Dad had agreed to build an archery shed up at the kids’ camp in exchange for partial camp fees. While Dad had to work, the rest of the family was looking forward to being outside in the beautiful setting, surrounded by Lodge Pole Pines.
They were told they couldn’t swim, but they could canoe or row around the lake. “Just don’t go near the landing, the main camp ground, or the meadow area as this has been marked for private use for the week.”
Darn! That meant that some of the best areas were off limits. Still, it was beautiful. Clear blue sky weather, tall fragrant Sugar Pines, cascading waterfall, peaceful lake, hiking trails… beautiful.
Sonny Boy gets it in his head to reconnoiter a bit on his own since Dad is building the shed. Mom is laid out on a platform under the trees reading, and Sister is doing her own nature thing somewhere down by the lake shore.
Both the kids and Dad were instructed, “DO NOT to go near the forbidden areas!” A group of women from the Bay Area was renting the facility. It was women only and they didn’t want any men around. They had renamed the landscape “Buffalo Woman Meadow,” “Strong Woman Landing,” and “Earth Mother Dining Hall.”
It looked like fun to Mother, but she was there for a different purpose. She was helping out in the kitchen preparing food for the large group. She made seasoned chicken thighs and roasted red potatoes with onions and peppers, which was a big hit. She cleaned up the kitchen and started back along the trail near the lake when she spotted her Sonny Boy crouching in the bushes. Sister saw him too and was quick to tell Mother.
The event was clothing optional, so all the women were either topless or nude. They were down by the water enjoying themselves, sunbathing or canoeing. Sonny was nine, old enough to feel funny, but not really understand it.
When Sonny got back to the family camp on the opposite side of the lake from where the women were staying, he just can’t stop smiling. For some reason that smile is plastered on his face from ear to ear. Everyone knew something was up.
“You went over there, didn’t you?”
” No, I didn’t.” (S-M-I-L-E)
” Come on, fess up. We all know you were over there.”
His eyes brightened, he raised his eyebrows in surprise, and his S-M-I-L-E got even bigger as if that were possible, and he says, “Mom, They were all naked!” That boy has always had a way where the ladies are concerned….
(First published 8/11/11)
