Some thoughts on being nude in the car... and beyond

[atourist]

My wife and I (who live in the UK) have just embarked on our first proper naturist holiday (two heavenly weeks in a secluded villa on the Greek island of Corfu), but I didn't wait to arrive at our destination before getting in the spirit of the holiday and testing out some theories offered by more experienced people on this forum about being nude while travelling by car.

With my wife in the driving seat, I decided to enjoy the very early morning hour-long journey to the airport in our car without clothes, something I had pre-warned her I might try, for the first time in my life.

She could be said to be a willing but not keen naturist, who, unless I am setting the example, is never motivated to be nude herself (except every night in bed) and doesn't fully understand what motivates me. Even so, she is sometimes comfortable enough, when undressed, to relax, even in company, and even appreciates the practicalities of being unencumbered by pointless clothes in certain situations. She also (bless her) could see little point in arguing when I suggested that our first fortnight holiday away for twenty four years, as just a couple, really had to satisfy my long-time desire to go naturist. So she was happy to leave all the holiday arrangements to me.

Even so, when I confirmed my intentions of being nude in the car, as soon as the holiday began, she said she "doesn't see the need" - a phrase she often uses but quickly regrets, since I always counter by saying there is no need, only a harmless desire to get out of clothes and - in this case - try something new.

Whenever I push boundaries in this way, she also feels it is necessary to stress that she isn't going to join me in my needless pursuits, unfairly categorising my attempted persuasion as pressure.

We had barely turned out of our street before I was on my mission to be bare. Off came my shoes, then my jeans, and I had already decided there would be no need for underwear throughout the whole of our holiday. Next I pulled my T-shirt over my head, which meant I wore only socks. Nude isn't nude unless you are barefoot, the small but significant act that rids you of the constraints of clothing and makes the final connection between the natural you and the natural world.

As we made our way through familiar streets, I was nude outdoors in the neighbourhood for the first time in 55 years of living in my home town, and the simple pleasure was immediate.

It was 3am, the roads were almost deserted and the pavements literally empty of any people, so worries and nerves and any sense of danger quickly melted away. Headlights behind us and a car or two crossing the roundabout in front of us threatened awkward discovery, but only for a few seconds as I quickly realised the likelihood of anything going wrong was actually extremely remote, just as others have pointed out.

It's true: not only could no one see whether I was nude as I sat in the passenger seat, but seeing into the car at night is difficult, even if you try. And why would they try? Nobody suspects that any one of the people in any one of the other cars is nude, so you are safe. And even if they did suspect and made the effort to confirm it (perhaps after drawing alongside and being puzzled by your bare shoulders) a simple repositioning of the arms or anything else that comes to hand prevents them confirming their suspicions. People can't see round corners.

Of course, it's different if you are alone and driving, but carnudling (as some have called it) is a remarkably easy pastime for passengers, and totally risk-free in the worst-case scenario of being stopped by the police, because dressing is relatively straightforward in the passenger seat. Or surely  "we are doing it for a bet" easily gets you off the hook if you aren't quick enough to cover up.

After ten minutes we had left the town and were joining the motorway: three almost empty lanes, because of the hour, and populated mostly only by lonely lorries. As we overtook one and returned to the same lane, ahead of it, the driver inexplicably flashed his lights - perhaps as a signal that it was OK to rejoin our lane after passing him, which seemed unnecessary, or perhaps because he had looked down from his cab to see the passenger possibly nude. We will never know and it never mattered.

It was remarkable how quickly the unique experience of nude motoring became normal, acceptable and comfortable. Almost as quickly it seemed practical and logical. Dressing to drive suddenly seemed pointless.

The last quarter of the journey was to take us off the motorway, through urban areas and into the retail centre of the city of Bristol, then out the other side, through business and residential areas, all fully lit. I had debated with myself, before the journey began, whether this would be the signal for me to give up the adventure and dress, but it had been such a pleasure that I didn't want it to stop.

So I decided to carry on. For one thing, I wanted to know what my wife's reaction would be. She undoubtedly saw needless risks in my nudity at the start of the journey, and I fully expected her, as we drew closer to the city centre, to tell me enough was enough. We have been married for nearly 30 years and I can usually read her mind and anticipate her words, and any minute I expected to hear her say: "Don't you think you should put some clothes on now?"

But I was wrong. The suggestion never came. Even she had apparently become a model of complacency about my crazy stunt, and even she had become partially accustomed to a scenario that, only half an hour earlier, she saw no sense in.

As for me: I have to admit to feeling what can only be described as exhilaration as we drove through the city streets, stopping twice at traffic lights while cars rolled by on either side, oblivious.

