@djkissbird We actually camped out over by the LOWs for the 2010-2011 season. You are right about the water. You don't want to drink it. It tastes horrible.
I believe people are so tired of being bought and sold in the market place, that just getting free in the desert looks better to some of us than going to the Bahamas or Disneyworld, putting it on a card and being deeper in debt to the system.
Great film. Thanks a lot. I'm on the road. Who know where I'll end up
cat00012000 1 month ago
the music takes back to my youth
dragonflychainsaw 7 months ago
is that place safe?
longp2000 1 year ago
Do they still have alot of old cars out their? I am curious how many are left after the clean up. If you have been out there currently, could you let me know by putting up a reply post. ty.
Lukeduk1980 3 years ago
oh yea...i went a few days ago and there are still a lot of old rusted up cars out there.
mauricio951 2 years ago
Anyhting worth salvaging? muscle cars or old 1950's cars?
Lukeduk1980 2 years ago
Nah...the cars out there are either missing engine parts so you can't salvage them or the parts are just too old and rusty. They just look cool...
mauricio951 2 years ago
How does one get food stamps if you live in a van? Is a po box enough in california?
kristell9 3 years ago
Google: California Food Stamp Guide
After bringing up the guide, click on Application Procedures, then click on #19.
dafringe 3 years ago
There must be at least a handful of poor people who choose to live in the Flats, rather than move to the 'burbs where the camping is better. I suppose they remain socially isolated in the Flats for much the same reasons that those living on our city streets seem to congregate in one part of the city, socially isolated from the rest of the population.
You provide some very interesting insights. I really appreciate it.
dafringe 3 years ago
The article also said there is "vigilante justice" in the Flats, strongly suggested that if you get on someone's bad side you can expect to have your camp burned down, and that the place to buy groceries in Niland was "grubby."
I have to admit, the article did sound a bit over the top. Good to hear from a real "slabolian" that life on the Slabs is more respectful and tranquil than the article suggested.
dafringe 3 years ago
What a nice video. Peaceful. Relaxing. And the Cat Stevens' song was a perfect fit. Thank you.
Couldn't find Part II of your video, though.
dafringe 3 years ago
Read the NY Times article (Dec, 2004) about Slab City. Apparently, there is an invisible, but very real, line that divides this place based on social status: north of Main is Poverty Flats, south of Main is the RV Suburbs. People from one side don't cross over to the other. Sounds very much like it is in the bigger cities, especially so because, from the map I saw, 90% of Slab City is south of Main.
What happens if someone decides to pitch their tent right in the middle of the RV 'burbs?
dafringe 3 years ago
I love the video.........nice selection for background music. To bad more people don't have quality videos of the drive around the slabs. I've got a good taste for the area thanks to you. I hope to get an RV so I can be there for the 2008/2009 winter. Take care.
rodgman1 3 years ago
is this after you saw the movie Into the Wild?
SpeairsLT 3 years ago
My wife and I spent our first winter there last year. We don't go to the movies and usually don't see them until they come out on video. Into The Wild didn't come out until March 08. We had been there a while at that point. We will be going back ever winter from now on. Great place and good people.
unionjack67 3 years ago
How do you survive without money there?
I long for freedom.
Djeezes 3 years ago
Have an income not dependent on where I live.... Lots of people "telecomute" or make money off of the internet (free wifi at the Niland Library).
unionjack67 3 years ago
@Djeezes Well I was there 10 years ago and lived there for 2 years....My ex at the time would go collect brass at the bombing range wich is dangerous and illegal lol....But yes you have to have money there or you won't survive it cause you have to buy your own water and everything and the store in Niland is expensive so I suggest going to Elcentro Walmart once a week or so.
djkissbird 1 year ago
@djkissbird Actually, Brawley has a Super Walmart now. But we still buy certain meat (like Hamburger) at the store in Niland because it's cheaper. Water is $15 a hundred gallon or $8 for 50. You can go to town to get it for free (donation). Lots of people out here with little or no money. That's why they are here.
unionjack67 10 months ago
@unionjack67 Yah when I was there Brawley didnt have that we had to go to Elcentro...and well we did get our water from a spicket outside the back of the store in Niland...but bought bottled water for drinkin cause tht water made me sick...I would live in town in the summer and the slabs in the winter so I was what you call a local snow bird haha..But it was hard to survive the slab city specially w babies....
djkissbird 10 months ago
@djkissbird We actually camped out over by the LOWs for the 2010-2011 season. You are right about the water. You don't want to drink it. It tastes horrible.
unionjack67 9 months ago
yeah, looks like paradise but it will never last. i'll bet a month's pay the first slab city mcdonalds opens within 5 years.
jwallbanger 3 years ago
I believe people are so tired of being bought and sold in the market place, that just getting free in the desert looks better to some of us than going to the Bahamas or Disneyworld, putting it on a card and being deeper in debt to the system.
Rikenrocker 3 years ago
looks like freedom love it
oceanjunkies05 4 years ago