How was your month for Free Range Naturism?

[Davie]

Like Peter S above the deluge has put paid to any enjoyable walking. Even before the major storms the ground was wet and walking along footpaths over ploughed fields difficult. The last walk I managed was in the limestone White \peak area of the Peak District and the ground was reasonable.

 I was a bit worried yesterday as I saw a guy building a boat and there were a number of animals two by two nearby!!  I suppose it won't be that long before we have the inevitable hose pipe ban after a few decent days.

I have some new boots so as as I can get out I will

Davie   

[Greenbare Woods]

Finally last week we got some sunshine so I ventured out.

Great to be back out - you are hopefully a harbinger of better weather for us all.  Where is the lake relative to your home, Bob?  Was it deserted so you could be naked or were you walking in fits and starts to avoid being observed (if that bothers you at all, which I doubt).  What was your naked duration in the cold before either dressing or getting back in the car?

This lake is called Amber Lake.  Its not very big. You can see about 1/2 of the lake in the previously posted photo.  Amber lake is a fairly popular restricted fishing lake.  Restrictions include single line and hook, barb less hook, catch and release, etc.  This is the fishing access place belonging to the state parks and the fish and game departments.  Fishing season doesn't start until April so nobody is there in February.  It's about 10 miles from my home.  I drove there and back naked. It was still cold by the frozen lake so I was only outside for a relatively short while. 

While I was there I noticed that fish and game seems to have blocked the boat launch ramp with big rocks.  Not sure what that is about.  It is also obvious that some people have gone around the rocks and launched from the beach beside the concrete ramp.  Maybe they are restricting to smaller boats.  Big boats would need the concrete ramp.  Next time I'm there I'll take a picture of the boat launch ramp with the rocks.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Amber+Lake/@47.3468373,-117.7174952,15.69z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x549e4e2bb2cdc501:0x3a810ea73817aaf5!8m2!3d47.3471974!4d-117.7148301

Weather has been foul in our area - the rivers are running dangerously high and the ground remains saturated.  Many fields are flooded and thick mud (we have a heavy clay soil structure).  I did get out in the garden for a couple of chores last week as we did have some sunny intervals but it was cold with gusty wind.  Today I was working in the garage some and stocking up with logs in the fireplace later but I had to wear overalls, it was really chill.
John

We have also gotten a lot of rain this year, but less than average snow.  More snow than average in the surrounding mountains which is good.  Less here lower down which is also good.  The first of March is forecast to be in the 50s, about 10C or so.  I do a lot better when its over 50 and sunny.
Bob

[ric]

its wet here in somerset, were on a 200 ft high limestone ridge but from the gate we can see the levels under water about 4 mile away.  they dont flood every winter but its not unusual.  our ground though hill top has a high clay content so its sodden.  the cut off date for hedge trimmin is the end of the month but a lot of the fields are too wet to get a tractor on.  even the green burial ground that i strim over with a brushcutter is too wet to paddle arround on yet.
on the bright side were getting warm days,  last week was the kids school half term, but theyre safely back at school now till easter so im more tempted to ignore the see through nature of the hedges during the working day....time the blackcurrant bushes had their anual prune etc etc. though the forcast is more showers.

[BlueTrain]

"The see through nature of the hedges." I like that expression. That's what the trees around here are like now. Nobody has hedges, though, and I guess that's why there are no hedgehogs.

[nuduke]

"The see through nature of the hedges." I like that expression. That's what the trees around here are like now. Nobody has hedges, though, and I guess that's why there are no hedgehogs.

