This is a new feature of my website in which I will share my nudist experiences as the year progresses. [Good and Bad.] I plan to have a lot of them this year, so check back often.
5/01/99
I've been waiting patiently for the warm weather to arrive, and it finally did midway through the previous week. My bedroom is located in the east end of my house and I had begun to open the curtains at night before going to bed. When the sun rose in the morning, my bed was drenched in sunlight and I'd just throw the covers off and lay there for about an hour before getting up. According to the weather forecasts, the weekend was supposed to be gorgeous. So I decided to plan for my first outdoor nudist excursion.
While surfing the web last winter, I came across a description of Chautauqua Gorge on the RecNude Site report. Being that it's only about a 90 minute drive from where I live, I decided to check it out.
The directions I printed out where very accurate and easy to follow. It's located in a very beautiful and reasonably secluded area of Chautauqua County, NY. When I arrived, there were no cars in the small parking area at the end of the road. So I initially thought I'd have the place all to myself. As I hiked down the trail to the bottom of the gorge, I heard voices. It was a family group with two dogs. All of whom were fully clothed. I nodded a polite "hello" and continued downstream, past the large rock spray-painted with the words, "Nudist Area-next one mile."
I continued walking for at least 3/4 of a mile until I came to a bend in the creek. There's a good sized waterfall there with a long rope tied to a tree hanging over it. I crossed the creek and climbed up a small hill overlooking the waterfall. there was a firepit and logs arrainged around it indicating that this area gets used quite often. I looked down into the waterfall. The water looked to be about waist deep at its base. This, I assumed, must be "Skinny-Dip Falls."
The surrounding area appeared to be absolutely Idyllic, surrounded by woods on the side of the creek I was on, and the sheer walls of the gorge on the other. Idyllic and secluded. I appeared to be alone there, but I left my gym-bag by the firepit and walked a short ways down stream just to be sure. When I returned, I began to scope out the area and acclimate myself to my surroundings.
Just as I had gotten up the nerve to start taking my clothes off, I heard a noise. Like motorcycle engines, getting louder. From downstream came 4 ATV's! As I went down to investigate, two more approach from the opposite direction! I'm still fully clothed, mind you. So I just smile and make pleasentries. Rembering all the while the large yellow sign I saw on my way in that said "Absolutely No ATV's!!!" While the ATV riders discussed whatever among themselves, I headed back across the creek and climbed up to the opposite bank to wait out developments, or at least find a nice patch of sun to lay out in. 20 minutes after the rev of engines died away, I returned to the falls and made a second attempt at nudity. Only to be disturbed by another group of ATV riders! So I decided to head back upstream...
I hung out in the area for another two hours, and was disturbed two more times by ATV riders. I mentioned this to a passing group of hikers and they were as suprised as I was. In New York State, It's illegal to ride an ATV on any property other than your own! I'm not sure if these activities were directed at nudists in particular, but none of the other hikers I encountered made any mention of it to me. And the ATV riders weren't very forthcoming either, probably because they knew that their activities were highly illegal. Doubtless, before Memorial-Day weekend, someone will complain to either the New York State DEC, or the State Police about this. [It might just well be me!!!]
Anyway, the day wasn't a total wash-out. Even though I never got the chance to take off my clothes, I did a lot of hiking and climbing and I scoped out a few promising areas for future nudist excursions in the area. Yes, this is definitely a nudist area. That fact is spraypainted on two rocks in the creek bed. [The second sign, just upstream from Skinny Dip Falls reads: "Warning! Nude swimming, hiking, and sunning ahead.] I'm sure that this weekend was an exception. I plan on returning later in the season and checking it out further.
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