Slab City, often called "The Last Free Place," is an off-the-grid community in the Sonoran Desert, California. It was originally a Marine Corps training base called Camp Dunlap, but after the military abandoned it, only the concrete slabs remained, giving the area its name.

Today, Slab City attracts people who want to live outside mainstream society. It has no official infrastructure—no electricity, running water, or sewage system—so residents rely on solar power, generators, and water deliveries. The community is known for its alternative lifestyle, artistic expression, and landmarks like Salvation Mountain, a colorful religious art installation2.

While some see it as a haven for freedom, others note the challenges of living there, including extreme desert temperatures and a lack of basic services. Would you ever consider visiting or living in a place like this?

Skogkatt skrev:Jag tycker att det är ett stort problem att de saknar infrastruktur. Jag har lärt mig att oavsett vad man ska göra så behöver man vatten, el och avlopp. Om man inte har det blir man sittande i ett smutsigt tält tills man inte orkar mer och går hem.

An Earthship is a type of sustainable, off-grid home designed to be self-sufficient and environmentally friendly. Developed by architect Michael Reynolds, Earthships are built using natural and recycled materials like earth-packed tires, cans, and bottles2. They are designed to provide their own electricity, water, heating, cooling, and even food production, making them highly independent structures.

Key Features of an Earthship:
Passive Solar Heating & Cooling: Uses thermal mass and solar gain to regulate indoor temperatures.

Water Collection & Recycling: Captures rainwater and reuses greywater for irrigation.

Renewable Energy: Solar panels and wind turbines generate electricity.

Waste Management: Recycles wastewater and composts organic waste.

Food Production: Indoor gardens allow for year-round food cultivation.

Earthships are particularly popular in New Mexico, where entire communities have been built using this concept. They offer a unique way to live sustainably while reducing reliance on traditional utilities.

Skogkatt skrev:Jag tycker att det är ett stort problem att de saknar infrastruktur. Jag har lärt mig att oavsett vad man ska göra så behöver man vatten, el och avlopp. Om man inte har det blir man sittande i ett smutsigt tält tills man inte orkar mer och går hem.

Earthships are designed to be off-the-grid, meaning they don’t rely on traditional utilities. They can be found in various climates worldwide, including New Mexico, where the first Earthship communities were built. In Sweden, there is an Earthship in Värmland, called Earthship Hällekil, which is completely self-sufficient.