NetNude - NetNude Gathering Report 2002

NetNude Gathering
Shangri La Report

This report is brought to you by mjc. Please email the preceding address if you have any questions or comments.

The opinions expressed are those of the person(s) who submitted the report and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of NetNude.

NetNude Gathering Report 2002 at
Shangri La Resort in Arizona

April 2002

My first expedition to the NetNude Gathering at Shangri La Resort In Arizona.

Day 0 Packing day

Ok what to pack for a nudist vacation?
Lets see...
7 days of clothing (why?)
3 FRS radios
2 GMRS radios
1 amateur VHF radio
1 GPS receiver
1 cell phone
1 pair of tennis shoes
2 pairs of sandals
1 pair of beach shoes (for the river crossing)
1-day pack
1 pack of misc. JUNK

So how much will this suitcase weigh? Glad it had wheels on it!

So...

How much does a suitcase weigh for a nudist vacation? 49 lbs!

Next year I must pack a little lighter LOL!

And I forgot the sunscreen! DARN!

I don't own a laptop computer so I don't think anyone would bring theirs LOL

Day 1. Saturday April 13.

Can't wait to get out of town. Temperature was a cool 30°f and I was looking forward to the warmer weather awaiting me in Arizona. The flight was scheduled to leave at 7am and I was told that I had to be at the airport at least 2 hours in advance. When I arrived at the airport, before I could park the car, the rent-a-cop security guard had to thoroughly search through my car even before I could pull it into the parking lot! Once I made it inside the airport terminal, the ticket counter was closed!

After waiting for 30 minutes, someone finally came out of the back and opened the ticket counter. Once I checked my 49 LB suitcase in, I proceeded to pass through security. One question, why does a nudist pack a 49 LB suitcase? I made a mental note to reduce the weight and size of the pack next time. Now it was time to make way towards the security checkpoint. I heard all kinds of horror stories about these check points. The Army Guard standing there with the M-16 didn't help as I walked through the metal detector. I thought "no problem!" well, I was wrong. They made me remove my shoes so that they could send the shoes through the x-ray machine. Then they made me loosen my belt AND open the top of my jeans in order to make sure I wasn't carrying any weapons. HMM... too bad we couldn't travel nude! Do you think they were done after that? NOPE! They used the hand metal detector to "wand" me down looking for any possible kind of weapon known to human beings.

Once I passed through the gantlet and made my way to the gate (there are only 2 gates at this airport LOL) I saw the sign that stated the plane was on schedule to leave at 7am. Once we started the boarding process, which includes another security check (including a random search!) I finally boarded the plane. Now I REALLY wanted to get out of here! After 30 minutes of WAITING, the pilot announced that the passengers have to go back to the waiting area because they can't take off in the fog.

So much for my trip!

Well, 2 hours later and finally the plane is in the air on its way to the downstate Airport. Since I had 3 hours to waste, I figured I would buy some magazines ($16 worth!) and have some food ($8 piece of pizza!) And then I went for a walk through the NEW Terminal that just opened a couple of months ago. The terminal is about a mile long and if you needed to run from one end to the other, they have a people mover that whisks you to the other end. So after 2 hours of going back and forth on the train... It was time to board the flight to phoenix.

This flight was about 4 hours, twice as long as I'm used to when flying to Orlando. AND since they pack people in like sardines, it was extremely uncomfortable ride. I think next time I will volunteer to sit in the first row, window seat, by the door.

As I was walking through Sky Harbor Airport, I realized that this is going to be a new experience for me. As I walked outside, I was thinking that I would finally find some warmer weather. The temperature was at least 100°f! After renting the car and pulling out onto the main road I realized that I had absolutely no idea as to where I was and where I had to go so out came the handy dandy GPS receiver and I was on my way.

View from reststop on I-17

I figured that if I got on a interstate freeway, I would quickly find my way around town. So I picked I-10 to start with. Well, the first sign I read was "I-10 West Los Angeles" which seemed to be the right direction. Then it was I-17 north.

