Interesting and generally positive comments following the article (click title to read the original). Rick
By Nathan Powers
Nudists (or “naturists” as some prefer to be referred to), have been the brunt of many a joke for many years. However, the truth of the matter is that living a nudist lifestyle may actually be far better for you, physically, ecologically and economically.
Cooling Down: Since for practicality reasons, most nudists live in either tropical or subtropical regions, many homes and businesses in those regions have some form of air conditioning. Nudists can save money and as in the case of laundry, the environment, by being able to turn up the thermostat a few degrees and allowing the natural cooling system provided in our bodies to do it’s job. Also, if things get a little too hot, it is very easy to simply jump in a cool shower or hose off for a second or two with having to take the time to get undress and redressed. Besides, who wants to throw those sweaty clothing back on right after a shower.
Health Costs: There are other bonuses as well. It has recently been found that exposure to natural sunlight is far healthier to the human body than attempting to hide from the sun altogether. Regulated exposure to natural sunlight lets the body naturally produce all of the Vitamin “D” it needs to ward off a host of deadly and debilitating diseases, cancers and conditions, including MS, ALS, osteoporosis, breast, ovarian, prostate and brain cancers. (source) Even more recent reports indicate that almost all sunscreens are completely ineffective in reducing the deadliest forms of cancer, melanoma (source). Several reports indicate that the ingredients used to manufacture sunscreens are actually more harmful that the cancers they purport to prevent. However, by balancing the ratio of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, combined with an adequate amount of Vitamin “D”, incidence of melanoma has shown to be reduced by around 40% (source). It is therefore better to gradually expose the body to the sun, slowly building up our body’s own natural sunscreen, melanin, being careful not to get sunburned in the process.
The bottom line is that nudists can save a ton of money by not buying sunscreen, simply exposing themselves to natural sunlight in appropriate amounts; there by creating Vitamin “D” for free and by simply eating a diet that balances omega 3 acids. This can be done through supplement or through adding fish, flax or kiwi fruit to their diets. The real savings come from not having to pay medical bills for treatments for all of the conditions.
Stuff: Nudism is often referred to as the “Great Equalizer”. When people are naked around other people, it is difficult to tell if a person is the president of a bank, or a school janitor. Consequently, nudists tend to be far less “class-conscious”. Nudists are typically less likely to want to keep up with the Joneses, realizing that not only do clothes not really make the man, but neither do homes, cars, boats etc.
More Health - Less Stress - More Money: Studies have also found that children raised in nudist homes tend to be more socially developed (and often more intelligent) than those raised in “textile” families. Nudists generally feel that they have nothing to hide. That attitude permeates the rest of their psyche as well, so they tend to be less stressed out and more sure of themselves. We have probably all heard about the health problems produced by living under stress. Nudists save money by not having to treat as many stress related disorders. (source - pdf format) Also, by being more self confident, and supposedly better educated, they are more likely to get better jobs, making more money.
Society: Those same group of studies indicated that children raised in nudist homes are less inclined to become burdens to society. They are less likely to become involved in early sexual or drug experimentation or to commit crimes against society. This is partially because they are not as materially oriented and because they are already familiar with the looks and workings of the opposite sex. In general, nudity allows them to be more open and honest in their family life, which is expressed in how they relate to others in general. Nudists save money by not having to bail their children out of jail, take them to the doctors to treat sexually transmitted diseases or help them raise unwanted grandchildren (as frequently). If all families raised their children with the same attitudes as nudists, we would all be able to save money by having to pay less in taxes to support fewer children of unwanted pregnancies, drug addicts, juvenile delinquents, vandalism, etc.
Image courtesy of NudstRalph
ORCOBA, in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, is hosting a Post-Labor Day Weekend Clean-up at Collins Beach:
Saturday, September 8th --- 9:00am – Noon
Labor Day Weekend puts a strain on ODFW’s island resources, due to the large volumes of trash typically left behind on Sauvie Island’s recreation areas. ODFW is also shorthanded during this time of year, making trash cleanup a major concern. Our post-Labor Day cleanup comes at a welcome time for ODFW, and they are pleased to make this an official ODFW-ORCOBA cooperative effort. Thanks to the naturist community, Collins Beach has a reputation for being the cleanest beach on the island, a fact which is readily acknowledged by ODFW officials.
