Rooster Rock and Black's Beach was the inspiration for Richard and I to establish the designated clothing optional section of Haulover Beach. We used these two locations as our primary examples of the possible, the economic success and working cooperation with government. Having been down similar challenging roads for decades. The Florida free beach naturist organizations (South Florida Free Beaches, B.E.A.C.H.E.S. Foundation Institute, Tampa Bay Free Beaches, Treasure Coast Naturists, Friends of Playalinda and Apollo Beaches, etc.) are here to help. We naturists/nudists, can't afford to lose (or reduce in size) these precious few public sites. We all have history, documents, facts and figures of valuable information to share. We can spread the word to our supporters, but we need to take the lead from Rooster Rock naturist activists. I've put this public meeting in my calendar to register and attend.
I was among those early naturist pioneers who anchored the clothing-optional section of Rooster Rock. I have tons of photos from those early years that depict fun-loving people enjoying their body freedom while celebrating "oneness" with nature. As the mighty Columbia River rushes from the Gorge towards the sea many miles away, it provides a natural energy that invigorates the human spirit while illuminating the mind with breathtakingly beautiful scenery that soothes the soul. This backdrop brings together loving people who cannot help but be excited to be there in their most natural state.
In the summer of 1977 our "tribe" came together and formed a diverse family of nature lovers who were in awe of the power and strength of being nude in such a gorgeous setting. We worshipped this gift from Mother Nature by working to protect it from outsiders with negative energy. Beach volleyball united us in the pursuit of body and spiritual health. Out nets served as a beacon for those who needed assistance. In the days before cell phones, we became the stewards of this beach, known for helping anyone in need. In an emergency our family members with boats could use their marine radios to get help or ferry people and pets to the mainland.
We became fiercely protective of our beach over the years. Knowing that inappropriate activities could cause the loss of our clothing-optional status, we bonded with the sheriffs who patrolled our area and we took it upon ourselves to remove trouble makers, one way or another.
Many of us raised our families at Rooster Rock. My daughter learned to water ski in the lagoon there. Now she is a world famous show skier with walls full of photos and rooms full of trophies. She and her husband own and operate a business that builds competition custom made water skis used in glittering ski shows around the world.
If only those basalt cliffs at Rooster Rock could talk! They would tell the stories of people from all walks of life, to include Vietnam veterans like me who came there broken in mind and spirit who got their mojo back after discovering the power of naturism. On any given day you could rub elbows with priests and rabbis, artists, military troops, CEOs and homemakers, hippies and college professors, car mechanics and school teachers, meter maids and bridge tenders. On sunny days we were one with 3000 - 5000 happy naturists in this awesome place.
At Rooster Rock we were all equal.
I will be using your article to call out to our beach family, now scattered across the country, to participate in this virtual town hall. We need to preserve this treasure for future generations and for people who just need to get their mojo back.
Like the others I actually got my naturist start at Rooster Rock Park and Collins Beach on Sauvie Island. As a former Oregon Legislator, I am concerned about the state government wanting to do more with less public input. This puts the constituents of legislators at a disadvantage for actions the non elected bureaucrats decide to complete. The public needs to be informed of government actions to ensure the actions are truly in the public interest. In the end it is the legislators who will end up having to take the public backlash for the bureaucrats actions. I would and will encourage the legislature to get involved and not allow reducing public input on government actions!
It is disappointing to read of this proposed change. If the change was to possibly increase the area to include the rest rooms I would not hesitate to be in support. Many of we Rooster Rock volunteers and visitors can remember when the entire park was clothing optional. It took a piece of legislation to require clothing be worn in an area of the park. Visitors come from long distances with their destination being Rooster Rock because they enjoy the option of nude recreation. As far as I have been able to research Oregon is the only state with a state park sanctioned clothing optional area. Why do I oppose this proposal? MY question is "Why is there a need for the change."
In the first place, the authorities claim they were never planning to change the borders of the park or where nudity is allowed. They say they were only planning to update the language of the rules to make them more modern and easier to understand.
In any case, thanks to many heartfelt emails and plenty of public comments from passionate friends and supporters of Rooster Rock, the Oregon Parks Dept has decided to forgo any changes at this time. Sometimes, speaking up for what we believe really works!
Now, if they could only pass a sound ordinance to protect the birds and other beings who prefer the pre-electronic sounds of the river... Dear river guest: you're not a DJ just because you have a booming speaker! Your bad dance music belongs in the confines of the thick walls of a basement. The herons and I would like to relax in peace and quiet on our days away from the busy city.
