2018.02.17-El Centro, CA

2018.02.17-El Centro, CA

The weather is good; dry and in the mid 70’s.  It was a little warm when we got here, but has cooled the last day or so.  Lots of sand, some green fields and mountains in the distance.  I do wish the farmers would put big signs in their fields indicating what they planted.

Sunset on our first night in El Centro

We ventured out to Slab City and the Salton Sea yesterday.  I will describe Slab City as a place for drop-outs.  Yes, that is an opinion and not a very nice one.  This is supposedly the ‘last free place,’ which means you pay nothing to stay there.  Having said that there is nothing there, least of all shade.  You have no electricity, no water and no dump station.  After driving around, we did see some ‘permanent’ places there.  I’m not sure how they live without the basics, but they seem to manage.  They don’t take care of their trash, either.  There was lots of trash everywhere.  Think I’ll pass.  I encouraged Jerry to go there if he wants, but he too has seen enough.

When you drive into Slab City you see this mound of ‘art.’  The artist was told he needed to do this (spread the word that God is love), so he did.  However, I don’t think the mound has been maintained since 2012, the year of the artist’s passing.

Next, we visited the Salton Sea.  This sea has changed shape many times over the centuries.  Currently, it is slightly saltier then the Pacific Ocean, but enough to kill the fish.  Tilapia are the only fish left.  Sections of the beach are full of fish carcasses.  If things don’t change, the Salton Sea will dry up.  That has some very far reaching effects such as the dust, odor from the dead fish, the birds will no longer have water on their migration routes, and finally tourism will decline.  A challenging dilemma. 

Notice the elevation

Our last stop of the day was the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge.  We found hundreds snow geese getting ready to settle in for the night.  At first, they were noisy, but got quieter as dusk approached.  Jerry was also excited to see Gamble's Quail, Northern Shovelers and Avocets.  He always enjoys shore birds and sunsets.

Next we travel to San Diego.  Stay tuned.