Social Nudity, Why?

I have had friends ask me, “Why are you a nudist?” I’ve been asked if I’m an exhibitionist, a swinger, a voyeur, or simply just weird. Maybe I am deluding myself, but I don’t think I’m any of those adjectives.

When I was a child I was a notorious stripper. Back then everyone just thought it was cute. “There she is again, naked as a Jay bird.” I’m sure the heat had a lot to do with the shedding of clothes. Also, as a child there were no concerns about how society would react to my nakedness, regardless of my resemblance to a Jay bird or any other bird for that matter. My only concern was for my own comfort, coolness, and freedom from the confines of my clothing. As I grew a little older, say my early teen years, skinny dipping became a more acceptable opportunity for being naked outside of my bedroom or bathroom. By then the pressures of society were upon me and so skinny dipping took on a new feeling of clandestine naughtiness. My friends and I would slip off our bathing suits and jump into the water blushing and giggling. Still, the desire to be naked outdoors stemmed from the feeling of freedom attained by throwing off our clothes which seemed to represent rules that our families, schools, churches, and the rest of society had thrust upon us. Adulthood seemed to bring with it tighter societal restrictions rather than the liberation I expected. In my mind cleavage and other bodily attributes needed to be well hidden under loose fitting clothes, especially while at work. Otherwise, eyebrows may raise, tongues may wag, and I would be presumed as nothing more than office eye candy rather than a business woman with a brain. So I remained covered up, in and out of the office, for decades. Then I discovered social nudism and rediscovered that childhood feeling of abandon. No clothes to weigh me down. Free from my burdens, even if only symbolically. I’m liberated.

But why public nudity, you may ask? Yes, I could certainly be naked in my home. But there is a different feeling when you are naked in nature rather than hiding indoors. The sun and wind caressing every inch of your skin is tantalizing and you can feel one with nature.

“Ok,” you may say, “I can understand being naked in nature, but why would anyone want to be around other naked people?” Well, there is something to be said about being around like minded people. I certainly wouldn’t feel comfortable walking around naked on a beach or at a party where everyone else is fully clothed. I would stick out like a sore thumb. Plus, the clothed people might be horrified and offended because they might not understand the reasoning behind my nudity. However, if everyone else were also naked then I would fit in and the others would share my viewpoint. Are you beginning to see where I’m coming from? Now let me ask you this question. When was the last time you went somewhere and made friends with fellow travelers or beach goers? I’m not saying it isn’t possible, but from my experience the greetings and conversations have been more temporary and superficial than those I’ve experienced when conversing with fellow nudists.  I think Tom Tiemann, from Bare Necessities Tour and Travel, summed it up perfectly when he wrote, “People who can shed their clothes in public (imperfections and all)---are also able to discard their emotional coverings as well. When they do this, their real self shines through and, they are ready for genuine friendship.”

Nudist Colonies

I have a dream of living in a beautiful location near the beach and the forest where it is warm all year round so I can run around nude at my discretion with nobody telling me that I have to be dressed. Am I alone? I think not, in fact, I believe there are people out there living my dream. Did you know there are nudist communities or colonies throughout the world? No, they did not die out in the 70s. They do still exist and I've actually been to some of them. Although, my personal dream is not to live in a communal situation, but to live on my own property where the only rules are those I've invented and can break at my will. However, if I were to desire communal living there are plenty of options.

Let's take a look at a few options.

Glen Eden Nudist Resort. Like many others GE terms itself a resort, but there is a large percentage of part-time and full-time residents besides the short term visitors. Glen Eden is a trailer park and camping facility located on 155 acres in the Santa Ana Mountains. Perfectly located in a micro climate which allows for sunshine when neighboring areas are cloudy, GE is positioned for an easy drive from either San Diego or Los Angeles. Since we frequent GE, I will certainly provide plenty of information including and beyond the standard brochure info. http://gleneden.com/  See my update on considering to buy at GE.

http://www.capdagdefrance.co.uk/

The Naked City in France, Cap d'Agde is a town where everything, including shopping can be done naked. This seaside town in the southern French region of Languedoc-Rousillon began as a beach campground and has grown into a official Naturist Village. The village is being fitted as pedestrian friendly and is rumored to have a new hotel available by Spring of 2011. Based on the famed police presence, families and single women should feel safe to visit or live in this skin friendly town. http://www.en.capdagde.com/

Cambium in the Dominican Republic is breaking ground for their holistic naturist village. You may buy property within the community and have a home built. I have yet to determine which utilities will be available, but if you desire to live close to nature in a holistic environment, this could be the one. Close to beaches, but on a hillside surrounded by tropical trees and plants with a community center offering massages, activities, swimming, shopping facilities and they are located within a few minutes to cities so you are not so remote from civilization. http://cambiumbene.com/

This is just the tip of the iceberg. I may have to make this post a series. I'd love to hear your experiences and thoughts on the subject.

