The Naked Golf Cart Experience

I used to think golf carts were just for golf. Then I visited a nudist resort and saw people riding around naked in golf carts. Then I tried it myself.

Forget golf. Golf carts are best used for nude recreation.

Yes, golf carts are a common sight at the larger of the nudist and clothing optional resorts and just about every campground has them.

The Naked Golf Cart Orientation

Riding a golf cart in a nudist campground is a treat at a handful of the larger clubs' "first-time visitor" orientation tours. These orientations are to help new visitors get acquainted with the property and nude recreation. During the ride, the rules are outlined to ensure that these places stay wholesome and family-safe - part of being an AANR (American Association for Nude Recreation) affiliated club.

We rode naked in a 6-person golf cart during the orientation tour at Solair Recreation League, a nudist resort in Connecticut, not far from Boston, MA. This was fun - though I wanted to skip it and head straight for the pool because it was so hot out that day. At Lake Como Nudist Resort near Tampa, Florida, we did the very educational orientation clothed, though I'm sure we could have rode naked if we wanted.

Riding solo

Golf carts are a must have for seasonal residents who spend the summer living the nude life in trailer set-ups. Usually, the residents own or rent their golf carts.

For day and weekend visitors to most nudist campgrounds, golf cart rentals are not typically available. The only way to go for a ride is to make friends with the locals. There are some exceptions.

Calling the resort is a good way to find out what's available. If the resort doesn't rent golf carts, they may lead you to someone who rents golf carts. For example, at Paradise Lakes clothing optional resort in Lutz, Florida, we were able to rent a golf cart from one of the residents who owns several and rents them out to visitors.

Instead of the long, hot walk from the pool area to our rented room on the other side of the grounds, we rode a golf cart. Besides staying cool, golf carts were the quickest way to the pool and restaurants. Riding was fun - the wind blowing on your skin is refreshing. We rode all around the expansive Paradise Lakes property. Counting all of the streets and parking lots, we must put a few miles on the odometer riding around the resort.

Of course, like all things nudist, sitting on a towel is a requirement. For golf carts, it serves the additional purpose of keeping legs from sticking to hot golf cart seats.

After getting into nude recreation, I'll never think of golf carts the same way again.

From now on, I'm going to try naked golf carting whenever possible. And when golf carts are not available, as is usually the case, the next best thing is bicycling. Let's save naked bicycling for another day.

3 Nudist Resorts in 3 Days and I Lived to Tell About It

We did it.

We visited 3 nudist resorts in 3 days. In doing so, we went in 4 pools and 6 hot tubs without wearing anything!

After about 5 minutes of being nude, you wonder what the fuss about clothing is. Clothing seems so unnecessary and being clothes-free seems so natural. Other people of all shapes and sizes seem natural too - your mind no longer notices their lack of clothing and you just see them as people like you.

The whole experience was actually very relaxing - what vacationing should be. We started out at Paradise Lakes Clothing-Optional Resort, then visited Lake Como Nudist Resort and then Caliente Clothing Optional Resort the day after. All are nudist/ clothing-optional resorts in central Florida and within minutes of each other.

The 3 destinations have very unique characteristics and cultures. Nude recreation, the freedom from clothes in a natural way, is their commonality.

Here's what we experienced at each place:

Lake Como Family Nudist Resort

Lake Como is a nicely appointed family nudist resort where a lot of people have year-round trailers set-up. Lake Como is owned by 100 or so full-time members who are serious about naturism.

At Lake Como, we enjoyed swimming nude in the pool and hot tub. Then we played naked billiards and went in the sauna before returning to the hot tub.

The resort has a campground atmosphere and is perfect for first-time nudists. Upon arrival, we were given a clothed tour of the place and told about Lake Como's history. The amenities include a lake, heated pool, whirlpool, sauna, rec room with 2 pool tables, a few trails, excellent tennis courts, restaurant, a smaller restaurant/bar called the "Butt Hutt" with a deck on the lake, a beach area, and even a small library. Lake Como even boasts a nature-preserve area of the grounds.

This was our first time to Lake Como and we were impressed. We're plotting a plan to return to hike the trails, use one of the free canoes to "canude" the lake and do the others things we want to try.

If you've never been to Lake Como and are an American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) member, check your membership pack. You might have a coupon for a free day visit to Lake Como. We did and spent the day there for free. Can't beat that!

Caliente Clothing Optional Resort

Caliente is an upscale clothing optional resort - a polar opposite of Lake Como. Caliente opened only 4 years ago so everything is modern. Though the grounds are large, all of the activities are located within the smaller fenced-in main building complex.

The amenities are excellent but grounds fees expensive. Even with an AANR member discount, the day pass for a couple was $70!!! We did enjoy the place, staying for the day and having a reasonable $25 lunch. We spent some time in the large pool which has a waterfall fixture going into it and two islands. Then we went into 3 of the conversation pools/hot tubs of varying sizes/temperatures. After that we did the sauna and steam room. Caliente also has 2 volleyball pools, several bars, dance hall, restaurants, and a gym.

We went to Caliente on a weekday with cooler weather, so the place was empty. Be careful. Though Caliente is nudist-oriented, week-end night time events at the night club have received criticism for not reflecting family-friendly nudist community values. Look at the event calendar on their website and judge for yourself. We've been to Caliente twice and have not seen anything out of the ordinary, but have read of bad experiences from other nudists. For a family-friendly atmosphere that's more fun, Lake Como is the place to go.

