The return to the Heart of it all; Ohio.

[nudewalker]

This years trip took a bit of a different turn as we decided to explore a few different areas on our major summer trip this year. Much of the travel plans were altered due to problems with the RV (caravan) and still trying to deal with the health scare. Although the doctors have given a clean bill of health the wife continues to have the feeling of impending doom occasionally. In an effort to help her overcome those fears the trip was planned with more of her enjoyment in mind, knowing that my FRN would be limited.

But I did have the kayak and the use of some state parks and wildlife areas so all was not lost. So instead of epic marathon nudity I enjoyed last year there were more stolen moments. One thing in my favor was the weather pattern that evolved while on our travels. On most days the sun would rise giving way to a sunny, hot and humid day. Around three or so clouds would appear leading to storms in the early evening followed by a light rain often to dark. The light rain meant that no one would be out and about on the trails and the rain also kept the mosquitos at bay! So I could get my naked walks in after dinner and if the beach area was deserted a quick dip in the lake.

And then there was the kayak option, soon after launching I was able to remove those pesky shorts and paddle to a number of secluded places that would allow my to soak up some sun relaxing on the shore line. Other times the kayak could take me out to the open water of the lake where one could get past the waves and just float for awhile.

I won't bore you with the details of the shopping trips, sightseeing, lighthouse visits, wine tastings and the usual tourist things along Lake Erie and instead will pack up and move south in Ohio. Our pattern on the lake changed to a steady overcast, drizzle, and some downpours as we moved south. Although the rain didn't cause flooding it did leave things muddy and swampy. This part of the trip was also planned so we could be a help to our daughter as she returns to her classroom soon. She relies on me for my strong back and weak mind moving her supplies around and her mother for her organizing skills. As we unpacked and set things up our daughter attended those preschool meetings with administration. After dinner at her place we would return to our little abode and I would spend the evenings last light walking the trails, letting the mud squish between my toes and reconnecting with the earth. Without much sunshine the tan didn't get any better but the spirits were lifting.

One morning I saw that the radar showed light rain again for at least a few hours, in fact into the early afternoon. So I was surprised when my daughter called and asked if I wanted to hike a nearby trail. She didn't have to ask twice and I donned my running kilt, a tank top and the camel back and headed out. When I met her at the trailhead she had her backpack ready and was wearing a short skirt and tank also. We were about to start when she stopped at a bench and said "We're going to do this naked aren't we?". Like I would need any prompting anyway with a light rain, empty trailhead parking lot plus a willing partner.

The reason for the hike became quite clear; she had much on her mind and wanted to talk. Starting with the new members of the school administration that she did not feel comfortable with to her worries concerning the medical scare that her mom is still dealing with she opened up and even cried at times. I said something that baring your body helps to bare your soul and I confided in her my fears and concerns also. We did have to endure one heavy downpour which was spent under a towering oak tree which seemed to ground us to the earth and helped release our feelings and worries. Then we talked about the time we did the same trail, got caught in a rainstorm and walked it naked so we could have dry clothes to return home. Then she lamented that she envied our freedom, ability to travel and walk about naked if we wanted. Then she asked about the beach in Florida where people wore thongs and G-strings. I know she has body issues and I assured her that no one judged except board short wearing jet ski guys cruising past hoping to see something. Yes, there was cellulite, fat rolls, beer bellies, saggy breasts and scars from C-sections but we were all the same with genitals covered to please the local law but free in all other aspects.  She looked at me and asked "Sure my butt isn't too big?". I assured her no then she said "Maybe I can meet you on spring break some year?". And I said "sure, I'd love to take you!". with that we reluctantly go dressed at the end of the hike.

There are a few more highlights but I'll add them later. Also please excuse the lack of pictures as I'm having issues once again trying to size them, and I wanted to get this written as it was fresh in my mind. Also school starts Wednesday so any positive vibes that could be sent and transferred are welcome.

[Greenbare Woods]

There are a few more highlights but I'll add them later. Also please excuse the lack of pictures as I'm having issues once again trying to size them,

Interesting story.   Naked does help to be more comfortable talking.


I use PhotoScape editing software to crop and size my photos.   Its a free download.  http://www.photoscape.org/ps/main/download.php

I like its "batch" mode.  I can resize a whole folder full of photos in one click. 

[JOhnGw]

Most specialist software will resize a batch at a time, but M$ Paint is always available and comes with windoze.

