naked hiking

Last Thursday I was quite shocked to learn from Amish Morrell's talk on 'Naked Hiking' that the Naturism movement developed out of FASCISM!...I've never been so disturbed by 'free-love'...apparently its not just for hippies.  In contrast, Morrell's detailed explanation of the sensual experience of outdoor nudity and spiritual commune with nature was affirming and inspiring.  

The wind is never so silky and every pore of your skin never feels so open and free as when you're CANUDING, as I discovered while gliding across the great waters of Alona Bay, Lake Superior in August 2011.  Highly recommended. 

I also highly recommend the truly inspiring and award winning cocktail "A Walk In The Woods" featuring pine needle infused tequila with elderflower and orange zest.  Enjoying this delicious concoction, I was reminded of something I learned in an interview with a tree scientist I heard a year or two ago on CBC radio.  The Victorians used to go on carriage rides or walks in the pine forests to inhale the healing, purifying, calming properties of pine trees.  They referred to these aroma-therapeutic walks/carriage rides as "spa's".  The chemical properties of pine trees and their effect on the human brain has since been affirmed by modern science.  Cheers!

 

A Victorian era buggy ride in the pine forest, and 'Pine Forest', 2005, by American photographer 

Justine Kurland visually combines these themes nicely I think. 

http://www.miandn.com/#/artists/justine-kurland/