Keep on nuding

There's only one way to nude travel.  Find a nudist destination and go.

Have you been to the INF International Naturist Federation website?

The International Naturist Federation website has lots of good info about traveling to nudist destinations.

The resort directory is a good place to find ideas about nudist destinations that you may want to consider visiting for a nudist vacation.

Nudism still doing well? Yes!

Yes, according to an article recently published in the Chicago Tribune about nude recreation.

The article makes it seems that nudism is really popular. Imagine that.

"One in 10 Americans ranks staying at a resort that offers nude recreation as extremely/very desirable, according to a 2008 survey by Ypartnership/Yankelovich National Leisure Travel MONITOR." (Chicago tribune)

If that statistic is true, one out of ten of your closest neighbors and coworkers think nude recreation is extremely/very desirable.

The article talks about other trends in nude recreation. The article was overwhelmingly positive and talks about nude recreation growing. At a time when everything in the news is so negative, this article is shocking.

People are interested in nude recreation. More and more people are trying it for the first time and enjoying the experience of freedom from clothes and being at one with nature.

But there are a few hurdles to overcome for nude recreation as the article mentions. For example, the incorrect association of nude recreation as being a lifestyle/swinger activity. The two are separate but some nudist resorts are catering to both, a challenging line to walk. Nude recreation is not about sex and true nudist resorts are family-safe (at least the ones affiliated with the American Association for Nude Recreation are supposed to be).

In contrast, lifestyle activities are about sharing partners, a unique lifestyle decision based on sex. Certainly, lifestylers are just people with a different belief than me and I respect that. But in my opinion, too many lifestylers are not respectful to others who do not share their beliefs. That I do not like. It's a small subset of these lifestylers who are ruining it for everyone. While most nudists and lifestylers are generally very tolerant people, except when their rights are encroached upon, a few rotten apples need to be controlled so that nude recreation can continue to have a bright future.

Read the full article on the Chicago Tribune website free.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Redneck nudists taking over Florida?

Disclaimer: To readers new to nudism, nudists are normal people y'all.

Contrary to the title of this article, nudists come from all walks of life. AANR-affiliated nudist resorts focus on providing good, clean fun for all kinds of people - the most fun you can have without your clothes on, in a safe, non-sexual (but not sterile) environment.

Alright, let's git-r-done y'all. Redneck Weekend is coming and it's gooder than grits.

Founded in 1964, Cypress Cove Nudist Resort in Kissimmee, Florida regularly organizes themed events for nudist residents and guests. Redneck Weekend is amongst the more unique.

Redneck Weekend is planned for June 22-24. The redneck-themed, clothing-optional activities at the popular nudist resort event include Hillbilly Games, the Good Ol' Boys parade, a redneck costume contest and, of course, an old fashioned hoedown. Yeeeee-hawww!!!

From the Cypress Cove website:

"It’s that time once again for a party weekend you won’t soon forget! Y’all get ready because REDNECK WEEKEND RETURNS!

It all starts off Friday afternoon with a right good pool party with DJ Xavier spinning all the redneck music you can handle That night keeps the good times rollin with a good old fashioned Redneck Karaoke Party with Regis in the Lakeside Lounge. Sing all your countrified favorites or come down and sing any song as long as you come and sing.

Saturday has yet another pool party with Xavier, a Good Ol’ Boys Parade, and the now legendary Hillbilly Games on Lakeside Lawn. Saturday night, Snafu, will take the stage at Lakeside Restaurant for a big hoedown with all your friends. It all builds up to our Redneck Costume Contest where you can win a free night stay in our beautiful Villas. I hope to see y’all here real soon."

Besides the themed weekends, Cypress Cove grounds and facilities are quite nice. The 300 acre property has a 20 acre recreation area, 50 acre lake and 130 acres of wetlands. There are two restaurants, bike rental, paddle boats, petanque, tennis courts, and other activities.

Now you git yourself on down there, you hear.

Debate: Would you ride nude in the World Naked Bike Ride?

See my answer and those of 6 other nudist bloggers in 'The Great Naked Debate' on Nudist Day.

The debate is a fun way to learn about nudist topics and puts a bunch of great people together who have written a lot about nudism.

