We started spending three weeks of late winter each year in Palm Springs, to escape the cold of the East Coast. We would be staying in La Quinta, a beautiful resort area at the foot of the mountains, noted for its Spanish architecture and lush landscaping. Forty miles away by distance but a million miles away in identity are the Salton Sea communities. Twelve years after first seeing them, I couldn't wait to go back. I expected the area to be almost non-existent, given what I saw on my first visit. But, I was surprised… not only were these communities still there, on the edge of existence, but they looked like they were maybe even a bit more vibrant. Certainly not less! I plan to revisit this area each time we are nearby.

The Salton Sea - Revisited

You can view some work from my first trip to the Salton Sea area in 2013 on this page… The Salton Sea. You will definitely notice some similarities but also some differences. The communities are, in a way, the same and they have changed. My photo equipment is, in a way, the same and it has changed. My approach to photography is, in a way, the same and it has changed. Things change but they remain the same… look at the last image in the group below and the last image on the linked page above as an example.

Bombay Beach Art

There is a fringe arts festival held each year by word of mouth in Bombay Beach along the Salton Sea. The art installations can take weeks to complete and they are left in place… for people to see… to weather… and to evolve. It was surreal walking among these art “ruins”. The creativity and imagination are amazing to see. And while we were there, one or two new installations were just being started.