There is certainly a thrill in naturism for me, and a mild adrenalin rush that is so pleasurable that I sometimes fear it is for the wrong reasons. We often (me included)  describe the pleasure of naturism as relief, release and a route to de-stressing, so should we be feeling exhilaration too? Should we really be enjoying the dare?

The danger of discovery, a sense of subversion or defiance, even a hint of scandal and sauciness in the secrecy: they are all there, albeit in minor measures compared with the overwhelming feeling of liberation and casting off of inhibitions that comes with dropping your clothes to the floor. But they are there, nonetheless, in carnudling, as I can now testify, and should a true naturist who professes to be true to the natural naturist cause, give in to less noble pleasures?

I justify it by saying naturism is, above all else, an adventure. Just by removing your clothes in a situation where the world otherwise expects it, you are on an adventure, walking naked in a wilderness in the face of the petty and pointless constraints of a disconnected world. So a little extra adventure in the car is simply pushing the boundary a little further into the wilderness. Our only guilt should be that we think things through too much, rather than doing them, even when our instincts are telling us otherwise.

Back in the car, we are leaving the city behind, the GPS map telling us we are only six minutes from the airport. But still my wife seems surprisingly untroubled by the presence of the nude man next to her, breaking all the rules, so it is I who decides the time has come to put my clothes back on, and they are back on in plenty of time, with only my shoes left to put on.

I can finish that job off in the airport car park, because nobody is troubled or threatened by a man removing his shoes on a long journey for comfort. The absence of clothes, despite being even more comfortable, is another matter entirely. If they suspected that a fully nude man had been moving amongst them - even out of sight to all but the nosiest or most observant lorry driver - then who knows how grave their concerns would have been.

My wife, who shows small signs of 'getting' naturism and thunks of it as generally harmless, despite her natural inclination to see it as a needless wackiness that affects a tiny minority of people (and inconveniently including her husband), claims the last word as we leave the car behind us. It is not so much a word as a plea.

"You're not going to get too obsessive about naturism on this holiday, are you?"

I am not making any promises. The naturist in me has waited a very long time for these chances and I am old enough to feel the terrible weight on my shoulders that comes with missed opportunity. We all know regrets about what we didn't do weigh far heavier than ones about what we did.

Like my clothes, I am aiming to lose my regrets as soon as possible, hopefully shedding all of them before I die.

So let's drive on!

[Davie]

Driving naked has always been one step too far for me. Fear of being stopped, breaking down etc.... and it being confused in my mind between genuine naturism and an adrenaline dare. However I admire your courage and what can be seen as normalising nudity. Indeed why not. I recognise the "doesn''t see the need" comment of your wife!

Perhaps after all the step too far may become one step less.... but it won't be in Bristol, my daughter lives there.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Davie 

[Greenbare Woods]

the GPS map telling us we are only six minutes from the airport. But still my wife seems surprisingly untroubled by the presence of the nude man next to her, breaking all the rules, so it is I who decides the time has come to put my clothes back on, and they are back on in plenty of time, with only my shoes left to put on.

I can finish that job off in the airport car park,

Glad you had a good experience.  I drive naked quite a lot.   The first time you do it we think that everyone is going to see, but as you observe, nobody can see if you are naked in your car.  Not even in daylight.  Next time you are out try to see what color pants the guy driving the next car over is wearing.  I've never been able to see if he's wearing pants. 

The real truth is that people just don't care if you are naked in your car.  People are minding their own thoughts and their own driving.  They aren't looking to see the next driver.  The other truth is that NOBODY CARES even if they happen to accidentally see you are or were naked. 

I often find myself arriving naked at airport car parks.  I get my ticket at the gate machine and find a parking place on the 2nd or 3rd floor of their car garage.  Then and only then do I put on some clothes to go into the airport.  Car parks are not heavy with people even in the daytime.  I usually driven naked in daylight.  I put on my pants as I get out of the car, its too hard of a struggle into pants while sitting.  I don't bother with shoes in airports either, but that's another story.  Am I on video surveillance while getting my pants on as I exit my car?  I don't know and don't really care.  Nobody is watching the video and won't unless there is some big crime at the airport at that moment.  And nobody cares about some guy putting on pants. 

I'm glad your first experience with naked driving went well.  Its kind of a rush the first time.  After a while it becomes a lot more normal and comfortable than clothes while driving.  I drive thousands of miles all day while naked.  Naked is just better. 