Paradise Lakes Clothing Optional Resort

This was our third time visiting Paradise Lakes, a 72-acre clothing-optional resort. During this trip, we slept at Paradise Lakes and took day trips to the other 2 resorts. Upon arrival at Paradise, we had a naked lunch at the Key West Bar, the semi-outdoor poolside bar. We then swam in the large pool in the entertainment complex. Afterwards, we warmed up in the heated conversation pool and then smaller hot tub. Later, we visited another pool on the other side of the grounds and part of a smaller complex. A hot tub there was out of order as it was the last time we visited. Maybe next time.

Paradise Lakes is somewhere in the middle of being like Lake Como and Caliente. Paradise is dominated by residential complexes and large resident population. It has a small campground area and a lot of asphalt. The main complex has 2 restaurants, pool tables, gym, dance hall/bar, darts, ping pong table, tennis courts and lots of lounge chairs. The water volleyball pool can be popular on weekends. The secondary complex has a pool, more tennis courts, chairs by a lake, and a building used for yoga classes and special events.

We rented a golf cart during our stay at Paradise Lakes. Naked golf carting around was a lot of fun. I guess we now can join a very small group of people in the history of the world who can say we've rode in a golf cart in the buff.

This visit we also worked out in the gym in the buff. That was some experience! But let's leave that for another day.

Try nude recreation

We did 3 destinations in 3 days and lived to tell about it. We say that now with ease. It was not long ago that the idea of nude recreation was absurd. Then we took a chance and tried it. Now there's no turning back.

We've since visited several destinations. Our motto: "If the Europeans can shed their clothes and enjoy it, why should we Americans wear uncomfortable bathing suits." That's what nude recreation is to us: comfort and relaxation. Get rid of that soggy bathing suit, shed those cultural norms about clothing, and give nude recreation a try.

5 Reasons 2008 is the Year of the Nudist

2008 could be a big year for nude recreation.

US nudist campgrounds, resorts and beaches all over the country could be busy this year. [See the list of nudist clubs on the American Association for Nude Recreation's (AANR) website]

Here's 5 reason why:

1. USA Nudists will get extra money in May, just in time for nudist season.

The USA government is giving out economic stimulus payments in May. This means an extra up to $600 for nudist singles and up to $1200 for nudist couples. Many nudists will put this money towards USA nudist travel. See the IRS website for the facts.

$1200 in the hands of a nudist couple is enough to buy a long weekend at a nearby nudist campground or resort.

What better way to spend extra money than nude recreation? Name something better, I dare you!

2. Less USA nudists are heading to Europe this year.

The US dollar losing value to the Euro has been all over the news lately. Today, it costs $1.56 USD to buy 1 Euro. Add at least 2% to 5% percent on top of the exchange rate for currency exchange fees at banks and with credit cards. Many USA nudists will have to skip the European nudist vacation and stay in North America.

Luckily, the experts on TV say things will even out in a few years. For now though, many American nudists will wait it out.

I highly recommend Europe and loved the naturist village of Cap d'Agde, France, but when I went, the exchange rate wasn't as bad.

3. European nudists ARE heading to the USA.

Whereas USA culture still finds nude recreation awkward, this is not so much the case in Europe. Nude recreation is common with the French, Germans, Spaniards, British and others.

And now more than ever, coming to the USA for nude recreation is a bargain. Imagine being able to convert 1 Euro into $1.56 US dollars. It makes coming to the USA for vacation much more affordable.

4. Nudism awareness in the USA is higher than ever.

I'm taking a guess here. It would seem that with all of the media coverage of nudism over the last 2 years, the awareness of the idea of nudism would be higher than ever in the USA. Back before the Internet, this media attention would go to waste. But today, someone reads about nudist travel in the New York Times or Conde Nast Traveler and then can go online for more information about the nudist resort discussed. Just about every nudist resort's website has a FAQ about nude recreation that should make people new to the concept comfortable. For instance, see Paradise Lake's.

5. Good things are happening.

While not everything is rosy, the long-running USA-focused nudist blog USAnudist.com/blog makes regular mention of good USA nudist travel happenings. USAnudist.com mentions that the oldest nudist resort in Florida, Lake Como Nudist Resort, is getting a modern upgrade in 2008 by adding a new RV and mobile home park within the grounds. See "Lake Como adds RV park" on USAnudist.com.


There you have it! 2008 has a lot of potential for nude recreation, doesn't it?

15 Reasons to Visit Gunnison Nude Beach

Just recently, the Friends of Gunnison Beach did a Nude Polar Bear bare swim in the icy cold winter waters of the beach.

Polar bear swims are the one thing I will never do!

Give me warm weather and a nude beach, please!

One of the best ways for a nudist to remain positive is to think about warm beaches, to visualize the ocean, and to feel the comfort of the surrounding warm air.

You may have heard of Gunnison Beach, a popular nude beach in New Jersey. It's a small part of the Sandy Hook National Park peninsula.

Did you know there is more to do in the area than just the nude beach?

Of course, nothing beats the freedom from clothes that a nudist destination offers. But Sandy Hook park offers other attractions besides just Gunnison Beach.

Activities Requiring Clothing:

These things are not nude activities, but they are still fun diversions and a reason to consider spending a weekend at or near the beach.

