My third day in San Francisco, a Tuesday, brought a new experience to this New York City boy... We woke up early in the morning and set out bearing north of San Francisco heading to a cliff near Stetson beach. It was a beautiful journey though a mountain range filled with smells and shades of green found sparsely in any city. When we got to the top of the cliff that we were supposed to hike down- and when I write “hike,” what I really mean is “stumble down almost to my death-” I looked out onto the Pacific with a great feeling of joy in my depths.
Then I stumbled down a cliff almost to my death... Once at the bottom safe and sound, we saw the hot springs that we had traveled so far to experience. My friend had said that we might have to dig a bit of a hole to release the hot water, so she brought a small pot! Even as we descended we saw people with shovels who informed us that all preparation had been taken care of already. All that was left was to not get freaked out.
It was a small pool surrounded by rocks and filed with old, naked, hippies! I'm from New York... I do not see random naked strangers very often, so you can imagine how interesting this experience was for me. Earlier in the car I had promised myself I would let go of my social “appropriateness” and shed my clothing for the experience. When I saw who was in the hot spring, I promised myself I would not shed boxers for any amount of money! Sooo, I looked up at the sky a lot that morning, enjoying the warmth of the spring, while ignoring the alien bodies brushing past me. Daron Rainbow Aquarius was an interesting companion. In his 70's, naked, and hairy, and playing his harmonica, Rainbow was an obvious stay over from the free loving, lots' of drugging sixties. He wanted to get the ladies to come back to his boat for the after party, which I am thankful to write did not happen.
The ocean was quite refreshing though, and provided an excuse to get some of my personal space back. In truth, it was an experience that I'm glad I didn't miss. It was what I had read about the past, alive and now experienced. I suppose the adventure showed me just how free spirited I really am, or more accurately, how free spirited I am not. Yet, in the journey of shedding the yoke of social conditioning to what is acceptable and normal, in the pursuit of what is natural, I took another step. Next time though, I'll hope for the Playboy mansion... ;)
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