Chili Bob's going to be our
'guide' today! His car has 4 doors, and it's easier for everyone when we are 'in and out' often! Everyone has a camera around their neck, so with full bellies, off we go!
'guide' today! His car has 4 doors, and it's easier for everyone when we are 'in and out' often! Everyone has a camera around their neck, so with full bellies, off we go!
The very first thing we SEE from our rig is this funny little house the man is building just a few feet from our windshield, and we had an excellent view! He brought a trailer/foundation down from some northern state (Washington?) all the way to Slab City, and is making steady progress to complete his 'home on wheels', and is planning on dragging it all the way back home when he finishes. Someone said his wife gives him money to stay away from home, but I didn't hear that for myself. He often leaves early in the morning and returns late in the afternoon, traveling wherever he finds wood or 'parts' to work on his little house. It looks like it's going to be really heavy! Sometimes he just sits a lawn chair on top and views every one's activities, or else puts a mattress up there. I have a few 'sneaky' photos I will try and find to show you!
He was a quiet man, and went about his work with determination. It was interesting to see the first lady who approached his house 'project' find a way to get to see inside his house. I wondered what 'words' she knew to get 'entrance'. "house-in-progress". He seemed to enjoy the view from his 'perch' but I felt rather obvious taking photos using the space between my rig & mirror, but once I realized he just didn't seem to mind, I took photos as he arranged his chair and mattress 'up there' for evening viewing. I'm waiting on Bob and Seann to explain how it looks and 'drives'/pulls when he is finished! I felt like a window peeker, peeking out, instead of 'in'! .......More Photos, please!
Magee and I slipped away for another lunch at 'that place' where the chicken fried steak was so good, because everyone else had a different agenda! We headed back to town.
We watched the town people
enter, eat, chat and 'connect' with friends in the small cafe. A mom with a baby in a stroller. A teen with purple hair. ...... a teen not too far removed from television and what's 'hip' in the world of technology.
The waitresses were quite accommodating, but were often socially preoccupied, as everyone seemed to know each other when you go 'downtown' Niland! The food was good, and we were ready for adventure when we left!
Some of the photos I will post will have been from times we were in the car by our self, or in the car with others! Here are a few of the experiences we had that day!
We saw some places in Niland when we toured with Bob, then saw a few more when we did 'girls lunch out'!
On our way back out to Slab City, our senses were keen to absorb the experience in broad daylight, so we watched, stopped, looked, and soaked up the quiet little main street in Niland. People quietly went about their daily life as if Slab City didn't even exist out in the desert about 4 miles away.
It was comforting to see that Niland has it's yearly traditional festival, and that the people living there were making all the same efforts as people in metropolitan areas to have festivities, nice schools, good playgrounds, and places for people to meet, eat, and greet each other!
Niland has 'hysterical' signs to explain what has been there in the past, explaining some of Niland's history and connections with the military.
If you have an opportunity, go riding with Bob and hear all of the fascinating stories!
I loved seeing the little house with the enclosed yard, trying hard to create their own little oasis in the middle of the desert! When you see that they have gone to the trouble to put up "God Bless America" with paper cups on their fence, it became an obvious reminder that people everywhere we went were planning on celebrating Thanksgiving and making plans to show their appreciation for being able to live in America!
The Niland School System below had a nice building for their
children to attend, and a pretty little enclosed playground which was in use as we passed by! I wonder if the children are aware of the people staring at their town and it's amenities. I wonder if the local children are 'aware' of Slab City being so close, and what explanation and 'precautions' they may hear from their parents about the 'people who live in Slab City'.
There's so much to see and do in Niland ! Allow a little bit of time to walk the streets and learn what some of the buildings 'used to be'! I do hope you don't have to use the services of the Imperial County Sheriff's Department!
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