The Kinetoscope is a circular mural inside an abandoned water tank by Christina Angelina and Ease…read moreOne in Slab City, California.  The larger than life canvas was originally covered in grafitti and filled with trash. In order to properly prep the space, discarded, half broken shovels were employed and a makeshift pulley system of Home Depot buckets was instated to lift out the sand. The truck was repurposed as lodging for a week, the closest toilet was a 5-minute drive away, and all involved went without showers. This was well worth it for the final result.   Visitors must climb a staircase to the top of the tank (roughly 15 ft), where there is a ladder to take them back down, into the structure. Once inside, amplified sound reverberation accompanies two series of artistically rendered female faces.  Faces are captured in a variety of freeze frames and combined to create motion, inspired by the work of photographer Eadweard Muybridge.    Each individual face embodies a specific emotion tied to a meaningful moment when Angelina trusted her intuition, an inherent sense often ignored by society. The subtle interconnectedness of these moments creates a sense of "magic" in its movement as each form contributes to the natural flow of the piece. Her use of totem animals continues through the incorporation of raven and rattlesnake skulls.   Faces sit atop a ghostwritten blend of Eastern/Western writing styles by Ease One. These hidden words form the lyrics to Society by Jerry Hannan and Eddie Vedder.   It's a mystery to me We have a greed with which we have agreed You think you have to want more than you need Until you have it all you won't be free   Society, you're a crazy breed I hope you're not lonely without me   This piece uses a limited palette to subtly unify elements of figuration, lettering and graf futurism in a sophisticated, stylized manner. The background is of latex paint, the rest is of spray paint.

A perfect place to do a first pit stop after a 3 hour drive. It was the best location cuz:…read more*we needed to move the pup up front cuz Frenchies need cool air * basic small rest stop with perhaps 6 individual stalls stocked up with enough TP * clean enough but couple flies hovering over the bowl & no running water; lucky we had wipes & hand sanitizer *we filled up gas here, still California but a few more feet into Arizona the gas was $2 cheaper

Just the state line nothing special unless you want to stop by and take a picture with the sign…read more Otherwise it's a quick pass!

BOOOO!!!! Everyone knows these highway patrols lurk around the border area by the dunes praying on…read moreinnocent drivers and forcing them to take a BS tickets or threatening them with hauling them off to El Centro vs the station they actually work out of. The greed in this department can't go unnoticed! I can't believe the people haven't stood up and said enough is a enough. Here's a little story I'm sure you'll enjoy.... It's holiday weekend so plenty of traffic & plenty of slow drivers. Everyone knows you don't speed in this area because thats all the food these highway patrol can get. I'm following 2 cars and I have 2 behind me. I notice a cop coming up on all of us, lights going, so 1 by 1 we all get over to the right so he can pass. blows by me and another car to get to the slow grey SUV in front of us. As he's cutting us off to get behind this SUV the person in front of me and myself nerve left to avoid his wreak less driving. No sooner does he almost have this vehicle pulled over does he pull out and come after me... I'm thinking what the heck-right... Pulls me over, his excuse-air patrol said a white car was doing 95 in a 70. ok, so why were you pulling over a grey SUV? No answer just license & registration. SO I quickly pulled out the old trusty iPhone, made a video documenting the time, date, etc... and asked the officer if he actually witnessed this crime and of course he said no. So I asked him about pulling over this other vehicle, not matching his BS description then coming after me. His response was license and registration. So of course I'm pissed. GF is in the car, pissed because she knows I wasn't speeding. Kids in the back, nosey like kids are, noticed my speed prior to being pulled over and asked if 70 is too fast. Just not adding up. So I told the officer to have his supervisor come out and here's where it gets better... D-bag shows up and I explain to him the situation & he says he heard it over the radio so it must be true. WOW-really??? Then he goes on about how I better sign the ticket, accept guilt or he'll arrest me, haul me into El Centro & I can wait there to see the judge. Using my GF & kids as a leverage tool to get me to sign the ticket. Don't wan't them to have to be stuck waiting for me.....so After a few choice words for this not so honorable criminal I informed him of his errors, called him out on his lies and how he is disgrace to officers. He then proceeded to ignore his faults and my constitutional rights and told me to sign the ticket or he'll arrest me. So I signed the ticket and let the clipboard fall onto the hood of 1 of the cruisers. He immediately threw me in hand cuffs. I laughed at him and told him he just F'd up. My GF is filming the whole thing when he tells 1 of the other officers to ask her if she can drive. She asks him why I'm being arrested and he said its for not signing the ticket. So I told this jerk he might want to take a good look at the ticket, so he did and realized he better back his way out of this situation he just landed himself in. Told the officer to let me go & wrote the ticket for 80 in a 70 so he wouldn't have to "take me in" Nice cover buddy! If I didn't have my people depending on me to get them home I would have gladly had him take me to his station (not El Centro like he threatened) & have him explain to his captain how & why he broke the law and I would have loved to make a big stink out of this. Getting 3 cruisers off the road for an entire shift so his ego can get crushed and to let hard working, tax paying Americans know the injustices the so called honorable officers are imposing on us so we can refresh these so called protectors of our freedoms.

