Some time back, on a nice warm winter day, I decided to walk the trail that runs through the State Nature Preserve that comprises about half of our island. Since I am an Auxiliary and Chaplain to the Fire District here, I figured I would get a feel for the land in the event I was needed for fire support or Chaplain duties out in that direction. If the need were to arise, taking the wrong fork in the trail takes you to a dead end which would not be good in an emergency response situation. There are some homes on the South End of the island that are off the grid. Responses to those houses in the dark can be a tricky adventure. Little did I know what kind of adventure I was about to wander into.
The sun was warming the day as I parked the golf cart and eased through the gates that protect the trail. No carts or vehicles are normally allowed on the trail. Only the occasional fire response or training drill by the Fire Department add more than walkers, bikes, and dogs to the winding sandy pathway. Given the time of year, I did not expect to see many other people during my couple of mile round trip. To be honest, I had never taken the round trip walk in the State land. I had been down the beach in that direction searching for sand dollars over the years, with an occasional journey up into the thickets when the path down the beach was blocked by driftwood jams still left over from a hurricane or two from the past.
As I wandered down the trail, I begin to think of what I might encounter along the way. Wildlife was certainly a possibility. There are coyotes, bobcats, tortoises, a variety of bird species, even eagles, and of course snakes. There are a few varieties of snakes on the island, so I am always on the lookout for those. Even though the species here are not poisonous, I never am keen on seeing a snake underfoot. Now Jason will tell you, and I would have to agree, that there is the occasional cottonmouth hanging around the mangroves. They are certainly poisonous, but there is some skepticism as to if they are around or not. I am quite certain I have seen one, but hey, I am not a herpetologist by any means. Nor am I an “Italian man”. But just the same, I think one should keep a healthy distance from all snakes. Just ask Dr. Montgomery “Monty” Montgomery. But I digress…
Now for years, I have always made joking references to a “nude beach” on the island. Whenever my visitors were staying with us and ventured out to the State land, I would ask, “are you headed to the nude beach?”. Is there really a nude beach here?” they would ask. I had heard rumors and comments of such some over the years, but since I did not regularly take the walk to through the nature preserve, I really did not think much about it one way or the other, and generally considered it urban legend. Further, I had taken many trips down the beach toward the south end to go to the secret sand dollar spot and never saw even the hint of nude people frolicking on the beach. I had always figured if there was such a thing, it would have been tucked back on the back side of the island down that way out of the sight of us clothing “not optional” types.
As I reached the southernmost end of the normal trail where it loops around to take you back to civilization, there is a pathway that leads further on. This is the trail used for fire support, and for other more hardy hikers who might hope to get a glimpse of some other “natural beauty”. I decided to continue as this would be the pathway to support firefighting activities and I needed to know my way. As I proceeded onto the road less travelled, I encountered a pink sign advising I “May Encounter Nude Sunbathers Beyond This Point”. Well, now I was in a quandary. I did want to continue to see the pathway to the South Banks; however, I really did not need to see anyone’s South Banks if you know what I mean.
So, to play it safe, I made a bee line for the beach, hoping to avoid the enclave I imagined was tucked away in the trees ahead. About that time, I heard voices and saw some people coming from the hidden dock to the left and headed for the beach. These ladies seemed quite clothed, much to my relief, and were carrying chairs and other things headed for the water. As I topped the sand dunes nearing the ocean, there lay before me a large collection of boats to the south. As I marveled at all the people that had come to anchor and enjoy the beaches of North Captiva, I also noticed another one of those pink signs. The ladies that had just come by were now to the beach and setting up shop just to my side of the sign. But just beyond them, there was a group of people under a couple of umbrellas. 
Nothing really unusual about that, until, upon further review, one of that party was up walking around. Gee, that is a mighty small bathing suit that guy seems to have on. Wait, I don’t think he is wearing a bathing suit. Nope! From the distance I stood from the gathering of naturalists, I could now recognize none of his party had clothing on. Of course, I had to capture a discreet picture to prove it. Just like with fishing, if there is not a picture, it did not happen. In case you are curious, I was at such distance that the picture posted, even if zoomed in, does not really reveal anything indiscreet (not that I would have done that to check). I hope they had sunscreen to prevent any burns in any sensitive areas. After the clandestine picture was snapped, I figured I had better be going back, fortunate that I had not gone another hundred yards before I turned to find the beach and ended up in the middle of a group of people who thought I was wearing too many clothes.
David