I-17 northbound out of Phoenix on the way to Shangri la

Even for a Saturday, the traffic was really bad and I had to keep my mind on what I was doing or I would end up in Los Angeles LOL. I think I cut off two people trying to make exits, sorry!

I-17 northbound (first time seeing the area!)

I made it to the motel; my watch (pager) said it was 7pm actual Arizona time was 4pm. At least it wasn't Newfoundland time. (You Canadian NetNuder's remember the TV program Royal Canadian Air Farce?)

View from reststop on I-17

Day 2. Sunday April 14

I GOT UP!

Since it was 8AM, and the office didn't open until 9am, so I had some time I figured I would take a ride up the mountain to see what it is like. So I picked Camp Verde to have breakfast. Riding up into the mountains was a real experience for me since I have never been above 2500 ft (except in a airplane) and when I hit 4000 ft., my sinuses began to run, nose started to plug up. I wonder what it would have been like at 10,000ft? Hmmm...

View from reststop on I-17

Another thing about Arizona was the interstate speed limit was 75 MPH! WHOOO HOOO!!!! Since everyone was doing 85-90 MPH, I took advantage of it and kept up with traffic. BUT, going downgrade at 90 mph is a screamer.

View from reststop. Again, this is the first time I was out west.

I arrived at Shangri La around 10 am (I'm on vacation!) parked near the pool and proceeded to get into more comfortable attire. While I was getting ready, I found out what the red button was on the car remote.

NOW everyone around the pool are now WIDE awake! I thought I saw some beer cans flying in the air, a few newspapers scattered in the wind. After asking around the pool, I was directed to the NetNude HQ at the lodge where I met Shelley who is with Phil. Jan and the rest of the NetNude gang were back at the pool and, as I was introduced to Jan, Phil, GG, Ladyd, BobP, they asked me where I was from and since it's easier to explain by holding my right hand up and pointing to the tip of the last finger and saying "here!". After that, everything seemed to be referenced to the right hand, maps, notes, daily schedules all seemed to be referenced to the right hand.

Well, the weather was a nice and comfortable 102°f with low humidity, Jan wanted to see the Live Steam Train's so we drove down to watch the trains. Also noticed some go-carts racing next door and discovered that some of those little carts really ran fast!. Now I know how Jeff Gordon got started in racing. We didn't stay long because it was so hot and they needed some "supplies" for the NetNude "HQ" (beer, tequila etc.) Someone mentioned Jell-O mix. Don't know what that's for? Hmmm...

OK LET THE FUN BEGIN!

When I got back to the resort, I got BLASTED by Jan with a water gun. Now I remembered what I forgot to buy!!! I was going to bring the 400-PSI power soaker with the spray that strips paint off cars. But I couldn't figure out how to pass it through airport security.

A popular method for water gun attacks was when a NetNude participant came out of the body massage place next to the lodge. Well, it was time to drop off my 50lb suitcase (I packed too much for this trip) and check the room out. No phone, TV but no remote for the TV, NO CABLE, NO HBO!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, I'm here to relax and who needs TV, right?

Day 3 Monday

NO HBO???

While driving around the area on Sunday I noticed that there was a vibration in the tires on the 4-wd SUV that I rented. So I picked this day to put on my clothes, get the car fixed and try to figure out why my cell phone won't work. Someone told me that cell phones wouldn't work at Shangri La unless you climb the bell tower to make your call. We, I had no problem with signal BUT my old style analog phone would not "connect" with the analog system in the area. You know what? Why would someone bother with phones at a nudist resort? I had no phone in my room and when I commented about it all I heard was "why do you need a phone?" And "Why do you want a remote for the TV?" then I heard " Well, I have to go down to get my e-mail" And they would scamper down to the office with laptop in hand to get in line to download e-mail. Funny huh?

