miharu

I was poking around Roadside America at work (newspapers get slow around the holidays, unless you're in Editorial), and came across this beauty:

Exotic World
Helendale, California

On every trip pointed east from LA, it's hard fighting the urge to detour. We know it'll trash our schedule, but what to do? We give in, turn north into the desert and look for a dirt road haloed by an unmistakable wrought iron sign that spells "EXOTIC WORLD." Halfway between the glitter of Los Angeles and the glitter of Las Vegas, Dixie Evans, the former "Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque," runs a museum celebrating the history of stripping and the art of exotic dancing.

Greek-like plaster goddesses, fountains, pools, and horses are in view as you walk around her home and the museum buildings. An in-ground pool is the centerpiece of Exotic World's annual beauty pageant (held in April each year). Dixie, a senior citizen in glittery gown and feather boa, greets visitors and leads the tour of her amazing collection of stripper memorabilia.

The whole article is here, and it's fantastic.

I propose a road trip.