Re: Trip Report Thursday 6/19/14

The "cool" pool - Wiz had the thermometer, but low 90 degrees - has been baptized The Contemplation Pool. The other pools are "The Arizona Pool" - in the creek next to the nude beach. "The Anniversary Pool" - the hot pool up top next to the meadow. "The Womb" - the big and deepest pool that the Anniversary flows down into. "The Serenity Pool" - the caribbean blue pool that the Womb flows into, also fed by the hottest and smallest pool, "The Crab Cooker," a little trough up against the rock face.

On your questions. Everyone will answer them differently. But being nude is allowed and practiced in the entire area around the springs, on both the Bradford Ridge trail and the Bowen Ranch and Freedom Trail, and I would say especially on the latter. I always free hike them unless the UV is just too much for me, as it was the other day when I met you. I knew I would be nuding it up at the creek and springs all day, and so minimized that exposure by not free hiking. But in less intense sun moments I always strip down at the parking lot up at Bowen, sometimes leave my clothes there too except for a bathing suit in my bag just in case. You never know. I have free hiked down to the springs in 40 degree temperatures - keeps you moving fast! On being nude at the springs: nothing gets in my way of enjoying that. Textiles are usually in the majority on the weekends, nudes in the majority or a strong presence on the weekdays, mornings and evenings see the most nude use when the day trippers are not in force. Deep Creek is a place of freedom; if you respect others, you can do what you want especially regarding nudity. I've talked with people about the nude vs textile thing. Some don't feel comfortable being nude when the textiles dominate. Especially friends I've made down there in their 20s, say. But I say lead by example - if you are nude and having a good time, many of the so-called textiles just might join you. Happens a lot down there. And on the days when the nudes are in the majority, it really often creates a get-nude-and-skinnydip effect, which is super fun and I love seeing when folks feel emboldened to enjoy the springs that way. The best way!