[jbeegoode]

Flashing to Fritz Pearls and Big Sur. I was taking Psych classes and the department head mentioned that the best way to teach was to break the ice quick and do some experiential stuff. She quickly blew the idea off, because of higher up and publicity. Just couldn't be done.

What wonderful thing to have a good relationship with her. My son would have "issues" as he says.

Jbee

[eyesup]

Thanks, nudewalker.

I liked the part between when she said, "We're going to do this naked aren't we?", and her statement that she was envious of you and your wife's freedom. She is more than willing to push past any reservations she may have.

Good part about being bare and baring your soul. Loved that!

Duane

[nudewalker]

Duane, it kind of shocked me when she said the part about doing the hike naked but I think there was a bit of a throwback to the way her Aunt acted earlier this summer plus the feel that she needed the escape and freedom. It wasn't always this way, I can remember her telling her mom she wishes Dad didn't wear Speedos to the beach. Things change with age I guess; the gross factor changes from teen to middle aged adult. And there is envy there however she does know that it took over 40 years of working to get to this place.

Jbee, it is a wonderful thing to have such a relationship with my daughter. She has confided in me things that she will not tell her mother. Yes, we had "issues" at one time but they have worked out or seem not as important now.

Now back to the topic at hand and another adventure. I visited the Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area while along Lake Erie in order to find some places for FRN. First off, despite being flat and having the pathways along dykes without good landmarks it all seemed the same to me. The is a discussion on another forum I visit about wrist watch style GPS with a back feature. If I'm going to continue to frequent such places this may become a necessity. Besides being quite open marshland there is an observation tower along the main road which on inspection seemed like a perfect place to lay on the bench and catch some rays. in fact one of the benches that faced away from the road was obscured by a sign so I could not be seen by passing cars. Once I climbed to the top there was a welcoming committee of wasps that circled me very quickly. I slowly made me way back down the steps and unzippered my backpack so the epi-pen was handy. They left me alone once the tower was cleared but the nest must be enormous considering the amount of wasps flying above the area. Once back at the vehicle I sat in the air conditioning for a bit happy I dodged that bullet. Then it was time to head back and go see the shops in Vermillion.

[eyesup]

It sounds like she was already thinking naked hike when she called you and wanted to see if you were ok with that. Especially that it was the same trail you had done naked before. She knows her dad will always be there when she needs the support. That's great!

I don't know if my kids know I hike nude but my daughter now knows I hang out naked at home. My daughter is a musician and can have odd hours. Even during the day. A couple months ago she had left in the morning to go to work or practice or something. Because of her non-standard schedule, I usually ask how long and when she will be back.

I was sitting in the office NIFOC when she walked in the front door. I figured she had forgot something and would go to her room, grab it and leave. No problem. I heard her coming down the hall to the office. Whups!

As I had nothing at hand for cover and she was already in the hallway, I didn't get up and just waited to see what she wanted. She popped her head in and asked me about what she wanted. I was sitting at the desk and she was behind me so she couldn't see anything except that I had no clothes on. I needed to get up to help her so I said I would be with her in a second. I answered and it took a second for her to realize I was naked. She got a surprised look on her face and said ok then went to her room. I got up, went to my room and put on some shorts and helped her with what she wanted. She left after she got what she was after.

The next day we were on an errand and I told her that I hoped I hadn't startled her and that when no one was at home, I liked to spend my time naked. She didn't seem bothered and said she hoped she hadn't done the same by walking in. I said it wasn't a problem and not to worry.

So, now my daughter is aware of my naked time at home, and being an intelligent young lady has likely concluded I probably also hike nude.

Duane

[jbeegoode]

So, now my daughter is aware of my naked time at home, and being an intelligent young lady has likely concluded I probably also hike nude.

Duane

Jumping from nude in a safe castle, a home, to being exposed naked out in public, a smart lady might think otherwise. I would guess. Did I miss something? Lack of tanlines or something?
Jbee

[atourist]

What a lovely story, and interesting that being naked makes speaking from the heart easier.

But the chances of this happening with my daughter, who is 21, are zero. It would kill her.

[nudewalker]

If it's any consolation atourist and even Duane; this would not have happened when my daughter was in her twenty's either. When she was at home earlier this summer we had some good talks then so I guess this was just going to the next level. The surprise is, considering her status, was the willingness to attempt a nude hike in the first place. I know she does quite a bit in the privacy of he home, such as nude gardening, but out like we were is something new. Anyway, I just wanted to enjoy and share the experience.