1. Biking/walking or inline skating on the 5 mile multi-use path
2. Hiking on the various Sandy Hook trails
3. Seeing the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest one in the US
   
4. Looking for species of birds and butterflies that have been spotted in the park:
   
• 340 species of birds
• 50 species of butterflies
  
5. Visiting the bird observatory
6. Visiting the Fort Hancock Museum, the Battery Potter (an old gun battery), and the History House
   
7. Surf fishing
8. Get on the water: boating, windsurfing or kayaking
   
9. Dining at the Highlands - Actually outside of the park, this is the place to go for dinner or to a pub
   

Nude Activities:

After all of that activity, lounging on the nude beach the way Mother Nature intended sounds like a great way to relax. While on the nude beach, there are fun things you can do:

1. Have a nude picnic lunch
   
2. Read a book
3. Take a nap
4. Go for a swim
5. Play a board game or a card game
6. Play Frisbee
   

Additional information about Sandy Hook park and Gunnison Beach:

• Friends of Gunnison Beach - a non-landed AANR nudist club, they play an important part in making Gunnison what it is today!
• National Park Service Website: Things to do at Sandy Hook
  
• A Guide to Sandy Hook
  
• "Sandy Hook: A Different Sort of Beach"
• Sandy Hook Bird Observatory

And if New Jersey is too far away for you, consider western Canada's Wreck Beach (that I recently visited). Located in Vancouver, it has plenty of charm.

8 Naked Ways to Have Fun Indoors Without Clothes

With winter making most of the United States and Europe too cold for outdoor nude recreation, many nudist travelers are longing for warmer weather.

If going south is not an option,  here are 8 alternative ways to enjoy nude recreation indoors without traveling.

All of these nude recreation activities can be done inside your home relatively cheap.

1. Exercise in front of the TV with work-out tapes but without clothes
2. Naked yoga:  More and more people are realizing the advantages of yoga without clothing
3. Ping pong:  Get a ping pong table and play ping pong in the buff
   
4. Billiards:  Get a pool table and play billiards without clothes
5. Table tops games:  Better yet, get one of those gaming tables that converts from a pool table to a ping pong table to a tabletop foosball game.
6. Air hockey:  Air hockey tables can be had cheap and are another way to do indoor nude recreation
7. Board games:  Play Scrabble, nude, but with double points for nude recreation words
8. Reverse Strip Poker:  Start out nude but put on clothing if you lose

Have fun!

Photo: Englischen Garten in Munich Germany

Kleidungsarm am Eisbach im Englischen Garten (München): Manche lassen die Hüllen fallen
Originally uploaded by humpelbein

The English Garden (Englischen Garten) park in Munich, Germany is one of many clothing optional bathing locations in the historic city. The locals spend the day nude sunbathing in a section of the park.

Besides this park area is a river to cool off in and do some skinnydipping. This picture shows the Eisbach river, the small man-made river that flows through Englischen Garten.  Click the picture to go to the photographer's Flickr page where he describes the seen further.

After sunning and swimming, Englischen Garten visitors can get dressed and head over to the beer garden for a drink or two. Nude sunbathing and beer. Can't beat it.

Nude Germany: Englischer Gardens, Munich

I'm on a quest to learn more about nudist Germany. It seems like a great nudist travel destination, not just because of nudist freedoms but because Germany itself has plenty of great sites...and beer.

Maybe when the US dollar rises against the Euro someday, I could afford to go. Doesn't hurt to be prepared now though.

One German destination that seems very popular with the locals is Englischer Gardens in Munich Germany. Even Rick Steves has been there.

Here's one tourist's honest comments about the famous Germany nude sunbathing park:

clipped from www.igougo.com "Ooh, nude beach, dude!" Yes, the English Garden is home to a nude sunbathing area, but don't go in search of hot young flesh; if you do, you'll find that many of the undressed are a few decades older than you had in mind. By the same token, though, it's refreshing to see so many non-supermodel types who are comfortable enough with their bodies to bare all. Of course, there are other things to do than strip down and sunbathe; a visit to the Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower) beer garden is a must, and there are plenty of tree-lined paths for walking. Bring a picnic lunch (just visit a supermarket and load up a basket with fresh produce) and enjoy it in the sun.

100% Nude Hiking in Eastern Pennsylvania: Sunny Rest Nudist Resort

Hiking out in nature without clothes provides a level of freedom that may exceed that of hanging out at a nudist resort pool or nude beach.

Sunny Rest Resort in Palmerton, PA, provided the setting for our first experience with real nude hiking - legally and within the grounds of a gated nudist resort who adheres to the standards of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR).

Sunny Rest usually gets props for its excellent amenities (pool, indoor hot tub, game room, restaurant, etc.) and grounds. The nude hiking trail is a hidden gem.

Picture of Sunny Rest trail
(Source: Sunny Rest website)

Anyone can hike Sunny Rest's wooded hiking trails in the nude and feel safe. The trails are within the 190-acre resort property boundaries.

Just wear sneakers and socks. The trails were well-maintained and level with the exception of one small hill on what's called the "hard trail" - really just a small section that diverts from the main trail.

The main trail goes about 1 mile and then there are smaller side trails that are dead ends. Tack on about half a mile for the walk on pavement from the pool area to the start of the dirt trail.

A Nudist Travel Guide Blog exclusive, I've scanned the literature I received from Sunny Rest.

