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.
Kleidungsarm am Eisbach im Englischen Garten (München): Manche lassen die Hüllen fallen
Originally uploaded by humpelbein
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.
Looking at the laws of most US towns, it seems that the laws for wearing clothing are determined by 2 simple factors:
- The category of room you are in
- Who can see you
- Undress in a locker room
- Shower without clothes at home or in a locker room
- Undress and do all sorts of naked posturing for a doctor
- Be clothesfree, wearing just in a towel, at a spa
- Get undressed at a dressing room in a clothing store
- Be naked inside your house as long as the windows are closed
- Be naked in your garage as long as the windows are closed
- Possibly be naked in your yard if it is fully enclosed are you are concealed
- Be naked all of the time if you are a non-human animal
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.
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
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)
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?
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."
An article was published yesterday in the Hartford Courant titled “Aging Nudists Have Trouble Attracting Young” by Cara Rubinsky. According to the author, “No one is quite sure why nudity, at least the organized version promoted by the AANR and similar groups, is such a tough sell for younger people.” Since it appears the closest the author probably got to a nudist resort was through a phone connection, I can offer some different opinions.
I’m no expert. I am just a casual nudist participant who would like to see more young people in the under-35 generation like myself participate so that it all doesn’t go away when the baby boomers, well, die off.
If nudism in the US is going to stay, nudist business owners need to understand the market. It is Business 101 that markets change over time and that baby boomers differ from gen X, Y and the millennials.
Why?
Well, the world has changed and become more complicated over the years. The younger generation has different needs from baby boomers. Each individual in the younger generation has to decide such things as “Is nude recreation where I want to spend my time and money as compared to other things like text messaging, cell phone bills and running up credit card debt?” The baby boomers didn’t have this complexity when they grew up.
If you want to understand the difference in complexity, just start listing the issues: the US educational system, US healthcare, culture, religion, economics, law, media, technology, immigration, globalization, etc. It gets complicated fast. In all areas, the younger generation is experiencing a different world. They have different needs. The market has changed.
Business owners need to adapt the business model. You can’t sell a horse carriage to a racecar driver. Many US nudist resorts have failed to adapt or even adjust the business model.
I like Berkshire Vista in Massachusetts as a nice nudist campground that has basic accommodations, sizeable grounds and a good pool and hot tubs. As a member of the younger generation, I do not feel that they cater to me in any way. Their ad in AANR’s The Bulletin monthly newspaper has been the same for years, much like the facility. Sorry, the younger generation wants new, unique and hip.
If you are young and want entertainment at Berkshire Vista, forget it. The DJ Dance is, well, not like going to a night club with techo music. Instead, think classics.
Berkshire Vista does have a ping-pong table in a small rec room, however the rec room is intended for kids. When we visited on a day kids were not in the campground, the rec room door was locked and we were told we couldn’t use the rec room. “Nice! Well, I guess we will leave early then.”
That’s no way to adapt to the market Berkshire Vista. But don’t you worry, I will be back someday as the rest of the place is suitable for nude recreation - but I hope some changes are tested to try to make the place better and attract more people.
The Hartford Courant article mentions Solair Recreation League, called a “nudist camp” by the author, located in northeastern Connecticut. The author interviews Gordon Adams at Solair, probably by phone:
‘"We don't want the place to turn into a gated assisted living facility," said Gordon Adams, membership director at Solair Recreation League, a nudist camp in northeast Connecticut that recently invited students from dozens of New England schools to a college day in hopes of piquing their interest.’ (Source: Hartford Courant, May 14, 2007)
I actually visited Solair once last year and can speak with limited authority, though more than the Hartford Courant author. Solair is a well-kept facility worth a summer weekend visit, but in my experience, the membership policy and first 30 to 60 minutes inside the gate could be considered awkward by first-timers, especially younger ones.
As my wife and I understood it, Solair is a membership club and we could visit Solair 4 times. After the forth time, we’d need a membership. We’re not ready for that kind of commitment. There are 270 AANR affiliated destinations. We want to try them all and not be locked in.
Additionally, during each of the first 4 visits, we were supposed to seek out a person with a yellow hat. The yellow hat people do memberships and tell you about the place. After they do that, they’re supposed to sign your membership sheet.
Nice idea and I’m sure some people love it, but not us. We just went to Solair wanting to relax and get away from the complications of life for a day. We did not want to talk to yellow hat people. Understand the market: Not everyone who goes to a nudist resort wants to socialize every single time, so don't force them or they will not be happy. Then, the younger ones will gets blogs like me and soapbox for the whole world not to read.
OK, so we got through all the paperwork at the front desk (FYI, younger people really hate paperwork and expect everything to be computerized and completed instantly) and then we got back in our car and followed an older naked guy in a 4-seater golf cart to the main parking area.
We were asked to take off our clothes, while the guy waited, and then we got in the back of the golf cart (with our towels) for a tour around the place. To us who have visited several destinations, this was fine, but to a younger first-timer it may be extremely awkward, sorry to say. The tour was nice, but should have been optional. Give me a map. Let me walk around and do it my way...just like the internet...click, click, click... The younger generation likes options and customization.
Solair can do what they want for whatever reasons they want, but they seem to be over-complicating the experience. By comparison, Berkshire Vista and most other places we've visited take only a few minutes at the gate if you show an AANR membership card. Then, you are in and enjoying the place.
Once you get through Solair’s initial steps, the rest is better. Solair's facility is well-kept and spread out with a lot of activities. The pool, though smaller, is is good for lounging and playing water volleyball. A lot of people were swimming in the lake too.
Next to the pool, in the recreation building, there was a hot tub and a unisex, multi-stalled bathroom (which is unique in my limited experience). On the first floor of the recreation room there was an ice cream stand, lounge, ping-pong table and pool table. (The pool table was not free though. Grrrrrr.) There are other nudist facilities on site and recreation options, but I will save that for another post that will cover all of the good things about Solair.
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"
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)
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:
Update: As of March 23, there are already almost 60 cars pre-registered for the show. At the car show, the date for the 2007 Bare Buns Biker Blast at Caliente will be officially announced.
(Postponed to April 29th due to rain)
As mentioned in “2007 Nude Car Shows: Chevy. Ford. Mopar. Nudists.”, I will be attending one of the upcoming nudist resort car shows and providing a report afterwards. Being eager to learn more about the show ahead of time, I interviewed Deb Bowen, the show coordinator. Deb was nice enough to answer questions about the day’s events at Caliente.
Let’s find out what the Bare Bods and Hot Rods Car Show (April 15th) at Caliente Clothing-Optional Resort and Spa in Lutz, Florida is all about. 
John: Having 138 cars in last year's car show is impressive for a clothing-optional resort that opened only in 2004. Could you tell me a little more about last year's car show?
Deb: Let's see. Last year was our first show, but I have worked at other nudist resorts coordinating car shows, so I have a good base to start with. I have also recruited "The Rat Pack Car Club" into the nudist world and have worked with them for years! They go to every car show and event in the state and pass out the flyers/applications! It’s all about getting the word out! And we certainly do!
John: Were the car owners nudists or new to nudism? What has the car owners' response been?
Deb: According to the Rat Pack, the Caliente Car Show has been the talk of the "car show" world since last year! The car owners may or may not be nudists, but for the ones that aren't when they arrive, many of them are by the time they leave! I always sell a few new memberships at the show! It’s a great way to introduce nudism and Caliente to the general public! As you probably know, car collectors are generally an older crowd so it gives them a reason to come to Caliente for the first time (which many of them have stated they were looking for!!!) 
John: The April 15, 2007 car show looks like an exciting day at Caliente. There will be vendors, a charity raffle, live music, a BBQ, and a sock hop. Could you tell me a little more about these? Where on the 120-acre resort will these events be held?
Deb: The car show is held in the "over-flow" parking area just beyond the main entrance! It holds about 225 cars and is actually a PERFECT place for the show! Many of Caliente’s members like to stand on the balcony overlooking the car show for a "birds eye view" so to speak, but the folks that are not nudists do not have to go into the lobby at all. Although I can tell you that they have ALL wanted to check it out. I don't remember any case of a non-nudist at any of my car shows that refused to take a look around! And they are completely blown away by Caliente, so I always encourage them to take a tour of the resort before they leave!
We raffle off great prizes and the proceeds go to charities so it’s definitely a win-win for everyone! Last year we raffled off the Nose Cone from and INDY 500 Race Car, signed!
The Live music will be a short show during the daytime by Blonde Ambition, a two-girl team that really rocks! They sing all your favorites from the fifties! They are very entertaining! Then they will put on a show at the sock hop in the nightclub that evening! But there will be either live music or a doo-wop DJ at the car show all day!
We also have a full BBQ at the car show with delicious food available so you don't have to leave your car to go find food! Car owners do NOT want to leave their cars for anything, so I make it easy! Not only do we have a BBQ, but will have fun food vendors (like kettle korn or cotton candy) and we will also have the "beer cart" driving around the lot selling beer, water, soda, wine, etc. We come to YOU!
John: Caliente has a calendar of big events. What goes into making the car show happen?
Deb: PROMOTION PROMOTION PROMOTION! You can't have a successful event if you don't let people know. I have listed the show on MANY car web sites, I have listed the event in local papers, I write about it in my newsletter, I send an invitation to all the car entrants from last year, I tell everyone I know, etc!!! And the Rat Pack always does such a great job handing out the flyer/applications to everyone at all the other shows they attend (which is 3-5 a week!)
The car show is one of my favorite events and draws the BEST people from all over!
John: Thank you, Deb, for giving the inside scoop about the event. I look forward to the car show and visiting Caliente. I hope this post on Nudist Travel Blog helps in the promotion efforts. When it comes to promoting nudist travel destinations and events, I know the challenges and there can never be enough promotion. This seems like a great event.
Additional resources:
- Caliente Clothing Optional Resort and Spa - official website
- RatRack Car Club
- American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) - Caliente is an American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) affiliated resort.
- “2007 Nude Car Shows: Chevy. Ford. Mopar. Nudists.”
Would you try nude swimming in Antarctica?
The crew and guests aboard the 24-day "Dive Antarctica" voyage had the opportunity. The trip's purpose was to explore the Antarctic undersea world and the above-ground landscape.
Calling this a 'vacation' is not the right word. The excursion seems more of a 'quest', an adventure into lands few have seen. The intense and physically challenging Antarctic diving required that the guests be highly trained and experienced divers. They were rewarded with incredible sights throughout the trip.
Between spectacular diving sessions, the travelers had a little downtime. Some tried swimming in the cold waters. After shedding clothing, a few on the excursion took the opportunity to swim naked - the ultimate nude Polar Bear swim.
Here's footage of a man and woman from the Dive Antarctica excursion skinnydipping in the Antarctic Sea:
(YouTube)
During the trip, the team discovered some pollution in the waters, some from tourism and more at a research station. In a noble effort to keep the environment pristine, Dive Antarctica is proposing to return in 2007 to do a clean-up mission.