Other Fun Nude Activities:

• If World Naked Bike Ride is not right for you, consider participating in nude runs which are usually within the gates of an AANR-affiliated clothing-optional resort or campground - no crowds, no people taking pictures.
• Better yet, participate in the first-ever clothing-optional triathlon to be held at Bar S Ranch on August 11, 2007.
• If you want to slow it down a bit, consider nude hiking. Nudist Day recommends "Top 5 Places for Hiking Nude...Legally."

New Nudist Fun: First-Ever Clothing-Optional Triathlon!

Bar S Ranch Clothing Free Resort and Country Club awaits on its vast 380-acre wooded, hilled grounds in Reidsville, N.C.

On a normal day, Bar-S nudist resort gives visitors and members the chance to be one with nature, to enjoy peace and solitude. If you like the outdoors, Bar-S-Ranch has miles of trails, Lake Wanda with swimming and fishing, plenty of camping, a swimming pool, and the Cow Pasture Golf Course (watch your step). Bar-S is the only nudist resort I recall whose website lists “reading” as one of the popular pastimes, a reminder that social nudism is not always about socializing - reading a book is fine too.

“Come enjoy our dream. Leave the stresses and pressures of life behind while you relax in the tranquility, security and privacy you will find at the Bar S Ranch,” says the Bar S Ranch website. This is an escape from the world of cell phones, text messaging, big box retailers and traffic jams.

That’s a normal day.

A less than normal day will be Saturday, August 11, 2007. On that day, Bar-S-Ranch tries to take nudist recreation to new heights with the first-ever clothing optional sprint triathlon. Offering nudists and the courageous a completely novel experience, the event makes the most of Bar-S-Ranch’s trails and lake. Participants will do a 500-meter lake swim, a 20-kilometer (12.4 mile) bike ride and a 5K run.

Clothing? Only a helmet is needed for the bike ride, a cross-country fusion of hilly terrain, wide golf cart paths, gravel road and single tracks. (A cushioned bike seat may come in handy too.)

Keeping in the theme of “clothing optional on your own terms” while encouraging participation, the triathlon event is not open to general spectators except that each participant can bring a guest. Resort members and volunteers will be there too.

To a lot of people, this level of privacy is desirable. This is a contrast to World Naked Bike Ride which involves riding through the streets naked amongst clothed people and an exceptional comfort level with being nude in public.

So think about the triathlon and the rare, historical opportunity it presents. You could be one of the first participants in the first-ever clothing optional triathlon in the United States. More on the event and registration here.

If the Clothing Optional Sprint Triathlon is too much for you, take pride in your hide! That’s right, the “Take Pride in Your Hide 5K Walk & Run” is planned for Saturday, July 28^th, 2007 at 9:00 AM at Bar-S-Ranch Nudist Resort.

Or, just visit on a normal day. As the map at right shows, the grounds hold plenty of opportunity for outdoor nude recreation.

--Nudist Footnote--

When it comes to nudist fitness and sporting events, Pete Williams’ Fitness Buff Radio Show seems to know what’s best. If you want to stay in the know, subscribe to their e-newsletter (fill out form on the Fitness Buff Radio Show website). That’s how I first learned about the Clothing Optional Sprint Triathlon at Bar-S-Ranch Nudist Resort. Host Pete Williams plans to participate in the event. Go Pete!

Nude and Free: Skinny Dipping at Paradise Lakes Nudist Resort

Swimming nude is a great reason to try nude recreation. (If you are new to the idea of wholesome nude recreation, the American Association for Nude Recreation provides an FAQ). Whether skinny dipping in a pool or lounging in a hot tub, I have yet to hear a person say they like bathing suits better – no matter what age, size, or color the person is.

The Florida nudist resort trip report continues with a look at swimming naked at Paradise Lakes Nudist Resort. The resort provides a variety of ways to be comfortably naked in the water in a safe and accepting environment.

On Thursday afternoon with perfect weather, sunny and in the 80s, the pool had a scattering of nudists. We enjoyed clothes-free, wet-bathing-suit-free freedom in the main pool area.


