Kevin and I relocated to Texas so he could be close to his job in Grand Prairie. After considering several offers I accepted a position as ICU/CCU nurse at the Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital. I went to work initially on the day shift and found the unit was significantly understaffed. Apparently, there is a considerable shortage of nurses in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. That meant I had to work more shifts than I really wanted to.
From the beginning of our time living together Kevin and I were together little because of work schedules. After a couple of stressful weeks we sat at dinner and agreed that even living in the same place we were really not getting what either of us wanted out of our relationship. We agreed that neither of us would work on the weekend so we could be together and explore the area. That lasted less than a month when I was, more or less told; I had to work a Saturday night shift. I liked my supervisor and agreed to do it but told her only once. That decision upset Kevin who had planned that we would go out to dinner in Dallas and attend a Dallas Symphony orchestra concert featuring a Korean cellist that he really liked. He snapped, “I’m going without you.”
That was the beginning of many disagreements. From the beginning our sexual activities, while important to the two of us, felt mechanical more than loving. Even though I knew our relationship couldn’t be sustained long term. I needed some assurance that he cared a little about me. Kevin was an accommodating partner but I could tell he had made the same decision that I had about our relationship.
Kevin was a person who spoke what he was thinking so I was not surprised when he suggested that we date other people while we were living together. I reluctantly agreed but couldn’t figure out how I would find time to meet anyone except on one of the online sites like Grindr. I was not the type person who could easily meet a person I didn’t know.
I concentrated on work and became taking seven-to-seven shifts which meant I worked only three days some weeks. My shift started at 7 pm and sometimes at 7 am. I preferred the longer shifts because that gave me more time to find out about Texas. I searched for a nude campground not too far but found that the closest gay clothing optional campground was two hundred miles away. I decided to plan a weekend trip. I would see if Kevin wanted to join me. When I suggested the trip he was happy to but said he could only stay over the weekend. I had four days off. If I was driving that far I wanted to stay longer than two days. Reluctantly, we decided to drive separately.
The camp was called Grizzly Pines in Navasota, Texas. I called and reserved one of their guest cabins for four nights knowing that Kevin would only be there for only two. I was aware that there were special weekends but decided to try out a weekend when it wasn’t so busy. That weekend turned out to be July 10-14 which I knew covered national nude weekend. I didn’t know if Grizzly had anything special planned even though it is a clothing optional campground.
Kevin hadn’t said much about his plans but I knew he had packed what he was taking and took it with him to work. He would leave from work by mid-afternoon to arrive before it was too dark. Because my shift ended at seven the night before I was able to get a good night’s sleep so I could drive off mid-morning. The drive was Interstate highway almost all the way. I was there in less than four hours. Because I was staying after the weekend I had packed food for my extended stay since the campground’s food vendor only did meals over the weekend.
When I arrived I realized that Kevin and I hadn’t been camping since we were in the Russian River Valley three years ago. I had seen pictures on the Grizzly website and knew the location was flat as is most of Texas. When I got out of my car I was immediately reminded how hot it was in Texas in the summer. The check-in went smoothly. I found our cabin and decided to check out the grounds. I got naked since that was the reason I was there. As I walked I noticed that the campers who I encountered were dressed in cutoff jeans and shirts with no sleeves. Many men I saw had many tattoos. I began to think that Texans didn’t like to be naked. I made my way around to pool and finally found several men who were naked sunning and swimming. I could see the food vendor was opening the food truck. I waited until I saw several fellows approach the truck. When the owner was ready I stood in line with several older guys as we chatted about the place. One taller, older man with a full grey beard asked where I was from. I explained the reason for my trip and told him I loved being naked. He said smiling, “Usually, the only place you’ll see men naked is around the pool.”
Curious I said, “Do people care if I’m naked?”
“No, probably, they’ll think it’s cute.” I was put off by his comment but proceeded to collect my burger, fries and Coke. The temperature was over ninety degrees so I found a table under an umbrella. I ate alone wondering if I had made the right decision to come here when an older bearish man wearing white underpants and a jaunty straw hat approached my table. He smiled, “Haven’t seen you around here. Are you a new member?” I acknowledged his comment with a smile and nod. He continued, “You probably won’t see many guys naked. I love being naked outside but have to be careful not to get too much sun.”
