So here's one, oddly enough, written during the fall 5 yrs. ago. It fits, except for the temperature references, as I haven't been particularly busy with any naked hikes over this summer either.
For those from the previous site a name familiar shows up.
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I went out a couple of days ago for my 1st hike, either clothed or not, since the middle of May. I had not got much exercise over the summer, I was headed out on a hike out of about 1.75 mile and about 900 ft. gain, and it showed. I was winded in short order and had to stop more than once to catch my breath. I took me 1.5 hours to walk the 1.75 miles to my spot. I am sooo out of shape.
It is one of my favorite spots and a good place to restart. I like it there for its ease of access and low use in the early hours. The start of the walk I usually take is close in to the parking area so I was able to jump back out in nature very quickly after leaving the car.
AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
It was as I remembered. The temps are now down into the low to upper 90's so I was not too hot and a very pleasant breeze was constantly cooling and drying me off. Once I get to my destination rest spot I do exactly that. I rest.
I am under a mid-size pinion pine tree, in the shade and have an unubstructed view to the southwest. In all the times I have been there, I have yet to run into anyone. It is quiet and far enough away from the visitor areas that wildlife will occasionally be seen. I love this spot for it's panorama and relative isolation so close to public access. It is not a difficult hike but
it is not an easy stroll either. To get there you have to intend to go there and work at it.
Stark blue cloudless skies right down to the dun colored contrasts of sandstone, limestone and granite, make for me a retreat from the daily routines. I am the pleased recipient of a small slice of time away the noise where I can relax.
Jackdaws wrote in another thread of the love of nature being returned to you in the form of the experience you have. What you are yearning to see is what you are given by the willingness to see what is in front of you, not by showing up with a set of expectations.
I am reminded that all I have to do is not go out with any preconceived notion, but to be willing to be rewarded with what I am given. Removing my clothes to do that only enhances the experience. No distractions. Only attractions.
With my kids back in school and all the summer activities over I now have time to return to the outer places that continue to call me in the quiet. I was aware during the summer of something either missing or out of whack with me. I was sometimes cranky, irritable or impatient. One reason was, of course, those outer places reminding me that I was missed there just as much as I missed them.
God made them for us to see and experience and we are remiss to ignore these gifts for any length of time. My morning out to get my spirit jumpstarted by seeing them in the calm of a walk with no pressure was precisely the cure for what ailed me.
It was a great way to get restarted. Bring on the cooler temperatures.
Duane
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This was at the park outside of town that is now so busy that I don't hike naked there anymore.
