This past summer, Petra and I explored some of California’s secrets together. This one is in the desert of Niland and called Salvation Mountain. In the 1970s a man named Leonard Knight built it out of adobe, hay, and paint to spread his message of love and God, but whether you’re religious or not, it’s a pretty incredible creation. Especially when you can experience the huge size of it, and the ridiculous heat, and consider that this guy worked on it every day and still has not abandoned it, decades later. I would like, make a clump of dirt with my fist, and dip it in a paint bucket, and then give up. But look at this thing!
Exploring Salvation Mountain made me feel like a little kid, which is a rare and sacred thing when you are no longer one and can’t figure out why you can’t just LIKE stuff the way you used to. It’s magically colorful, and the only sound was the wind whistling, and when we drove up, a black cat ran by, and we didn’t see it again. It exists in the middle of the desert, and sort of independent of time. It’s sad to say, but as someone who’s been alive only 15 years, I think Salvation Mountain is one of very few things I’ve ever seen that haven’t become a commercial opportunity or tourist attraction. Still, the best secrets you don’t wanna keep, so we hope you like these. —Tavi
Thanks to Dana and Stazia (Vision Models) for modeling. All photos styled by Tavi.
40 Comments
oh my gosh! petra! tavi! this might be one of the most beautiful shoots i have ever seen… the second to last shot especially, just took my breath away… oh wow wow wow!
I am absolutely enchanted by this shoot! Dana is beautiful
I really liked this post. The clothes felt very magical. I wish I had some of them actually
:D
indigosunday.blogspot.com
Really really beautiful photos!
While watching them I suddenly wished to be there, must be an amazing place.
You guys just keep getting better and better! :)
What a truly amazing photoshoot!
Sometimes I feel like the magazines I read are lacking some sort of magic, or a certain spark to actually make me feel something.
Which is why Rookie is so honestly my favorite thing to look at these days, especially these photos, which actually pushed me to the point where I simply had to register and write my endless praises.
It’s just so bloody lovely, and enchanting, and words just don’t even begin to explain how inspired I feel. <3
<3
Ladies, I need a crown. Like, stat. In fact, I think I need several. Where’s our DIY crown tutorial video? Or Petra’s Super Awesome Crown Shoppe? I want both. xoxo
Come back at 7!
shot #5 is amazing.
So artsy, it’s crazy.
That looks like an amazing place.
these are all so beautiful and make me want to go there!
i think my favorites are 1, 2, 3, 14, and 15.
I’M STUCK ON THE FIRST PICTURE AND I’M SO FRUSTRATED!!!! HOW DO I GET TO THE REST OF THE PICTURES?????
(excuse my caps)
Do the “previous” & “next” buttons appear above the photo?
The previous and next buttons are not appearing. ;( I want to see the photos so bad…
What browser are you using?
I was using firefox but now I’m using safari and it WORKS!!
Thanks so much for responding so quickly! Rookie is the best!!
Love the shoot too! :)
I have always wanted to go to Salvation mountain and you two have just made me gush even more over how amazing it is. These photos are so great,the girls and clothes are so beautiful,well done! xxxx
this online magazine is the greatest thing ever, seriously
it is my style and taste exactly
I don’t have any previous or next buttons showing up either… I tried refreshing & waiting & coming back & stuff but still no go… I’m in internet explorer
these photos are gorgeous and so inspiring. they seem very Lula-esque, no?
Seems like an awesome place :o
oh petra, i love you! the photos are beautiful. xx
Brilliant!
really really really great. really.
frigging amazing
these are SOOOOO beautiful
this is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.
You guys are incredible!!!!
great images!!
wow these are so magical! I can only imagine being right there!
Have you seen this?
thanks! that movie is really awesome. We did visit the salton sea – it was hard to stand outside because of the salty stench and the heat. We also went into Niland which is right outside of Salvation Mountian and It looked similar to some shots in the video.
Beautiful pics, reminds me of the film ‘Picnic At Hanging Rock’….
beautiful photos! it would be nice to start seeing some more (body) diversity in Rookie though.
I want to LIVE in Petra’s photographs <3
Omg! Just realised that this is the mountain in the film ‘Into The Wild’!
It’s things like this that give me hope in art.
the photos have such a amazing atmosphere to them. i really want to go there. it looks so unbelievably beautiful.
So SO SO! beautiful. Makes me thinks of midsummer Nights Dream, and Round the Twist.
I can’t even pick a favourite they’re all so lovely.
What a wonderful shoot! And I love the title – Daydream Nation ;)
Beautiful pastel wonderland!
Iv fallen in love with these photos!! And with the idea of going to salvation mountain!