We continued our conversation about the camp. He had a “C” class unit that he drives back and forth from a town near Austin which he said was less than three hours away. He explained that there were quite a few fellows from Austin who were members. I told him my roommate was joining me in the evening. The fellow proceeded to invite me and Kevin to come by his camper where he was having an informal cocktail party with several other fellows from Austin. I accepted his invitation but explained that I didn’t know exactly when Kevin would be arriving. He said, “Come over when he gets settled. Be naked, I will be.”
When Kevin arrived about 6:30 I told him about the invitation and he was pleased. I told him the bearish, older man who invited us was from Austin. I was naked but Kevin was reticent. I didn’t say anymore. He said he wasn’t comfortable meeting people he bbdidn’t know without his clothes on. He pulled on his running shorts and tank top. I was dressed only in trainers.
About ten minutes from our cabin was Albert’s camper. He was standing outside waving at us as we approached. He wasn’t naked and still wearing his white underpants. Kevin quietly said, “My gawd, he’s got white hair everywhere on his body. He’s cute in his whities.”
I smiled but was feeling a little awkward until two fellows close to our age approached. They were naked so I felt better. Within ten minutes there were six other men of various ages and sizes who joined in for chips, salsa and beer that Albert provided. Some guys brought their own drinks. Kevin was immediately friendly with our host putting his hand on Albert’s lower back. I wasn’t sure he was being polite or he wanted to feel Albert’s hairy exterior. I could see Albert smile with appreciation of Kevin’s attention. The group was growing and I didn’t immediately notice a man leaning against the wall of an old barn not too far away. He stood watching.
Kevin stepped back toward me. I subtly moved my hand in the direction of the man standing against the wall. Kevin’s eyes were immediately transfixed on the man in white underwear. Kevin didn’t immediately approach the man but I could tell he was trying to draw the man’s attention to himself. He succeeded because the man slowly stepped into the group and grabbed a beer from the cooler before stepping toward Kevin. Kevin pretended to be looking at something else. I don’t know who spoke first but they were quickly in conversation and seemed to not longer have an interest in anyone else at the party.
About twenty minutes later Kevin stepped toward me as I was talking with the two younger nude guys. We were discussing the famous naked beach in Austin call Hippie Hollow. I had heard about but had never been there. Kevin reached for my arm and gently pulled me away. He said, “Mr. Gorgeous invited me to have dinner with him in that big Class A.” He gestured to the right.
I jokingly said, remembering Todd from the Russian River, “Are you interested in him or what’s in his white underpants.” He looked puzzled. “Don’t you remember what Todd was wearing when we went to his apartment?” He laughed and turned toward the man. I wondered if I would have our cabin to myself for all four nights. I was correct.
The cocktail hour was winding down and folks were returning to the campers or cabins. Albert invited me and the two naked younger guys to stay and have his homemade chili. We joined Albert around his crowded dinette. I was on the banquette rubbing hips with Jamie. Albert wanted to know each of our stories which took some time. As we discussed ourselves it became clear to me that Jamie and Christopher were only friends who had known each other since grade school. Jamie was a wiry fellow who needed a shave but he had a most pleasant personality. His friend, Christopher, was much quieter and taller but not fat.
I described to the group my recent journey to Texas from California. Jamie wanted to know why. I explained that Kevin had been my college roommate and I hoped we could become more than friends. Albert said, “I saw him leave with Howard so I am suspecting it isn’t working out.
Jamie snapped, “Albert, don’t be so nosy.”
Looking at Jamie Albert said, “Howard has an interest in cute Asian men.”
There was momentary silence until I said, “Kevin is a good friend and a good roommate. I’m so busy with my nursing job in Arlington I am probably more at fault than Kevin is that our relationship isn’t working out romantically.”
Christopher said, “Mark, are you a specialty nurse?”
“Yes, ICU/CCU at Arlington Memorial.”
“I work in IT in the corporate offices of Texas Health Resources in Arlington.”
