I COULD HOLD YOUR HAND FOREVER

MY SWEET BELLA SWAN

 JESUS WHAT IS THAT NIGHTMARE?              

This time nothing can go wrong for you see I rented a car and plan on blasting the air conditioner, both ways. 

Heading down the day before to make certain than I can spend two full days dwelling on my fanaticism.

Ice chest full of frozen undies.

That night at the hotel (the exact same that I stayed at last time, different room) it was decided by the demons of fate, that in order to fulfill this prophecy  I must get in touch with the Sun Gods. It was predetermined that in order to achieve this I must sit on a large rock in the desert far from scrutiny.

The stone must face directly into the sun. I have to remain there, eyes closed, feeling only the glory of being, until the sun has fully set.

I didn’t make it, too hot.

Damn did I get sunburned though and some of the folks wandering by gave me some odd looks.

“Hey lady fuck your poodle!”

Drunk as a loon in my hotel room, watching the evening news only to be informed the sun’s power index (real news jargon) would be formidable come the morrow.

“Hah” says I. This time I’m ready and I will not be deterred. Only thing left is not to die tonight.

I did not.

 My destiny has arrived I could feel it in the air, something is out there waiting for me, pulling me further into this delirium. So back I go into the nipple-inducing chill of the rented car, I fire up the engine and drive into the sun to touch the face of God.

Salvation Mountain. Just saying the words sounds magical. How can any place be more perfect for your soul cleansing?

As I travel south down the 111 towards deliverance a mirage appears on the horizon. Light swims as the shifting sand transforms into a figure cloaked in a full body (looks like a Bedouin priest) robe walking in the desert.

What is the meaning of this vision?

Is this Jesus the forsaken?

The nomad who was forced to walk for all time through the deserts of hell or is it just for my wisdom? 

The clarity I seek may be right before me.

As I slowed down just trying to see the truth that this Christ like figure may be. I must learn from him.

I approach slowly, he begins to speak, What wisdom is about to be bestowed upon me? I quake at the oracle of this mystic image, I remain still, in awe, as his words form.

He leans down with eyes of fire, removes his millinery, takes out his teeth, then mildly inquires if I would like to buy some meth?

Meth?

I decline and continue on.

Salvation is close. I can feel it.

The GPS says turn left, I do.

The road is a goat trail. Thank God it’s a rental (you know how everybody treats a rental, you do too) car so I don’t feel so bad about the jostling underfoot. It’s now 8:20 in the morning. My navigation says I’m one mile away. It’s a mountain, why don’t I see it?                

The sky opened up, angels began to sing, the sun reflected on perfection, behold the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. 

Do Not Scoff at The Necromantic Power

Magic fills the air, my heart is beating faster. The ground quivers from the power. It’s real. The vision was right, this place is filled with bewitchment.

How can anything this holy be so close to that which is so horrific?

  My God it’s full of love

 Tears streamed down my face

You feel it too, it’s Okay

They had to close this area do to vandalism, My God people

All of this beauty was the brainstorm of one truly beautiful soul. You think you’ve heard a story? Do yourself a favor and check this guy out.

Thank you Leonard God bless and keep you

“Who took that horrible picture? No really that is the worst photo ever! Please tell me you were at least drunk or only have one arm.”

My eyes flicker from the tears, my clarity of mind sees for the first time in a long time. It was here all along?

I was just too damn blind to see it?

I feel electric and at peace at the same time. My feet do not touch the ground as I float in the haze of perfect love

I was talking to the fine caretaker who took over after Leonard died and he said “East Jesus” is pretty cool if you haven’t seen it and I hadn’t.

The name alone piqued my interest, East Jesus? Hmm.

Just down past Slab City he said. Being freshly freed from all my sin and hate I was ready for some weed and silliness, Who’s in?

The last free place

According to legend Slab (and a damn fine John Krakauer book and kind of a decent movie) City is the last “free” place in the world. Meaning you don’t have to have a nickel in your pocket to live here. Be forewarned there is no running water, no electricity and no sewer system of any type. Enjoy your stay. If you are as big a fan of a nice chilly beer as I am then you are going to need some skins, if you know what I mean.