Bob

[eyesup]

If weather permits, shorts or other type of easily removed clothing is better. It comes off easily and back on quickly if needed. Those of us that occasionally drive or ride unencumbered with clothing have found that wearing as little as possible to begin with is easier. T-shirts, shorts or wraps and sandals. Easy off easy on.

There are plenty of posts here about carnuding. Bob and Jbee being two that routinely do this. Look for their posts for tips and stories.

The danger of discovery, a sense of subversion or defiance, even a hint of scandal and sauciness in the secrecy: they are all there, albeit in minor measures compared with the overwhelming feeling of liberation and casting off of inhibitions that comes with dropping your clothes to the floor. But they are there, nonetheless, in carnudling, as I can now testify, and should a true naturist who professes to be true to the natural naturist cause, give in to less noble pleasures?

Some experience what you describe, mostly when we began our own attempts at naturism. I suspect it’s normal. But as others here have commented, we do engage in a bit of rebellion, which is also normal. Directed in the right way, it’s constructive. If the expectations of society and culture become too burdensome, we should cast off those shackles. What I do is harmless. Some folks see it as a threat and react accordingly.

I have carnuded a few times. Mostly in the 20-30 mile duration on my day hikes and on road trips my wife and I take. The longest a went naked on the road was about 100 miles. What I discovered was, like anything that is familiar, it becomes more normal. I do admit that the highway we were on is in eastern Utah and slices, in an almost straight line, through the desert with the only evidence of civilization being the road and the power lines alongside. No worries about being seen.

Still, it was exhilarating at the start but after a while I stopped “noticing” that I was naked and simply enjoyed the drive. It was in the summer and driving with the windows down in the high desert was very comfortable.

It’s a great way to travel and good that your wife is so accommodating.

Duane

[nudewalker]

Back in the day my ex-wife would listen to the comments of truckers on CB radios as to the "seat covers" or occupants of vehicles. That meaning females in the passenger seat and various parts of the anatomy. As has been noted; no body cares anymore as I have driven many miles in the state of undress. My wife now expressed some concerns at one time so I used a laser pointer to calm her fears. We have come to the conclusion that the only way to be seen naked while driving is to be passed by a bus and if it's passing us the speed is too great to get a good view.

I did read somewhere that some places in the US prohibit driving sans shirt but have never encountered such a ban. So I enjoy the comfort, drive carefully, observe speed limits and motor on.

[eyesup]

Forgot to mention.

If possible, let us know how your adventure on Corfu turns out. I don't recall seeing anything from members here or even on the old site from that island.

Now that you've told us what your plan is, we expect a report. 

Duane

[Greenbare Woods]

Back in the day my ex-wife would listen to the comments of truckers on CB radios as to the "seat covers" or occupants of vehicles.

Females have more exposure of nipples in many cars, or are more concerned about someone seeing their nipples.   In my experience it is unlikely that truckers ever see much else despite sitting higher.  And a female has nothing there to see anyway.  The passing speed prohibits getting much of a look even if they happen to be looking, and most of the time they are watching their own driving.  And of course, it really doesn't hurt to be seen. 

As has been noted; no body cares anymore as I have driven many miles in the state of undress.

Yes, nobody cares.  Nobody notices.  And even if we are seen, it doesn't hurt. 

My wife now expressed some concerns at one time so I used a laser pointer to calm her fears. We have come to the conclusion that the only way to be seen naked while driving is to be passed by a bus and if it's passing us the speed is too great to get a good view.

Yes, the passing speed makes it difficult.  I try not to stop next to a bus when I have my convertible top down.   But other than stopping right next to their window its a quick flash at best.  In town at a traffic light I stop slightly behind or in front of the next car over.  Not a problem.

I did read somewhere that some places in the US prohibit driving sans shirt but have never encountered such a ban. So I enjoy the comfort, drive carefully, observe speed limits and motor on.

I do too.  Naked is much more comfortable in a car. 

Bob

[JOhnGw]

As far as the dressing or undressing question is concerned, I don't think I have ever done either inside the car. With a four-door vehicle one can use both the front and rear doors to provide 270 degree privacy and if parked next to another vehicle or by the roadside that will usually come close to 360 degrees.

[eyesup]

My wife and I were out in the desert once doing some poking around and we were about 7-8 miles off the highway. On the way out, we saw on one and on the way back to the road we saw no one. A perfect place for naked driving.

I had been walking around a bit before we headed back to the highway and I just climbed in and we drove back on sand and dirt tracks at about 5 mph. A very nice drive even though it was very slow. When we got close to the highway, which WAS busy, she asked if I thought getting dressed was a good idea. I can take a hint.