Paradise Lakes has a uniquely shaped swimming pool (pictured). It’s more of a lounge pool than a swimming pool. When we returned on a warm Friday afternoon and again on Saturday, the whole pool area was jammed with people.

One part of the pool goes 6 feet deep, allowing for swimming, but most of the pool is 3 to 5 feet deep – nice for standing around, chatting and having a drink. A kind waitress brings beer, mixed drinks or whatever.

The pool meanders from the deep section to the shallow section and then a water volleyball section starts. In addition to the main pool volleyball area, Paradise Lakes has a separate water volleyball pool.

Nude water volleyball is a popular social nudist activity at Paradise Lakes. Games are frequent and can be almost non-stop in both pools on Friday, Saturday and Sunday when the conditions are right (time of year, weather).

To get away from it all, head towards the lake. Next to it, another pool and hot tub area provide a hidden oasis within the oasis of Paradise Lakes.


The residents and guests staying in this section of the resort property use this pool often. It’s convenient and nearby other nude recreation activities. The hot tub was being worked on during my stay, but the pool was nice and had room for swimming the way swimming was meant to be: clothes-free.

I close with these 2 important words: "waterproof sunscreen"

Nude runs, nude runs, nude runs

Interested in a naked run somewhere near you?

A commenter pointed this website out:

www.NudeRuns.com

Put out by the Western Association for Nude Recreation (WANR), the site contains lots of good info about upcoming events. If you have ever wanted to try naked running, 2007 is your chance.

Speaking of nude runs, Pete Williams writes in the Fitness Buff Radio Show newsletter about tomorrow's Cotton Tail 5K Run. Should be great weather in Tampa/Lutz, Florida! Partly cloudy and high of 80 at Paradise Lakes.

Pete Williams: "Remember that scene in the movie "Old School" where Juliette Lewis informs recent streaker Will Ferrall that she's gotten into body painting? Our own Sabrina Vizzari will be body painted on Friday afternoon - possible coverage on the 6 o'clock news - to promote the Paradise Lakes Body Art Festival and Cotton Tail 5K run on Saturday, April 21. The race is at 6 p.m. and is a perfect recovery run for anyone looking for a run between the Escape from Ft. Desoto and St. Anthony's triathlons. C'mon Everybody! We're Streaking...We're Streaking! Through the quad to the gymnasium. C'mon, Snoop!"

Learn more about the run and body art festival.

Adventures in the "Florida Nudist Corridor"

My wife and I just returned from an adventurous weekend at 2 of the biggest nudist resorts in North America: Paradise Lakes Nudist Resort and Caliente Nudist Resort.

They are in an area north of Tampa, Florida I call the “Florida Nudist Corridor” with Paradise Lakes and Lake Como Family Nudist Resort next to each other and Caliente Nudist Resort just 4 miles north. All are about 30 minutes from Tampa Airport. All are important in American nudist history and to the people who experience them.

I met one nudist gentleman, nearing retirement, who was fortunate enough to live nearby. He recalled frequenting Lake Como Nudist Resort in his younger years. The resort opened in the 1950s and was one of the biggest nudist facilities in its day. Due to life events, he took a break from social nude recreation years ago when a place called Paradise Lakes was only an idea waiting to open in 1981.

He soon grew to miss the nudist experience. He was re-married more recently and broached the subject of nude recreation with his new wife. She said she'd try it and now they enjoy nude recreation together, making their own nudist history.

He and his new wife have a membership at Paradise Lakes and visit other resorts frequently, including Caliente Nudist Resort, opened in 2004, where I conversed with the gentleman a few days ago.

For my wife and I, this was our second time at Paradise Lakes and first at Caliente. Our first time at the Paradise Lakes was only a handful of years ago and it was our first time visiting a nudist resort.

Over the next several days, I'll be recounting our story, our experiences at these two Florida Nudist Corridor nudist resorts.

I'll look at what to expect, how much to pay, what to do when the weather is great, and how to make the best of rainy weather that rains out a big event. (In our case, the event was Caliente's Bare Bods and Hot Rods Car Show which has been rescheduled for April 29th.)

Reader opinions might be heard too to expand upon my limited experience.

