I had business in Corpus Christi last week and was able to get down to the National Seashore Thursday afternoon. It was Spring Break week so I was expecting extra traffic, but did not run into any teenage/college crowds. There were more young kids with thier parents.
As usual, I parked at 'the sticks' that bar vehicle traffic within the park and hiked in wearing a sarong. There was a young family with 2 young girls not far into the park exploring the beach. They were examining a large jellyfish that had washed up as I neared. I stayed at the water's edge and not directly walking to them when I exchanged friendly greetings. The father then commented on the number of jellyfish. I acknowledged that there were several, but I had seen it much worse. Oh! He said and then I continued my trek down the beach. In the distance was a lone figure with a large dog. They were obviously enjoying their day. The dog running into the water then into the dunes, bringing found objects for inspection. As I neared the now obvious female leashed up the dog to avoid any unpleasantries with the approaching stranger, me. I told her that was unnecessary as I also had labs at home and am very much a dog person. She responded by bringing the dog to me for a scratch.
We wished each a pleasant day and proceeded on. By then, the family was a good distance up the beach and beyond any visible distinction due to the seaspray glare. the girl kept the dog leashed up as she approached them. I had nothing but vacant beach as far as the eye could see, removed the sarong any stashed it in my bag.
I went about as far into the park as I had ever before, only turning around when I could start to see vehicles at the other end of the restricted section. I had stowed my bag about 1/2 way, but carried a sock that would keep me 'legal' if I encountered any LEOs. It is really only state law that requires a person to cover his genitals, and this was federal property, but I thought it best to error on the side of caution.
I was wearing the sock when the park police drove up. They came up from behind while I was watching another hiker with a dog walking my way. At that point, I was almost back to my bag.
They got out of the truck to approach me. They first asked if I knew why they wanted to talk to me. When I said no, he asked if I had anything else to wear. I said that I did, in my bag. So, I got the sarong out of the bag and put it on. He asked about the sock, so I explained that it was required minimal covering under state law. I explained my understanding of federal law about requiring a complaint before action can be taken on a nudity offense. He concurred and informed me that the family had 'lodged' a complaint
He asked if I was dressed like I was then, in the sarong, and I said absolutely! We talked a lot about whether I could have 'flashed' them or opened the sarong to expose my penis. I said there was no way. I had no intention of exposing myself to them and did not. I then explained my encounter with the girl and dog and that there was nothing in either case that I felt was out of line in any way. They said nothing about what happened afterward and I didn't say when my sarong found it's way into the bag. The father apparently saw me remove the sarong and was offended. I didn't turn back towards them and we were too distant to see details anyway. He certainly couldn't tell if I was wearing anything over my genitals.
Anyway, the LEO said that he was going to speak again with the family and the girl with the dog and that they would let me know where this would lead.
Back in the day, there were places all up and down the Texas coast where you would find naked humans freely enjoying nature as God intended. Now there are only one or two, and those require constant watch to avoid arrest. 'Encounters . . . What to do?' Sometimes it doesn't matter.
