Bare Secrets, Hidden Desires

The salt spray stung my face, a welcome assault after the stuffy confines of the SUV. Beside me, Sarah shifted, the silk of her dress whispering against her skin as she adjusted her sunglasses. We were on our way to the secluded cove, a place known only to a select few, a place where the world shed its manufactured layers and revealed its raw, beautiful core. We’d been coming here for five years now, ever since we’d stumbled upon it during a cross-country road trip, seeking solace from the relentless demands of suburban life. It wasn’t a conscious decision, not initially. It just…happened. A shared glance, a shared breath, and then, the slow, exhilarating peeling back of layers.

We weren’t classical nudists. We didn’t hang around the house naked, we didn’t belong to any nudist groups and our friends would never guess that we like to get away on occasion for a few naked days. We’re quiet about it, our kids don’t know—it’s our secret. A secret that felt both liberating and terrifying at first, like stepping off a cliff into an unknown abyss. But the abyss, it turned out, was filled with sun-drenched sand, the rhythmic crash of waves, and the intoxicating scent of pine trees.

I’d tried to look at this from a couple different angles to try and get my head around why I enjoy being nude around people and why I seek out places to be nude. I’m not an exhibitionist so it’s not a matter of being seen, though being nude in the company of others is pleasurable and it certainly can be pleasurable to see other naked people. I’ve looked at my past to see if there was something in my youth that triggered this urge. My parents were open about nudity, but not overtly so. They never did anything overtly sexual, but they certainly didn’t shy away from the human form. Growing up, there was a certain casualness to our discussions about bodies, a lack of shame or embarrassment that made me realize that this wasn't an acquired taste, but something ingrained deep within my DNA. It felt like returning to a natural state, unencumbered by the rest of the world. It did feel as though I was meant to be this way, that the regular world was the outlier.

For my wife it is an expression and acceptance of bodies unburdened by society’s standards and norms, and she believes it builds her confidence in a way that carries over into our daily world. To her, there is a healthy rebellion in this. Being equal in our vulnerability can encourage more genuine connections with others. I believe it builds an openness and trust. The feeling of the sun on my skin, the breeze ruffling my hair, the sand clinging to my flesh – it was a sensory overload, a primal awakening. It was pure, unadulterated joy.

We’d found this cove by accident, really. A wrong turn, a detour, a whim. And then, there it was – a crescent of golden sand nestled between towering cliffs, accessible only by a treacherous, overgrown path. As we approached, a small group of people were already gathered, lounging on towels and enjoying the afternoon sun. They were a diverse bunch, a mix of ages, ethnicities, and body types, all united by their shared desire for uninhibited freedom.

My heart pounded in my chest, a mixture of excitement and nervousness. This was a significant step for me, pushing beyond the initial comfort zone, venturing into the unknown. Sarah, sensing my hesitation, squeezed my hand reassuringly. “Just breathe,” she whispered, her voice barely audible above the sound of the waves. “Let go.”

I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and let go. The feeling of the sand beneath my feet was grounding, anchoring me to the present moment. The sun warmed my skin, chasing away the last vestiges of anxiety. Slowly, deliberately, I began to shed my clothes, each movement deliberate, each sensation heightened. The first touch of the air on my exposed skin sent shivers down my spine. It was exhilarating, terrifying, and utterly liberating.

Sarah followed suit, her movements graceful and confident. We stripped down together, a silent dance of vulnerability and trust. As we stood there, naked and exposed, bathed in the golden light of the afternoon sun, a wave of pure pleasure washed over me. It wasn't just the physical sensation; it was the emotional release, the shedding of all pretense and inhibitions. It was the feeling of being truly, completely free.

The other people in the cove watched us, their faces a mixture of curiosity and admiration. Some smiled, some nodded in approval, and some simply continued to relax, enjoying the spectacle. There were no judgmental glances, no whispers, no disapproving stares. Just acceptance, understanding, and a shared appreciation for the beauty of the human form.