Back to the campground where last October I was able to spend most of the time naked although this time the place was too populated to expect much in the campground area so I headed out to explore other places nearby. I had read elsewhere that there was a path from the beach led into a wooded area that passed near some picnic areas and a group camp. Usually deserted on weekdays and for sure when it rains. So in the late morning drizzle I drove to the beach to find some bird watchers, a local utility worker eating in her truck and a fisherman. All vehicles accounted for so wearing only my tan through suit it was time to make way to the trail. The trailhead had a marker and a map and an added plus, it was mowed wide enough to be able to do it barefoot! Now only carrying a light bag with two water bottles, car keys and the bathing suit onward I went.

If I ever get a large piece of land the effort will be put into making pathways like this. The grass provided great protection as the meadow type landscape rose on both sides. Soon I came to a bridge which was constructed with a concrete floor and was quite wide. The assumption is that it's design was to allow mowing machines to keep the pathways clear. Also after the bridge the pathway became a V so the decision was made to stay left as the map at the trailhead showed no such thing. Plus I knew that the lake was to my right so assumed it led back to the water. I moved along between wooded areas and more meadowland before approaching a roadway. Vehicles could be heard but not seen and I passed an opening where I could see the pavement. I continued to move parallel to the road until the pathway was blocked by overgrowth. Not the type of thing that one fights through naked and barefoot. So going back I decided to pop my head out at the opening to see where I was and maybe get the trail on the other side of the road. Reluctantly, the bathing suit went on again to walk the roadway and I had no luck in finding the continuation of the trail. So moving the other direction past my exit point I found another opening that seemed to lead back into the woods. So after escaping the pavement and dropping the bathing suit into the bag the return trip in the direction I came on another path. Same type of trail, same kind of scenery and it lead me back to the V in the pathway near the bridge. There was also a pathway that followed the little stream; swollen by the rain, that did lead to the lake. The temptation to skinny dip was thwarted by the bird watchers that had made their way from the beach and along the shoreline. So I returned to the bridge and headed back to the parking lot with another hike to put into the journal!

[jbeegoode]

Is this a state park or a federal land?
Here the Feds don't have the budget to tend to trails. If they do get to managing a trail, it is like every ten years or more. The state is much worse. The state legislature (perhaps you have heard of them as a backwards embarrassing national joke in the national news) when revenue drops, the first thing that they hit is Sate parks and the welcoming rest stops on the highways, where people are hit and it is most visible to show that they are doing something, claiming crisis. This latest batch uses this to cut the funding but also stick penalties/fines/charges (what ever you want to call it) to enter the parks. The poor and their children are then excluded. It makes it better for my interests, but it is very unfair to others. The state parks are still not properly funded, unless they are major revenue source tourist destinations. So when I hear of grass being trimmed, I am stunned! wow!

Another thing, that seems like a fantasy, my mind reeling in a sense of doubt and confusion, and draws out an envious dream-like state, is that you have nice grass surfaces and went barefoot comfortably on Momma Earth like that. More of this and I might make a point of traveling clear across country just to experience that again. We have golf courses. DF and I took our shoes off to walk into the supermarket the other night just to savor the wonderful green patch that leads into the store. I'll return to that store, park away from the exit as far as I can, just to do that again. A few weeks ago, I was barefoot all over in the forest in the White Mountains. The long rains had made the pine needles, the debris, everything wet, saturated, and softened. It was one of the best things that I have experienced in years, trees, clean air, solitude, on and on, BUT no issues with bare feet, Woo hoo! That disappeared in the afternoon as the ground cover dried. It was fleeting, but I made a point to savor the wonderful sensual feast of it all, imbibe it, milk it, to the fullest, until the surprising disappointment set in. Dang, a grass trail! That is so cool. I have read this story three times, now.
Your friend in the Arizona DESERT,
Jbee

[eyesup]

Jumping from nude in a safe castle, a home, to being exposed naked out in public, a smart lady might think otherwise. I would guess. Did I miss something? Lack of tanlines or something?

Well, I don't know that for a fact but when I do go hiking I am always alone, it's during the week and always early in the morning. I did say I liked to spend time naked.
Maybe it's just wishful thinking.

If it ever comes up again, maybe I'll just clear that up once and for all.

Duane

[eyesup]

. . . I just wanted to enjoy and share the experience.

I thank you for that. It makes me hopeful of a similar future for me and my kids.

