Somewhere on the edge of reality is this place. Slab City, a former military base that was closed after World War II, Slab City is a place on the fringe both geographically and philosophically and attracts a variety of people, including jobless and financially struggling recession refugees who can no longer pay for food and housing
They live a frontier existence, a hard life made more harsh by the elements. No water, no electricity, it’s a wicked landscape, dotted with expensive RVs, beat-up trailers, tents, art installations. It’s a place that exists in legends that are told around campfires or by train hoppers huddled in a box car. A report by Erik Thayer.
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Two men talk near a fire in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
Timothy, Zack and Casey Spyder are seen in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
Jeff sits at his trailer in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
Princess Stephanie talks to another woman during a dinner at the Karma Kafe in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
People are seen during dinner at the Karma Kafe in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
The first hole of the Gopher Flats golf course is seen in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
Ray smokes a cigarette in Slab City just outside Niland, California.. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
Mark, who said he spends half the year on Vancouver Island, sits in front of his motor home in Slab City just outside Niland, California.. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
An art installation is seen in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
The library is seen in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
A man bathes in the hot springs in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
Don talks to Frank in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
Randy Stevenson is seen in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
A deputy with the Imperial County Sheriff talks to a man who was bathing nude at a hot spring in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
A man shaves in a hot spring in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
Tracy Magenta Ross, another woman and Don are seen in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
Frank watches as a couple hooks up their computer in his internet cafe in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
An old checkpoint, now painted as a welcome sign, is seen at a site locals call Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
A beer can is seen in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
Jack Two Horses and Purple are seen at Jack's campsite in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
Mickel smokes a cigarette at a campsite in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
Jack Two Horses sits at his campsite in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
An art installation is seen in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
A headstone in the pet cemetery is seen in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
A sign for an art installation called East Jesus is seen in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
Jack Two Horses stands at his campfire in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
An art installation called Salvation Mountain is seen in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
Tracy Magenta Moss hugs Frank, who runs the internet cafe, in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
Rob Walker kisses Dayna Lambert as Walker's son Andy walks toward their campsite in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
People eat lunch in Slab City just outside Niland, California. ERIC THAYER/REUTERS
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