The long grueling hike to the summit had, no doubt, taken a lot out of both of us. It was early autumn so at least the temperature was cool. Even so my girlfriend Joann and I were both huffing on legs of rubber.
"You're out of shape." I teased my girlfriend.
"I'M Out of shape?"
"You're huffing worse than I am."
Peering down the slope, we marveled at how tiny people and objects appeared.
Jo and I take pride in keeping fit, usually by running 5 miles a day on various routes through town. Hills are non existent or rise only a few feet.
This had been our first ever hike. Would it be our last hike?
We allowed ourselves a few minutes to rest then started the trek down the slope.
Jazz music passed the time during our long ride home in her Toyota. I voiced a thought after a few minutes on the road.
"Hiking is a lot more tiring than running."
"You got that right hon." Jo's words came with a nod.
I added that "we should do it again."
Jo's reply was a noncommittal "some other time."
I added, "we should do it naked, except for hiking boots."
Jo laughed.
Of course the suggestion was a joke.
A few more minutes passed in silence after my joke.
"Steph, just to be sure, do we hike both ways naked or just one way?"
"You don't have to hike sky-clad. If you prefer to keep your clothes on then, by all means, do so."
We had squeezed all the humor out of the joke. We continued on our way home.
Jo and I are just two girls who happen to be close friends. We're both single and have never been intimate with each other. Even the thought is repulsive.
On a deep subconscious level I find nudity to be alluring. Nobody yet knows that about me.
What prompts anyone to fess up? Don't ask.
The following Saturday evening I was visiting my friend Jane Halle Landis. I was to learn that sharing secrets with Jane is ill-advised.
We had been chit chatting for about an hour. By that time I was ready to leave.
The empty coffee cups with plates were still on her dining table as was the pot. A partially eaten chocolate cake remained in the center.
"I like going naked," she quipped.
You do?
She added, "why do you think it takes me so long to open the door."
"What ever floats your boat," I quipped.
Back in my apartment later that evening, it ocurred to me that going naked can be fun. That day on the wooded hilltop the suggestion was only a joke. Suddenly the suggestion became a desire.
Standing at the rear of my bed, I pulled off the green camo T-shirt dress letting it fall behind me. After a brief hesitation I unhooked the band and pushed the straps off my shoulders making The Ivory Dot T-shirt shaping underwire bra slip to my feet.
I pulled off my panties. I'm naked and it feels soooooo good. I'm going to eat an orange while I'm naked.
It wasn't a joke Joann. I really do want to hike naked to the top of that hill. I flipped a few switches lighting the bedroom and living room then went to the window. Who cares if anyone sees me naked?
Sunday morning saw me chatting with Jo on Face Time making plans to hike up the hill overlooking the rivers.
The weather was still hot so I chose to wear a Navy square neck tee, bluejeans and hiking shoes. Jo wore similar clothes.
After another grueling hike we stopped at the summit and peered down the slope.
I pulled off my teeshirt and dropped it.
"What are you doing?"
"What does it look like I'm doing?"
