'American Gothic II®' aka 'Slab City: The Last Free Place in America'

Every work of art takes on a life of its own. I started 'American Gothic II' in February, 2014. Only now do I realize its life force within -- a collection that describes, in pictures and words, the character and characters of what is often referred to as 'the last free place in America,' Slab City. Located 126' below sea level in the Sonoran desert of SW California, Slab City is 'off the grid' -- what you bring in is all you've got. 150 or so true 'Slabbers' live there year-round. 99% are either unemployed, disabled or retired. Others just want to be left alone. Survival in the summer is under the harshest of environmental conditions -- temperatures can reach 128° F, rainfall averages 3.23" per year, solar panels supply a minimum of electricity to get by, for sewage treatment, think outhouses, plus there are rain, wind and sandstorms, rattlesnakes, tarantulas and, yes, there are earthquakes. In the winter the population swells to several thousand with the return of seasonal Slabbers, 'Snow Birds' from Canada who avoild the cold weather at home and transients just passin' through. The word 'free' is gleaned from two facts: there is no rent and there are no laws. That makes for a truly unique American place. But of course freedom is always a challange. In Slab City it actually seems to work -- people help one another because they're all in it together. Moving from New York, a megalopolis of billionaires, skyskrapers and superhighways, Slab City is 180° from that dynamic life. But in following a compelling photo project 2,831 miles across a continent, I found the change refreshing. The people are real and honest. There is a two lane road that runs through Slab City. You can see the stars at night. There's music every Saturday night at The Range, an FM radio station, coffee every morning at The Oasis Club, a library, Internet Cafe, natural Hot Springs, cold wash and Sculpture Garden in East Jesus. Nearly everyone in Slab City has a handle -- mine is 'Photo Bob.' Welcome to Slab City.