Jamie piped up, “You guys are better off than me but I still make good money as an electrician.”
Albert made a stupid joke, “You’ll get a charge out of your job.” Albert sensed, as I did, friction between Christopher and Jamie but no one was in a hurry to leave. I didn’t end up leaving until eleven. Jamie, Christopher and I walked toward the cabins. Their cabin was two cabins from mine.
Jamie said, “If your friend doesn’t come home you’re welcome to sleep with us. We have two beds.” I thanked him for the offer but declined. I slept alone because as I suspected Kevin spent the night and next day with Howard. When he was preparing to leave Sunday he told he would be traveling next weekend to Austin to be with Howard. Monday and Tuesday were quiet at Grizzly. I spent most of my time by the pool with the few fellows who lived at the campground throughout the season. I wondered if I would be without a roommate soon.
I liked my job so wasn’t really concerned if Kevin stayed or left. I knew he had his job so suspected he would be a while before deciding if he was able to move to Austin. I got a surprise when less than a month later he announced he was moving to Austin to be with Howard. He said Howard had introduced him to a consultant to the military who hired him as a junior consultant. I was making good money so didn’t have to worry immediately about finding a roommate.
About the same time that Kevin announced he was moving to Austin I got an email message from Clark, who I met at Grizzly Pines, inviting me to a gathering of the Dallas Area Male Nudists. I vaguely remembered Clark. His message asked if I wanted to be his guest at a naked male pool party in the Wolf Creek area of West Dallas. It was a quick twenty-five minute drive from my condo so I emailed my acceptance. He emailed me that I was welcome to drive to his place which was close to the party. His message suggested we could go over together. That sounded like a good idea to me so I accepted and told him I planned to arrive about thirty minutes before the pool party was scheduled to begin.
I had heard that many of the male nudists groups were mainly older gay men rather than guys my age. Clark was in his sixties and I assumed that the group would be largely older but hoped to meet some younger naked guys. When I arrived at Clark’s ranch style home situated on a large lot. I could tell when I pulled into his driveway that he didn’t have a pool. I knocked on the door. He described the group we would be meeting. As I suspected I would be one of the younger guys attending. That prompted me to ask if he knew of nudist groups of mainly younger guys. He didn’t but said perhaps the president of the club would know.
After asking if I brought a towel to sit on he suggested I drive since I was parked behind his car. That was fine with me. In less than ten minutes we parked on a street with no curbs behind ten or more cars already parked in front of a home with a totally fenced in back yard. Without knocking we went inside where several naked men stood in the kitchen. They greeted Clark who introduced me and invited me into the room where we could leave our clothes. Once naked I felt much better because it was a hot September day. We went outside and Clark introduced me like I was his lifelong friend. I smiled and was gracious to the group of older Hispanic and Caucasian men who ranged in age from 50 to 80. There was only one younger Hispanic fellow who seemed to be partnered with an elderly man with a walker.
I really didn’t care because I was happy being with naked men since I hadn’t been out since my trip to Grizzly Pines. Clark indicated that there was a men’s play room but I really didn’t see anyone I had any sexual interest in. I stayed by the pool and snack area. About midway through the afternoon a couple much younger guys appeared on the pool deck. I couldn’t tell if they were a couple until they hugged and kissed each other. The taller guy with a light beard came toward me. He introduced himself as Geoff and waved his partner, James, over. He said, “Are you into old guys?”
“Not particularly but Clark, who I met at Grizzly Pines, invited me.”
Looking puzzled James asked, “What’s Grizzly Pines?”
Geoff answered, “It’s a gay resort somewhere south of Austin. We haven’t been there.”
That gave me the opportunity to ask them if there was nudist group for younger guys. They looked at each other before James said, “We know other guys who get naked but there is nothing organized on a regular basis. We come here because some of the older guys will suck our dicks. It’s fun but sort of gross how excited they get.”
I was a bit put off by his demeaning comments because I thought older guys had just as much right to get off as buff young guys. Geoff caught my look and said, “He’s a pervert. Don’t pay any attention to him.” By this time three older guys were standing near us and James turned to talk to them. Before long he had disappeared. Geoff and I continued to talk about what we did and where we lived. We agreed to exchange contact information when we could get something to write on and had a pocket to put it in.