As we relaxed on the sand, a man approached us, a young, muscular fellow with sun-kissed skin and a playful grin. He introduced himself as Daniel, and he was immediately drawn to Sarah's radiant beauty. He spent the next hour flirting with her, his eyes lingering on her every move. I watched them, a strange mix of jealousy and amusement bubbling up inside me.

Sarah, oblivious to my feelings, was completely engrossed in her conversation with Daniel. She laughed freely, her body swaying with the rhythm of their words. I realized then that this wasn’t just about nudity; it was about connection, about intimacy, about the raw, unadulterated joy of being alive.

Later, as the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the beach, Sarah and I decided to take a swim in the cool, refreshing water. We stripped down to our swimsuits, a simple pair of dark blue trunks and a one-piece bathing suit, and plunged into the waves. The water was invigorating, washing away the heat of the day and leaving us feeling refreshed and revitalized.

We swam for a while, laughing and splashing each other, until we felt the familiar pull of gravity. As we emerged from the water, shivering slightly, we wrapped ourselves in towels and found a shady spot on the sand to rest.

As we sat there, side-by-side, watching the sun sink below the horizon, I realized that this was more than just a place to escape, more than just a way to connect with others. It was a sanctuary, a refuge from the pressures and expectations of the outside world. It was a place where we could be ourselves, unburdened by shame or embarrassment, free to express our true selves.

We had seen nudity as unremarkable and natural. If it weren’t for that pesky serpent, maybe we’d have never experienced our bodies clothed? There may be something deep in our DNA that triggers pleasure when we get closer to our natural state.

My wife and I go nude because there is real freedom in being nude. It feels good to have the sun and the breeze hit those places that are too often covered up. It’s relaxing to be in the company of other like-minded people. There is pleasure in seeing other nude people enjoying that freedom. We’ve often found them to be open, honest and friendly. Some have become friends. It might not occur to those thinking about trying it, but it is about the most relaxing, restful experience you can have.

From a more practical standpoint, we have specific tastes about the types of places we go. We won’t go to resorts or spas that allow children. I understand the perspective of parents that allow for this. For us, it has to do with wanting a more peaceful, relaxed experience. We also will not go to places that encourage “the lifestyle.” To each his own I suppose, but we are fiercely loyal to one another and have no interest in that, it’s not why we’re there. That’s sexual, being nude isn’t, though there is the stray thought.

If you have a desire to go natural in these settings, here’s some advice. Try a clothing optional place first. If you find you can’t do it, no worries, no pressure. You can wear something more revealing than you normally would as a step toward being nude. You can also try taking it slow, get naked for one minute, then see if you last five minutes and so on. You’ll soon find the pleasure of the experience wipes away the fear and apprehension. You’ll wonder why you didn’t do it years ago. My wife was apprehensive at first, but a few short months later, we were doing nude karaoke. (Honestly, I was far more apprehensive about singing in front of other people).

Most importantly, remember that people in these settings aren’t judging you. We’ve seen people of all ages, backgrounds, cultures and sizes. You’ll fit right in. And use sunscreen—it’s no fun burning those places that rarely see the sun.

To close on a funny anecdote, we recently ran into a couple who called us out by name and for a minute I didn’t recognize them—I’d simply never seen them with their clothes on! They were returning visitors, a middle-aged couple who had been coming to the cove for several years. They’d clearly been observing us, judging us, and now they were making their disapproval known. But as we looked closer, we realized that they were wearing the same dark blue trunks and one-piece bathing suit we had worn that afternoon. It was a surreal moment, a bizarre convergence of strangers united by their shared desire for naked freedom. As we walked away, hand in hand, we couldn’t help but laugh, secure in the knowledge that we had found our place in the world, a place where we could shed our inhibitions, embrace our vulnerability, and experience the pure, unadulterated joy of being completely, unapologetically ourselves.

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