Thank you for the update! I had gotten a report on the response and was weighing whether or not to do another post with an update here. Great to hear so many naturists turned out to comment (nearly 80, accepting to the Willamettans GAT report)
important
Rooster Rock and Black's Beach was the inspiration for Richard and I to establish the designated clothing optional section of Haulover Beach. We used these two locations as our primary examples of the possible, the economic success and working cooperation with government. Having been down similar challenging roads for decades. The Florida free beach naturist organizations (South Florida Free Beaches, B.E.A.C.H.E.S. Foundation Institute, Tampa Bay Free Beaches, Treasure Coast Naturists, Friends of Playalinda and Apollo Beaches, etc.) are here to help. We naturists/nudists, can't afford to lose (or reduce in size) these precious few public sites. We all have history, documents, facts and figures of valuable information to share. We can spread the word to our supporters, but we need to take the lead from Rooster Rock naturist activists. I've put this public meeting in my calendar to register and attend.
I was among those early naturist pioneers who anchored the clothing-optional section of Rooster Rock. I have tons of photos from those early years that depict fun-loving people enjoying their body freedom while celebrating "oneness" with nature. As the mighty Columbia River rushes from the Gorge towards the sea many miles away, it provides a natural energy that invigorates the human spirit while illuminating the mind with breathtakingly beautiful scenery that soothes the soul. This backdrop brings together loving people who cannot help but be excited to be there in their most natural state.
In the summer of 1977 our "tribe" came together and formed a diverse family of nature lovers who were in awe of the power and strength of being nude in such a gorgeous setting. We worshipped this gift from Mother Nature by working to protect it from outsiders with negative energy. Beach volleyball united us in the pursuit of body and spiritual health. Out nets served as a beacon for those who needed assistance. In the days before cell phones, we became the stewards of this beach, known for helping anyone in need. In an emergency our family members with boats could use their marine radios to get help or ferry people and pets to the mainland.
We became fiercely protective of our beach over the years. Knowing that inappropriate activities could cause the loss of our clothing-optional status, we bonded with the sheriffs who patrolled our area and we took it upon ourselves to remove trouble makers, one way or another.
Many of us raised our families at Rooster Rock. My daughter learned to water ski in the lagoon there. Now she is a world famous show skier with walls full of photos and rooms full of trophies. She and her husband own and operate a business that builds competition custom made water skis used in glittering ski shows around the world.
If only those basalt cliffs at Rooster Rock could talk! They would tell the stories of people from all walks of life, to include Vietnam veterans like me who came there broken in mind and spirit who got their mojo back after discovering the power of naturism. On any given day you could rub elbows with priests and rabbis, artists, military troops, CEOs and homemakers, hippies and college professors, car mechanics and school teachers, meter maids and bridge tenders. On sunny days we were one with 3000 - 5000 happy naturists in this awesome place.
At Rooster Rock we were all equal.
I will be using your article to call out to our beach family, now scattered across the country, to participate in this virtual town hall. We need to preserve this treasure for future generations and for people who just need to get their mojo back.
Like the others I actually got my naturist start at Rooster Rock Park and Collins Beach on Sauvie Island. As a former Oregon Legislator, I am concerned about the state government wanting to do more with less public input. This puts the constituents of legislators at a disadvantage for actions the non elected bureaucrats decide to complete. The public needs to be informed of government actions to ensure the actions are truly in the public interest. In the end it is the legislators who will end up having to take the public backlash for the bureaucrats actions. I would and will encourage the legislature to get involved and not allow reducing public input on government actions!
It is disappointing to read of this proposed change. If the change was to possibly increase the area to include the rest rooms I would not hesitate to be in support. Many of we Rooster Rock volunteers and visitors can remember when the entire park was clothing optional. It took a piece of legislation to require clothing be worn in an area of the park. Visitors come from long distances with their destination being Rooster Rock because they enjoy the option of nude recreation. As far as I have been able to research Oregon is the only state with a state park sanctioned clothing optional area. Why do I oppose this proposal? MY question is "Why is there a need for the change."
Good news, all:
In the first place, the authorities claim they were never planning to change the borders of the park or where nudity is allowed. They say they were only planning to update the language of the rules to make them more modern and easier to understand.
In any case, thanks to many heartfelt emails and plenty of public comments from passionate friends and supporters of Rooster Rock, the Oregon Parks Dept has decided to forgo any changes at this time. Sometimes, speaking up for what we believe really works!
Now, if they could only pass a sound ordinance to protect the birds and other beings who prefer the pre-electronic sounds of the river... Dear river guest: you're not a DJ just because you have a booming speaker! Your bad dance music belongs in the confines of the thick walls of a basement. The herons and I would like to relax in peace and quiet on our days away from the busy city.
River Lover in Oregon
Thank you for the update! I had gotten a report on the response and was weighing whether or not to do another post with an update here. Great to hear so many naturists turned out to comment (nearly 80, accepting to the Willamettans GAT report)