Friday, September 12, 2014

What To Wear (Or Not) To A Nude Beach

Our dear friend Elena and I decided to meet at the beach one afternoon last week. We were pleasantly surprised when San Geraldo came strolling along the surf and joined us.

WE WERE SO HAPPY TO BE GRACED WITH HIS SMILING PRESENCE.

Until last week, San Geraldo had been on the beach three times in the year-and-a-half we've lived by the sea — four if you count the night we watched the Virgin of Carmen get carried into the water (click here). So now we're up to four or five times depending on how you count.

THE GODDESS ELENA AND SAN GERALDO.

When we lived in San Diego, I loved Black's Beach in La Jolla. It's a nudist beach reached by descending a very steep and unstable cliff. There were three ways down. The closest one to the area I liked was simply rock-and-dirt, almost vertical in spots. I rarely took that route.

The next closest way down comprised a long and winding set of boardwalks, wooden stairs, and dirt and rock steps. There were regular landslides. Unauthorized volunteers randomly replaced lost stairs and walkways. It was a bit treacherous in spots, but I didn't mind it even though there were official signs warning, "KEEP OFF."

On the few occasions San Geraldo joined me at Black's Beach, he would insist on taking the third route down. A mile or more away was a locked gate at the top of the cliff in a residential neighborhood of hotel-sized homes.

San Geraldo — being a big man on campus (University of California, San Diego) — was given a key to the gate, which meant we could drive down a long and winding road and park at the bottom. We then had to walk along the beach for about 45 minutes.

BLACK'S BEACH, LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA, AROUND 1997.
(WE DROVE DOWN.  MY USUAL WAY DOWN, AND UP, IN BACKGROUND.)

It was worth it except that when I went to the beach alone, I carried a tiny backpack containing my towel, water, and a book. When I went with San Geraldo, in addition to my tiny backpack, we carried a huge duffle bag with a blanket, a multitude of towels, and lots of food and water.

San Geraldo wore a broad straw hat to protect his admittedly extremely sensitive light blue eyes from the sun. And there was the chair and the beach umbrella. San Geraldo talked about getting a wagon or sled to drag along the beach! (I told him I would no longer go with him.)

We would set up, remove our clothes, and then San Geraldo would spread a beach towel on his chair and sit down in the shade of the umbrella. He wrapped a towel around his shoulders and another over his lap so it would reach down and cover his feet. He wore his hat and his sunglasses.

"There's nothing like the freedom you feel on a nude beach," San Geraldo would say.

Although our beach here is not clothing optional, Elena got a very good idea of how San Geraldo used to look in our La Jolla days.

GERALDO OF ARABIA.  THAT'S MY T-SHIRT ON HIS HEAD.

26 comments:

  1. Wow, it is amazing San Geraldo doesn't like a beach. The last photo amazing and you are a fantastic designer. What about working in Pairs in the capital of European fashion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gosia:
      I take no credit for San Geraldo's fashion statement. It's all his own.

      Delete
  2. I'm surprised you don't have a recording of "The Sheik of Araby" right below San Gerado's photo ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. You're doing a heck of a lot better than we are. We've lived in Dania Beach 9 of the 10 years we've been together. We have yet to go to the beach once....and it is a really nice, beautiful beach...I know, I've seen it from the highway!
    You see, Jonathan is really white, and stays away from the sun. At our pool, he only goes in after 4 when the shade is already long and covering the pool.
    But is sounds like you're having a great time.
    saludos,
    raulito

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Raulito:
      I'm on the beach regularly, even if it's just to walk a bit. In broad daylight! When we used to go to Palm Springs, I spent the entire day in the pool, Jerry spent the entire day in the room. Like Jonathan, he wouldn't show up until the sun was low. He's not all that white, but his eyes are very light and unbelievably sensitive to the sun.

      Delete
  4. Well, now, what more can we say? Wrapped-up San Geraldo says it all :)

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    Replies
    1. Judy:
      Yep, San Geraldo can often leave you speechless.

      Delete
  5. Too funny! Jim and I lived in Vancouver and frequented Wreck Beach a nudist beach. After cycling a few miles from our apartment we could choose 2 routes, one reached the far end of the beach and we would walk what seemed like miles taking in the sights if you know what I mean OR cycle to UBC (Univ. British Columbia) park our bikes and climb down a heavily tree laden dirt path that took 10 minutes. Ask Jim about the time he started acting like a monkey as he was meandering down the cliff trail. Too many laughs and we laugh to this day.
    Glad to see you beach was somewhat civilized. We met a couple people from home (east coast home) a few times all decked out in their glory, so humbling it was!
    Cheers!
    R

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ron Troke:
      We used to joke at Black's Beach about what we would do if we bumped into anyone from campus. Jerry's role there would have made him a great photo opportunity.

      Delete
  6. Ah yes....nude beaches! Your beach in La Jolla sounds like the one on Vancouver, as Ron just said.
    I loved our beach there and felt very comfortable from day one. Nothing like it, right San Geraldo?!
    I guess there is a price to pay to have gorgeous blue eyes!!

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    Replies
    1. Jim:
      I always wanted light color eyes... because mine are nearly black. I guess it's not all bad but, yes, Jerry's eyes ARE gorgeous. There are nude beaches around here but I'd have to take a bus, train, or rent a car. Doesn't seem worth it when I can just walk across the street.

      Delete
  7. Looks like that's a wrap!
    Seriously, I love the water... if it's anywhere near, and not frozen, I'm in it if at all possible. Who cares that others complain of snow blindness after seeing the expanses of extremely pale skin?

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    Replies
    1. Jacqueline:
      Based on the photos I've seen of you, I would say you'd be fairly tan compared to some of the people who show up here for their holidays. They're the same shade as their white T-shirts!

      Delete
  8. I have never been to a nude beach, but I think it would be fun. It would have been even more fun 20 years ago when my breasts didn't fall into my armpits whenever I lay down.....

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    Replies
    1. Maria:
      The beaches are topless here, even across the street. So you could tuck your breasts under your arms anywhere you like!

      Delete
  9. The old photos is nice. Not that you don't look........, no I won't even try.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew:
      I have no idea where to go with what you didn't say. So... thanks?

      Delete
    2. Yep, compliment, I think.

      Delete
  10. I feel his pain. I try to sit out in the sun. After about ten minutes I'm done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Walt the Fourth:
      And I love the sun. When I lived with my parents, I would walk down to the beach at 10 a.m. and not go home until after 5 p.m. My skin shows it now!

      Delete
  11. So this was the 'nude' beach was it? Thanks for telling us. ;-)

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    Replies
    1. Raybeard:
      Sorry I don't have any photos of us (well me at least) enjoying the sun on Black's Beach in the '90s. (Well, no I'm not REALLY sorry.) You'll just have to use your imagination.

      Delete
  12. I think it important to have some goddesses in one's life; Elena looks to be a fine diva. You are fortunate to have her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Spo:
      We are so grateful to have found Elena and Tynan.

      Delete

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