Some folks live in travel trailers, some folks live in mobile homes, some folks live in a tent.

Temperatures during the day reach 120 on a fairly regular basis. How they do it?

I have no idea.

I did not get to meet and fall in love with Kristen Stewart, damn it, but I looked for her.

You have to keep up with the news

I was warned that they don’t take kindly to intruders or strangers, so be warned. There was a sign that said “Vandals will be used (see if you can spot it) for target practice” you better know I believed.

I FELT LIKE MAYBE I COULD FIT IN HERE

Calm and serene was all I came across, people were super chill and very hospitable. Thank each and everyone of you, but still the whole “K Stew” thing?

I really hoped that would work out better.

 The beautiful blue church is real

There is one more place left to show you. It’s just down that road, go to where it ends, if you turn right the Slab City Hostel is over there.

During the summer Slab City dwindles in population as it seems to be a bit too sunny for most folks.

A stay at the hostel is only around 20 bucks in the summer.

During the winter there are far more inhabitants.

If you were to turn left as I did something much more transformative will happen.

Any place named East Jesus is a destination I must see.

Don’t you just feel Welcome?

Alright pull up a chair as Gramps has a couple of things he needs to clear up.

I don’t know a lot about the history of this marvelous world. The original artist “Charlie” went to meet his maker in 2011, I think.

How maintenance and upkeep get done is a mystery.  

There are many pieces of art here from a myriad of artists. Astounding works of art as far as you can see, real breathtaking stuff. I saw a couple of “Black Lives Matter “ pieces so somebody obviously is working close by.

Everything is on donation and if you don’t donate then you are a dick.

There are simply too many attractions to include so I will give you 10 or so of my very (not your vacation, mine) favorite shots. I would love to give credit. I just simply don’t know how.

The Entrance to Heaven on Earth? You decide

Acres and Acres of Fun

You could stay here for days and not see it all

 It’s what caught my eye, you were NOT there

Our Lady of the Lost Souls I seek You More Than any of the Others

Turn OFF your T.V.’s

This Could All be Lost forever

So intricate. I took 6 photos of this one piece. Sun shining through, Beautiful

Incredible

It makes more sense when you’re high, trust me

Someone said that this was a guest artist

Dude, I Know

 I Just Took the Photos

Breathtaking 

YOU CAN HELP

This is just a sample of what awaits anyone brave enough to seek. I took more than 100 photos and trimmed it to just these few.

You will believe.

For the first time in forever I feel something. It will probably  pass, but something happened here. I feel connected to something bigger than myself, more universal.

Seek and you shall see for yourselves. If the madness is real than maybe it’s safe to believe that redemption can also be real. Not only can you see it, you can touch it, but be careful which one you choose.

That road goes towards the light, that road there?

That road leads Too ………..

Maybe salvation comes from within, I’m just saying.

The land under Salvation Mountain and East Jesus belongs to the state of California. They are up for sale. Recently I found an article from May of this year, it stated:

The land is currently being appraised for sale. It went on to say that it was moving towards selling to a big energy company and we all know that is exactly what we need.

 If this sale happens both Salvation Mountain and East Jesus will be plowed under, LOST FOREVER.

It’s not too late!! You can help, there is a site that is collecting money to save these sacred places. Do some research and help if you care, if not it’s just another perfect place to be run asunder by some soulless corporation, who cares?

At Salvation Mountain there was a constant stream of folks but sadly at East Jesus I saw no one but one very cool local.

I did see several satellite dishes on places and one sign that said if delivery please honk. As I was leaving the area, I saw an Amazon truck and two sheriffs. It’s not as isolated as you think beer and ice are just a mile and a half walk (each way) away. 

It really was magical.

July the 6th and July 15th and 16th 2020. Yes it was hot.

Thank you for reading, be nice to each other. 

Go have an adventure.

toucher le visage de Dieu

I am to blame for these hysterics, no other, just me. I saw this, I wrote this, I shot  this, I drew this.

Thanks to my constant editor and mentor “Yeah Right’ without said help this project would not have worked. Thank you my brother for believing in my stupidity.

Some of this kind of happened.