Nudist Travel Guide Blog's Best Of Recent Nudist Posts

I hope this blog has provided good nudist travel insights. I will be taking a break this weekend to enjoy a nudist vacation. In the meantime, take a look at some of the better recent posts here and by other nudist blogs.

Nudist Fitness Expert / Radio Show Host Offers Nude 5K Race Tips

Inside "Bare Bods and Hot Rods" Nude Car Show

Nudists gather on the Mexico border

Nude Cruise traveler Mike reported from aboard the cruise ship and gave a true account of the experience here. Highlights from his daily trip reports:

Nudists break "On Deck for the Cure" record on nude cruise

Nudist Cruise: How do cruise staff react to nudists? Positively!

What really happens on nude cruises? Insider Report

Of course, I cannot forget the other nudist bloggers out there. Here are good recent posts from some of them:

Do Naked Ladies Turn Men On? (Gymnophiliac.com)

New Australian Nudist Magazine (NudistDay.com)

New study shows sunbathing makes you happy - I bet nude sunbathers are even happier! (TerraCottaInn.blogspot.com)

Nudist Politician Loss Due To Smear Campaign (USAnudist.com)

Late March Nude Snowshoeing (NudeHiker.blogspot.com)

Baby Steps (NothingToDread.com) [a first time report]

Peep! NakedJenBay! (NakedJen.blogs.com)

Nude Bicycling: World Naked Bike Ride 2007

The World Naked Bike Ride event claims to be "the worlds largest naked protest against oil dependency and car culture in the history of humanity." The mission is to "stop indecent exposure to automobile emissions and to celebrate the power and individuality of our bodies! Naked Bicycle People Power!" First introduced in 2004, plans for 2007 are taking shape.

The World Naked Bike Ride event has received plenty of media coverage worldwide in 2006 as can be seen on this list. The event has been mentioned before on Nudist Travel Guide Blog and Tom Mulhall of Terra Cotta Inn has some posts on it too.

The event is not specifically a social nudism event, but may be of interest to nudists who are not afraid to be out in front of the picture taking public for a cause. The cause is centered on the promotion of cycling. In doing so, the event promotes environment awareness, body image acceptance, nude acceptance, and community building.

Washington D.C. has a big event planned for June 9 2007. The group has a permit for the event and everything is going smoothly with their plan "To ride through the United States capital to promote the use of alternatives to oil".



Though a final Seattle date is still being worked out, Miami had 2 rides planned this year. One was for March and the second Miami event is supposed to happen June 9.

London and Paris are also scheduled for June 9th and Manchester, England for June 8th. Here's video from a past London event:

Trip Report: A Good Old-Fashioned Nudist Campground - Juniper Woods

Though many exciting nudist travel topics have been covered here lately, from nudist resort car shows to nude cruises to nude swimming in the Antarctica, now is a perfect time to talk about a good old-fashioned nudist campground.

Juniper Woods is such a place. Juniper Woods is a clothing-optional, family-friendly 65-acre campground in rural Catskill, New York. We visited on 4th of July weekend a few years ago - just for a day.

The atmosphere was uncomplicated and peaceful. A BBQ was set-up for the holiday. The friendly staff was busy grilling up hot dogs and hamburgers for the nudist guests. The petanque court was active. Families were about. Some people played Frisbee in the meadow.

We went for a dip in the pool. Even though the pool is not deep or huge, there was still plenty of space. We then went into the relaxing hot tub/conversation pool. We dried off by sitting on the nearby rocking swing.

We later took a casual walk around the spacious grounds. The dam that controls the water to the two lakes had broke so the water level was down. It’s probably fixed by now. Other than that, the grounds were well maintained.

By the large number of RVs and campers on landscaped sites, a lot of people call Juniper Woods their summer home away from home. Some even have small cabins with immaculate landscaping – flowers, groomed bushes and lawn ornaments.

Several tents were up in the large meadow that day. I noticed a lot of free space in the wooded campsite area. If you like camping in solitude, the wooded camping area is away from the RV area, has trees between sites, and allows for campfires.

Keeping in mind that this is a campground and not an entertainment complex, I recommend bringing some books or maybe some board games. The rec hall and pavilion had ping-pong, foosball and a few other games. Dinners and dances are held here too.