Duane

[nudewalker]

Jbee, it almost pains me to tell you that these were state parks and although there were budget cuts they have managed to maintain the trails in this order. I know the one place I hiked (story to follow) the trails are maintained that way for snowmobiles come winter. So I was surprised to see the same at Alum Creek, although the trail in another park that the daughter and I did was not as well maintained. Perhaps the park is going to be open for snowmobiles this year? If I return I'll have to check.

Now back to East Harbor on Lake Erie. At one time there was an expansive beach that was very popular with people from as far away as Cleveland or Toledo. In the 70's a hurricane that came ashore and worked it's way north caused so much wave destruction that the bathhouses and concession stands were destroyed along with the beach being washed away. Break walls were put in place to restore some of the beach and a new bathhouse has been built but the locals tell me that the beach is no where near it's former glory. Quite a few people walk or boat into what is left of the south end of the beach, same with the north end past the public beach however in between there remains rocks put in place to prevent further erosion.

So this walk started on the south beach where there is a gravel roadway leading from the parking lot which makes for easy access by bicycle to the beach area or as I do walk the pathway on the top of the dunes. Along the way there are concrete pads which are the only reminders of the old bathhouses and once the last one is reached it is easy to walk the old ramp and step onto a narrow strip of sand. Following that strip of sand I had to wade in the water a few times to get past  vegetation and rocks but the beach does widen out enough in places to allow people to set up beach chairs, blankets and coolers. After making it to the end of the beach there is a rock wall that is the entrance to East Harbor from the lake. On my side of the entrance there are trees and a pathway along the wall and on the other side are those lake homes one plays the lottery in hopes of buying one.
 Once again the state was so kind to place a map that marked your location and where the pathways led. So I took the pathway that led away from the beach and toward the harbor. It soon turned to marshland (or swamp as the misses would call it) and the pathway although still grass had some areas of mud. Not being able to see any other footprints, away from those houses and the waterway plus not being able to hear noise from the beach it became an opportunity for some FRN. Now naked I tentatively stepped into the mud only to find a soft texture that encased my lower foot in a warm cocoon. I stepped slowly and enjoyed the soft moist earth oozing it's way between my toes. Once on grass again the mud got slowly scrubbed away and provided a natural exfoliate! This process was repeated a few times along the route as the path wound through wooded areas and marshes occasional mud puddles and lots of grass plus some sand. The only drawback was the occasional tree root that was not noticed and stepped on or the rocks that lined the shore when a side path diverted to the harbor.

As usual, all good things must end as I was nearing the parking lot. Besides thunder could be heard in the distance and all the local weather people have warned that if you can hear thunder you could be struck by lightning. Once I heard voices I reluctantly put the shorts on again and headed for the vehicle. Dark clouds were looming and I thought of waiting it out and seeing if a skinny dip would be a possibility after the storm hit. A quick check of the radar on my phone told me that it seemed we may get a few light showers but the bad part of the storm was well south of us. Besides it was time for Mrs. Walker to do her thing and pick out what restaurant we were going to eat at that night.

I did get an online survey from the Ohio State Parks and I praised them for such excellent trails plus the addition of the signs and maps. And in the areas of improvement section I asked for a nude beach along Lake Erie. While I'm at it a thanks has to go out to AARP for sending us a water bottle carrier that has room for the cell phone and a place to clip car keys with a carabiner. Plus the tan through suit rolls up and fits in also!

[jbeegoode]

Jumping from nude in a safe castle, a home, to being exposed naked out in public, a smart lady might think otherwise. I would guess. Did I miss something? Lack of tanlines or something?

Well, I don't know that for a fact but when I do go hiking I am always alone, it's during the week and always early in the morning. I did say I liked to spend time naked.
Maybe it's just wishful thinking.

If it ever comes up again, maybe I'll just clear that up once and for all.

Duane

That admonition is a seed planted and incremental. Could you imagine your kids bringing it up at a family gathering? Eyesup outted? Got your speech ready, or how might that be handled? Spill all of the beans? Play your cards carefully?

DF and I may be faced with one of her daughters coming to live at her house in town (we have two, a his and hers and we go back and forth) for awhile. She would be starting all over in Tucson. No telling where that could go. I'll be pushing DF to establish boundaries before she decides to come or not, including changing our lifestyle, instead of she changing her judgements. I hope that it is as simple to attended to as Bob's situation.
Jbee