It turned out that the party didn’t end as early as Clark said it would. We were still in the pool at 5:30 and I was wanting more than snacks. I quietly suggested to Clark I wanted to go. He agreed and we went inside to get dressed. Geoff followed us inside and we put his cell number into my phone so I could text him to get contact information. While I was doing that the owner of the house approached me and handed me a slip of paper with an email address that he said belonged to the guy who organized naked events for younger guys. Geoff asked me to text him that information as well.
I suggested to Clark that we have dinner at my expense. He was happy to suggest a Mexican restaurant not too far from his house. We talked about the event and he said his friends appreciated that three younger guys were there. He suggested that the group liked the eye-candy. I told him I enjoyed the opportunity to be naked with a group of guys regardless of their ages. He in turn invited me to the next event which was scheduled for the following month. I didn’t commit but thanked him for letting me know.
After I texted Christopher the information about the young naked group I didn’t hear from him for a time. When he finally got back to me he called. I was surprised since I people I knew would rather text than talk. I saw his name on my phone screen and answered, “It’s been a while. Where have you been?”
Christopher said, “Been busy at work. I wanted to tell you what I found out about the naked group. It is true it is a younger group. James and I went to one of their parties. The reason I didn’t call you is I suspected that the group was into bondage and leather. I was correct and James loved the action. I was OK but have never gotten pleasure out of bondage. I have the information about the next event if you want it.” I took the time and date of the next event plus the Meetup address where people interested needed to register. I thanked Christopher and told him bondage wasn’t my thing but I might check it out. I ended the conversation asking him to let me know if he was going.
The date of the event was approaching and I hadn’t heard from Christopher. I decided I didn’t want to go without knowing someone. About that time I got a text from Kevin inviting me to visit him and Howard in Austin. That sounded like something I would like better than a bondage party. I knew my work schedule wouldn’t allow a trip to Austin until mid-October. I suggested the Columbus Day weekend assuming Kevin wouldn’t be working. I emailed Albert that I was coming to Austin but he responded that he would be at a season closing event at Grizzly Pines. He did include the name and email of a fellow who arranged naked gay events in Austin. He gave me no more information than that.
I wrote down the information and left it beside my computer with no intention of doing anything with it. One morning after my video spin class I was sitting naked at my computer and saw the note about the nudist group in Austin. I typed in ‘nudist men austin’ in the inquiry bar on my computer. The email address was the same one that Albert gave me but there was no contact information except the email address. I sent off an email not knowing if there would be a response. Almost immediately I got an email back from another Christopher describing the group as ‘a group of like-minded, young gay and straight men who like to be naked.’ He informed me of a gathering in September but said nothing about anything happening in October.
Attached to his email was a picture of a handsome man naked. The email didn’t say it was Christopher but I assumed it was.
I wrote him that I wouldn’t be in Austin until the Columbus Day weekend. I didn’t hear from him and assumed he wasn’t interested in pursuing our getting together. The day before I was to arrive in Austin to stay with Howard and Kevin I received a text from Christopher suggesting we get together at his house. His message didn’t suggest anything more so I was uncertain what to do.
As it turned out Howard and Kevin had been invited to an event. Kevin was polite and said since the invitation was for a dinner party would I mind if they abandoned me for the evening. I was fine and thought I would contact Christopher to see if he was still available. I immediately got a text inviting me to come over and gave me his address.
I pulled up in front of a tidy, little white house on the south side of Austin. The neighborhood was filled with modest homes which looked like they had been built in the 1950’s and 1960’s. I was hesitant walking up to the house since I had never met. I pushed the button for the bell and heard nothing. Having waited what I thought was a reasonable time I knocked. I still waited wondering if I was at the door of the correct house. Finally, the door was opened by a naked fellow wearing head phones. He smiled and stepped aside as I entered seemingly unconcerned that the neighbors might see him.
