THE EROTIC HERITAGE MUSEUM OF LAS VEGAS

An erotic museum suggested a number of things to us. First, that no pictures would be allowed. Wrong!
"Take all the pictures you want,"  we were told.
We were very surprised. In fact, I was blown away by this place. It has much that is explicit material and much that is beautiful and sensual. The museum is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization that seeks to bridge the gap between what is commercial, and often misidentified as pornographic, with that which is esthetic, folk, pop and fine art through a common visual language. Except, here the subject is sex. Does that make it not art seems to be the question? The founders of this museum are dedicated to the idea that sexual pleasure and activity are natural aspects of the human experience, available to all, no matter what body they were born into. And thus sexual activity is a natural (and acceptable) subject for art.

The two photographs above are very erotic without any private body part in evidence.

These girls obviously don't work in a grocery store.

And this abstract isn't a Picasso, although Picasso did a whole collection of erotic pieces that are occasionally displayed for the public at special exhibits. Many other famous artists have erotic and nude pieces of art in public galleries as well.

A tastefully done painting that makes us envious of her freedom to enjoy nudity on a beautiful sunny day outdoors with a gentleman friend.

This photo of a woman almost completely covered by the membranes of an octopus. Will someone be offended by this picture?

Or how about this Las Vegas Street sign just outside of the museum on Industrial Drive. People drive by such advertising everyday in Vegas.

Chinese display their erotic art work freely without shame. In America such erotic art is hidden in our museums as though it didn't exist.
The Erotic Heritage Museum was voted the Best Museum by the Las Vegas Review Journal.
It contains the history of old time posters and comic books and their modern counter parts.

The early day styles of "peek boxes" where "gentlemen sat and looked through a window at a woman performing or undressing for him. Peek boxes where you inserted a quarter and a short set of stills flashed for you to see, men only, of course.  There are samples of early day sexual toys, leather goods, photographs and modern day items of similar style. A history of trans gender, transvestites, people who were born as "she-males" and other oddities. It covers the struggle for trans gender surgeries to be accepted. It takes the visitor through the 1960's sexual revolution; pornographic movies, games and magazines. The Aids epidemic and pictures of the AIDs quilt are here. Ads for condoms use and safe sex. Planned parenthood and how to encode a video to circumvent viewing by children.
You can watch a film of Larry Flynt, publisher of Hustler, interviewed on Larry King Live. Flynt said Jerry Falwell preached against him for 15 years. After Falwell was caught with a prostitute in a motel room with a copy of Hustler Magazine, he couldn't help see Falwell as human. They became friends in later years though they each knew what the other was selling. 
Some of the llth and 12th century carvings and artifacts may be too risque for a public newspaper blog but I found the place to be very interesting, though I had a few quavers when I walked through the door. There is much more to this place. Nude Yoga classes for men, couples and women. (Not together, nor in public view.)  Plays and educational events related to sexual practices and procreation. Quite an unusual place. I'd give it a strong recommendation for those not squeamish about sex.

MOVIES, BOOKS AND MAN'S INHUMANITY TO MAN

Goodbye Monroe after 17 days. Bronco repairs delayed us 3 days, but the RV lifestyle accommodates delay. A slower pace, a lovely river, gave me permission to tackle Gary Jennings thousand page, (small print) book, The Journeyer which is historical fiction based on Marco Polo's discoveries, cultures along the silk road; the conquered territories of Genghis Kahn; Tibet, China, India, Persia, Arab cultures and Europe are all accounted for. He delves into the sexual practices of different cultures and tribes; their dress, weapons, transportation, religions, traditions, buildings, animal husbandry, food, medical practices, slavery and cruelty. Man's inhumanity to man never fails to astound me. Jennings goes into detail about torture practices among the various peoples Marco Polo encounters. (Shudder) Its a worthy read despite my revulsion. We then watched Goya's Ghost, which deals with the Inquisition. Again, man's inhumanity to man. The movie is also a compelling historical statement. Whenever we complain about government, it pays to bring to mind how much worse life was in ancient times. (The photo below is from Goya's Ghost.)
On the personal side, I was able to swim freely since my shoulder surgery/therapy, and took advantage of the pool. I so wanted to get on that lazy river, but didn't trust my strength to the current. I even got Jim in the pool.

HARRY AND THE HENDERSONS

I'm an admitted movie snob and Harry And The Hendersons was reeeely low on my list of movies I might want to see. Jim, however, told me about Harry and pals...excitedly. It seems that near the town of Barrington, which we passed on the way to Stevens Pass, stand these statuesque reminders of the movie location. It was shot in the deep woodsy, riparian area of Washinton just off Highway 2 and we HAD to stop. (I personally think they are quite schlocky.) And, the building used in the movie sits here as Dr. whats-his-name's place, like a mini quonset hut. (Yeah, schlocky.) Guess ya had to see the movie.
That night, Jim insisted we watch the movie on a DVD he conveniently "found" in his storage box.
Now, I'm not going to say it was wonderful, but it was cute, and had some funny moments, and the kids will definitely love it. The kid in the movie, Ernie was his name, was cute and believeable. I at least liked the kid instantly. And, I recalled, while the filming of Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, the tv series filmed in Murphys and sourrounding communities, the real star of the show for we locals was the recognizeable background scenes in the series. Soooo I had to cut Jim some slack. I recognize the burble of identification that takes place for who knows what psycological reason..."this is right where they returned Harry to the wild...this is the building where Dr. Wright carried on his research into sasquatch..."
And, well, now I can say I'VE BEEN THERE.

JAMESTOWN STEAMTRAIN

It tickles me how much the locals love their old locomotive steam train here in Jamestown, an old gold rush conclave four miles west of Sonora. Free to locals for opening weekend, we were entertained by a fiddler and regaled with wonderful gold fever stories told by a docent conductor. The huge nugget at Kautz winery was pulled from Jamestown, or Jimtown, as it is lovingly knicknamed. The train was loaded and the locals don't care that they have to stop at crossroads for the slow moving engine. They don't mind the two long, one short and one long blast of the screaming steam whistle as it warns its approach to the crossings and wakes up the whole town. The kids on board were delighted and recognized that this ride is something different, something special. Right out of the movies, in fact. Over 200 movies and/or television episodes were filmed here in part, using the train and environs. We decided to watch "The Unforgiven" , after spending the day in Jimtown and riding this special attraction. The working steam train and round house, are the only ones that exist west of the Mississippi River. Don't miss it.