At Long Last!!

[Greenbare Woods]

Our area has several of those abandoned railroad grades that are now trails.  Most of the mileage is out of town and easy to walk naked on.  I've covered most of them naked.  The abandoned railroads are still "paved" with their crushed rock ballast.   That really sucks for a bicycle.  You pretty much have to have those big 4 inch balloon tires, and even then the rock moves as you pass. 

There is a 5 mile stretch of the rails to trails that is paved.  Its close in near town.  It gets lots of foot and bicycle traffic.  So a couple of years ago on a Tuesday morning I took my bicycle and rode that one naked.  i passed a dozen or so other people and also saw some people who lived near the trail.   On a bicycle I was past and gone before they could grab their cameras/phones.  Didn't matter anyway.  I stopped and put on some shorts for the last 100 yards to the parking lot.

If I had a friend who would go with I would do it more often.  I would love to be able to park a care at each end.  Despite my efforts I haven't found any local nudists who are willing to go into public space.  The other locals are all factory farm nudists.

Bob

[JOhnGw]

to park a care

Getting naked is a wonderful way to park one's cares.

What a glorious typo.   

[eyesup]

Something I've noticed happens every time I go for a naked walk!

Duane

[nuduke]

At last again!
Today I went for a splendid walk - the best for absolutely ages!
You may remember in February I visited some woods where the sunset was stunning but the outcome of the recce was inconclusive and these public woodlands looked like a bit of a magnet for walkers and so on.  Well, be that as it may, this afternoon after another appointment in the area, I went again to these woods bordering (but not part of) a local stately home.
Even at 3pm on a Wednesday there was but one car in the park and I set off in my usual SN friendly hiking garb with optimism.  It was a stiff climb up uneven ground covered in tall grass and as I skirted the perimeter of the woods to get to the gate (perimeter has barbed wire) I noted that the occupants of the other car (assumed) were heading down again.  I could have done even this part of the journey nude but it was after all the approach track (well trodden) to the woods.  So I sweltered on.  The day was beautiful, humid and hot sun.  As I rested on the hillside everything felt moist and verdant in the sticky heat and there was a sharp and cooling contrast when under the shady boles of trees.  Lovely.

I reached the gate and headed up the main woodland path.  I had come across nobody and could hear nobody.  I was alone in the woods as far as I could tell.
Unfortunately the undergrowth at the side of the path was 100% stinging nettles as far as the eye could see.  Not good.
At length (actually only a few hundred yards) there was a tiny path off into the undergrowth and despite the fact that I could still see the gate I veered off through the nettles, not so optimistic that they would ever end.  But I discovered I was coming to the end of the nettle zone and soon the ground cover gave way to wild garlic and other innocuous plants although there were still a decent peppering of nettles.  I picked my way along narrow trodden paths only a shoe wide.  I have no idea what these are.  Are they animal trails or just natural divisions between clumps of ground plants.  They were too thin and winding to be people trails.

After a few more minutes trailing I reached a lovely clearing.  Sun dappling through the trees, a few fallen or sawn logs to sit on and dry softish leaf debris to walk on.
   
BUT WAITTTTT! Those of you who have followed my sad and utterly frustrating attempts to post photos here from my SN OneDrive account will be flabberghasted to learn that I seem to have cracked it!  Having spent countless frustrating, harrowing, tear-stained hours with flickr and all manner of other means to embed a picture and never achieving anything that either shows or isn't clickable revealing my entire photo collection, I seem to have struck the formula!  Its {img]http://embed code from a certain sequence of operations in my Onedrive online[/img} (used some curly brackets so you see the formula - if I don't it's .  Now don't think I haven't tried many many many similar combinations before on several photo website systems but I've FINALLY!! hit a good one!  But I digress...

