I haven't written a post for two weeks because I've basically been having too much fun. So, my apologies, and I will try to do better.
Weather was perfect (and very hot) two weekends ago. Lake level dropped almost six inches a day, and we now have most of the main ledge available, some significant amount of beach, and some of the stone enclosures on the south side of the naturist area available (and in use!). On Saturday there were quite a number of new visitors, including an engaged couple hailing from Vermont and Alaska. The Alaskan had (I gather) never enjoyed nude recreation before and totally loved it. (The Vermonter was "yeah, I've been swimming naked since I was born, big deal." ;-) ) They made a repeat visit on that Sunday as well.
This past Saturday was great weatherwise too - maybe not as hot, but certainly with plenty of sun. People seemed to take the Sunday forecast into account, and timed things to show up Saturday instead. The parking lot was almost full by 12 PM. Once again, there were a lot of people I did not know, including a first-time group from Keene, NH, who came along at the invitation of their neighbors, and a number of first-time couples I did not get a chance to talk to. But those I did talk to were generally enthusiastic, and I think we will be seeing them again as well.
It's mildly interesting to me how people react to being naked in public for the first time. Some people just have no problem with it whatsoever, and some require quite a bit of courage (in liquid form, often) before they try this - but then they're just thrilled at how comfortable and natural they feel. Nonetheless, I've met a very small number who seem to have real trouble managing even after they get naked. The female member of one couple this past Saturday definitely had issues of this kind; while her boyfriend was gregarious and clearly comfortable in his skin, she was clearly NOT comfortable, to the extent that she did not even seem willing to chat. Obviously, if you discover that that's how you feel, there's no point in pushing the matter - nude recreation is not for everyone (strange as that seems to me...) But I don't think you will really know until you give it a try.
For those who like jumping off the rope swing, the water level is still plenty high for that. The other jumping-off place by the spruce tree, though, is probably too shallow now to jump off of safely.
I am looking forward to this coming weekend. I will be taking Friday off, and if weather is good, Thursday afternoon as well. See you there!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Summer in full swing
This past weekend at The Ledges was terrific. Water level is descending (though still somewhat high for this time of year), but most importantly lots of new and interesting people came by.
Despite the fact that Saturday's weather was less than ideal, we had young visitors from the Bennington area who had such a great time over the July 4th weekend that they decided to return despite cool and occasionally drizzly conditions. AND they came back Sunday morning also. Never having swum without swimsuits before, by Sunday it was clear they totally got religion about nude recreation. I have a feeling they'll be back again.
On Sunday, long-time Ledges alumni from Auburn MA and the general Boston area came by. I'd never met them before but they were cool. And, later in the afternoon, a group of eleven post-college women showed up from Chelsea and Charleston Mass. Great fun, lots of cliff diving and rope swing activity.
Awesome folks with an awesome attitude. Special mention goes to the girl with mermaid flippers, who shot amazingly high out of the water with apparent ease.
Despite the fact that Saturday's weather was less than ideal, we had young visitors from the Bennington area who had such a great time over the July 4th weekend that they decided to return despite cool and occasionally drizzly conditions. AND they came back Sunday morning also. Never having swum without swimsuits before, by Sunday it was clear they totally got religion about nude recreation. I have a feeling they'll be back again.
On Sunday, long-time Ledges alumni from Auburn MA and the general Boston area came by. I'd never met them before but they were cool. And, later in the afternoon, a group of eleven post-college women showed up from Chelsea and Charleston Mass. Great fun, lots of cliff diving and rope swing activity.
Awesome folks with an awesome attitude. Special mention goes to the girl with mermaid flippers, who shot amazingly high out of the water with apparent ease.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Too much rain
What happens when it just keeps raining? If you guessed that the water level in Lake Harriman just keeps rising, you're right! In fact, due to the really significant amounts of rain in the entire Northeast, there are nice tinkly little waterfalls in places there never were waterfalls before. And they are all feeding into the lake.
Last weekend, although the weather was good, the lake was cold - really cold, 61 degrees Fahrenheit, in fact. That's fully 10 degrees cooler than it was even two weeks ago. Refreshing is the right word, when I'm trying to be polite. (Sometimes I'm not so polite. This is, after all, June.)
But worse, the water level is at historical highs. It was quite disappointing to see a number of people come by, only to find no place to set up at all, and give up. I don't think I've ever seen that happen before. Some people are happy to squeeze in to what space there is, but others prefer a bit more privacy, and they just aren't going to get it for a while.
It looks, though, like the pattern of the last month is finally breaking. We'll know, I guess, when we go even a couple of days without significant rainfall. Weather looks reasonable for the upcoming weekend - summery humidity levels, with some chance of thundershowers but nothing unusual. We'll just have to see.
At least TransCanada seems to realize this year that they have more water than they can possibly use for power generation, and they've started to draw down the water level at a modest rate already, even though there's not any demand to speak of for peak electricity yet. Perhaps by July 4 the main ledge will be open again.