Hedgehogs are becoming ever rarer in the UK.  They are under considerable pressure from predation, destruction of habitat (hedgerows), decline in edible invertebrates, pesticides, roadkill, increase in the badger population (they eat hedgehogs) and probably some sort of cyclical decline.  Estimates vary but one stark statistic is catastrophic fall in about 50 years from estimated 36m in the 1950s to a low of ~0.5m in the UK in 2018, hardly enough to reproduce and maintain the population, one might venture.  Goodbye cute little hedgehogs, you will be sadly missed.  Hope the zoos and rescue centres manage to keep the population alive.
John

[jbeegoode]

I notice the loss of weight Bob. Hope that continues. I may raz you in disagreement and say that by conventional medical thinking you're asking for a heart attack, but you are a grown up and I hope for the best for you and your efforts prove me wrong.
Jbee

[jbeegoode]

FINALLY! I got on top of the obstacles and got freedom during the last couple of weeks of February. Although the weather here has continued to be up and down, we escaped to the wonderfully warm climate of Oaxaca, Mexico. I took two new pairs of shorts and four shirts, but never wore anything but my Kiltbros kilt, or sarong in the street and some restaurants. The airline clothing and a dirty shirt and all the rest came back clean from disuse. I was even able to give up shoes, but for one hike in the hills.It was so good to spend most all of our time nude in the surf, on the beach, lounging in bars and restaurants....

I'll have trip reports.

Two weeks, next year six!
Jbee

[jbeegoode]

March was a few days of cold, or rains and few of sunshine and warmth, like a weekly pattern.

We hiked back into the upper hills around Redington Pass, entering through the fun canyon. We went back for a day of fun in the canyon where we like to go. We went up and through the Torolita Mountainson a trail new to us.

Itook a couple of hikes out of my friends hippy ashram property, while I camped and took a sweat. The whole 160 acres is clothing optional and then it is surrounded by state trust lands for miles in every direction.

We're getting out with seemingly everyone else that are stircrazy in lockdown with no work or social functions. So, it is harder to find solitude, but still there is plenty around if you know how to look for it.

Spring is here. April is getting off with a bang and I'll report eventually.
Jbee

[John P]

I've been seeing this too--everyone has time on their hands, and they can't go to the gym, so they're out in the woods. For naturists, it's an unfortunate side effect of the current emergency. I don't suppose that the worrying conditions will make people any more accepting of nudity!

[jbeegoode]

All reports that I have heard are that the trails are more full since you posted above John P.

The interstate looked much more quiet last night, a Sunday. Where we were there were campers, a couple of guys, I think grandpa, son and granddaughter. Probably getting out of mom's hair a bit.

There were a couple of groups of ATV drivers., who weren't so distant.

I find that when I'm out on the hills, I forget about all of the stress from the virus situation. I also let down my guard and forget about staying 6 feet away.

We have been getting into places hidden by private land, buffered. Last weekend we were in a wilderness and had to do some gruesome 4x4 to get in to camp.

I'm considering a week or two out there next month. A hermitage. Weather will be warm and dry to hot and dry soon. Greener elevations are comforting up for nude bodies with creeks filled with snow melt and winter's rains.
Jbee

[BlueTrain]

Even my neck of the woods, so to speak, has more people in it lately. But they aren't my woods. I generally don't see anyone where I go through the mud and brambles on my daily walks. That's where the interesting things are.

We're about to make a (relatively) long trip to day for a surprise visit to my married daughter. Her birthday is tomorrow--and our anniversary is today (#41). I hope there is less traffic on the interstates.

[jbeegoode]

There certainly was less traffic on Interstate I-10 Sunday night. Mostly just truckers.
I'm enjoying the dives, but it is hurry up and wait, when I get to a store wit the social distancing...oh well.
Jbee

[BlueTrain]

We hadn't been on the interstates lately but I think there was a little less traffic. (Interstates 66 and 81)

[Greenbare Woods]

All our state parks, federal parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, golf courses, etc. etc. are CLOSED.  So are public beaches, fishing, hunting, and any other kind of outdoor recreation venues.   It makes no sense, and none of the state or federal government employees are missing their paychecks. 

[Davie]

In the UK parks have bee told to remain open. The Government does not want lots of people to travel and visit popular beauty or tourist spots. I get that, it makes sense. Advice from the National Police chiefs Council includes that it is likely to be reasonable - "driving to the countryside and walking (where more time is spent walking than driving." I think people have to take the spirit of this one. Two hours driving for two hours and a few minutes walking, probably not.

Today I drove 2 miles and walked 8. Time driving five minutes maybe and walking 2 hours 30 mins. ... and it was lovely, if a little breezy at times and a fair bit of course naked.

Davie