Naked Man at Laguna del Sol; a report

[Elliot]

The Burning Man spirit is spreading, with people catching onto our ideas and ideals in all manner of settings. We found a fine example of this yesterday at Laguna del Sol near Sacramento, California.

Laguna del Sol is a 250 acre naturist resort with accommodations ranging from tent spaces to a hotel. And “naturist” means that no clothing is required or expected, weather permitting.

There are numerous pools, a gym, tennis courts, a quite sophisticated restaurant, archery range, and other amenities. My favorite is the 25 acre lake with clear warm water perfect for swimming quarter-mile longs laps -- my favorite fitness program.

The place is spotlessly maintained and supervised. Day visitors are welcome – after they pass the background check and complete the orientation.

Laguna del Sol organizes numerous events, such as the annual car show. On that note… perhaps you remember a sign often attached to vintage cars on display; “Do Not Touch This Car Unless You Are Nude”. The purpose is to keep buttons and zippers from scratching the car. Well, the sign is not needed at Laguna del Sol!

Then, every year in early August they hold Naked Man.
The event lasts four days, and the place is packed. People turn their camping spaces into theme camps, Burning Man style, offering food, drink, body painting, games, art, and so on as you are familiar with from the real thing.

There were over 200 participants in the Tutu Pageant.

They even have a “man burn” Saturday evening. They don’t actually burn anything, due to the wildfire potential, but they have propane poofers and a Tesla coil.
Their “man” is of steel, reusable, with propane poofers in his hands. On his head he has hair – made of rubber tubing… supplied by a two-fisted fire hose. So instead of falling as the conclusion of the "burn", he becomes a monumental fountain, spraying water in waving patterns from the flailing rubber-hose hair. Quite nifty.

Of course… I met a number of actual Burners, including one who recognized my camp name and knew we will be in the 4:30 Plaza this year.

Regrettably, I missed the Critical Butts lighted bicycle ride.

But I did meet a participant whose bicycle needed repair. So I’m putting Naked Man on my 2016 event calendar.

[lucky420]

I think some of these peeps have come over on the amtrakapalooza with Doc Pyro in January before

[Elliot]

I wouldn't be surprised, and now that you mention it... I remember Doc mentioning it.

It is not on LdS' calendar, so it must be arranged by individuals.

Of course, there is a wide assortment of other organizations that might be involved. For example, I belong to an informal group called the River Dippers, and they organize trips and events -- though mostly swimming-outings to rivers and pools, including to LdS. I will mention this to them.

[Dr. Pyro]

Let's just say that Barbie Death Camp was represented at Naked Man. I thought about showing up, but who wants to see that?

[Elliot]

I did not get there until 4 p.m. Saturday, and I was told that many camps had already packed it up, having been active since morning. So I could have missed the Barbies for that reason. Or I just missed them, plain and simple -- it's a good-sized place.
And I didn't spend all my time on land -- I swam the length of the lake 3 1/2 times, which took some time (but quality time) at my leisurely and meandering pace.

[pink]

My neighbors are Laguna members and told me about this a couple years ago. Unfortunately at the beginning of August I'm usually scrambling to get ready for the burn. And a proverbial fire is lit under my ass to get all my work done before I go m

[Elliot]

From Laguna del Sol's e-mail newsletter today:

2015 Naked Man may have been the biggest, best and most attended event in the history of Laguna del Sol. A massive collaborative and cooperative effort on the part of hundreds of people to cause an outstanding expierence for guests and members of Laguna del Sol.

Thank you to all of you who created a theme camp. Camps ranged from small, simple and fun to elaborate productions. Barbecue Alley had a huge crew headed up by Lonnie and they fed over 350 people in just over an hour! Wayne, the jokester, set up his "camp" and told jokes. Many camps involved amazing gifts, food, drink, conversations and all were tremendously fun and fully in the spirit of giving for no reason.

Note that last; "...in the spirit of giving for no reason."

These folks are catching on fast.

I have traveled in many circles.
The custom car and vintage car crowd have a vibrant community, but they tend toward the materialistic and even narrow-mindedness. It's all about how "shiny" the car is.
In journalism there is fellowship -- up to a point. When it comes to selling a story, it's dog eat dog. Suggestion to collaborate -- to create something better than the sum of the parts -- go unheeded. They want a byline that says "by Joe Blow" -- not "by So Andso and Joe Blow".
A fellow journalist works in fashion and glamour. Don't even get me started.

Naturists (nudists, in the bad-old-days vernacular) may be the ones who come closest to the Burning Man spirit. After all, this is as far from fashion and glamour as it is possible to get. There are a lot of Burners-at-heart in this crowd.

[MyDearFriend]

Let's just say that Barbie Death Camp was represented at Naked Man. I thought about showing up, but who wants to see that?

Me.

[Elliot]

Laguna del Sol has announced the dates for next year's Naked Man: 4 - 7 August 2016.

Although I will of course be quite busy getting ready for the real thing, I intend to set up a miniature Elliot's Bicycle Service there.

[Simon of the Playa]

BAD NAKED!!!

[Elliot]

A drug addict goes berserk -- not exactly relevant to this thread.

[The Rod]

If you think a balanced perspective on the dangers of nudity isn't relevant...

[Elliot]

OK, so that line is mildly amusing.

[Simon of the Playa]

oh sure, blame the drugs.



how do you know this wasnt a Nudity Caused Incident?


you don't.

[Aurelia]

was that you walking across 19th street nude at decompression ?


xoA.

[Elliot]

Well, Simon... that concept was a little bit funny... the first time, when A-RockLeFrench used it. But a second time is just boring repetition.

[Simon of the Playa]

my apologies elliot...

i'll refrain from posting anything that might em Bare Ass me.

no nudes is good nudes.

[Elliot]

Simon, rehashing such tired old puns is beneath you.

Seems I remember I started a thread specifically for jokes about nekkid people. Must be here someplace.

Now....




Found a couple snapshots of The Man – The Naked Man, that is.
Yes, I know… it is pathetic compared with the real thing, but hey….

This Man is of steel and reusable. He shoots a bit of propane flame, but the cool thing is that he sprays water. His hair is made of rubber hoses, and every “hair” is plumbed. So when the water comes on, his hair waves like hundred unattended garden hoses. But somehow they wave in unison, so there are “coherent” waves of sprays swinging about. Pretty nifty.
The photos do not do justice to the dancing sprays of water, but in the second picture you can see a little bit of it, on the left side of the picture.
(Photos pilfered from Laguna del Sol.)

[Simon of the Playa]

elliot, puns are both the highest and lowest forms of humor.


nothing is above or beneath me, but i will stop being cheeky...


damn it.

i'm sorry...

the pictures of the "burn" look really cool

....the construction of the flaming water man looks very much like the antique steam plumbing of the building i work in...rivets and boilers and stuff.

who built it?

[Elliot]

The Naked Man sculpture was built by Laguna del Sol's maintenance crew. And yes, he does have a bit of a steampunk look to him. Oh... and he is 12 feet tall, in case I didn't mention it.