This beautiful clearing was pretty well shaded from the main path by undergrowth and I knew I was a decent distance from it.  I didn't know where the secondary paths were as yet but I decided to disrobe anyway.  I 'harked' for a minute or two - no sound or sight of dogs or humans so I went for it.  Naked and euphoric, I stood and sat, walked around the clearing and enjoyed the beautiful warmth.  Flies whizzed around everywhere and I remembered the one thing I'd forgotten was repellent.  Still what's a few bites compared with the freedom of the forest?


By the way, these photos are by way of a brilliant new feature I discovered on my phone whilst setting the 10sec shutter delay.  You can tick a box which makes it take a photo every 10 sec (or whatever interval you set).  Thus I was able to prop the phone on the ground and move about to ensure I got a few good shots with minimal messing about.  That worked well other than my phone had a load of little insects crawling all over it by the time I reclaimed it!

Eventually I decided, since there had been no evidence of humanity in the vicinity for some time, to pack my clothes and walk out to find the next path.  Carrying in my hand a pair of lycra knee length swimming shorts, which I'd pre-tested for ability to pull on easily over my hiking keens (verdict, fairly but not perfect but around 5-8 secs), I began to walk out of the clearing. 

It was tricky to keep out of the way of nettles but my trusty hiking stick came in very useful.  Soon I emerged onto a secondary track.  Not so winding so I could see a decent way in front or behind.  There were occasional gossamer threads across the track and vegetation bending over the way in places, suggesting nobody been this way recently.  So I walked!  This I have never done before; walked along a used track where the danger of an encounter was high.  But somehow today I felt more confident and strode off down the path.  I walked further than I have ever walked naked.  I was feeling pretty good!  I strode along feeling very Milfmoggish!  That is; bold and confident.  Eventually I reached sight of the other side of the woodland area a few hundred yards ahead.  Oops!  Better not emerge naked on the edge of the wood.  So, equally confidently, I reversed and strode back along the path looking for the place (easy to spot sapling) where I emerged and went right back to the clearing.  Definitely now the longest nude walk in a wood I have ever done and one of the longest durations.
I was comfortable!  In the warm atmosphere, still air and beautiful verdant vegetation, I felt as good as I’ve not felt on a woodland walk for the last couple of years.  I remembered to thank the forest with an embrace to a mature oak tree and sat for a little more awhile on a log and walked now barefoot around my little temporary leaf-scented eyrie before I decided to get dressed and return.

Emerging from the undergrowth onto the main path, I decided to take the easy path back and also to wear my huaraches rather than the keens that were getting a bit hot underfoot by now. 
As I changed shoes, in the distance I saw a large dog coming through the entrance kissing gate alone. I froze – don’t like unattended dogs.  I could only see its silhouette.  It looked my way and moved slightly.  Wait a mo! Dogs don’t have such spindly legs!  It was a small deer.  I paced on in my huaraches feeling that wonderful euphoric glow that I always get after a naked walk.  Why is this?  What is the secret earth magic that makes one feel so good – especially on the clothed return trip?  Gaian earth energy recharge I reckon!
The huaraches really are remarkable footwear.  My feet were cool and I had a good feeling of stability and walking steadily.  You can feel the contours of the ground underneath your feet but it isn’t uncomfortable.  Along the approach path to the car park, the way was dry and stony but still the huaraches provided adequate cushioning for comfortable if a bit wobbly walking. I reckon this pebbly, stony path was the nearest thing I’ll get to one of Duane or Jbee’s washes!
 

I have to say that now having almost bare feet and rolled up trousers (what a sight!) and having met the deer, I realised there was a deer park on adjacent land and my mind did start to think ticks.  However, I emerged unticked!
15-20 mins later I was back at the car, glowing with the happy achievement of a really good SN walk (Yes I like that term!) and anticipating a return to that forest but not before I’ve done another hike along my recently discovered riverside walk.

Hope you enjoyed my report.  Haven't done a long one like this in yonks (not too long I hope).

John

[jbeegoode]

Been waiting a long time for this report, a long time. I've got a big smile right now. Thank-you for going to the trouble to sharing your obvious exuberance, craft and taking us along, pictured step by step, no less. You are duly encouraged to keep this up.

