Greetings! New Member from Midwest USA!

[Michael S.]

Hello, everyone!
I am new to the FRN website and not entirely sure how much to put in an introductory post. I have been a naturist since I moved away from home to attend college in 1972, and except for a total of around 10 years during my two marriages I have practiced home nudism since that time. When I lived in rural Iowa and could do so safely I walked nude in some woods near my home during warm weather, and enjoyed that very much. Over the course of my life I have occasionally ventured outside while nude when I could do so discreetly at other places where I have lived. I have modified the deck of my current apartment so that I can sit outside nude without been observed.

This past summer I took a driving vacation, and over the course of those 25 days I was able to stay at nudist/clothing optional resorts in Indiana, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri. Hiking those trails nude was a peak life experience, one which I plan to repeat this coming summer by visiting more such places. I am a member of both The Naturist Society and AANR, along with a Meetup group for male nudists in the KC area.

I will be poking around the forums here and responding to posts once I get a better feel for the place, but in the meantime let me say that I look forward to many pleasant interactions with kindred spirits!

[Safebare]

Always eager to welcome another Michael. We look forward to getting to know you and hearing about your adventures.  Your timeframe is similar to mine, in that my first nude beach trip was in 71. College years happened to coincide with the streaking fad, creating a wonderful opportunity for me to experience coed social nudity, non-sexual even for this scrapping young student.

~Safebare

[jbeegoode]

So you gave in 10 years during two marriages and then reconverted. Was it an issue for you to succumb to convention, for love, I'd suppose? I've never gotten involved with anyone that didn't have at least a strong predisposition to share nude life, as a rule.

Ever wander down to Oklahoma to a resort with trails?

I'd like to hear about your trip in more detail, at least which resorts that you found in those states. Maybe your experience of them? Although not so free range, they can be safe harbors while carnuding in the east. I enjoy the stress free trails that they often have.

Jbee

[Michael S.]

So you gave in 10 years during two marriages and then reconverted. Was it an issue for you to succumb to convention, for love, I'd suppose? I've never gotten involved with anyone that didn't have at least a strong predisposition to share nude life, as a rule.

My first wife and I were married less than three years when she passed away, and we never discussed the subject as she came from a very conservative family. Thanks to her previous boyfriend's mind games with her my second wife was extremely self-conscious about her body (though she had no reason to be), would only undress with the lights out, etc. Didn't seem like nudism would be something she would embrace, so again I never discussed it with her.

Ever wander down to Oklahoma to a resort with trails?

Several members of my local men's nudist group has told me about a place down in Oklahoma that is on my list of places to visit this year. Any recommendations?

I'd like to hear about your trip in more detail, at least which resorts that you found in those states. Maybe your experience of them? Although not so free range, they can be safe harbors while carnuding in the east. I enjoy the stress free trails that they often have.
Jbee

Here is the list of nudist/clothing-optional resorts where I stayed on my driving vacation in August of 2023:

• Sun Aura Resort in Lake Village, IN - Very rustic, but with excellent trails to hike, and good facilities. Very cordial and helpful staff.
• Dyer Woods Nudist Campgrounds in Foster, RI - Small, with limited trails, but guests and staff were amazingly friendly. Will visit again someday.
• Sunny Rest Resort in Palmerton, PA - Appears on many Top 10 lists, with good reason. Great facilities and staff. I'd live there if I could.
• White Tail Resort in Ivor, VA - Small, with few trails to explore, but really nice pool and hot tub. Friendly and helpful staff.
• The River's Edge in Dewy Rose, GA - Huge site with lots of trails, excellent facilities, and very cordial staff and guests.
• Whispering Oaks in Hampshire, TN - Small, with few trails, but great facilities and a social calendar featuring frequent parties and special events.
• River Ridge Campground in Mt. Olivet, KY - Small, but with nice trails to explore. Staff and guests were friendly and welcoming.
• SIRenity Farms Campground in Sullivan, MO - Large, great facilities but not many trails. Very helpful staff. Will definitely return.

I have a couple of driving trips I plan to take in 2024, and those trips will include stays at nudist/clothing optional resorts in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, Minnesota, and Vermont, along with return visits to some of the places on the 2023 list.

[jbeegoode]

In Alabama (three posts I,II,III):
https://thefreerangenaturist.org/2023/12/02/parksland-retreat-center-pt-i/
In Oklahoma big weekend fun:
https://thefreerangenaturist.org/2022/12/17/oaklake-trails-naturist-park/

Both have wonderful extensive trail features to wander.

DF and I are looking at free range travel, but a little refuge and rest, or the fun weekend atmosphere certainly has its place. Back east, there is less public land and natural wide open spaces. I have those two cross country trips as two series on my website, taken in some of that territory. "Geo. and Back" and "Across America."

How do you travel, RV, tent, or rental? Is it carnuding from spot to spot.

I have a friend who has just started a MeWe site about contributing travel stories recommendations and such. It should evolve into a pretty good resource, but at this point the intended vision may be different than the expected outcome.
Jbee

[nuduke]

Michael,
Good to hear from you and welcome to our forum.
We unequivocally welcome new members and hope that you will join in the conversations and contribute as well as read stuff.
Look forward to hearing your views and experiences of naturism more as we go along.
Do stay with us.
John