We will target the usual areas; the parking lot, wooded areas, and the beach itself. Filled bags and large debris can be set out along the road for transfer via pickup truck down to ODFW’s collection site near Willow Bar for final disposal. We'll have a pickup truck on site for the transfer duties; if anyone else brings one out as well, that will be great, although the one truck will likely be adequate for making multiple runs throughout the morning as needed. Participants can choose to clean up a specific area, or fill in as necessary, depending on the number of participants.
The check-in area will be at the parking lot near Entrance 3, starting around 9:00am. Garbage bags will be available, along with bottled drinking water. It is recommended that participants bring along a pair of work gloves and dress accordingly. Clothing, of course, is optional on the beach, but required in the parking lot and areas readily visible from the road, in compliance with ODFW regulations governing the beach.
As this is an official ODFW-endorsed event, participants will be required to read and sign an ODFW "Conditions of Volunteer Service" form, available at check-in. Participants are then registered with ODFW as part of their Volunteer Team and are “certified” for future ORCOBA/ODFW cleanup activities on Sauvie Island over the next year. Everyone is welcome.
Typically, these cleanups are completed within a couple of hours; however, participants are free to volunteer whatever amount of time they wish. Following the cleanup, around noon or so, participants are welcome to join others on the beach near entrance 3 for a casual picnic lunch.
As Posted in the Naturist Forums a few days ago. Message posted in part to pertinent concerns. Rick
From: Lloyd Johnson (http://blacksbeach.org )
This is the latest newsletter from Black's Beach, in text format. I will Load a Word 2000 version to the website.
Bad News:
I put out a September issue already, but one incident requires that I put out a second edition. At approximately 7pm September 1st a ranger drove from north to south announcing that he had a complaint and we all had to get dressed for the remainder of the day. The Cahill Policy requires that they receive a complaint before they can order us to get dressed, and it's only in effect for the remainder of the day. It could have been worse; the day was practically over.
I stopped the ranger to ask him about the complaint and he replied that they received a WRITTEN complaint. I advised him that I will be filing a public records request to see that complaint.
We don't yet know if this was an isolated incident, or the first symptom of a bigger problem. Similar things have occurred in other states and other parks. Sometimes there was a complaint and sometimes it was an officer with a power trip. It will likely take weeks to uncover the facts. We all hope for the best, but it's my job to prepare for the worst.
There were suspicious circumstances. That same ranger drove north to south, passing the Bares volleyball court at 6:21. I know this because he ran over and broke some volleyball equipment, leading him to stop and get stuck in the sand. Volleyball players pushed him out and I took a picture with a digital camera, recording the time. Then just 40 minutes later he returns with a complaint. Who was in the office so late to receive the complaint?
Afterward, he drove north with emergency lights running, disappearing around Flatrock about sunset.
To my knowledge this last occurred March 12th 2006. The details and other relevant information are in the April 2006 issue. Copies are available upon request at our yellow flag, or can be downloaded from the archives.
If anyone was cited or has information about the complaint, please contact Lloyd. We may be able to help with your legal defense.
Finding a place to get out and enjoy the sun shouldn't be an exercise in frustration . . . especially here in the Pacific Northwest with all the forest land and wilderness we are blessed with. The tolerated and designated nude beaches like Sauvies Island and Rooster Rock are great but there are literally hundreds of miles of isolated and underused sunny beach areas along the river courses descending from the Cascade and Olympic Mountains. Within 45 miles of Seattle is the wide flood plain of the Skykomish River above Index. There are many more. Get out there and enjoy them.
Getting to where you want can sometimes be a task, like here off the Index-Galena Road where I have to ford the Skykomish River to reach the far bank and flood plain of the river where there is no habitation and a general lack of interest . . . but some great nude hiking!