So I drove back down to the airport IN RUSH HOUR, to return the car. I called the rental company to see if they wanted me to stop by the dealer but they insisted that I bring the car in. I was hoping for a better 4WD (Excursion?) and was pleased to see that they gave me my old favorite Ford Explorer. AND IT HAD PUSH BUTTON 4-wheel drive! Oh no! More buttons!

On the way back, I HAD to stop in at Home Depot just to say I was there. Now have the car I wanted and the cell phone finally started to work.

On the 4th day of my vacation... Tuesday

I GOT UP!

We will be going to Verde River Hot Springs. The plan was to meet GG and Ladyd at Camp Verde by 9am. Once we ate breakfast and I filled the tank in the car, we were ready to make the trek down to the springs.

Macdonalds parking lot - view towards north - where we all met before taking the treacherous track down the mountain!

The first thing I noticed was a sign at the turn off from the main road notifying drivers that the road is not maintained and they were on their own. That's where GG stopped his car to put it into 4-wheel drive. Then I began to think "How did I get myself into this?" I heard from the back seat Jan's very quiet voice "Stay to the left side of the road please". GG did mention that there were a couple of hairpin turns along the way and I didn't think too much of it UNTIL the first turn! The sign had a upside-down U and as we went around the first turn, Jan's voiced her opinion that I should really consider staying to the left "Stay to the LEFT mike!".

The mountain where Jan told me to keep to the left!

Before we left McDonalds, I gave GG a portable 2- way radio so we can stay in contact while driving down the road. Then GG came on the 2 way radio to let me know that someone is coming up in the other direction, Jan made the comment that Mike should NOT operate the radio and should WATCH the road and have both hands on the wheel WHILE staying to the left.

The Blue Button!

As we were going down the mountain road, BobP ended up with the 2-way radio (Jan would NOT let Mike operate the radio!). Whenever someone would point out something on the side, Mike would turn his head to look or make a comment about whatever it was. Well, that meant Mike would have to take his attention OFF of the narrow mountain road with the 2000 ft drop on the right side and the 200ft high cliff on the left side and focus his attention on the object in question. Jan did NOT like that at all and she then announced that Mike was not allowed to look at ANYTHING or try to explain ANYTHING while focusing on the driving. Just then BobP asked MIKE what the blue button on the side of the 2-way radio was for... (Remember Mike has to concentrate on the road, right?)

THE BLUE BUTTON. DON'T ASK MIKE TO EXPLAIN WHAT THE BLUE BUTTON IS WHILE DRIVING ON A NARROW MOUNTAIN TRACK!

AND the question came up how to explain to the car rental people how the roof was smashed flat and the $39,000 SUV ended up 2000 ft down the valley because the driver took his attention off the road and focused on the blue button on the radio.

Another view of the mountain that we had to cross to get to the river.

About half way down, GG called on the radio that there were cows in the road. Well, we ALL thought that it was just one or two cows. When we rounded the corner, we came across a whole HERD of cattle. In this herd of cattle, there were two bulls. Now I was asking myself again, "How did I get myself into THIS!" and then "How do I pass a herd of cattle on a one lane road?" As I stopped, the cattle started to go around the car. I eyed one of the bulls as it came closer to the car. Then I focused on the TIP of the bulls left horn as it came ever so close to my left FRONT fender! How do you explain how a bull GORED the car?

Going down the mountain.

The last 500 ft of road involved a very slow decent in low range 4-wheel drive in order to get down to the campground ( I sure hope someone took photo's of it!) . I would say the grade exceeded 20% that anyone owning a HUMVEE would drool over LOL. Jan then announced that she would rather walk the rest of the way down to the campground instead of riding in the back of the car. Since we were going at 0.2 mph, I think she would have made it to the bottom before we did!

When we arrived at the campground, we were about 2000ft elevation with a height of about 4500 ft at one point along the road. So it was time to get all packed and ready for the hike. Paul told me to put my keys (including the RED button) in my pack so I won't lose them or get them wet. As I was crossing the river at the first point, I was trying to remember if I forgot anything else. After the first crossing, I felt that crossing the river was not a big deal. Then came the 2nd crossing, which the water got a bit deeper. The water level on the 3rd crossing was about up to my chest when I remembered what I forgot to do.

