Bike Wheels Pyramid, ‘Post Impression Art’ Piece, Baker, Nevada

Residents of Baker, Nev. (pop. 68), like to outdo one another in “Post Impression Art,” a whimsical hobby started by the Permanent Wave Society in 1997. All around the area, locals and visitors create art installations on fence posts, pretty much just for the hell of it.

My favorite was a simple pink flamingo nailed to the top of a fence post. Why? Because it’s a pink flamingo, dammit, in the middle of nowhere in the Great Basin’s sagebrush desert. The only thing better would have been a garden gnome. The flamingo wasn’t photogenic, though, so I only have memories.

This Sunday, Feb. 28, was something of a catch-up day for me. I hung around the Whispering Elms Motel and Campground, finished a few blog posts, and wrote my semi-monthly letter to my list subscribers. (Sign up at top right!) Basically, other than lunch out at T&D’s grocery store/lounge/restaurant, I was chained to my laptop. No, actually, I was even chained to the laptop while eating lunch.

Still, Baker is a lovely town to take a rest in, especially out of tourist season. I asked the grocer lady when folks start rolling into town to visit Great Basin National Park. Oh, forgot to mention: Baker, Nev., is the gateway to Great Basin National Park! Anyway, she said people start showing up in April, but things really kick off Memorial Day Weekend.

That makes sense. The mountains are still snowed in, and even down in Baker, it’s below freezing at night. In fact, much of Great Basin National Park is inaccessible, except by snowshoes, as I discovered Monday ...

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Cowboy at Rest, Prescott, Arizona

“Cowboy at Rest,” by Solon Borglum, stands proudly outside Yavapai County Courthouse in Prescott, Ariz. From this angle, it’s rather … suggestive. I mean, come on! You have to see it! And if you didn’t before, you won’t be able to stop now. No, scratching out your eyeballs won’t help.

The cowboy repines at “bottom” while the horse “tops” him, a smug look on his horsey face. The seasonal flower wreath doesn’t help any. Were they a gift, I wonder? From whom to whom? I think I’ll retitle the bronze statue “Hey there, Buckaroo!” or maybe just “Horse Lover.”

I remember the first time I was “exposed” to Georgia O’Keefe’s flower paintings, such as “Black Iris” (below). “Shocked” would be the right word. Was it just me? Was I just a perve? Yes, I am a perve, and no, I’m hardly the only one.

But whereas O’Keefe might have been flirting with the erotic, I doubt Borglum was. Looking at his other work, I don’t see a homoerotic trend there. My reaction is likely just a “one-off” due to my 21st century, Internet-fueled sensitivities. I think.

“Cowboy at Rest” isn’t the only piece of Western-theme art in Prescott, it seems. On the other side of the courthouse is the “Rough Rider Monument,” also by Solon Borglum (OK, the title is funny given our current conversation. But it’s named for President Teddy Roosevelt’s Cuba invasion force. I’m sure the joke is only in our heads.)

Several statutes have been placed around Prescott. You can learn all about them in "Art Treasures and Museums In and Around Prescott, Arizona" by Marguerite Madison Aronowitz. Here’s an article by Aronowitz that tells a little about them and about her book.

I may take some time to walk around the city and look at some of these other fine pieces. But then, I’m not sure my warped sense of humor can stand it.

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CowParade-Inspired Sheep, Concho River Trail, San Angelo, Texas

Like other CowParade-inspired cities, San Angelo has artist-decorated sheep statues citywide, celebrating it's sheep ranching and wool market history.

Homoerotic Stencil, Cheer Up Charlies, Austin, Texas

Enjoyed Arlo's vegan burgers and Sputnik beer at Cheer Up Charlies, a queer club within rifle shot of Texas Governor Abbot's desk (take that as you will.)

Curiosities Business for Sale, Steuben, Maine

Everything being a constant carnival, there is no carnival left. — Victor Hugo

Mocking Prada Marfa, Valentine, Texas

The Devil may wear Prada, but the Angels mock it in this film short, "Road Trip Adjustment," being produced by Brad McColl and his crew from Vizual Methods.

Statue in Sad Self-Embrace, Los Fresnos, Texas

But why reject sadness, when that might be what is most worthy and beautiful within us?

Killer Bunny, Busch, Arkansas

"That's the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered rodent you ever set eyes on!" ... Now where's my Holy Hand Grenade?!

Bruco, Monolithic Dome Institute, Italy, Texas

Hazy footage of Bruco, caterpillar monster of Italy, Texas, about to devour ... something. – This photo is so seriously a fake, like Nessy and Bigfoot!