Drive Naked!

I spent part of Memorial Day on a Gulf coast beach. It was just me, some water, sunblock, a beach chair, a book about World War II and some crossword puzzles. Among my supplies was not a pen so the crossword puzzles didn't do me much good.

Other than that it was great! I'm sure that's only partly because of the group of "kids" who looked like they stepped straight out of an episode of "The O.C." Fine scenery there. The book -- The Conquerors by Michael Beschloss -- is a good read, there was a breeze blowing in off the Gulf and the water was clear and warm. Floating on the Gulf of Mexico ranks among my favorite things.

The only thing the place didn't have was a place to change my clothes. (Or toilets. I peed in the Gulf. Don't tell.) I already had my bathing suit on and I also had a nylon sleeveless workout shirt that I could wear even while swimming to help protect me from sunburn. The first time I came out of the water, my shirt and shorts dried pretty quickly. Cool! I thought. Who needs a place to change? When I go swimming again, my clothes will dry before I want to leave anyway.

Here's the thing: Next time I come out of the water, my clothes won't dry. I get up and walk around trying to air them out. I sit under the same sun that dried them so well the first time. No go. It's time to leave so I'm going to have to ride home in wet shorts. Not fun. I take the shirt off and hang it on the hanger hook inside the car.

It's about an hour ride home and before I reach the Interstate, I can't stand sitting in the wet shorts any more. So I reach down and peel them off. Now, except for my sunglasses, I'm completely nude, driving home on the Interstate.