The water is rarely more than waist deep in the wider floodplains but use common sense when fording an unfamiliar river. Study it first and look for the clues of a shallow ford. Rapids and white water mean a constriction and fast flow . . . not good. Look up or downstream for a widening of the flow and then study that surface, avoiding areas that swirl and eddy which are typical of scoured deep pools in the bed. Look for changes in color . . . a richening of the glacial green that might indicate deep water.
This particular stretch of sand is as warm and luxurious as any beach. It is on the wild-side of the river completely unobservable from places where people go . . . shielded even more by giant washed-down trees and large boulders. Facing west it catches the sun for most of the day.
The water is cold but definitely refreshing. This large pool is a result of flowback into a depression in the riff-raff of the annual river floods . . . constantly refreshed by a side stream of the river.
The payback for the short hike in is the chance to just lay out lazily in the sun and enjoy the summer heat abated by gentle breezes flowing down the river valley.
There are also many places to mold your body into for an afternoon snooze. This one is tailor made for me because I can lay back and watch all those hikers making their way up the road off the far bank without being observed myself . . . and with a wide river between us. It kinda says, you have your side and I have mine. I relaxing now . . . see ya later.Don, working with the TNS Membership Advisory Committee, has volunteered to help setup and moderate a MySpace Blog for TNS.
In Don's words:
... the kick-off of The Naturist Society’s MySpace page and Blog!
I volunteered for and have been selected to serve as Moderator for the new Blog, which will be a work in progress for a while during the tweaking and debugging phase. Its creation is the result of discussion during the TNS Western Naturist Gathering at Lupin Lodge last month, and at the Eastern Naturist Gathering as well. Each year at the Gatherings’ Town Hall Meetings, TNS members have the opportunity to meet with The TNS Member Advisory Committee and talk about ways to make TNS even better, from the individual member perspective. As an organization which is shaped and driven by its individual members, TNS takes these meetings to heart.
TNS hopes to see their new MySpace page and Blog become a popular, as-it-happens source of TNS news and happenings, announcements, updates, Q&A, and other items of interest to naturists.
To visit TNS’s MySpace page, click on this link: http://www.myspace.
com/naturistsoci Click on “View All Blog Entries” to access the Blog. You can also subscribe to the Blog and receive email notifications of new Blog posts.ety
You can also CLICK HERE to access the TNS MySpace Blog directly (I think, anyway…if this doesn’t work, just use the main page link above.)
And please, feel free to post a comment while you’re there…suggestions and input are welcomed.
See you there!
Don
The MIA Bracelet reads:Those who have met me have seen the red metal band that always seems to be around my wrist. Those who know me also know that I almost never remove the bracelet for any reason. I work with it on, I play with it, sleep, shower and bath with it. At some nudist events it get misinterpreted as an indicator of no photos . . . until I explain otherwise. This simple piece of red-anodized aluminum has been on my right wrist since December 19th, 1971 and I wear it with honor and deeply-felt remembrance for a fellow airman lost in a little-known side-arena of the Vietnam War. I wear it in honor of TSgt Elbert A. Phillips who was lost over the unfriendly jungles of Laos on the 28th of August, 1968; at first presumed missing in action (MIA) and then later, officially designated killed in action (KIA) though his remains have not yet been found. I promised myself at the time I asked for this particular MIA bracelet, that I would wear it until Sergeant Phillips was returned home . . . as a repatriated MIA or the return of his remains. I wear the bracelet to this day, 36 years later . . . and it does not come off my wrist!
