Paint on PFD? Once I did consider painting myself in blaze orange during hunting season but afraid it would interfere with the feeling of nakedness. Not all lakes and waterways are quite as strict as this lake or perhaps it has become a target enforcement zone. I was given plenty of warnings by others with canoes and kayaks once they noticed my out of state plates. Now back to the trip.
Monday was another travel day but the early morning hours provided me with enough time to get a two mile hike without the added weight of clothing. By then the campground had emptied out and no one was stirring yet. I did stash a running kilt near the camper just in case I needed cover when returning to the camper. In fact it wasn't needed and also was able to pack up the outside before hitching up and leaving. I hesitated before dressing but the misses reminded me we would have to pass through toll booths on this leg and the attendants would have an easy view into the SUV.
The next campground held little or no promise for any naked time. Besides having lost many trees to the Emerald Elm Borer the place was like a parking lot. No matter how things were angled there was no hope for any nudity. But there were places nearby where at least I could find solitude and a place to be naked. In fact that evening on a walk near the campground there was enough solitude to enjoy things naked except for the bugs. None bit but they were just a pain. That night a storm came in and I di a quick jump outside to make sure nothing blew away. Tuesday dawned overcast and grey with some light showers. So I drove to the lake and planned to walk the beach which I found deserted. So dressed in a pair of tan through shorts and barefoot I headed west toward the harbor entrance. Soon I felt comfortable enough to remove the shorts as no one was on the sand and no boats were seen on the horizon. In the light mist it was better than working up a sweat as it kept things cool. Walking in the sand was easy as the waves from the storm had packed it down solid leaving only light prints. In one area a tree had fallen and to proceed on one had to wade in the water in order to pass the obstacle. On the other side much of the same awaited, a long stretch of deserted beach and a lone naked guy enjoying as much of it as he could. When the rock break wall was reached and still no activity in sight the feeling of safety had me turn and start the return naked. A short distance east and I spotted a woman's head on a path between some bushes. The firefighter/paramedic took over as I thought that she had fallen and was hurt. When I got near enough to ask if she was all right she answered fine, just picking stickers off my dog. After she stood up it dawned on me that I was naked but her comment was " don't your feet hurt being barefoot on the rocks?'. My answer was no, I haven't walked on any. Then I asked if it made her uncomfortable if I stayed nude to which she answered no and tossed a ball for her dog to fetch. That's when she said that "sunning topless on this stretch of beach when there were no crowds was her thing and she was not the prude many people in the area are". "They're so afraid that a little nudity will ruin the family tourist trade". "I bet even more people would come if there was a nude beach here". I put my comments in the knowledge of the economic impact Haulover beach in Florida has had on Miami. When she asked if I had a boat I answered a kayak and she said excellent. She gave me directions to some secluded places that only could be reached by a small craft for some all over tanning. We parted ways at the tree, she was not going to take her sneakers off just to go another 100 yards. I thanked her and waded in, in fact worked my way to deeper water to enjoy some skinny dipping and cursing the fact the swim trunks were still in my hand. It worked out for the best as people were beginning to arrive so I could slip them on and emerge from the water clothed. Now I had to hope for sunshine and calm water. The rest of the day was spent visiting the local wineries for tastings. Among those we bought were Cab Sauv's, Malbec, Pinot Grigio, Rieslings and a new favorite Gewurztraminer. We also got some sweet wines for my wife's girlfriends as gifts on our return. That evening we uncorked a bottle with grilled pork chops, corn on the cob and fresh green beans from a local farmer. In other words, the finish of a great day.
Wednesday I decided to try and find the secluded spot describes the day before. The drive to the launch site was the most troublesome as the GPS kept taking me on dead end roads. Soon enough I was on the water and naked, heading for what I hoped would be a day in the sun. The paddle was as described and I found a small beach along the shore. The kayak bottomed out five feet from shore so I drug it up on the bank before spreading out a mat to lay on and tan. Before I did however I followed a path from the shore and into the woods. Not used much and in places hard to follow curiosity had gotten the better of me and traveling much farther than I wanted came upon a road with a small parking area. Assuming that either fisherman or partiers use the path to reach the same spot maybe since the water levels are higher it has lost it's attraction for fishing or swimming due to it being so shallow? Not knowing how far I had gone or for how long it felt like a hike and I was relieved to get to the cooler for a drink. The rest of the afternoon was spent reading and soaking up the sun until the wife sent me a text that friends of ours wanted to meet for dinner. Answering that my return would be in plenty of time to meet at the restaurant I stayed till mid-afternoon before heading back to camp.
We met our friends that evening and were promptly seated. After a round of drinks were ordered we began to catch up on our lives. First, the story of how their daughter had a whirlwind courtship and got married. And how they never thought they would enjoy being empty nesters so much. Then they asked about our travels, how it must be nice to be retired, and then about our grandson. Since the most pictures of him were on my cell phone I opened the photo application and let her scroll through the pictures. When she came across the one from earlier in the week where the little one was in the backyard mowing grass naked she told her husband, "look, he's cutting grass bare assed like you want!". Then my wife adds, "Yes, just like his grand pa". hen she looks at me and says, "Since we've become empty nesters we quit wearing clothes at home". Then my wife adds, "He's naked every chance he gets". The topic of conversation ended when the waitress came to take our order and we went back to discussing families. After dinner my wife and her husband wandered off to the bar/lounge area to find seats and enjoy the music. The other two of us stayed behind to order another round of drinks and settle up the tab. In the meantime she asked' "Was your misses serious, you are naked a lot?". I answered honestly, told her of my hikes, kayaking and skinny dipping when ever I can. Her comment was something to the effect that she wouldn't feel comfortable anywhere but in her house or maybe the back yard. I said that may change, just enjoy it at your pace and the drinks were delivered along with the checks.
Thursday was another one of those hot, sunny and humid days as the misses found relief in the camper's A/C and I headed out to find another place to free range. This time I headed east along the beach and found a private spot so first order was to get into the water and cool off. The beach stayed deserted for a good part of the afternoon and from my vantage point people could be spotted far enough away that I could cover if necessary. According to my phone it was a 1.4 mile hike to get to this area and I got to spend much of the time there naked. In fact as when I prepared to leave a woman was headed my way so pulling on a running kilt to cover up the trek out began. When we passed she asked if anyone else was on the beach and how long had I been there. The thought crossed my mind that she was looking for some naked time then it dawned on me that maybe I had been seen? As I looked west clouds were beginning to form and thunder could be heard in the distance. Poor girl, looks like her beach time was going to get rained out. When I got back to the parking lot many were packing up and the gentleman next to me said that a storm was due in an hour. So I headed back to camp to secure things.