Nudist destinations come in many flavors. If you are looking a charming, secluded clothing-option campground with lots of space and a friendly atmosphere, Juniper Woods makes a nice escape.

Juniper Woods is 45 minutes from Albany, NY and a reasonable 2 hours drive north from New York City.

On June 9, 2007, Juniper Woods will be having an open house and first time visitors get in free. There will be sports events, vendors, a potluck dinner and DJ dance. Many other events are planned on weekends throughout the year.

2007 Nude Car Shows: Chevy. Ford. Mopar. Nudists.

What do you get when you mix auto enthusiasts with nudists? Nude car shows!

Nudist Travel Guide Blog (NudistTravel.blogspot.com) provides an overview
of 2007's nude car show calendar. This looks to be the year of nude car shows across the United States – at least 8 and probably more.

Is this a good sign for both nude recreation and car enthusiasts? Yes.

The 170-acre nudist Turtle Lake Resort in Union City, Michigan, has their Annual Antique and Classic Car Show planned for Saturday, June 9^th 2007. The day will be packed fun nudist events including: nude golf cart rodeo, nude drive-in movie, an oldies dance and all kinds of prizes.

Turtle Lake also has an Annual Motorcycle Show (August 25^th, 2007) that will have competitions and a nude motorcycle parade.

Following its successful 2006 show with 138 cars, Caliente Clothing Optional Resort and Spa in Lutz, Florida has its Bare Bods and Hot Rods Car Show planned for April 15^th, 2007 (Postponed to April 29th due to rain). A charity raffle, live music, BBQ, and sock hop will be among the day’s events.

It just so happens that I, John Henry, will be in Tampa during this time and plan to go to hit the Caliente car show. I will provide a full report afterwards.

Laguna Del Sol nudist resort in Wilton, California has the Rockets & Sprockets Car and Motorcycle Show planned for July 20-21, 2007. Pictures of their happening 2005 show are on their website here.



Lake Como Family Nudist Resort in Lutz, Florida has an annual car show. Keep an eye on their website for the official date. Their website gallery shows pictures from the successful 2006 car show.



Valley View Recreation Club of Cambridge, WI has been a fixture in the nude car show world. Old Cars Weekly editor Brad Bowling recalls covering their first show in 1991 for Old Cars Weekly in his blog. The 2007 date for the 18th Annual Valley View Recreation Club Nude Car Show will be announced soon.

Cypress Cove Nudist Resort and Spa near Orlando, Florida has an Open House and Car Show planned for July 15^th. The Open House at the same time is a good idea. Nude car shows are a way to have a good time and get new people to the resort.

Empire Haven Nudist Resort in Moravia, NY has its Annual Car Show planned for August 18^th this year. The show runs from 9 am to 5 pm with a chicken BBQ from 3-5 pm followed by a DJ Dance from 8:30 to 11:30pm.

Avalon Nudist Resort in Paw Paw, WV had its first Annual Car and Truck Show in 2006. Avalon’s event calendar is coming soon and will reveal what 2007 has in store for West Virginia nude recreation.

Know of other nude car shows this year? Post a comment.

If this “nude thing” is all new to you, check out these resources:

• Nudist Beginnings - My intro to nudism blog


• American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR)
  - The resorts above are wholesome nudist destinations according to AANR. Read AANR’s Frequently Asked Questions about Nude Recreation

And when you try nudism for the first time and say it is the best thing ever, come back to this blog and report in.

Nudists gather on the Mexico border

"California's Largest Clothing-Optional Resort" lies about 2 miles north of the Mexico border - with the small village of Jacumba, CA in between (aerial view).

Nudists gather daily at the 500-acre DeAnza Springs Resort, a mere hour east of San Diego.

Nudists also go hiking in this unique Southern California desert setting. While the resort has plenty of space to walk around, the adjacent Anza-Borrego Desert State Park also offers miles of nude hiking opportunities.

After hiking, nudists gather around in the 7,500 square foot clubhouse, which has a restaurant, bar, dance hall, game room and fitness center. Other activities include a hot tub spa, tennis courts, volleyball and shuffleboard courts, bocce ball, horseshoe pits, and a kid’s jungle gym area.