A few days ago I was Googling my name . . . as we all should do from time to time . . . and I came across a web site devoted to opening up the muddy history of our dirty little war in Laos. Took me completely by surprise because there I was listed. The surprise was that when I left Vientiane, Laos after my tour of duty I was very sternly told that the circumstances of my being there were never to be talked about . . . permanently. So I didn't. As far as my family was concerned, I was safely stationed at an airbase in Thailand, wore a uniform like anyone else and did mundane things in support of the air war over North Vietnam. My parents would have freaked out if they'd known that myself, and a few hundred others over the years, have been 'sheep-dipped' . . . a black ops term, if ever. We were sanitized of military clothing, surrendered our military ID to the embassy and slunk about Laos . . . in a state of three-way civil war . . . in civilian clothes. It was called Project 404 and was your basic Air America stuff of the movie, gunships and Forward Air Controllers (FACs, callsign Raven). I spent most of my time in the Air Attache office at the embassy doing what was politely called HUMINT, or Human Intelligence.
Okay . . . so I'm outed on a website that wants to set the history right for our secret little war. Removing the uniform and pretending to be a civilian strips a soldier of his Geneva Convention rights; something we were always cognizant of as we were shot at while flying back and forth to scratch-in-the-dirt airfields high atop the jagged karst of the Laotian mountains surrounding the Plain de Jars. What we were fighting for no one ever really knew. The North Vietnamese were perfectly happy to stay far to the east on the Ho Chi Minh Trail beyond our area of operations. We were supposedly supporting the Royal Laotian Army against the communist Pathet Lao insurgency . . . but Laotians hate to fight so the Hmong people of the highlands became the proxy warriors. We supported them with arms, rice drops (so much so by the end of the war that many young Hmong believed that rice came from the sky). Forward Air Controllers flying O-2 Birddogs and T28 Nomads scouted for the Hmong fighters and directed gunships (Puff the Magic Dragon) manned by American airmen (sans uniform). TSgt Phillips was a medic transiting as a non-aircrew member on a T-28D when the plane went down. I learned about Sergeant Phillips while getting drunk in a Vientiane club (aka brothel) called the White Rose . . . the place where most of us 'on loan' soldiers spent our scant off-duty hours. Casualties were not unheard of but everybody knew everyone . . . it was a very small community and our very existence stood on shaky foundations. Back at the embassy I put my name in to wear one of those bracelets . . . and asked for Sergeant Phillips.
So I wear a bracelet in honor of him. Many soldiers, seamen and airmen lost their lives in places well known. Few knew of the covert nature of the air support we gave in Laos.
So I'm outed and it's somewhat of a relief because I can talk about it now. I stare at the list, looking for familiar names. There are a number of them but right above my entry is a name in red . . . red for individuals who were killed in Laos . . . and who is it? It's my familiar acquaintance for these past 36 years . . . TSgt Elbert Austin Phillips.
So . . . what does this have to do with nudism? Nothing I suppose, unless you happen to catch me wandering about nude and wonder why I never take off the red-metal bracelet . . . even in sauna rooms where superheated air quickly makes the metal very hot . . . or you find me arguing with the photographer that my red bracelet does not mean I don't want to be photographed.
Been a little lax on my posting . . . because, as you guessed it, I've been busy hiking nude all over the place. I'd like to share a nice place I came across hiking the top loop of the Index-Galena Road near the Troublesome Creek Gorge. Scenic and very tranquil for an afternoon exploring the water-smoothed granite and the alluring glacier-green of the river's crystal waters.Here is the Public Service Announcement about the Wreck Beach Bare Buns Run that went out to all media outlets in Greater Vancouver.
The weather is supposed to improve by Thursday and be good for the weekend so this should be a great event. If you are in Vancouver BC this Sunday head down to Wreck and join the fun.
AANR-NW GAT in association with SOLV sponsored cleanups at both the clothing-optional beach at Rooster Rock State Park east of Portland, Oregon on Aug 4th, 2007; and Collins Beach on Sauvies Island, west of Portland on Aug 5th, 2007. Mountaindale Sun Resort offered discounted fees to participants, sporting a great dinner spread, use of their great facilities and overnight camping space.
The flooded area of Dragonfly Trail
Picking up the litter at Willows Bar on Sauvies Island
Chopping onions for the hot dogs
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"A nudist is one who does not fear a pickpocket"
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