I visited Salvation Mountain last month right before sunrise near Slab City, CA. I reached my destination about three miles outside of town when I saw "God Never Fails, Salvation Mountain." I found the happy artist climbing a latter inside his creation in order to expand upon it. He explained that he thought the project would take 8 weeks, but it made him happy, so he stayed 27 years. He uses acrylic paint, left over tires and windows from the nearby junkyard and paints messages of God's universal love. He's one of the happiest people I've met and handed me a DVD and puzzle of his creation on my way out. Since 2002, it's been a national treasure and protected by the State.
November 5, 2009