"Bare" with me. The papers got wrinkled. Oops.

The thing about hiking in the nude is the distinct lack of pockets.

I was forced to fold up the maps and stuff it in my sock. Lesson learned.

Click on any of these pictures to see larger versions of the maps and handouts.

The second lesson learned is to bring enough water if it is hot out. Even without clothes, staying cool is not easy if it is 90 degrees out. And don't forget to put on bug spray before you start hiking.

We walked in the paved areas of the grounds too. Many nudists have seasonal trailers in this part of the resort property. Some had more elaborate homes that may have been year-round. Everyone seems to take care of their lot and some people had unexpectedly nice landscaping. We saw some people camping in tents too. Some pictures of the grounds are on Sunny Rest's website here.

The heart of the resort is the area around the pool that includes offices, indoor hot tub, rec room (pool table and video games), dance room, workout room, restaurant and accommodations.

This is a map of the grounds.

To maintain a safe family atmosphere for visitors, Sunny Rest has a typical set of rules to follow.

A very good nudist campground, we plan to return.

Have you been to Sunny Rest? What did you think?

Exchange Rates Change International Nudist Travel Options for Americans/Canadians

Want to travel internationally to a nudist destination but afraid of the prices? Getting out of the US and Canada is a little more challenging lately. Still, there are options.

For US and Canadian nudist travelers looking for adventure in Europe, the fluctuating and lately deflating value of the US dollar against the Euro and British Pound has made many reconsider trips to European nudist destinations. For Canadians, the Canada dollar is increasing but still weak.

But why put off a nudist vacation altogether? There are other places where the US and Canadian dollar stretches further.

Canada to US or US to Canada:

1 Canada dollar currently equals 1.018 US dollar

Canadians can visits tons of US nudist destinations with the Canadian dollar being the closest to the US dollar its been in a long, long time.

For Americans, Canada is no longer the bargain it used to be. Still, Canada has a good mix of nudist destinations (such as Wreck Beach) and getting there is cheaper than Europe or the Caribbean (depending on where in the US you live).

Europe and the Caribbean

As of today, these are the reported currency exchange rates for the US Dollar against 3 other currencies and some of the nudist travel opportunities in these countries.

Croatia nudist travel:

Despite its troubled political past, Croatia is an emerging tourist destination hopefully looking towards a brighter future. Though a long flight from the United States, Croatia has over 30 nudist and clothing-optional destinations, from beaches to campsites. Learn more here.

1,000.00 United States Dollars = 5,176.20 Croatia Kuna
1 USD = 5.17620 HRK
1 HRK = 0.193192 USD

Mexico nudist travel:

Mexico is cost-effective for US tourists. Flying there isn’t too bad, depending on where you live. The pickings for true nudists are limited though.

Playa Sonrisa (Photo Credit: Playa Sonrisa, Xcalak, Mexico)

Playa Sonrisa (official website) on the Caribbean coast of Mexico is for true nudists/naturists and even offers a 15% discount for naturist club members, such as AANR members. They have beach front bungalows and rooms for accommodations, naked snorkeling and even have a restaurant. This seems like a nice destination and bungalows and rooms range from $85 to $140 a night, depending on the season/room.

Hidden Beach and Desire Resort are among the other clothing-optional destinations in Mexico, though they appear to be more adult-oriented and exotic focused from what I can tell from websites about them. I’d research more to find out if this sort of destination is right for you.

1,000.00 United States Dollars = 10,857.50 Mexico Pesos
1 USD = 10.8575 MXN
1 MXN = 0.0921022 USD

Bonaire in the Caribbean:

I had written about Sorobon Beach Naturist Resort in the past. A nice little place on the beach in a protected cove, beachfront accommodations make it desirable.

1,000.00 United States Dollars = 1,780.00 Netherlands Antilles Guilders
1 USD = 1.78000 ANG
1 ANG = 0.561798 USD

Fees for exchanging money

Keep in mind that when exchanging money, everyone wants a cut. Walk-in banks and currency exchange booths are hit-or-miss in terms of how much they take. ATMs and charging with credit cards can be a better bargain. Check with your banks first though. Fees are all over the place. Some charge nothing and others can charge flats fees plus additional rates upwards of 3% or more, which is like throwing away money. Here's a good article on the topic.

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Nudist Travel Website Advertising Not Easy

My apologies for any explicit advertising that appeared on this nudist travel blog recently. The problem has been corrected.

Finding advertising for a nudist travel website is not easy nor lucrative, but my main motivation is getting the word out about nudist travel. For those looking for nudist travel information, I hope this blog is of help or at least points readers in the right direction.

It's really incredibly time-consuming to research and write about nudist travel topics. Getting a part time job at a gas station or fast food place would earn me more money. But it's not about that for me. My secondary goal is simply earning gas money and maybe even food money for nudist travel.

To achieve this, I had used the "Ads by Google" system for several months with good success. It provided useful, family-friendly links to nudist destinations and travel sites. I made a few dollars from it and I was happy. Then one day I was banned.

I guess this nudist blog is too adult oriented for Google ads.

I don't think this blog is any more adult-oriented than AANR or even newspaper articles about nudism such as the ones I've mentioned here in the past. With nudism fortunately becoming more popular in local and national newspapers, I am surprised at being banned.

Still, my desire to get gas money lead me to a different ad network called AdBrite. They reviewed this nudist blog and thought it was ok. Everything was good again.

