THE Trip, Salvation Mountain, near Niland California

Copyright 2011, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

The home and work of a gentle soul, Leonard Knight, Salvation Mountain is religion, American Folk Art, and a story of a man and the desert.  If you google "Salvation Mountain" there are quite a few sites and lots of photos. The official web site is here, built by a friend of Leonard's.  The web site has a very good history of the mountain and Leonard.  Salvation Mountain is also represented on Facebook here.

In early February 2011 part of Salvation Mountain was subjected to fire, 4 fires, set on purpose, so it seems.  If you go to the Facebook page and scroll down the messages, around February 11th you will find the first hand report, written in 3 parts.  Of course, this attack on the mountain created quite the fury of "stories", in which Leonard was beaten up or died.  Neither is true.  We visited just 7 days later and Leonard was fine.  Well, not totally fine, as the affects of living this way for so many years with no water, no power, and living in the harsh desert, are making themselves known.  Leonard is now getting weaker and more frail every day.  His friends and family are concerned, they are watching him carefully, softly, honorably.

The fires of early February 2011 were set at the far right of this photo.

Now, some photos:

Leonard's home.

Leonard paints everything, his cars, home, and any
thing else that happens to find it's way to
Salvation Mountain.

Yes, even the tires.

Man, following the yellow brick road to the top of Salvation Mountain.

From the top of Salvation Mountain, looking down into what
Leonard calls The Museum.

Inside The Museum.

Man walking inside The Museum, yep, those are real
trees Leonard found in the desert and drug to the Mountain.

My next post is a photo essay of the man, Leonard Knight.

* Salvation Mountain and Leonard Knight have been recognized and received, at least two awards that I saw while visiting: the National Treasure Status, which has been entered into the Congressional Record, and recognition by the Folk Art Society of America on January 1, 2001.

THE Trip, Salvation Mountain, The Tools of Love

Copyright 2011, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

While Man and I were staying near Niland, California, we made a day trip to Salvation Mountain. I am not sure what we expected, but, it sure was not what we found!  We ended up spending several hours there taking it all in. Before I show you Salvation Mountain, I thought I would share Leonard Knight's tools with you first.  Leonard is the man responsible, the creative force behind Salvation Mountain.

Paint, most, if not all, of which is donated.

Dried up adobe mud.

Brushes inside one of the rooms in The Museum.
The Museum is an extension of Salvation Mountain, 
photos of which will be on the next post.

An array of tools, awaiting - - 
Leonard.

The next post will introduce you to Salvation Mountain.  My last post on Salvation Mountain will highlight Leonard Knight, in person, a photo essay of the man.  I think when you read those posts you will appreciate, even more, his tools of love.