Colorado Hot Springs, 2014
Judy and I were headed for San Diego for the 2014 reunion of former UDT/SEAL guys and had stopped for a couple of days in Durango, CO for some river rafting, fly fishing, etc. For several years I have wanted to try out the Orvis Hot Springs clothing optional venue near Ouray. Judy was still fairly new to social nudity and not nearly as enthusiastic about it as I. Still, I was somewhat hopeful as I casually suggested a drive up the million dollar highway to the hot springs.
I was more pleased than surprised when Judy agreed to the trip and lost no time getting things together and heading out. The drive north to Ouray has some spectacular scenery but can be a bit nerve wracking as there are frequent curves, an absence of guardrails, and really steep drops. We managed to get there still in one piece and I was full of anticipation as we pulled into the parking area.
The first stop was the main desk where we paid our entrance, signed the rules, and got a quick tour of the indoor facility. Judy and I adjourned to our respective dressing rooms (men/women) and emerged wrapped in a towel kilt for me and short robe for her as the indoor area is not CO. Once outside, in the CO area, we made our way to the large main soaking pool. It was already occupied and there were some 30 to 40 odd people there in various states of attire; full bathing suits on both men and women, topless women, and fully nude folks of both sexes.
I was unsure how Judy would react to this as she had never been in a situation with this many people and in past experiences everybody had been nude. I told her that if she felt uncomfortable I would understand. She gave me a nervous smile then said, "I didn't drive 800 miles just to keep my clothes on." We found an area where we could hang our coverups just inside the entryway to the pool enclosure. I dropped my kilt, hung it up, and turned to see Judy, now nude, hanging up her robe next to mine. We walked to the step area and I steadied her as she walked into the hot water up to her waist.
We settled onto a rock shelf and let the hot lithium springs work their magic. It seemed like there were people of all ages and sizes either in or around the pool and a fair number of arrivals and departures as well. A young woman wearing a very modest bikini nodded at us, smiled, and then took a spot on the shelf next to us. She was soon joined by a young man, also wearing a suit. We introduced ourselves and had a very enjoyable chat, them clothed, us nude, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
It was a clear day with bright sun and all too soon Judy had had her limit on UV rays and we had to leave the pool. We sat on a bench to air dry before strolling back to the main building, getting our wraps on, and leaving.
On our way back south Judy started laughing to herself. When I asked why she explained that the young people with attractive bodies that they should have been proud of kept covered up while we older, heavier, less attractve types were universally nude. I then asked her if she had noticed what all the women there had in common. She couldn't come up with anything so I asked her which women were being stared at. After a moment's thought she came up empty and said she didn't think any were. That, I told her, was the point. She got it!
We actually stayed over night at the lodge at Orvis How Springs. It was late September and we could see snow in the distant mountain tops. We had a great stay with enjoying the outdoor pools. We never did try any of the indoor pools. The majority had bathing suits on. Maybe 30-40 as when you were there. We were among the 5 mature couples who were nude. We had a great time and we would return again if we were ever in the area. We were unprepared for there being no eating establishments in the area. Remind to bring food next time as we didn't want to leave. LOL
When Judy and I were there I think the majority of men were nude and the majority of women were either nude or topless so we were definitely not in the minority. We would like to return and stay in the lodge. I can only imagine how wonderful it would feel to sit in that hot water while looking up at that clear Colorado night sky full of stars. Like you we only did the outside pools.