Pleasures of the Past by auntietk
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Description
The other day we visited friends who are camped on the edge of the Salton Sea. What an odd place that is!
The lake that was created by an engineering failure in 1905 is disappearing. It's becoming more and more salty and is being polluted by agricultural runoff. Most of the fish species have died off. (There's actually a "dead fish line" on the shore of the lake.) There are as many odd smells as there are odd sights.
Our friends are camped near an old marina, and we walked over there to take a few pictures. This abandoned boat isn't an unusual sight ... the entire lake is ringed around by decaying, deserted former pleasure parks. Marinas, vacation homes, parks ... all high and dry.
The birds still come, but the people and the fish are almost gone.
Down the road at Bombay Beach, they say, every house is a meth lab.
Our friends will be moving soon because the RV park where they're staying is being closed. It's just a temporary stop for them on their way to Arizona, but there are people living in the park who have been in residence for years.
The comparison to the Aral Sea is inescapable.
It's a surreal experience, and I'm glad we went ... it's a beautiful place ... but it isn't someplace I'd like to stay.
Comments (25)
Adobe_One_Kenobi
Nice find and capture my friend
bmac62
Love the POV you've chosen on this abandoned runabout. It actually looks better than it was. I am with you. When we left the shoreline to drive home after dark I experienced the old "Twilight Zone" feelings...very edgy.
EJD64
I seen a few drunks park there boat like that. Nice shot Tara.
FredNunes
Nicely composed shot! :-)
durleybeachbum
An apocolyptic feel to this and your description .
jayfar
Very macabre.
Art_Ramos
nice shot!
ronmolina
Nice shot and interesting info!
moochagoo
I've been there : out of time, very strange.
kgb224
Superb capture Tara. God bless.
bebopdlx
It is a bizarre place, great shot.
Wolfenshire Online Now!
aww.. lonely boat
Faemike55
it's a shame to see the end result of man's stupidity in action or is that inaction? Great capture Tara
MrsRatbag
Eerie, yes; I can't imagine abandoning all those boats. Maybe they'll build a wall around the whole area and turn it into a "no go" zone for normal folks and move all the druggies in. At least they'd be contained! Great shot and interesting narrative!
pimanjc
Very sad situation.
wysiwig
This is the way the world ends Not with a bang but a whimper. ~ T.S. Eliot A great image that tells the story very well. And our world continues to slowly suffocate.
whaleman
That is just a bad end to everything...sad!
beachzz
The Salton Sea has always fascinated me. I went once as a very young kid and was amazed by it. I only see it now when flying over it and am sad at what's happened. It is a great loss.
photosynthesis
Sounds like it might make a good location for a post-apocalyptic film...
SunriseGirl
Thanks for sharing the interesting story. The photo captures your story very well.
rickclark
Great pic and very interesting account. Thanks. Rick
Rob2753
I was thinking of the Aral sea when I read your description, what a shame the water is receding it made for a good shot though and interesting reading.
helanker
A little sad to see such a nice boat abandoned. But it is a pretty nice shot :-)
RodS
Another testament to man's propensity for taking something natural and making a total wreck out of it... Sounds like 'Bombay Beach' would be a great place for Air Force 'Bomb Practice'.... :-P A very surreal and telling shot, Tara!
debbielove
Simple but, very well taken! You've created an excellent shot here Rob