After visiting the towns of Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree Park I headed south to see Salvation Mountain another monument to God created by one man.
Along the way I stopped by the Salton Sea, which is actually a lake. At a quick glance from off the road the lake looks beautiful and from photos it is certainly deceiving. Unfortunately its surroundings are not developed or looked after at all. The villages near Salton Sea appeared poor and desolate and the area around the lake was creepily lonesome. Looking out on the landscape I couldn’t understand the neglect, it definitely has potential for much more.
On to Salvation Mountain! The drive from Yucca Valley took about 2 hours and seemed awfully long because it was pretty boring. If you ever watched a documentary about Salvation Mountain and were impressed just know that you would be 10x more so if you were there in person. The size, intricacy and detail of the design is all the work of just one man who spent years living out in the dessert to create it. The bold, vivid colors only add to the uplifting character of the work. It seems unreal, almost insane that one man alone would have built it.
I really don’t know how long Salvation Mountain will stand as there are tourists walking all over it and the dessert wind and occasional rain will also contribute to its destruction. It is a sad thought, especially considering the work and dedication that its maker put into it. There is a sort of parallel in the cavalier attitude and careless treatment most visitors have towards this creation and toward the planet God created for us.
But for now there it stands, another proof of how far an individual can go, bringing to life a vision, when moved by true passion.