He expended his hand with his headphones still on. He put his finger to his lips so I assumed he was on a conference call which seemed strange since it was Saturday. Finally, he removed his headset and said, “Sorry, the video was at a critical point and I didn’t want to miss what they said.” I thought what he did was rude but didn’t say anymore.
He invited me to follow him into his living room which was more a computer room slash video room. He said, “Get naked if you want to. What brings you to Austin?” I proceeded to strip off my shorts and tee shirt before telling him about my visit to Austin. He acknowledged that he didn’t know Howard but knew the area of town where he lived. He offered me a beer but said he didn’t drink alcohol. I accepted his offer and we sat awkwardly looking at each other. I figured he should take the lead since he invited me over.
Finally, he said, “Mark, did I mention that I am a professional photographer and work for a local studio. Recently, I have started doing nude photography. Would you allow me to take your picture just as you are?” I have set up my second bedroom for more formal pictures.
I was slightly surprised since we had just met. I thought about his request before saying, “If I had known I was going to be photographed I would have gotten my hair cut.” He smiled and got up. His action suggested I should follow him. Without saying anything further he turned on lights for a formal portrait. First, he suggested I put Johnson’s Baby oil on my body. Then he motioned for me to lie on a reclining couch. I fluffed myself as he adjusted the lights. He had his professional looking camera on a small table. When he was ready he came up to me and positioned my right arm to cover my cock. He messed with my hair which I thought was interesting.
Finally, he seemed to be satisfied but still hadn’t said anything. He picked up his camera and looked through the viewer. He moved closer to me for what had to be a face shot. He looked at it and said, “Small smile.” I did as he asked. “Roll your right hip toward me.” I did and he snapped, what seemed like, ten pictures. “Put your right hand behind your head, move your right hand over your cock and roll further this direction. It may seem unnatural.” Again he clicked off a number of pictures. The session went on for more than an hour with multiple poses.
I finally was feeling uncomfortable and asked to use the toilet. I didn’t think he heard me because he kept his camera to his eye. Finally, he said, Sorry, I was concentrating too much. Bathroom’s across the hall. Mind if I photograph you peeing.” I thought it was odd but really didn’t care and said so.
When I finished washing my hands he said, “Mark, you’re a great model. I got some great pictures. Want to see them on the computer?”
“Sure, but I’ll take another beer if you have one.” He got up without a word and walked away. He handed me the beer and said, “Follow me into the computer room.” In a few minutes he had the chip loaded in his computer. There seemed hundreds of images of me nude. Shortly after he started the slide show he stopped and enlarged a frame. “I knew that would be one of my favorites. I had to admit I looked really good and perhaps better than real life.
Time had passed too quickly and it was time for me to return to Howard and Kevin’s. I thanked him and he promised to have a portfolio ready for me when I returned. I told him I didn’t know when that would be. He seemed surprised and said, “If you come back plan to stay with me. I have an idea to discuss with you.I knew that I wouldn’t be able to return for a month or more because of my schedule at the hospital. I worked away without much social life other than my spinning and occasional cycling with a gay biking group. One day in early November I got a text message from Christopher informing me of a naked gathering of the Austin nudists on Friday of Thanksgiving week. I volunteered to work on Thanksgiving day which meant I could leave for Austin early Friday to arrive at Christopher’s in time for the party.
He said he was looking forward to seeing me. I worked many shifts in November but had to admit I found the work really enjoyable even though I was often really tired. Several times the assistant director of nursing had approached me about taking on more supervisory duties. I told her I would step in when needed but didn’t want the official designation of assistant supervisor. Even though Covid pandemic was basically over we still had many cases of supposed Covid. I like, many others, were skeptical if what was being called Covid deaths were deaths caused by the virus or simply complications from other things. We always followed the Covid protocols as prescribed.
I was really looking forward to my trip to Austin. I was taking off not only Friday after Thanksgiving but was not scheduled again until the following Monday on the 7pm shift. I texted Kevin that I would be in Austin but he texted back that he and Howard would be at Howard’s home in Palm Springs. I also texted Albert and he was happy to hear from me. He invited me and Christopher to have dinner in San Marcos about thirty minutes south of Austin. I accepted and assumed Christopher would want to go if he didn’t have other plans.