Though not as good as Google, AdBrite seemed to be the only option. Then one day, they decided this blog was pornography and started putting adult-oriented ads on the site. I'm not exactly sure when this started, but I just found out a few days ago and have removed these ads. This was a shock to me, but I cannot blame AdBrite. I think I messed up on some settings. This is now fixed but it seemed to make sense to try something new.

You'll now notice Amazon nudist-related books more prominently on this blog. These books are written on several nudist topics, mostly about history, though there are a few nudist travel and lifestyle ones. I own a few myself. What better to read while lounging at a nudist resort pool than a nudist book?

I've also switched to a new ad system, Oxado. It puts text ads on the site. They gave me the option to omit adult-oriented ads, which I've chosen to do. I hope this works out better and keeps this nudist blog family safe. This system might be good for others like me, so try it out if you have a blog.

The moral of the story is that it's too bad there aren't more choices for people who want to create helpful, wholesome blogs or websites about nudism and who want to earn a little revenue from the effort.

I think that if there was an incentive system, it would motivate other nudists to learn how to create blogs and get the word out. There are only a small number of people who are able to give up entertainment activities, like watching TV, to do nudist writing for the fun of it. Talking about nudist travel and life is what will help sustain the community in the long run.

9 Ways to Be Clothes Free in Any Town

Looking at the laws of most US towns, it seems that the laws for wearing clothing are determined by 2 simple factors:

1. The category of room you are in
   
2. Who can see you
   

If you think about it, nudity is permitted in many common situations:

1. Undress in a locker room
2. Shower without clothes at home or in a locker room
   
3. Undress and do all sorts of naked posturing for a doctor
   
4. Be clothesfree, wearing just in a towel, at a spa
5. Get undressed at a dressing room in a clothing store
   
6. Be naked inside your house as long as the windows are closed
7. Be naked in your garage as long as the windows are closed
8. Possibly be naked in your yard if it is fully enclosed are you are concealed
9. Be naked all of the time if you are a non-human animal
   

In contrast, there are places in the US to be naked 100% of the time. Nudist resorts offer this comfort as do a handful of beaches.

Swimming without a soggy bathing suit is the way to relax.

Nudist resorts allow you to do a lot of the activities not allowed elsewhere.

For example, we've now dined several times in nudist resort restaurants while in the nude. Fun as long as you don't spill anything hot!

Play nude volleyball. Hike nude. Bike nude. Camp nude. Many nudist resorts offer these types of activities.

Europe has even more opportunities to go without restrictive clothing. Topless bathing is the norm and many places are clothing optional.

Then there's the naturist village of Cap d'Agde, France. That place is cool. Shop in the nude, dine in the nude, swim at the beach in the nude. I've mentioned Cap d'Agde here a few times.

Follow the Path to Naked Gardening in England

The Abbey House Gardens in Wiltshire, England is giving new meaning to being one with nature.

According to a BBC article, "A couple who garden in the buff are holding more open days when the public can walk around their garden naked." (Source).

During these 'clothing optional' days, visitors can tour the couples' garden in the nude for a variety of benefits (according to the Abbey House Gardens website):

• escape the pressures of daily living
• get back in touch with your inner self
• be inspired
• find time to unwind in fresh air
• enjoy some gentle exercise in beautiful surroundings
• meet up with friends & relatives in an easily accessible place

Sounds perfect!

If you love gardens and being outdoors without clothes - the ways humans have for thousands of years - then this is a place worth exploring.

The BBC has done an absolutely fabulous job of covering this clothes-free garden story through a series of articles and a video over the last few years. Take a look at some of what the BBC has documented:

• Gardening in the buff takes off


• Naked Gardeners' Exhibition - The Abbey House Gardens in Malmesbury is a must for garden buffs, art buffs and those in the buff…


• Video: Naturism big in Wiltshire (2 minutes)


• Gardens opening for naked walks (appears to be the first BBC article on the gardens)


• Wiltshire's Naked Gardeners at Chelsea Flower Show (mostly about the couples' commitment to gardening)

Also, visit the official Abbey House Gardens website.

I'd love to see something like this at a nudist resort closer to home (United States).

Maybe this exists already, but wouldn't it be groovy if a North America AANR-affiliated clothing-optional club with a large property and lots of woods allocated a few acres for members/visitors to use as a community gardening space?

Nude New Jersey: Gunnison Beach versus Rock Lodge Nudist Club

Time for a battle of nudist travel destinations.

Which of these New Jersey nudist destinations is better? Let's look at Gunnison Beach and Rock Lodge Nudist Resort.

Gunnison Beach in Sandy Hook, NJ is usually ranked as one of the Top 5 nudist beaches in the US.

Gunnison Beach is part of a National Park Service park. It's just a beach and lacks the amenities of Rock Lodge. However, it offers the clothes-free freedom not found at a clothed beach. Bring a towel, a book and some food to make a clothes-free day of it.

Rock Lodge, in nearby northern NJ, is an AANR-affiliated nudist club with a long nudist history and a lot more to do. The club has a lake for swimming, a hot tub, sauna, tennis courts, and even hiking on the club's 145 acres.

This quote on Rock Lodge's website shows that people like the place:

"Out of all the nudist resorts we have visited, we can't think of a more friendly bunch of people who made us feel very welcome right from the start. We will most definitely return." —Rich and Mary

Comparing when to visit

The downside of visiting Gunnison is parking as the National Park Service outlines:

"Summer weekends may be busy. When parking areas are full, the park closes until parking becomes available. To avoid delays, arrive before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m. Traffic is never a problem on weekdays."