The place I stopped was a good bit off the road but still visible. The car was facing the highway and I just stepped out to put my pants and shirt back on. Don't know if anyone saw me but no one stopped.

Duane

[jbeegoode]

atourist:


I just quoted your statements and answered as I went along. I really like what you wrote. I hope that you give us a daily, practical report of yours and hers experiences.

“She could be said to be a willing but not keen naturist, who, unless I am setting the example, is never motivated to be nude herself (except every night in bed) and doesn't fully understand what motivates me. Even so, she is sometimes comfortable enough, when undressed, to relax, even in company, and even appreciates the practicalities of being unencumbered by pointless clothes in certain situations. She also (bless her) could see little point in arguing when I suggested that our first fortnight holiday away for twenty four years, as just a couple, really had to satisfy my long-time desire to go naturist. So she was happy to leave all the holiday arrangements to me.”

There is a practical need, if comfort and sanitation are needs. Being bound up for long periods are not good for genitals and those regions. If the area doesn’t breathe unhealthy bacteria forms and collects. Nudity has been called an air bath by great minds. It is obvious to anyone who disrobes for a short while. Bound up reduces sexual abilities, if studies on undergarments are correct. I put down a towel or just undo my kilt, sitting on it. I wouldn’t want to even imagine crossing country cooped up in cloths anymore.
As for nurturing your wife’s already well progressed attitude and natural inclinations, may I suggest one thing, which will create a shift in you both. Go to a place where you don’t wear clothes for three days, or more. A more accepting situation would be even better. When it is time to redress, the silliness and discomfort, and implacability of clothing are immediately apparent. Often with little coaxing, rebellion happens. There is a need and motivation.

“We had barely turned out of our street before I was on my mission to be bare. Off came my shoes, then my jeans, and I had already decided there would be no need for underwear throughout the whole of our holiday. Next I pulled my T-shirt over my head, which meant I wore only socks. Nude isn't nude unless you are barefoot, the small but significant act that rids you of the constraints of clothing and makes the final connection between the natural you and the natural world.”
Eyesup has it correct. Easy on, easy off.

“'I was nude outdoors in the neighbourhood for the first time in 55 years of living in my home town, and the simple pleasure was immediate.'
I quickly realised the likelihood of anything going wrong was actually extremely remote, just as others have pointed out.”
It is like a mother telling her child to wear clean underwear, “just in case you find yourself in an accident.” How many times do people have accidents? How many times does one get stopped by police? Just be prepared, you have that covered and no worries.
'It's true: not only could no one see whether I was nude as I sat in the passenger seat, but seeing into the car at night is difficult, even if you try. And why would they try? Nobody suspects that any one of the people in any one of the other cars is nude, so you are safe.'"
Nighttime is easy.

 “Or surely “we are doing it for a bet" easily gets you off the hook if you aren't quick enough to cover up.”
Why a bet. Isn’t comfort excuse enough. Having a sexual interlude that would distract a driver is one thing, maybe reckless. Simple nudity is not even illegal where you are.

“After ten minutes we had left the town and were joining the motorway: three almost empty lanes, because of the hour, and populated mostly only by lonely lorries. As we overtook one and returned to the same lane, ahead of it, the driver inexplicably flashed his lights - perhaps as a signal that it was OK to rejoin our lane after passing him, which seemed unnecessary, or perhaps because he had looked down from his cab to see the passenger possibly nude. We will never know and it never mattered.”
Yep. Now, if he honked his horn and you heard a discussion about “beaver seat covers” (women only) on the CB radio, he isn’t upset. A simple towel to cover the crotch would suffice.

“It was remarkable how quickly the unique experience of nude motoring became normal, acceptable and comfortable. Almost as quickly it seemed practical and logical. Dressing to drive suddenly seemed pointless.”
‘Seemed” pointless?  To my thinking, it Is purely pointless. Why would one wear clothing in an enclosed, climate controlled vehicle, other than to not be arrested for not harming anyone?

“…, but it had been such a pleasure that I didn't want it to stop.”
Umm hum….

"But I was wrong. The suggestion never came. Even she had apparently become a model of complacency about my crazy stunt, and even she had become partially accustomed to a scenario that, only half an hour earlier, she saw no sense in.
As for me: I have to admit to feeling what can only be described as exhilaration as we drove through the city streets, stopping twice at traffic lights while cars rolled by on either side, oblivious.”
Exhilaration tends to make one more aware and alert. I generally drive better nude.

