Ever feel the need to use romance as a form of protest?
We were protesting conformity when we went hiking on a Wednesday afternoon in bathing suits. Those serious hikers we met wearing their boots, khakis, bush hats and frame packs for a day hike looked askance at us. The two women in the group sneered at my bikini. “The sun is hot, you’ll get burned.”
I’m just snippety enough to suggest jealousy. On occasion I enjoy exposing extensive portions of my skin for the sake of good ol’ fashioned reckless sun worship. When I’m in just such a mood, I tend to not follow along with the unspoken rules created by enthusiasts of a sport.
I’m certainly not pretending I eschew the use of proper precautions like sunscreen, instead I believe sometimes the view even in majestic nature is infinitely better when not fully clothed. I dare to suggest with the right partner, the right time and the right choice of trail, hiking in a bathing suit (yup better with a skimpy bikini) is romantic. Our choice of trail was described in the brochure as ‘steep, strenuous, exposed with little shade’.
Park rangers and other safety professionals offer support and advice to make sure hikers stay safe whatever the choice of hike. We are responsible and carry enough water, wear sunscreen, take along a change of clothing and some food. My honey and I live by an additional caveat; life and love are serious, sometimes we make an effort to be silly and spontaneous. Even so, we know our bodies’ limits while enjoying pleasure of skin and flesh.
THE END
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