And when the weather gets hot, plenty of nudists gather around the outdoor pool. A big year-round indoor pool provides a nice place to soak during winter months and cool evenings.

Hiking is good throughout the year. Average daily temperatures make hiking in the afternoon comfortable in the winter months and morning hiking in the summer months.


There are over 300 RV sites, lots of camping sites and motel rooms ($55) and rental units ($60-70) available. Throw in the grounds fee and a night here is less than $100, which is a cheap way to be naked.

Read about a few other Southern California nudist travel destinations here and here.

Naked money now! A fun way to find money for nudist travel

You want to be naked in the great outdoors. You want to visit a clothes-free resort or do a nude cruise. Or maybe you want to spend a weekend at a good nude beach.

But, alas, you have no money. Read on and you'll find some.

OK, lets look at a rewarding way to find money for getting naked.

Finding money starts with managing money. No, managing money is not an exciting topic. Some people would rather eat anchovies for a week than talk about money.

All it takes is 3 minutes a day. AND, the reward is great if you like nude recreation.

You will be a happier nudist in the long run through the financial freedom gained by taking this first step.

The first step is to understand your budget, to understand what you have and who gets it.

Finding out is easy.

(photo courtesy of aanr.com)

Get a little pocket-sized notepad. In the very last page, write down some of the nude resorts, nude cruises and nude beaches you want to experience someday. A few have been mentioned in my previous posts here on Nudist Travel Guide Blog or try the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) for a good list of North America destinations.

Now, put the notepad wherever you keep your keys. At the end of each day, when you turn in your keys, write down what you spent that day.

Gas - $15
Coffee - $4
Lunch - $10
Snacks - $2

Easy.

Not so fast. Give yourself a little reward. Keep some gum by your new notepad. To get the gum, you must make your entries in the notepad. If you spend nothing all day, you can have 2 pieces. No cheating.

Challenge yourself to 10 days of writing everything down. After that, challenge yourself to another 20 days. That will give you 30 days of numbers to work with.

Then, look at the numbers, slowly, and start asking questions:

Are you spending money needlessly every week? How much are you spending on food and drinks? Could you spend less? What about entertainment?

Say you spent $4 on coffee, $10 on breakfast or lunch and $2 on snacks 200 times a year. Multiply $16 by 200. That's $3,200 a year!!! If you brownbag your lunch, buy snacks in bulk, and make cheaper coffee, you could get that down to a little over a thousand, freeing up enough money for nude recreation.

Is there anything else you can cut out or cut down? What changes do you have to make to afford your nude travel goals in the back of the notepad?

Could you buy cheaper shoes? Less electronics? Less books? Would you give up movie theaters for nude recreation? Spend less on weekends? Could you buy non-perishable groceries in bulk? Do you use coupons to save money when grocery shopping? Could you get a cheaper cell phone plan?

How much money did you give to credit card companies this month in the form of interest? Is that money better spent being naked? Could you cut out other things to get credit card debt down? Could you transfer your balance to a 0% or low interest credit card? Most of the major credit card companies have balance transfer offers for new customers whether nudist or not. Find yourself a new credit card company.

That wasn't so hard, was it? Worth the effort? Definitely.

Do this exercise. Repeat it. Get yourself to the places you listed in the back of your notepad. I am.

Nude for the price of a bottle of wine

This article in Slate magazine calls spending $700 on a bottle of wine a bargain for a rare 1996 Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne, which can fetch up to $3,500 at retail or auction.

Forget that! $700 is enough money to buy 2 plane tickets from somewhere cold to somewhere warm with a nudist resort.

Example Trip: Someone living in cold and rainy Seattle, Washington could go to warm and sunny Palm Springs, California to visit a good first-timers resort like Terra Cotta Inn.

I put the numbers into Orbitz for a Monday arrival and Friday departure in May. Alaska Airlines has direct flights for less than $300 a person. Weekday nude resort rates are cheaper than the weekends plus it is a getaway from work. Now that's a bargain!!

How much would it cost you to fly to a nude destination? Could you fly for less than the price of a bottle of expensive wine?

Use Orbitz, Expedia or Kayak to get the best prices. You may be amazed how little it costs to fly from wherever you live to somewhere warmer, better and 'nuder'.