The downside of Rock Lodge is that it only allows non-member guests on the weekends. It is members-only during the week.

Comparing Rules and regulations

The rules for Gunnison Beach are quite simple: follow the law.

Rock Lodge has more restrictive rules and regulations to ensure a wholesome, safe environment for visitors. I respect that, but the rules can be frustrating too.

According to the Rock Lodge website, the following steps must be completed before visiting:

"Step 1
Email, mail or call us. In your message please tell us something about yourselve(s). Please include whether you intend to visit as a couple, family, single female or single male.

Step 2
Wait for our reply. We will reply as soon a possible with additional information and directions to Rock Lodge Club. Emails usually get the fastest response.

Step 3
When you arrive, you will be greeted by a Rock Lodge representative who will introduce you to the club and current members as you tour the grounds."

These steps ensure piece of mind for all guests and the Rock Lodge environment should feel safer than Gunnison. Nude US/Canada beaches are not as controled as nudist resorts.

For example, during my recent trip to Wreck Beach, another top nude beach, I felt on edge and worried about gawkers and people with cameras. That type of worry goes away in nudist resorts.

So who costs more? Gunnison or Rock Lodge?

Both are priced fairly, but differently. The Park Service charges Gunnison Beach visitors a $10 per vehicle daily fee (bikes are free) or $50 for season pass.

Rock Lodge is $24 per person ($19 for AANR members) day fee for non-members of the club.

Rock Lodge has further limitations. According to the Rock Lodge website "Visitors are allowed 2 visits before membership is required." After two visits to Rock Lodge, it's a minimum of $100 a year for an Associate membership to return, plus grounds fees - except that Full members (who pay $450) visit free. For the 2nd to 4th year, there's a $50 initiation fee per person.

Final Score:

Tied. Both offer something to the nudist. Rock Lodge is better for first time nudists and those looking for a more regulated environment. Gunnison Beach is good for a swim in the ocean on weekdays, but the weekends are tough unless you go super early. The beach also lacks controls to keep potential gawkers out.

Gunnison Beach and Rock Lodge Nudist Club are very different types of nudist experiences so comparing them almost isn't fair. If you are in the New Jersey area, I recommend giving both a try.

Better yet, if the Pocono region of eastern Pennsylvania is accessible to you, consider Sunny Rest Lodge. It's open to guests 7 days a week and you can visit as often as you'd like. Visiting is easy. I'll be providing a trip report soon.

Resources:

• Friends of Gunnison Beach
• Rock Lodge
• Map of Gunnison Beach and area
• American Association for Nude Recreation

Visit Solair, but not on Weekdays; Berkshire Vista 2008?

I received this comment from a reader on another post about visiting Solair on a weekday.

"My girl and I planned to go to Solair yesterday (we're late 30s). Took the day off to relax and hopefully sit by the pool. Sent an email to confirm that we would be coming and got a response that we were not allowed to visit unless it was a weekend or holiday. Needless to say, we won't be visiting. No big deal, but wow, not a way to encourage the younger crowd. C & D"

That's unfortunate.

The weekday restriction is surprising. While some smaller membership-oriented clubs don't have the staff to support weekday guests, Solair gives off the appearance of being able to.

If you've read my posts about Solair in the past, I have mixed feelings. My wife and I are younger than you and did not feel out of place. I like the facilities, the safety and the true nudist atmosphere. That comes at the trade-off of not liking the membership push and what I've heard nudist singles say about being denied.

Membership focused clubs are good for the members but tend to isolate everyone else. There are other membership focused clubs that I've passed on to visit open clubs. Membership is just not for me.

Northeast alternatives

If you are in the area, SunRidge is 45 minutes south of Solair. SunRidge is a lot smaller but I'm pretty sure they can support weekday guests. It's a nice place if you just want to lounge by the pool all day. It's a nice place to bring a picnic lunch too.

Then there's Berkshire Vista in western Mass, maybe 2 hours from Solair. Berkshire Vista definitely allows weekday visitors and has discounts for staying overnight on weekdays. The downside is that their 2008 future is uncertain. This is on their homepage today: "We are NOT closing! We will operate in 2008 and beyond. Info will be released in the upcoming weeks." Naturist Journal has more details already here that point to Berkshire Vista scaling back.

In Eastern PA lies Sunny Rest Lodge, a really, really nice place with better facilities than the 3 above resorts. We just visited on a weekday and will be writing a trip report soon.

About 30 Years Old and Getting Nude at Solair Recreation League

The Hartford Courant newspaper's lifestyle section just featured a nice trip report about Solair Recreation League, a nudist camp ground in Connecticut.

The author, Joann Klimkiewicz, visited Solair with her sister. Both around 30 years old, they left with a fairly positive impression of the resort. The sister's collectively had experience with being in clothing optional environments (Europe and some US topless beaches) so the article was more insightful, I think, than the more common "first timer" article.

As compared to some one-sided articles by authors who have only read about nudism, this author showed dedication by taking the plunge and then writing a well-rounded and fair account of the experience.

