Gunnison beach review
Jul. 15th, 2007 10:03 amYesterday I went to the annual “bi bare beach bash” at Gunnison beach. It’s basically where a lot of different groups all descend on the beach for a day of fun. (If you didn’t know, Gunnison breach is clothing optional; hence the name of the event). Since BiZone dissolved a few years ago, the event has still continued on but a lot of Burning Man groups have started coming, basically taking it over. I don’t mind, and actually appreciate someone else continuing the event.
The event is taking on a very “Burning Man” feel. It’s hot, in the sand, and there is no drinkable water (though there is a big ocean right there). It’s a federal nature preserve, so it has the “leave no trace” rules such as bringing home your trash. (I’ve never been to Burning Man, BTW).
So this year I got to meet a lot of new people. There were folks from Pleasure Salon, an informal group of people that meet on the last Thursday of the month at a bar in Manhattan. They are all in the “alt” community and were very friendly. A few of the people owned a adult film company in NYC, and we had an interesting conversation about the business of selling video online. We exchanged email addresses. They noticed that Vanessa del Rio was also at the beach today. She’s one of the original 1980s porn stars, back when porn was shot on film, not video, and sometimes had a plot. She’s been retired for over 20 years, but now maintains a web site. They invited her over and she hung out with us for a few hours. I was chatting with her and others in a group for about an hour. (and I was a good boy and had a normal conversation, never saying anything like, “Oh, and I’m a big fan”, asking for her autograph, or making the usual “thanks for making my teenage years wonderful” kind of comment). She was very interesting in talking about the cultural differences between the gay porn and straight porn worlds. Other people in the conversation with other parts of the “alt” community. Ahem. I think I’m gonna start going to their salon.
We left around 3pm. C and I were home by 5pm and took turns showering. I can’t believe how much sand I brought home with me this time. Ouch.
And today? It’s deal-with-sunburn-day. Not too much this year, but not zero.
The event is taking on a very “Burning Man” feel. It’s hot, in the sand, and there is no drinkable water (though there is a big ocean right there). It’s a federal nature preserve, so it has the “leave no trace” rules such as bringing home your trash. (I’ve never been to Burning Man, BTW).
So this year I got to meet a lot of new people. There were folks from Pleasure Salon, an informal group of people that meet on the last Thursday of the month at a bar in Manhattan. They are all in the “alt” community and were very friendly. A few of the people owned a adult film company in NYC, and we had an interesting conversation about the business of selling video online. We exchanged email addresses. They noticed that Vanessa del Rio was also at the beach today. She’s one of the original 1980s porn stars, back when porn was shot on film, not video, and sometimes had a plot. She’s been retired for over 20 years, but now maintains a web site. They invited her over and she hung out with us for a few hours. I was chatting with her and others in a group for about an hour. (and I was a good boy and had a normal conversation, never saying anything like, “Oh, and I’m a big fan”, asking for her autograph, or making the usual “thanks for making my teenage years wonderful” kind of comment). She was very interesting in talking about the cultural differences between the gay porn and straight porn worlds. Other people in the conversation with other parts of the “alt” community. Ahem. I think I’m gonna start going to their salon.
We left around 3pm. C and I were home by 5pm and took turns showering. I can’t believe how much sand I brought home with me this time. Ouch.
And today? It’s deal-with-sunburn-day. Not too much this year, but not zero.
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Date: 2007-07-15 03:24 pm (UTC)I've not been there since I moved out of state, but it is a special and wonderful place. Your post brings up very happy memories for me.
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Date: 2007-07-16 02:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-16 02:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-16 06:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-16 06:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-24 05:04 am (UTC)Is there a mailing list or something I could join?
Thanks!
Tom