By the way, a Motorola pager is NOT waterproof!!!!

AND, American Express traveler's checks are water resistant.

Verde River Hot Springs view from the hot springs

Once we came to the hot springs, we all removed out clothing so that the sun can dry them off. There was one couple already enjoying the hot springs. One pool was located inside a cave and didn't look that great to soak in. One pool was located outside with a temperature of about 90°f. another pool was located inside a building made out of stone. Inside this "room" was another hot tub with the water temperature at about 105°f. the walls were decorated with all kinds of artistic graffiti from past visitors who wanted to express opinions. The area where the hot springs are located used to be a resort, which has been abandoned for several years. So we all had the chance to walk up the trail to see where the foundations from the old buildings were.

One point about the hot springs is that the property is located on federal land and since nudity is legal, the authorities did not harass us. If someone happened to cross the river nude and they were caught on the other side, the local county authorities would issue citations for indecent exposure.

Well, the wind picked up and after a few hours of enjoying the springs, it was time to head back to the cars. GG checked the river for a better crossing, one that Jan would be able to cross without having to "float" across. While we were crossing the first time, I happened to take my attention off of walking and slipped on the rocks. So I limped back to the car in pain. Knowing that the law was different on the side of the river that we were walking on, I decided to put on my clothing on just before we came into view of the campground. It was better to cross the river nude then to try to wear wet clothing back to car and then back to the resort.

Waterfall around the power plant at Verde River

Output pipe from the power plant.

Waterfall around the power plant at Verde River

Now for the ride back up the mountain. Jan now was saying "Keep to the RIGHT!" what made it worse was that I, the driver had to visit the washroom which was located at the campground BUT I thought that I could make it up the mountain before stopping What I didn't count on is that I HAD to hit every single rock and stone all the way up the hill! By the time GG made it up to the first stop, I had to GO!!!! Nature bell was vigorously ringing!!!

KEEP TO THE RIGHT!!!

The spot where we stopped had several rocks that I had to negotiate in order to get back to the road. These rocks were large enough to excite a Hummer owner! But, the 2002 Explorer handled the task very well. I didn't leave any parts from the underside of the car LOL. I think Jan was still willing to pay for any damage as long as I stayed to the left (or right, I forgot lol)

BIG rock!

Once we arrived back at McDonalds, I was through with mountain climbing for the day and was looking into relaxing back at Shangri La.

After sending Phil and Shelly off to the Grand Canyon, Jan, BobP and I stopped at a local restaurant to have dinner. The place looked like it was there since the 1800's and hasn't been updated since the 1920's LOL. The food was OK, not as good as the food from the Bistro.

Day 5 Wednesday

I GOT UP.

This time I slept in past 6am! Now I'm getting used to being on holiday! Temperature outside was a cool 68°f and I heard that the weather was a very comfortable 90°f back home. Wonder where the warm weather is? Hmmm!

Well, What did I do on Wednesday? Let see, I wanted to take a ride up the freeway and see the area. So I drove up north on I-17 and found a scenic overview where I took some photos.

View from reststop.

View from reststop.

View from reststop.

View from reststop.

Well, after I took these photos, I noticed the police vehicles racing southbound with lights and sirens. SO.. I decided to drive back down the freeway to see what was going on. Well, that was a wrong move because about 2 miles down the road, just around a curve in the highway, I came across brake lights. TRAFFIC JAM!

So I pulled up in the left lane, put the car in park, got out and waited. As you can see from the photo, I would be there for hours.

Stopped in traffic jam for about 3 hours in the middle of nowhere.

Reason why the speed limits are slower in the mountains - semi was going too fast downhill, swerved and jackknifed.