Brave New World

It was a lovely day at Glen Eden Nudist Resort near Corona, California this weekend. We were only able to visit for the day, but the weather was slightly warm with a cooling breeze that made the day perfect. The summer crowds were gone, making way for more elbow room and a quieter environment. We invited a friend to join us who had been contemplating visiting a nudist resort but hadn't yet found the opportunity. Well, we knocked and she joined us for a couple of hours. It was fun to share with her our secret to relaxation and once she was able to throw away her self conciousness she too began to relax. Moving from being fully clothed to covering up with a sarong, then throwing her towel off to the side in order to jump in the pool was a brave and unnerving experience simultaneously. By the end of the short time she spent with us, she admitted that she wished she could stay longer and that she felt much braver now having shed her clothes and her concerns.

Dog Days of Summer

This weekend we decided to visit the Terra Cotta Inn located in Palm Springs, California. We are frequent patrons and always enjoy the relaxing and friendly atmosphere. The owners of the Terra Cotta Inn are Tom and Mary Clare Mulhall. They are usually present and actively involved with their patrons which adds to the mom and pop feeling of this historic motel. If you ask why people tend to choose the Terra Cotta for their vacations, the usual answer will be the personal camaraderie they share with Tom and Mary Clare. Of course, everyone enjoys the Four O’clock appearance of Tom in his bow tie serving wine and strawberries. Sometimes the other staff members will assist with this daily activity, usually clothed or partially clothed, but Tom’s participation is always anticipated and met with a jovial spirit and adds to the light-hearted and whimsical environment. Sadly, Tom and Mary Clare recently lost their long time canine companion, Godiva. While she is truly missed and remembered fondly, Godiva’s legacy lives on with the new addition of Jude. The assumed to be German Shepherd and Labrador mixed puppy is quickly growing into her large paws. Of course, switching from a mature and laid back dog to a mischievous puppy is a bit of a challenge to both patrons and owners alike. However, Jude is winning hearts with her vivacious and playful love of her daily visitors and playmates.

Becoming a Nudist - My First Experience

Like many other women, I was introduced to the idea of public nudism by a boyfriend. I had certainly spent time in my youth, within the privacy of my own backyard, sunbathing in the nude and had spent a few gregarious evenings skinny dipping in my pool, or at the lake, with my girlfriends, but the idea of visiting a nude beach or a nudist resort certainly never crossed my mind and seemed rather far fetched. I am a modest person who is very insecure about the out of shape state of my middle aged physique; therefore the thought of exposing myself to a bunch of strangers in broad daylight was a terrifying consideration. However, I remembered those encounters during my youth where the prospect of baring my flesh for the thrill of swimming unencumbered by clothing were met with enthusiasm rather than fear and decided to give naturism a try.


My hopes were to visit a nude beach while vacationing with "M," in a far away place, but alas my plans were spoiled and the opportunity was lost. "M" and I discussed visiting a nudist resort and after much research decided upon a small clothing optional hotel in a nearby resort town. During the reservation process, the owner of the hotel put my fears to rest regarding naked starlets and swingers cavorting around the pool, triggering "M" to suffer whiplash from the tantalizing scenery.

The day finally arrived for my first nudist resort experience. "Would I be able to go through with it," I pondered to myself? Nervous, but determined, I rang the doorbell at the entrance gate. To my surprise, we were greeted by a cheerful man wearing nothing but socks and tennis shoes. He welcomed us and showed us around. The well manicured grounds and seventeen rooms surrounded the pool, where about twenty people of various ages, shapes, and sizes quietly engaged in conversation, reading, or lounging in the warm sun. As my fears were washed away with a complete sense of tranquility and freedom, my clothes quickly slipped off and I welcomed my new experience with an open heart, open mind, and a smile.