Song for Today: Hot time summer in the city, back of my neck feeling dirty and sweaty...........Lovin' Spoonful


In Season: gladiolas

Synchronicity in Motion

On the morning of June 19th, I woke early to check my email before driving to the Portland Airport. Much to my amazement, was a news headline regarding nude teen camps. "How ironic can this be?", I thought, because I was headed for my first luxorious visit to a naturist (nudist) resort in the desert of Palm Springs. Being the earth muffin that I am, I was not even a tad nervous about hanging with 20 other friends while hot tubbing, dining, and sun bathing with my white butt and farmer's tan. Over the years, especially raising two sons, I knew that babies love being naked, and so do I. My family frequented many hot springs, and clothing-optional swimming holes in Oregon. But as the kids grew into teenhood, they didn't want to hang out with me as much and their friends became more important. Nakidity wasn't pushed in my home, especially around groups of teens. I was just not going to go there. Now, that my youngest is renting his first home in Corvallis, Oregon, I am much freer to pursue my interests again. So, when a group of friends invited me along on this vacation I was eager and thought this would be a fun and maybe hysterical experience. Just as I thought, get 20 naked like-minded folks from the smallest of Oregon and Washington towns, provide alcohol, free food, 5 pools, 3 hot tubs, and a naked karaoke dance, the result is bound to be a blast. My cheeks hurt from smiling I had so much fun. And my butt cheeks are still red.

After reading about summer teen nude camps that early morning, before my flight, I decided this would be a great issue to blog about upon my return to home.

The first morning of my vacation I caught only a quick glimpse at the news where I read the New York Times piece that started the whole damn fracas in the first place. I giggled with delight learning further that State Rep Foley (R-Perv) spewed out his disgust at such a wild idea as naked teens. Here I was, naked, and having the time of my life.

Now I respect anyone's opinions about nudity and never walked around naked all the time with two teenage sons under my roof, but jeezus people........ lighten up.

During my 5 day stay at Desert Shadows Resort, I hung out with a 13 year old boy, my friend's son. This was his first visit to a nudie resort. This kid was amazing and seemed more comfy than most adults. He had no qualms about getting his butt naked and walking around with the other guests, swimming, dining and lounging. In fact, it got to be the joke when people walked by in clothes, as to how strange they looked.

I really do not think my sons would have gotten naked with me and gone to a resort like this. However, I did not feel this was exploitative or abusive behavior in any way, shape or form to our pubert guest. It felt like a pleasant family group recreating and swimming with no clothes to worry about. Incidentally, this made packing for the trip a breeze and I didnt' even to have to check luggage on the plane.

For those who may be curious about etiquette at a nude resort, the trick is always pack a towel. It is considered proper ettiquette to place a towel down on any surface you are sittting on whether it be a dining room chair, a lounge chair or a floor. In addition, men with obvious erections must cover up. I didn't see any of this and really the unairbrushed bodies of people are quite blase after seeing fat butts and droopy tatas all weekend. The most interesting part for me was eating in the dining room naked. I am of short stature and I would smirk looking eye level at various nipple sizes, from teeny to humongous. My napkin usage went up considerably at meals. I guess because of a larger naked surface area on which to spill food.

By the end of the second day we were joyfully playing pool volleyball or guzzling the beverage of our choosing. (I hardly drink, but did have a shot of kahlua in my coffee, Sunday morning.) Naked bodies were no big deal, it just seemed natural and it was. Not weird.....unless you're a perv. I felt safe, too. Rules are strict regarding lurking, staring, or making anyone feel uncomfy in general. I saw no solicitation by anyone, no inappropriate touching, or crass mooks looking for some eye candy. Besides, I came prepared to stare down anyone gazing too long and say "Hey....where did you buy that "thing"?

In the hot tub on the third day, I laughed my ass off at this following exchange between my friend's 13 year old son and a fatso, male, republican ad executive.

!3 yr old: "There are three things wrong in this world, warm beer, cold cofee, and right wing republicans."

Fatso: (laughs loudly) "I'm one of those, and I'm rich too. I can afford to come to places like this and get naked."

I promptly gave 13 yr old the evil eye and say...."Now youre really in hot water, you better start doing some talking now".

I am not sure if Fatso was drunk or just a jolly pig but we did have a respectful discussion after that of which I am so proud. I never called him a freaktard once. Fatso informed me regarding naturist resorts and how many Republicrats are wealthy and frequent nudie resorts more than us liberals may think.

By the fifth day, we had made many friends with the staff and guests and we were invited to a naked wedding. Monday, June 23, 2003 our new naked Californian friends wed in the courtyard of our condo. It was short and sweet and obviously what the couple wanted. Love was in the air. We shared a glass of champagne with the newlyweds and toasted to their love. The bride wore a white silk fringed sarong and a beautiful flower headdress. The groom wore nothing but his tattoos and a smile. Congratulations to my new friends! I will always remember the nude wedding.