Read the full story here

My impression of Solair
Personally, I like Solair overall, having visited once and also being in the same "around 30" age group as the sisters above. When my wife and I visited, it was a lively summer Saturday last year. Besides people gathered at the pool, hot tub and lake, the sand volleyball court was active.

The library was empty, but who wants to read books inside on a nice day!

Solair had an event that day that I've never imagined ever seeing: a cooking demonstration in the nude. Think Emeril live, but scaled down and on a picnic table in a gazebo in a nudist resort. The woman's presentation was actually very good and educational.

I think Solair's hot tub and pool are average but nice. I prefer deep pools over volleyball depth pools, but that's just me. The lake is a uncommon feature and had a platform in the middle that you could swim to while skinnydipping. The grounds are really nice, comparable to Sunny Rest Lodge, a nudist resort in eastern PA that I'll be doing a trip report about soon.

I wish that there wasn't a pricey annual membership fee (after 4 visits) at Solair - otherwise I'd be back more often. The Courant author refers to it too:

• "Solair, for example, charges $25 for a first-time visit and $500 for an annual membership. For the under-40 set, that drops to $17.50 for a first-timer, and $300 for the year."

I realize Solair's needs to run a business and the quality of the camp ground shows they are making some good decisions, so I cannot really knock them for it. In fact, it may be the glue that holds Solair together and helps make it what it is. We felt really safe and comfortable there and it is one of the most family-friendly places I've ever visited and that is a good thing for nude recreation.

So there you have it, a newspaper author endorses Solair. I think it's a nice place too. And if you search the forums on nudist-resorts.org, you'll also hear good opinions of Solair.

Nudist Singles Get Their Own Weekend

In the world of nude recreation, singles usually get the short end of the stick. Several nudist resorts limit singles in some way and others ban single men altogether. Why?

Well, you can thank a few bad seeds that have had a negative impact on the other 99% of singles who are true nudists. This is very unfortunate.

That's why I was glad to see Cypress Cove promote an upcoming singles weekend...not just a dance, but an ENTIRE WEEKEND.

Yes, you heard that right: an event specifically for nudist singles. Cypress Cove, in Kissimmee, Florida, near Orlando, is a good, safe place for this kind of event. A long time AANR member, I've heard many nudists recommend the resort.

Cypress Cove's Singles "Toga" Weekend runs Aug 17 - 19, 2007. A toga party themed singles weekend, here's the details from Cypress Cove:

"It’s a great time to come and meet other single nudists.

We start the weekend off on Friday, August 17th with a special extended happy hour, cracker-barrel discussion and icebreaker games, and then that night a Toga Streak at Cheeks with DJ Xavier.

Then on Saturday at noon we will have a pool party with DJ Xavier once again. He will be playing music and games that are great for singles to get to know one another. At 4 pm we will have another Cracker-barrel discussion at Lakeside Lounge that will coincide with an extra hour of Happy Hour.

When the sun goes down, the fun really starts to heat up with the Toga Party to end all Toga Parties with live music by Cove favorites, The Love Bugs, playing the tunes at Lakeside Restaurant that will help you get a little closer to your new friends. There will also be a toga costume contest at 9pm.

Make reservations now for what is sure to be the best singles weekend yet."

Learn more on the Cypress Cove website.

Cheering the Sun God at a Nude Canada Beach

Wreck Beach and the Sun God

As the warm sunny day ends, you lie naked on a nude beach with your spouse. Fellow nudists are nearby. Everyone is relaxing as a cool evening breeze blows in.

As the sun starts to make it’s final descent towards the horizon, there are faint sounds of cheering muffled by the wind.

It grows louder and louder, surrounding you. Someone nearby screams “Goodbye Sun God, Goodbye!” An energy flows around you as everyone excitedly watches the Sun God.

The edge of the sun is seconds from hitting the mountain in the distance. The cheering grows louder and louder as the Sun God then slowly disappears behind the mountain.

Then the Sun God is gone. You know its the end of a great day at the beach.

This is one of the more magical moments in life, being at one with the people around you and Mother Nature and not a care in the world.

(Photo credit: Wreck Beach Preservation Society)

It was Wreck Beach in Vancouver, Canada where this happened on a day when the weather and people were in harmony, a common experience during the short Vancouver nudist season.

Maybe this is why many nudists call Wreck Beach one of the top 10 clothing-optional beaches in the world.

But there’s a lot more to Wreck Beach than the occasional beautiful sunset. During the day, we experienced most of its several mile-long beach and visited both ends of the beach.

Taking the long climb down the steps of Trail 6, we first arrived in the southern part of the beach. This is the popular part of the beach you see in pictures in my previous Wreck Beach post.

This main part of the beach has soft, unique brown sand and is covered with driftwood logs from a nearby logging operation. The logs give the place a one-of-a-kind character. They also provide a good place to rest your head while protecting you from the wind.

While resting your head, the view is of mountains in the distance. Behind you is a dense forest covering a steep hill.

We were lucky to have perfect weather. The weather drew out lots of people. Probably 70-80 percent of the beach goers were nude in the sandy beach area that day - a good number for a clothing-optional beach.

The atmosphere was friendly and respectful. Vendors offered food and drinks and other wares. A group of people played nude volleyball. Wreck Beach regulars seemed to keep guard of the place and kept it safe and comfortable. Later, they would clean the litter left by the more careless.

We also visited the other end of the beach north of the sandy area. The northern part is rocky (see second to last picture here) and when the tide is high, there’s not much room. Finding a soft spot in the sand without having a rock in your back is challenging.

