Going Clothing Optional In Palm Springs
Video of the Palm Springs California Adventure!
A few months ago I started thinking seriously about a nudist experience. I was sitting on the sands of South Beach in Miami observing all the women who were sunning topless while being sexualized by many on the beach. Then two young girls walked past me. They were about 10, and from their accents they were not American. They were also topless. This started my thoughts as to how topless women are sexualized, particularly in the US, and that nudity doesn’t have the same meaning in other countries. What would it be like to consider my own nudity in a “public” yet non-sexualized way?
So, when the plan grew to visit Palm Springs, we started to consider places to try this out. There have always been a large number of nudist resorts in the Palm Springs area. Some cater to gay men. Some cater to experienced nudists, and these have a drop all clothes at the door mentality where everything from dinner, to working out, to playing tennis is done in the nude. Not ready for that. There are also a couple of resorts in the area that are purely sexual and for swingers. Nope. We were looking for a welcoming, non-sexual clothing optional resort where we could dip our toes into the process and be comfortable doing so. This was at the Living Water Spa in Desert Hot Springs, just a short drive north of Palm Springs.
It is a cozy, private resort with about 10 guest rooms surrounding a small courtyard that has a pool, Jacuzzi and sunning areas. Professional massage therapy is offered. There was no pressure to be nude, but once there we never seriously considered not being so. There were no gawkers and conversations were held quite comfortably at eye level. In other words, our nudity was not an issue to others, it was accepted as the norm in this environment. Of course there were nerves on my part. The first person to greet me in the nude was co owner Judy, then her husband Jeff arrived with a friendly smile and an outstretched and welcoming hand, which to be honest made me a little light headed. Yet, once I took my uncomfortable and self imposed blinders off, I let myself go to enjoy a wonderful body affirming experience that reminded me that no one is perfect, nor should we really care about that-it’s what’s on the inside that counts. And, that sexuality and nudity are not one and the same.
We didn’t stay overnight at the resort, choosing instead to take the baby step of a day visit. Although, I can imagine how wonderful it must be to stay at the resort overnight and walk out into the morning sun naked and go for a swim. During our time there we lay in the sun, and swam freely in the silky waters of the natural hot springs pool. The Jacuzzi seemed to be a meeting place and we comfortably sat soaking and talked to other guests about everything from travel, to children, to sports. Lunch was served and there was no pressure to sit in the dining area, the idea was about freedom. Freedom to sun, swim, and just be.
Photos of California Road Trip
The Best Clothing Optional Starting Point in Palm Springs-Living Waters Spa
Want to Place Tennis in the Nude? – Desert Sun Resort
Walk on the Wild Side? Sea Mountain Resort
The Top Gay Men’s Clothing Optional Resort in Palm Springs La Dolce Vita
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