What a charming little area, with a fantastic view. They have a ferry to Angel island from here…read more There are a lot of cool local cafes, and restaurants here. There is a little theater there that has the latest movies and the coolest surround sound. Parked on a private lot, fair price for the time length. Nice to spend a few hours here.

Republic of Slowjamastan: The Nation You Didn't Know You Needed!…read more Ever wanted to visit a country that's smaller than your average Costco but ten times more entertaining? Look no further than the Republic of Slowjamastan, a hidden gem off Highway 78 in the middle of literally nowhere. You'll know you've arrived when your GPS starts to laugh at you. The drive alone is an adventure, with nothing but open road and desert as far as the eye can see. Then BAM--out of the dust emerges a tiny "nation" with its own quirky flag, customs, and government (I'm pretty sure the sultan is just the most interesting man in the world). It's the kind of place that makes you question everything you know about borders and citizenship. Who knew sovereignty could be so much fun? This is the perfect spot to bring up at parties. You'll blow everyone's minds when you casually mention, "Oh yeah, I've been to Slowjamastan. No big deal. It's not on most maps yet." Instant conversation starter, and who doesn't love a little international travel brag? Is it ridiculous? Absolutely. But that's what makes it unforgettable. Pack a snack, bring a camera, and prepare to say, "Wait, what?" more times than you thought possible. 10/10 would recommend for anyone looking to spice up their road trip playlist and add "citizen of Slowjamastan" to their résumé.

I'm giving this 5 stars for what it is, which is desert camping. Honestly, I'm not a big desert…read moreperson so in the grand scheme of my personal preferences I'd probably give it more of a 3, but as far as desert camping goes I have no reason to give Corn Springs any less than a perfect score. It's secluded (VERY secluded), clean, has toilets and a water pump (not to be trusted for drinking), and the surrounding area is well-preserved nature. Aside from ancient petroglyphs and an abandoned miner's cabin nearby, there is very little trace of civilization, which is what I look for in camping because otherwise it just feels a bit like run-of-the-mill homelessness. The 8 miles from the highway to get to the oasis may not seem like much, but take it easy on the sharp rocks. We made the trek with a Honda Fit and had no problems, but needed more patience than you might be prepared for when you're so close but still so far from setting up camp after a long drive (I assume it will have been a long drive from wherever you're originating because it's in the middle of literal nowhere). So by all means, camp in Corn Springs, enjoy the gigantic starry sky at night, stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and don't get killed (because come on, it seems like a place where getting killed wouldn't be a huge surprise)!

Corn Springs Campground. Take Corn Springs exit, hang a left on Chuckwalla Valley Road, and then a…read moreright on Corn Springs Road and go 8 miles on unmaintained road to campground. $6 a day. As of conditions now, you don't have to have 4-wheel drive but is a bit rocky. Watch out for sharp rocks.

This was a quick stop for me before heading to Bombay Beach. It's near Slab City, and as you drive…read morethrough the area and start seeing all the RVs around, you can immediately feel the energy shift a little :) After hearing about this place from the movie ases on a true story, Into the Wild and living in San Diego for so long, I finally decided to check it out. I was honestly impressed by how well maintained everything was. I technically arrived after hours around 6pm, but there was still a volunteer there who gave a short introduction about the history of the place, which I appreciated. As I walked up the mountain, I was surprised by how clean everything was and how bright and vibrant the paint still looked, so huge credit to the volunteers who keep it looking this way. I was even given a free postcard on my way out, which was a nice little touch. I probably wouldn't make a full trip out here just for this alone, but pairing it with a visit to the Salton Sea or Bombay Beach is definitely worth it. I also love that it's completely free so no tickets or entrance fee needed.

