Imagining the look on my mothers face (she has a way of knowing when somethings wrong) not to mention my dog picking up the scent, I demurred and took another path. Translation: my mother would have killed me. But oh my my, the thought of diving into that human ocean was something I'll never forget. We've all had moments like that, that are burned into our memory and tend to get conjured up at the most peculiar of times.
The next day I returned and the earth bore the marks of their body-play as a testament to the freedom they all shared. This all happened in a little clearing with boulders and logs where people could sit and do other things on. What I recall most about the moment was the lack of shame upon rounding the bend and walking into them au natural. It just seemed like normal human emotions playing out and no one made any attempt to hide it. Nor should they have.
Born "back east," I've always had the sensibilities of someone from SoCal or the Pacific Northwest. I've always felt I was born on the "wrong" coast, and someday plan to rectify that. If cut, I'd likely bleed in tye dyed colors, and would feel right at home out in the fresh air surrounded by forests and tall mountains. What I know however, is city life, so it might have to be a place just outside a decent-sized city.
The problem might just be nailing down where I'd settle. There's a big difference between Seattle and San Francisco, Portland and Los Angeles. What would likely happen is I'd visit each of the areas and get a feel for the local culture to see just where I'd best fit in.
Just to let you know, all of this was prompted by me sitting here on a warm Friday with nothing to do. I can hear the sound of life going on outside and it gave me a chance to wonder at how people are living elsewhere. Wherever you are, I wish you a merry, happy, wild and wonderful weekend! Treat life as a tasty beverage and drink your fill.