A word about western washes. They are generally either like beach sand, or multitudes of large river rocks. It depends on the last flooding, how long erosion accumulated, speed of flow, erosion of the surface caused by foot traffic, etc. A rocky wash one day can be like a sandy beach in just an hour and stay like that for years and visa versa. There are sheets of bedrock surfaces either exposed, or as parts of the rest, too. I've found it rare to see uncomfortable pebbles in a wash, unless an ancient surface with clay gets uncovered. There are washes where the meander causes a beach with river rock next to it. Here the different sizes of rock are sorted and collected. There you might find a section of pebble surface and walk around it, if bare foot.

Eyesup, does that sound about right?
Jbee

[eyesup]

That's an accurate description, Jbee. Except here in the southern parts, there is the heat to contend with for 2-3 months.

I've always thought of walking barefoot in the washes, sans any pricklers, is like getting a foot massage. It can be a pleasant experience.

Duane

[milfmog]

Nice one John!

You have just demonstrated to yourself how places that do not look suitable for a naked walk can actually prove to be fine and how with a little preparation and suitable quick cover-ups you can walk in spots that looked impossible to the less attuned eye.

Congratulations. Now you've found one spot I suspect that you will discover a step change in your craft and other places will magically appear where you had previously dismissed the possibility. a word of caution though; the feeling can get under your skin and it becomes progressively harder to put clothes back on. Try not to let your joy lead you into harm's way.

Have fun,


Ian (waiting to know more about the riverside walk...)

[eyesup]

Oddly enough, John, I have the yearning to "go a wandering along the woodland (sic) path". While I love the desert, I was raised in a humid environment and your, along with others here, keep me reminded of that heritage.

Taking off on a path like that when it's impossible to know if anyone might pop up says you are moving along to more adventurous hikes. The cool shadows of the wood appear inviting and the road goes on.

Good pictures and report and hope to see more.

Duane

[John P]

I agree, Duane. The western landscape can be spectacular, but I just can't learn to enjoy a place where hardly anything grows. I've been there more than once, but I'm never really comfortable with it.

[ric]

on a hot day i prefer the shade and cool of the woods, 
i normally escape during the working day when theres few other people about but if youre aware of your surroundings a winding path isnt really a problem ,  often the first indication is a bird flying at speed along the path towards you, they only fly like that when theyre fleeing from something.  bird alarm calls also carry a long way., similar with wild animals
add to that most people wear bright coloured clothing that shows up through the trees, they rarely walk alone ,the sound of chatter ,either between people or between people and dogs carries a long way, often dogs are a fair way ahead of their human companions
all in all its probably easier to remain unseen in woodland but if you do get caught out its going to be at close quarters when not panicing and ignoring your own nakedness is the only really sensible option.

[eyesup]

Don't get me wrong, there is something special, to me, about the desert. In

Well John, I'm gonna go out on  a limb and guess that that picture was taken in the Sonoran Desert. When and where was it? I've driven through the Sonoran but not hiked or camped in it. The closest I've been is camping on the Mogollon Rim.

With two of our members in or near there, it's tempting to take a run down there and check it out.

Duane

[nuduke]

in all its probably easier to remain unseen in woodland but if you do get caught out its going to be at close quarters

Very much agreed.  You can usually hear walkers and pets coming from afar off and it is relatively (although not always) easy to discriminate these from normal animal sounds and disturbances.
Thus it's relatively practical to cover up before the encounteror (I've coined a new word!) encounters you.

John

[jbeegoode]

I think that seasonal and weather changes will change the attractiveness of the desert or woods.

John P's photo, above, was taken in a drought, probably winter. It looks like Phoenix, not southern Arizona,speculating by the vegetation.The temperature is nice in winter, but it looks as though nothing grows there when it hasn't rained. Similarly, right now, the vegetation is thin in June. The hottest driest time of year. The flowers have dropped off of the ironwoods, The mesquites are thinned down and energy is being put into the beans. This photo is in a paloverde dominated area. There are few leaves on the green sticks. There is no shade. You are on a hill of dark rock where the heat is more intense and moister disappears quickly.