I did a long weekend trip to Palm Desert with the goal of visiting the Salton Sea. Originally, I…read moreplanned to loop the entire shoreline, but after talking with a ranger at the visitor center, I stuck to the east side and doubled back, which was definitely the right call. Our turnaround point was Salvation Mountain, right next to Slab City. Before going, I had read about Leonard Knight and the story behind the mountain, which honestly made the visit more meaningful. The dedication and message behind it are almost as interesting as the site itself. It is kind of amazing that the structure still stands today and is in such solid condition. The drive out was mostly fine, though hot and dusty, especially on a Saturday afternoon. I would recommend going earlier in the day if possible. The mountain itself looked better maintained than I expected. The colors were bright, and it was clear that ongoing work is being done to preserve it. I left a small donation since it felt like a meaningful effort to support. That said, it did not fully resonate with me. While I can appreciate the effort and story, the style of art and the surrounding environment did not quite click. If you are into outsider art or off grid communities, you will probably get more out of it than I did. The biggest downside is the immediate setting. Being next to Slab City definitely impacts the experience. The vibe felt a bit uncomfortable at times, and we did not stay long or continue on to East Jesus. Overall, I am glad I visited. It is unique, and the story behind it adds depth, but it is more of a one time stop for me than a place I would go out of my way to revisit. 3 stars.

Border towns are all different. Whether you're entering Canada or Mexico. There are a number of…read moreentry points. No two alike. I'm originally from Chula Vista so when we would cross into Mexico usually it was one of couple ways or entries (San Ysidro, Otay, etc). You would enter Tijuana and enter the hustle , bustle and yet modern everyday of TJ living, for food, to get to other locations like Rosarito, or venture into the exciting yet mysterious TJ nightlife to see what was good w/out getting into too much trouble. That's it. That's all. For most anyway. My boyfriend's family is originally from El Centro. Last time I was in El Centro there was nothing here. So after a handful of times visiting the city of El Centro, he decided to show me a city where his other relatives were from. Ah, the city of Mexicali, opposite of Calexico. Crossing I would say is still easier than crossing from the main border in San Ysidro. You can still find a lot of places to shop and eat here. Mexicali is definitely rural. The streets and sidewalks with are all uneven and filled with holes. Vendors & night workers. For some the view might be sad. For others humbling. For them, this is life and this is there day to day. It's said Mexicali was built by the many Chinese immigrants that were brought over for labor or fled the anti-Chinese policy from the US. This is historically home to the largest Chinese community in Mexico. Also known as Chinesca. "I don't see a lot of Chinese walking about" I tell my boyfriend. "The only Chinese I see are in the Chinese restaurants." Side note: the Chinese food definitely has a different yet still delicious flavor here. Mind you Chinese food differs everywhere you go. My advice when eating in this city is have no expectations. Just immerse yourself. Apparently, the Chinese built underground for themselves. To escape many things including the heat. There is said to have been opium dens and even illegal gambling. I'm not saying there still down there, just don't see a lot of Asians. There is a lot of mystery, history and a long established way of living here. However with the recent efforts of the younger generation with both Chinese and Mexican bloodlines to re-establish the Chinese culture here I'm sure we'll see an increase in tourism one day. So why the 4/5 stars? Not comparing this city to anywhere else I've been in Mexico. I grew up by Tijuana, raised off of Mexican culture. Been as far as Yucatán, Jalisco, The city of Tequila so on and so forth. I wasn't raised to disrespect anyone in their own home. If you're treated hospitably, you be respectful. Mexicali is beautiful in its own way and right.

No better than a dominos pizza, at 3 times the price…read more They're better choices for basic pizza at more reasonable prices.

Visiting Yuma and a friend took me here for lunch. Not much to look at and sadly I might not have…read moretried it by the looks of this place! Lol I had their Philly cheesesteak and I think it was prepared perfect. The bread/bun was a good quality the meat was cooked to perfection. Their cheese choice was the perfect flavor combo. I hade onions and peppers added but you can add just about anything you like! It's not much for ambiance but the service was fast and friendly. Would go back in a heat beat. Try it out!