Reason why the speed limits are slower in the mountains - semi was going too fast downhill, swerved and jackknifed.

Day 6 Thursday

Badminton! Wows haven't played this game since I was 4 years old. It was even better with the 30 MPH winds that would propel the birdie at supersonic speeds! Plus Phil's power shots didn't help any LOL. I think we destroyed 2 birdies in 30 minutes!

Day 7 Friday

Since I didn't have a phone in the room, I received a message to call my parents. Thinking that there was a major family emergency requiring me to cut my vacation short, I found a hot spot to use the cell phone and called. Turns out they had bad storms come through the state and the shop was without power and worse, the management couldn't get the backup power systems running.

Well, by the time I found the message, made the calls it was too late. They thanked me for returning the call and told me to enjoy the rest of my vacation.

Volleyball. I tried water volleyball for a change. It was kind of fun but I knew that if they had some professionals

Bistro had Catfish as the special for dinner. This would be the first time I had Catfish and it was so good, I had 2 helpings!

Karaoke. DavidB and his wife Alice sang really well. At one point I thought David sounded a bit like the actual singer when I realized that the KJ was playing the song with voice LOL! (Note from Jan: I checked with David and the KJ started the song with voice but stopped it immediately and David sang the song himself.)

And then there was this guy EARL! And EARL had to die! It was a song written by the Dixie Chicks (I found this out at work LOL) and sung by Kath. Poor Earl LOL!

Day 8 Saturday

Since I only had 350 miles on the rental car, I needed to do something about it so I decided to go for a ride. Well, shortly after leaving the resort I realized that I forgot my camera. Rather then turning around I decided to continue. My goal was to try for Sedona BUT after about 15 minutes I changed my mind and drove back to the resort. So for me, driving 350 miles in one week is a record LOL. I usually put in about 1500-3000 miles (they say unlimited miles, right?) on a week's vacation. This time staying right at the resort was the better choice. Besides, getting caught in another traffic jam would not be a good idea. As a reminder, the trailer from the jackknifed truck was parked at the exit as if they were not in a hurry to remove it.

The special at the Bistro was Prime Rib. Again, excellent dinner!

Day 9 Sunday.

Time to pack and get ready for the trip back home.

Drove back downtown and missed the exit AGAIN!. Well, I finally found the return entrance to the car rental company and turned the car back in. No Gore marks in the fenders, no broken glass, no punctured tires. Oh yeah, hope they don't noticed the cracked windshield, which ironically happened on the way to the airport!

Check in was quick and easy. They ran the old credit card right there on the spot. So now I have to try to figure out how many years it will take to pay off the car LOL.

Ironically, the temperature in Arizona was cooler then the temperature back home! But after I boarded the plane, the pilot made an announcement that the temperature in Minneapolis was 30°f and SNOW! You could imagine the reaction of everybody in the plane. I heard someone mumble that maybe they should stay in Phoenix.

Leaving Phoenix - pilot was giving us a weather report for Minneapolis - cold and snow!

SNOW in Minneapolis! should have stayed in Phoenix for a few more days!

And to make my trip home even worse, The pilot on the next plane made the same statement, 30°f and SNOW. I came home to 3" of fresh snow with green grass poking through the top. Neighbors told me of the big storm that I missed with sustained winds of 60mph for several minutes. So now I have to try to clean up the downed trees around my yard

4" Snow back home! sign at motel says "at last spring" it was snowing and the tips of the grass were showing through the snow.

AS I'm writing this report I would like to say that I had lots of fun. The NetNude Gathering Participants were fun to be with. Everyone had a great time, including ME! I would like to thank GGnaked, LadyD, JanC, Phil and Shelly, BobP, Owen, DavidB and Alice, Ron and Kath, Paul, John and all the others who stopped by the lodge "NetNude HQ" over the week. Wish that more NetNuder's would participate in the gathering because it's a ton of fun. The trip to the hot springs was my highlight of the week for me. Everyone seemed to have a good time.

See you next year!

MJC