The northern rocky area also has a lot less people. Being less crowded means that it lacks the protection you have when surrounded by many fellow nudists. We just didn’t feel comfortable with the rocks or some of the people who seemed suspicious or staring (not a nudist behavior).

The main beach is so much better and returning there for the evening turned out to be a great experience.

If you are ever in Vancouver, a great tourist destination in itself, be sure to visit Wreck Beach if the weather is nice.

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Wreck Beach is a direct result of the ongoing efforts of the Wreck Beach Preservation Society and other supporters. They prove that when like-minded people get together, great things can be accomplished in the face of adversity.

(Photo credit: Wreck Beach Preservation Society)

Nudists Need the Internet and Food

I just returned from a great trip that had the famous clothing-optional beach in Vancouver, Wreck Beach, on the itinerary (trip report coming soon). While traveling, I missed my chance to participate in the latest "Great Naked Debate" on Nudist Day. I lacked a good Internet connection.

The debate was entitled "What can be done to attract younger people to the nudist lifestyle?". Check it out. You may not agree with every last detail, but the contributors covered a lot of angles.

Some similar viewpoints were in "What are the Real Problems with Young People and Nudist Resorts?" here where some readers chimed in with more good feedback on this important topic.

The answer seems to boil down to one central idea:

• creating something worthwhile that satisfies the needs of the customers.

Potential nudist destination customers in the younger age groups have a million ways to have their entertainment needs met. Any tourist/travel destination, be it clothed or nudist, free beach or paid resort, competes with the many forms of entertainment. To win the competition, the destination must meet the needs of customers.

A tourist destination has to be more worthwhile than such things as:

• watching TV
• surfing the Internet
• going to concerts
• going to the movies
• ...and all the other things people do for fun

Think about it. A clothed hotel becomes worthwhile to you when it has a good location, a pool, restaurant and has the other amenities you want for the right price.

Food

Now, try to find breakfast at a nudist resort or campground. Not many serve breakfast. Some serve lunch or dinner. Very few serve 3 meals a day, 7 days a week. So you either need to bring food or leave. Either way, your basic human need for food is not met.

This is bad because Americans love food.

The ones that serve lots of food, like Caliente and Paradise Lakes, the 2 big resorts in Tampa, offer a destination that is a complete experience. You don't have to leave if you are hungry. In my last trip report about Sun Ridge Resort, I mentioned how I did leave because my food needs were not met.

The Internet

One other way clothed hotels have adjusted to modern customer needs is by proving some form of Internet connection. Most do. What about nudist destinations? Not so.

I'm in the under-35 age bracket and I want my Internet no matter where I am. Is that so much to ask? This is a more common statement of my generation but slowly becoming typical of all generations (see Internet age trends). Even baby-boomers are spending a lot more time online nowadays too.

Why aren't most nudist resorts adapting to something so basic as an Internet connection?

The Internet and food are among the lifelines of today's potential nudist customer.

If you are at a nudist destination that doesn't meet these needs, speak up and make your opinion known.

A Naked Day at Sun Ridge Nudist Resort

Sun Ridge Nudist Resort in 43 words:

Sun Ridge is like being at a family picnic at your new neighbor’s house. You don’t know anyone, but everyone is friendly. You have a good time. However, unlike your neighbor’s house, the people at Sun Ridge have a distinct absence of clothing.

The more complete story:

The fun of nude recreation is going new places that you know very few people in the world get to visit.

Located in Sterling, CT on the Rhode Island border, Sun Ridge Nudist Resort is a simple place to spend the day clothes free.

Sun Ridge lacks the elaborate architecture, fancy dining and entertainment facilities of other nudist destinations. Still, the nudist campground makes for a fun day trip or a good, laid back weekend in a rented trailer. Some people even spend the whole summer there every year, while others make this their first-time experience with nude recreation.

Sometimes all you need is a well kept but rustic nudist campground with a friendly atmosphere. That’s what Sun Ridge provides.

Trip report:

We visited on a June weekend on a day when the weather forecast was not so favorable. This also meant a lot less day guests. Luckily, the forecasted afternoon thunderstorms never materialized and we had a good day of nude recreation.

As day guests, we arrived knowing that Sun Ridge does not have any dining options except for special events. This was just an average weekend so we brought lunch with us.

You can sit down with your picnic lunch by the pool area where there’s a rec hall with picnic tables inside and outside. There are a few picnic tables by the tennis courts too, a short walk from the pool area.

We ate inside the recreation hall, a rustic structure that houses a billiards table and the aforementioned picnic tables. Some Saturday nights the place transforms into a dance area. And for some events, the rec hall has a kitchen area where food is prepared.

Afterwards we played at the billiards table for a while. Then, we spent a few hours in the pool area with trips from the cool pool to the heated conversation pool.

A little later we wandered to the tennis courts. If we had wanted to play tennis, the courts were open and well maintained.

We got dressed and left around dinnertime and headed to a casino for dinner. About 45 minutes away are 2 of the world’s largest casinos, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. Both places have many dining options to choose from.

While pretty laid back places compared to Vegas, going to a casino after relaxing all day at Sun Ridge is a contrasting experience. It’s at the casino where you start to reminisce about the friendly and respectful people at Sun Ridge.

Sun Ridge is within a few hours of anywhere in Southern New England. Give it a try!