“There is certainly a thrill in naturism for me, and a mild adrenalin rush that is so pleasurable that I sometimes fear it is for the wrong reasons. We often (me included)  describe the pleasure of naturism as relief, release and a route to de-stressing, so should we be feeling exhilaration too? Should we really be enjoying the dare?”
I have redundantly espoused that EVERYTHING is better nude. Everything can be enhanced. There are just a couple of things, like screwing down a tin roof on a hot day, or some welding (wear an apron). There are personal dares in life, things that we must overcome, so what IS wrong with a dare that is not just stupid risky? Subversion, defiance, a hint of scandal and sauciness, secrecy are all enhanced. Spiritual experiences, social interaction, self-awareness, just taking one step after another can be experiences dramatically enhanced. We are here to merely experience life, that is our nature, viva la….

“I justify it by saying naturism is, above all else, an adventure. Just by removing your clothes in a situation where the world otherwise expects it, you are on an adventure, walking naked in a wilderness in the face of the petty and pointless constraints of a disconnected world. So a little extra adventure in the car is simply pushing the boundary a little further into the wilderness. Our only guilt should be that we think things through too much, rather than doing them, even when our instincts are telling us otherwise.”
 Well put, thank-you.

“My wife, who shows small signs of 'getting' naturism and thunks of it as generally harmless, despite her natural inclination to see it as a needless wackiness that affects a tiny minority of people (and inconveniently including her husband), claims the last word as we leave the car behind us. It is not so much a word as a plea.
‘You're not going to get too obsessive about naturism on this holiday, are you?’
I am not making any promises. The naturist in me has waited a very long time for these chances and I am old enough to feel the terrible weight on my shoulders that comes with missed opportunity. We all know regrets about what we didn't do weigh far heavier than ones about what we did.
Like my clothes, I am aiming to lose my regrets as soon as possible, hopefully shedding all of them before I die.”
Me, too. I realized this when I was about 19 years old and it has always enhanced my life. Doing things that have passion always enhances.

Thank-you for a clear and honestly put post of some length. I hope that you two spend all the time possible nude on fantastic beaches, bump into many positive experiences on those beaches, and carry nudity over into your rooms, that you find romance amongst it and savor it all. As long as the Mrs. doesn’t get scared and the tempo is that of an adventure to share…I think I’m feeling envious…hmmm.

I published a carnuding handbook of sorts on my website. It has been one of the most read and commented posts there:
 https://thefreerangenaturist.org/2015/09/25/carnuding-handbook-on-being-realistic-and-practical/
 I suggest a flip through it, if you haven’t.

The laser light is a brilliant tool, but there is risk of blinding the other driver and causing an accident, if used in the field.

Knowing the local nudity laws and attitudes is a good thing to have in a back pocket.
Jbee

[nuduke]

Nude isn't nude unless you are barefoot, the small but significant act that rids you of the constraints of clothing and makes the final connection between the natural you and the natural world

Hear hear!  Well said,atourist.

John

[eyesup]

My instances of finding barefoot friendly landscapes in the desert are rare.

When I do run across them I always seize the chance to go completely naked. The foot is very sensitive and as soon as I remove all footwear the experience changes for me.

With the abundance of sharp and prickley stuff everywhere, the probability of stepping on a thorn or a sharp stone buried in the sand seldom decreases.

Finding a spot where I can do both barefoot all over and forced nudity is a treat! I hardly ever get to walk completely naked and with no burdens of any kind. Don't know why, but it is a different type of nude experience all together.

Duane

[nuduke]

Quite so, Duane.
The observance of unavoidable practicality is a necessary compromise sometimes.  Total nudity is an ideal goal and not always an achievable reality.  I have often experienced even a small encumbrance such as a hat, watch, my glasses, something carried, as a distraction from the pleasure and sensuality of being totally free in nature or at home.  So for me, having to wear shoes takes the shine off the naturist experience a bit.  That's why I like huaraches - pretty much the least footwear you can wear consistent with the practical need to protect you from foot injury.

  John

[eyesup]

In most of the places I've been it is almost required that you wear some sort of footwear. Even when I do find a good spot, generally it doesn't offer much space for moving around. The longest walk I ever did barefoot in the desert was a bout 50 yds. before the stones became simply too sharp.

When given the chance the only thing I am wearing is my wedding band. No articles of clothing of any kind touching me while the only thing that is touching is sun, wind and earth. Add to that the fact that I am out in the desert away from all the noise of the city, nothing impinging on my ears, makes the experience unique. I am usually totally naked at home, but all the things around me remind me that I could be outdoors in the silence of nature with all that stuff completely absent.

For me, that is what makes it different.

Duane

[jbeegoode]

DF is throwing in her vote of encouragement for a Corfu trip report.
Jbee