Pardon the pun, but a Library in the middle of Slab City speaks volumes to me. It means to me, that even in the barren, desert waste land, there is a bigger thirst for knowledge than water. So it was important to me that I see it with my own eyes.
The first thing we noticed was a head stone. We deliberated for a few minutes – was this really the final resting place of Rosalie, the founder of the Lizard Tree Library? or just a shrine of some type? The rational part of me went with the later conclusion… but as was a running theme in my visit… 1. I was wrong yet again and 2. there’s nothing rational in the slabs.
The library is well catergorized and works on the honor system. I have heard, in its heyday it was a beautiful, relaxing place to lounge and get lost in a book. Unfortunately, it’s definitely not like that anymore.
It’s obvious from the condition of the books, that the slabs get little to no rain. There is very limited cover over the books and no water damage to speak of.
The current librarian lives in a trailer adjacent to the ‘facility’, but either he was not home, or not in the mood to socialize, because we never did see him.
I did notice that he has great taste in travel books;)
After perusing the library, and leaving a stone for peace for Rosalie – as was suggested on one of the many signs that extolled her virtues, we headed back out to find our way back to our RVs.
Would you believe a wrong turn led us to the discovery of online friends????
Here are some other little known facts about Slab City:
1. There is a heated shower – heated by geo thermal activity.
2. There is a golf course.
3. There are multiple cultural venues including The Range and The Stage Door. (We were told, should you go to a live event…sit in hard seats, as opposed to upholstered ones).
4. There is a skate park and a bmx track.
5. There’s a pet cemetary.
6. There is a Burning Man-esque public art display called East Jesus (east of Salvation Mountain)
7. This writer believes Rosalie is not the person buried at the slabs. :0
Tomorrow, I will conclude this series and let you know how a chance encounter changed my whole perception of the place!