This is a completely different place if you add water and season. Right now my local desert yard looks extremely parched, something like this, with more scrubby little plants all dried out. It is a season, like when the leaves fall off of the trees in winter and things are stark. BUT, in any 15 square foot plot, I can count 25 to 35 different kinds of flowering plants, but they don't pop out all at once. Seasons, rain patterns, some are bi annual, critter feeding populations, all are factors. Mesquite trees are common and create a more forested ambiance. The area in the photo has none.

Wide open spaces of freedom also are attractive features.

I too appreciate trees. I love my riparian areas, and streams. Water is a plus. Elevation changes my desert into a forest. Check out my two posts on my website during the next two weeks in Ash Creek in the Pinalenos. To acquire this thick forest, there must be rain and colder weather, unless you are nude near the equator. Rain, cold and elevation change that flora. These circumstance are not always handy for naturists lifestyle. UK has rain, New England has freeze and snow, it can be rough, until those good days occur.

IN order to have a desert, I must put up with 300 days of total sunshine each year with 65 days disrupted, at least part of the day. I put up with all of this sunshine, while others have many long days with overcast, drizzle, etc. 

I'll stick with my desert preferences. The ironwood's blooms put down the dogwood of the east. The flowering is mesmerizing fascination. The sun on my bod is an expected given. The sense of awe and size  and the sunsets are wondrous. The desert, especially my desert area is widely popular among the tourist, so much so, too many decide to move here. There is shade here and I can go to a forest on any day to hike, driving an hour, or hiking uphill watching the seasons change as I go. My desert is a place of incredible diversity and adaptations. Green is amazing and user friendly, but it comes with a price.

So, we can go where the weather suits our lack of clothes. Within four hours drive, or less, I have ocean, huge lakes, or alpine mountains, but I also have this amazing desert and nearly guaranteed sunshine just out my door. I'll take the guarantee with a thousand options.

It was hot yesterday, as I lay in the shade of thirty and forty foot tall mesquite trees, and next to a swimming pool and a sauna. Many naked friends were about, new people came in, young and old, we prayed and sang and cavorted. Might as well be heaven. It wasn't a good time to be hiking in the parched desert. Time and place, I say, John P. Maybe some day, I'll have an opportunity to show you what I mean. In the meantime, enjoy New England, it is summer and beautiful. I thought that I might be up that way this summer, but responsibility is in the way. Also, in the meantime, check out the diversity and seasons as I report in my website: TheFreeRangeNaturist.org
I'll be sure to be adding pictures of incredible desert and being nude i it as things move along.
Jbee

[reubenT]

by the way,  what kind of phone camera has that multi delay picture function?    Been thinking about getting a camera with that kind of function.  But if I could find a used phone/camera that had it it'd be fine.    Something that could be set up to capture working pictures.    Then I could pick out a few usable ones and delete the rest.

[John P]

Duane, you're right, my picture was taken in the Sonoran desert region. But Jbee knows his territory!

John P's photo, above, was taken in a drought, probably winter. It looks like Phoenix, not southern Arizona,speculating by the vegetation.The temperature is nice in winter, but it looks as though nothing grows there when it hasn't rained.

There's an additional clue between the cactus and myself: a large rock has graffiti on it. Not something you often find on wilderness trails! But the picture was taken in South Mountain Park in Phoenix, the largest city park in the USA. (Yes, it's big,  but the upkeep is easy.)  My wife and I went to Phoenix for a wedding, and to make the visit worthwhile, we extended it into a week-long trip. She spent an afternoon hanging out by a hotel pool with her women friends, all with clothes on--a pretty deadly way to pass time, even if my company had been wanted--so I went off for a stroll in the park. It was early May, too hot by our northern standards but just about bearable.

The other naturist thing that we did was to go to El Dorado Hot Spring: