Much to Red Eagle's disgust, I use AOL to access the Internet. One day I'll grow up and get a real provider, but until then I'll be treated to such news flashes as the one that inspires today's post.
My day started out with AOL announcing that there is a HUGE surge in vacationing in the buff. It seems that in the past ten years annual revenue based on nudism has increased from $120 to $400 MILLION dollars a year.
I visited this site at CNN to learn that people are now offering nude motorcycle rallys (Bogie, WHERE was WS??), nude hiking and camping (Gawd, think of the mosquito bites and poison ivy), and cruises. You can send your children to nude camps, or go to one of 260 clothing optional resorts in North America. The number of resorts have doubled in ten years.
AOL ran a poll on the subject, asking "Would you ever try a clothing optional vacation?" Forty-nine percent of the 84,517 responding said "Yes," 32% said "No," and 19% said "Maybe." When asked if they would allow their teen to attend a nude camp, a sensible 71% said "NO."
I understand people wanting to be one with nature, communing with the beauty around us, but what comes to mind when you talk about nude camping is running like hell, with a bear hot on your trail. I bet the Forest Rangers have a LOT of cute stories to tell about the naked campers they've had to rescue. And the thought of sunburn on parts of me that haven't seen daylight in twenty years is enough to make me shudder. You KNOW you'd miss places with the sunscreen.
And let my kid go to nude camp? Not a chance! It takes long enough to teach a kid to wear clothes; who in their right mind would send them off for a week in the buff? And then you have the question of whether it's a coed camp or a same sex camp. Both are bad choices. All together too much temptation at that age.
Apparently, nudism is a niche industry that caters to the affluent. "Naked Air" has flown one clothing optional flight from Houston to Cancun. A company called "Bare Necessities" has organized nude cruises and has filled a Carnival Cruise lines ship.
Now, I don't want you to get the wrong idea. I'm not a prude, but I am modest. I'm looking at this issue from my perspective, and from my experience. I had the great good fortune to take a cruise to Alaska last year. No...it wasn't clothing optional. However, I chose not to take my swim suit in an effort to avoid offending my fellow cruisers. I needen't have worried. I was ASTOUNDED at the beached whales who could be found in the pool on the Lido deck each day. I'm a hefty broad on a mission to loose weight, and each of these people could have made TWO of me.
So..........just because you are affluent doesn't mean you have good sense or good taste. Nude activities should be for people who have lovely bodies. Out of kindness for the community, those of us who are no longer 34-23-34 need to reconsider communal nudity with strangers.
In my own home, yes. In public, no.
Comments (7)
Are those your vitals by chance Buffy?? If so, you can go in the 'Buff' just about anywhere with no need to fret.
I have been to the nude beach here at Hedonism II in Negril a few years back, and I dropped everything. Felt good, natural. And it felt a bit strange initially being in trunks when all around me were nekkid.
Hiking in the raw??? Certainly not in this country. Getting bitten by mosquitoes etc...in ceratin sensitive places??? I think I'll pass, the beach is fine. Home even better.
Posted by Dr. D. | August 21, 2003 4:40 PM
Posted on August 21, 2003 16:40
OH, don't I WISH, Doc! I wouldn't be dieting if I was even close to those dimensions.
I remember reading about your visit to Hedonism II, and wondered what you would have to say about this post!*G*
Posted by Buffy | August 21, 2003 4:51 PM
Posted on August 21, 2003 16:51
In my part of the world, I've known several people that go to nearby nudist colony/camp/getaway. I would say that none of them would strike awe in anyone who saw them nekkid. But, they take their kids and make a family thing of it and have the time of their lives. They all say the same thing, they aren't there for the "scenery", they are there for the freedom.
I've known a couple of them long enough for their children to grow up. They've said that the whole teenage sex thing never became an issue. The kids were used to seeing naked people and it knocked the mystique out of it for them. Personality became the bigger interest for the kids.
Next question before you ask, no I wouldn't do it. I've been asked by the people I know if I wanted to visit with them and I've turned them down. Part modesty and part I've seen me naked, I couldn't handle the spewage (or possibility of it)this might cause.
Posted by Wichi Dude | August 21, 2003 5:02 PM
Posted on August 21, 2003 17:02
Just when I needed a laugh...
Reminds me of the time I was fishing on the river & walked into a biker campout. Some of those ladies decided a little skinny-dippin' was in order...NOT a pretty sight. On my way downriver late that afternoon, one of the guys stopped me for directions to a store that might have some sunburn medication - seems some of the ladies fell asleep in the sun & had burned their tenders.
Enough reason for me to avoid that situation!
Posted by PJ | August 21, 2003 6:09 PM
Posted on August 21, 2003 18:09
I rest my case! *G*
Posted by Buffy | August 21, 2003 7:04 PM
Posted on August 21, 2003 19:04
I'll have to let WS know about this developement (obviously he has been derilict in keeping up with hot bike rallies like that). On second though, he won't even wear shorts on the bike. Something about hot exhaust pipes and bare calves don't mesh too well.
Posted by bogie | August 22, 2003 6:35 AM
Posted on August 22, 2003 06:35
I didn't look into the subject of nude bike ralleys. Surely they don't ride nude. It would be incredibly risky to bare all. Maybe they just go without clothes where ever they stop.
Posted by Buffy | August 22, 2003 10:26 AM
Posted on August 22, 2003 10:26