Last weekend, although the weather was good, the lake was cold - really cold, 61 degrees Fahrenheit, in fact. That's fully 10 degrees cooler than it was even two weeks ago. Refreshing is the right word, when I'm trying to be polite. (Sometimes I'm not so polite. This is, after all, June.)
But worse, the water level is at historical highs. It was quite disappointing to see a number of people come by, only to find no place to set up at all, and give up. I don't think I've ever seen that happen before. Some people are happy to squeeze in to what space there is, but others prefer a bit more privacy, and they just aren't going to get it for a while.
It looks, though, like the pattern of the last month is finally breaking. We'll know, I guess, when we go even a couple of days without significant rainfall. Weather looks reasonable for the upcoming weekend - summery humidity levels, with some chance of thundershowers but nothing unusual. We'll just have to see.
At least TransCanada seems to realize this year that they have more water than they can possibly use for power generation, and they've started to draw down the water level at a modest rate already, even though there's not any demand to speak of for peak electricity yet. Perhaps by July 4 the main ledge will be open again.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Hot weekend, great start to the season
After a really lousy Memorial Day (some places got snow, no kidding), the weekend of June 1st was hot, humid, and very sunny. Water level was up significantly due to the previous week's downpours, but not as high as I feared. Further good news - it was definitely warm enough to swim.
It was entertaining to be asked if it was safe to jump from the rope swing. I always patiently explain to people that early in the season jumping and diving is fine - it's just later, when the water has gone down fifteen feet, that there may not be as much clearance as one would like. If in doubt, ask a local. Right now, though, you can jump/dive safely from either the ledge with the rope swing, or the high rock with the lone spruce tree (provided, of course, that you aim for deep water and away from the ledge).
People turned out in surprising numbers, and there were a few newcomers mingled with the familiar faces. Lots of news traded hands too - personal, some of it, but some of interest to the broader naturist community - specifically that Lighthouse Beach on Long Island has been closed to nudists. This is blamed on Hurricane Sandy, but most people who used to go there think it has a lot more to do with a certain head ranger who is new and doesn't approve of nudity in general. Not sure what exactly will happen - but people from that part of the world are understandably upset by the turn of events.
I'll definitely be by again this coming weekend. While it may be rainy Saturday morning, there's a good chance at the time of this writing that Saturday afternoon will be decent. And Sunday looks great. In the immortal words of Jack Lord: Be there. Aloha!
It was entertaining to be asked if it was safe to jump from the rope swing. I always patiently explain to people that early in the season jumping and diving is fine - it's just later, when the water has gone down fifteen feet, that there may not be as much clearance as one would like. If in doubt, ask a local. Right now, though, you can jump/dive safely from either the ledge with the rope swing, or the high rock with the lone spruce tree (provided, of course, that you aim for deep water and away from the ledge).
People turned out in surprising numbers, and there were a few newcomers mingled with the familiar faces. Lots of news traded hands too - personal, some of it, but some of interest to the broader naturist community - specifically that Lighthouse Beach on Long Island has been closed to nudists. This is blamed on Hurricane Sandy, but most people who used to go there think it has a lot more to do with a certain head ranger who is new and doesn't approve of nudity in general. Not sure what exactly will happen - but people from that part of the world are understandably upset by the turn of events.
I'll definitely be by again this coming weekend. While it may be rainy Saturday morning, there's a good chance at the time of this writing that Saturday afternoon will be decent. And Sunday looks great. In the immortal words of Jack Lord: Be there. Aloha!
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Almost managed to swim last weekend
I visited The Ledges on both Saturday and Sunday last weekend. Weather was sunny and dry both days, with cold mornings but fine afternoons. Even though the front gate is closed, and the leaves on the trees are just starting to appear, plenty of people turned up; mostly regulars, but a couple of unfamiliar faces. The water, however inviting, was just too cold for anything other than a quick, breathless splash.
Conditions at the beach, though, are excellent this year. Almost no winter damage at all, and the water level was still low, meaning there was a lot of beach to use. Sun was intense - I got a bit of a burn - but on the whole it felt great to be out again after a long cold winter. I'm sure the water level will rise, but with luck (since it's been pretty dry) it won't come up much between now and the first traditional beach days on Memorial Day weekend. In any case, I'll keep an eye peeled for you. ;-)
Conditions at the beach, though, are excellent this year. Almost no winter damage at all, and the water level was still low, meaning there was a lot of beach to use. Sun was intense - I got a bit of a burn - but on the whole it felt great to be out again after a long cold winter. I'm sure the water level will rise, but with luck (since it's been pretty dry) it won't come up much between now and the first traditional beach days on Memorial Day weekend. In any case, I'll keep an eye peeled for you. ;-)
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Labor-Day Barbeque
Labor Day has come and gone. I can hardly believe the summer passed so quickly!
