Sunday, February 27, 2011

Novelty of Naturism

Last year I was questioning why we even go to the VVRC Mid-Winter party, but this year it was refreshingly different. Everyone was well-behaved, it wasn't as packed as the year before, we had great roommates, and everyone had a fun time.

I'm not sure if the VVRC staff had a chat with a few of the usual groups, but they didn't seem as "flirty" as before. Sure there were a few dance moves that made us cringe, but alcohol likely played a part in that. Lingerie was rare this year. It seemed that everyone just wanted to be naked.

We couldn't ask for better roommates. Alice and Bob came through on their suggestion from last year. We all brought the usual board games and card games, and got others involved in the games. Only minor injuries were reported. The seemingly pierced ear drums quickly recovered, the crushed toes didn't break or dislocate anything, and the spilled wine didn't stain any clothing. We're a rowdy bunch.

Dave and Eve liked the one man band last year, but it seems nobody else did. This time, VVRC brought in their own rockin' DJ who spun (from a hard drive) a variety of tunes all evening. He provided quiet background music during the catered meal and cranked it to a comfortable volume during the dance. This year, dancing was much more popular.

The event this year really didn't give me much to write about. I did, however, draw a conclusion to one of my curiosities while I was there.

Over the last several events we've been too, I've had a question running through my head: Why do we do it? What drives naturists to do things like the following:
  • Snowbirds travel to the south to get naked, even though they could be naked in their own northern home. Having two places of residence can be expensive, as can moving a motor-home over great distances twice a year .
  • People travel for hours to get to Mazo beach, when textile beaches are available nearby. Don't forget the 1.2 mile walk with hordes of hungry mosquitoes. Other beaches you could drive to.
  • A night at a similar hotel is $70 for a double, but we paid $105 for the privilege of being clothing optional.
  • People fly to far away places with the goal of getting naked at a single venue. They stay there despite the variety of things to do in the surrounding area. (That would mean they'd need to get dressed!)
  • People pay a lot more to go to resorts and campgrounds that allow nudity, even though textile places are often cheaper.
  • Many risk arrest to be naked in public places. This includes freehikers everywhere and the brave souls keeping the "unofficial" beaches alive.
  • Many keep naturism a secret for a variety of reasons. They put a lot of effort (and sometimes money too) into keeping friends and family in the dark.
We go through a lot of extra trouble, and money, to do the same thing textiles do but dressed a little differently. Is it worth it? Why is naturism such a novelty?

There seems to be a sort of "naturist bliss". Anyone who has experienced this would say "yes, it's worth it!" At Cedar Trails last year, Chet said he was at bliss while floating in the pool under the sun. I found bliss hiking the trails there. At the Mid-Winter Party, Sunday morning, I noticed Bob had a different look on his face and was being suspiciously quiet. I asked if he was bored or just tired. "Neither," he said, "I'm just happy and I'm reveling in it." I also noticed a long smile on Percilla's face Saturday evening, and asked her about it. "I'm just happy. Thank you for bringing me here."

During the drive home I asked her about it again. I asked her if the feeling she felt that night was similar to when she's hanging out with textile friends. She said that the happiness she feels during the nude events is much better than anything with her textile friends. It's not just about the nudity. The freedom from clothing helps, but also the environment, people, and our own naturist-influenced attitudes all combine to help the experience.

I'd like to turn it over to the readers of this blog. Do any of you have this same feeling of "naturist bliss"? Where or when do you feel it most? Is it better than comparable experiences in a textile setting? Does it make the added expenses worthwhile?

3 comments:

Nudiarist said...

Nice to see you emerge from the winter darkness!

The reason people travel to nudist venues is to socialize. Yes, it costs nothing to be nude at home, but it's more fun when there are a lot of like-minded people being nude together.

Since you mentioned me, yes, floating in the pool is blissful, but I share your love of freehiking, too.

All I know is that when we drive up to the gate at Cedar Trails, my wife and I are instantly more relaxed. We often say that discovering nude recreation was the best thing we've done in a long, long time.

Brad Fults said...

I definitely agree about the feeling of bliss, and for me, I can't get it elsewhere. There's no feeling in the world like relaxing by the side of a lake or beach with a warm breeze blowing by. Nudity is an integral part of that experience—it makes the experience feel separate and almost otherworldly when compared with the rest of life. It's a unique emotion for a unique experience.

Anonymous said...

Welcome back!

Bliss is a good word, yes. That's what Angie and I were feeling last week lying on the sand at Haulover watching the waves roll in. Bliss and calm from being warm in the winter and nude in the sun.

But like you said, it wasn't free. Money we can't afford and most of two days on airplanes with delays, just for a few days at the beach.

Worth it? Oh yeah! Are nudists nuts? Well, maybe a little...