Labor Day weekend at The Ledges is a special weekend. Unless a natural disaster strikes (e.g. Hurricane Irene), it is traditional for folks to bring a potluck dinner on the Sunday afternoon before the holiday - or on Monday afternoon if Sunday is rained out. Food is usually plentiful and good, and the festivities tend to involve progressively sillier activities - for instance, hula hoops and not-very-in-tune guitar playing - as the evening wears on.
This year the weather was quite good, and there were many familiar faces of regulars present, along with their extended families. I was surprised, though, at how few non-regulars stopped by, given how perfect the weather was. Water is still perfect, and the water level is still high enough to dive off of the cliff (as long you aim away from the big underwater boulder to the left). I guess summer now ends before Labor Day for too many people.
It is looking, though, like a warm fall, which means we may well be swimming well into October. Trees have not even developed a hint of color, which is unusual for this time of year. If you are visiting the Vermont foliage, make a point of stopping in.
Labor Day weekend at The Ledges is a special weekend. Unless a natural disaster strikes (e.g. Hurricane Irene), it is traditional for folks to bring a potluck dinner on the Sunday afternoon before the holiday - or on Monday afternoon if Sunday is rained out. Food is usually plentiful and good, and the festivities tend to involve progressively sillier activities - for instance, hula hoops and not-very-in-tune guitar playing - as the evening wears on.
This year the weather was quite good, and there were many familiar faces of regulars present, along with their extended families. I was surprised, though, at how few non-regulars stopped by, given how perfect the weather was. Water is still perfect, and the water level is still high enough to dive off of the cliff (as long you aim away from the big underwater boulder to the left). I guess summer now ends before Labor Day for too many people.
It is looking, though, like a warm fall, which means we may well be swimming well into October. Trees have not even developed a hint of color, which is unusual for this time of year. If you are visiting the Vermont foliage, make a point of stopping in.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Where DID all these people come from??
I visited The Ledges last Friday, and also on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Weather on Friday was perfect - clear and sunny, warm, not too much wind - but given the perfect conditions, surprisingly few people were there.
Saturday was an entirely different affair. It was warm and humid and unstable, but nevertheless 200 people showed up, many of them apparently new - and many via boats and rafts. It looked like the beginnings of a regular party! But the weather took a hard turn for the worst at about 2:30 in the afternoon, and we had thunder, lightning, torrential downpours - which just did not let up. Surprisingly, most of the visitors stuck around, hiding under tarpaulins or in the woods. After a while I gave up and walked back to my car, which was far enough for me to be thoroughly soaked - but I'm told others stuck it out until 5:30 or even later. Hardy bunch! I shudder to think how they managed to paddle those rafts back across the lake during the storm, though.
Sunday looked like it was going to be a repeat of Saturday - but although we had rain showers, there was no thunder or lightning, so people just swam around in the rain. The rain showers started earlier, so the number of people were less, but still substantially above Friday's numbers. Lots of extended families came, which was nice - even though not all of them were nudists, of course.
Monday it was cooler and breezy but quite sunny. The place looked almost deserted. I had the entire main ledge to myself.
I suppose it is inevitable that The Ledges becomes more or less a weekend phenomenon. There are many reasons for this. For one thing, it is becoming ever more unusual for families to spend significant amounts of their summers in the country. People are working more and more, and when they aren't working they're paying their bills and doing their taxes. Also, the school year is also growing in length - which is something I'm not sure I approve of, since I think we're already in danger of overemphasizing formal education at the expense of what I would call "life education". But that's a good subject for a different post.
Saturday was an entirely different affair. It was warm and humid and unstable, but nevertheless 200 people showed up, many of them apparently new - and many via boats and rafts. It looked like the beginnings of a regular party! But the weather took a hard turn for the worst at about 2:30 in the afternoon, and we had thunder, lightning, torrential downpours - which just did not let up. Surprisingly, most of the visitors stuck around, hiding under tarpaulins or in the woods. After a while I gave up and walked back to my car, which was far enough for me to be thoroughly soaked - but I'm told others stuck it out until 5:30 or even later. Hardy bunch! I shudder to think how they managed to paddle those rafts back across the lake during the storm, though.
Sunday looked like it was going to be a repeat of Saturday - but although we had rain showers, there was no thunder or lightning, so people just swam around in the rain. The rain showers started earlier, so the number of people were less, but still substantially above Friday's numbers. Lots of extended families came, which was nice - even though not all of them were nudists, of course.
Monday it was cooler and breezy but quite sunny. The place looked almost deserted. I had the entire main ledge to myself.
I suppose it is inevitable that The Ledges becomes more or less a weekend phenomenon. There are many reasons for this. For one thing, it is becoming ever more unusual for families to spend significant amounts of their summers in the country. People are working more and more, and when they aren't working they're paying their bills and doing their taxes. Also, the school year is also growing in length - which is something I'm not sure I approve of, since I think we're already in danger of overemphasizing formal education at the expense of what I would call "life education". But that's a good subject for a different post.
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