LAND O’ LAKES, Fla., Oct. 31 (UPI) — Residents of the clothing-optional Caliente Resorts in Land O’ Lakes, Fla., said they are lobbying to create the first clothing-optional U.S. polling place.

Caliente spokeswoman Angye Fox said the resort wants to make it easier for the nudist community to vote, by establishing a polling place within the clothing-optional area so residents will no longer have to visit a nearby subdivision, which requires clothing, to cast their ballots, the Tampa (Fla.) Tribune reported Friday.

Resort administrators said they discussed the prospect with Brian Corley, Pasco County’s supervisor of elections, but the official said he does not plan to “even consider” opening additional polling places until after the scheduled 2010 redistricting.

Jennifer Davis, a spokeswoman for the Florida Secretary of State’s Office, said a nude polling place would not violate any state laws.

“That would be up to the local supervisor,” she said.

If you suddenly find a large group of friends from New York on your au naturel trip, you might want to ask what got them interested in the lifestyle.  The New York Post did this great write up on the nude lifestyle taking over dining, yoga, and even comedy clubs. 

We’re sure it’s a great starting point for the lifestyle but once the temperatures get colder in the Big Appel, chances are these new devotees will be looking for someplace to shed again.  Shoes Only has some great ideas!  The September newsletter has a great cruise to  the Caribbean at a great savings.  If you’re not signed up, be sure to follow this link to get in on the action!

Down dog au naturel- sounds freeing!

Each month, we’re going to talk about one of the various resorts Shoes Only Travel represents.  Please remember that we’ve chosen to represent only the best for lifestyle and au natural travel.  Our pick this month, Hedonism II, is certainly represents that high standard.

Of course, you want to know the basics about Hedo II before we tell you why you should go.  Hedo II is located in Negril, Jamaica, about 50 miles south of Montego Bay, where your flight will land.  Obviously Hedo’s  beaches are bathed in sun and the water is plentiful.  Hedo II is filled with fun in the sun activities, clubs, and parties. Don’t worry if you don’t know anyone going, by the time you leave the island, you’ll be part of the family.  First time traveler Brandyn said “Max & I looked at each other to say, ‘We’re so screwed… we’re never going to see another part of the world are we?’ Yep, we’ve been bitten by the Hedo Bug.”

Once you land on Jamacia, getting to Hedo II is easy!  Super Clubs, the parent company of Hedo resorts, has a lounge right in the airport terminal where you go after debarking your plane and getting through customs.  They will take you directly to the resort.  A past guest warns “The bus ride to the resort was WEIRD and exciting! Here in the US we do drive on the right side of the road, we do have our steering wheels on the left side of the cars, we have traffic lines, traffic signs, red lights…etc. All I could do was watch and HOLD ON!!” 

Once you hit the resort, the concierge staff will make short work of getting you to your room.  Be sure to find your schedule so you don’t miss out on any activities, but the best way to find out what’s going on is to get out there and talk to people.  Friends tell us that Hedo II “gets more like Disneyland for adults every year”.  If you think a trip sounds like a good idea, but aren’t sure when to go, ask Shoes Only about their Hedo Takeover Weeks when we book most of the clothing optional rooms for our guests and offer special deals, amenities, and group activities.  Also, Hedo II will be having their next Ms. No Swim Suit Contest March 7-14, 2009!  Why wait ‘til New Year’s to start that new workout plan?  Call Shoes Only Travel to make your reservations, get to the gym, and get in the sexy competition! We’d love to brag that we sent the winner. (And her lucky partner!)

Watersports are tons of fun and you can get in some incredible SCUBA dives.  “Scuba, at H2, is free: the equipment, the boat ride, the tank, the weights … everything. I do recommend that you bring your own mask, fins & booties, lycra body suit, gloves if possible as you know they fit. H2 does not offer body suits, even for rent. Keep in mind that the water will be in the 85F temp range.

Before you do your first dive, you must present your c-card (I know this is stupid to say but do remember to bring your card. I HAVE SEEN FAR TOO MANY DIVERS FORGET IT [not shouting, but emphasis] so pack it now).”

Our friend Chris adds “Some of the favorite things to do at Hedo in addition to scuba:
Water ski (and add some walking around Bloody Bay while you’re there)
Snorkel
Water slide (a must - lots of fun)
Find the 2 secret hidden hot tubs
Try a flaming Bob Marley shot or 2”

 “HedoRick has a great suggestion. Plan to do it all and be open to the possibility of doing nothing.”

 “Sexual energy and excitement that makes up Hedo.”  While each night has a theme and costumes are encouraged, we’re not talking the Halloween type you’re used to!  Think less is more when coming up with your outfits.  Currently the themes are Western Night, PJ Party, Red Stripe Bikini Party, Regge, Retro, Toga, and International.  One word of caution- on PJ Party night, you will not be allowed into the disco without pajamas.  For those really looking for some lifestyle travel, January at Hedo II is lifestyle month.  “While it is not a take over, the percentage of H2 guests interested in the lifestyle of sharing does go up significantly. Which is to say that the probability of meeting similarly minded couples is very high and without difficulties.”

A fun in the sun, everything out in the open trip awaits you at Hedonism II.  Those with any concerns will find them quickly melted away in the Jamaican sun, and returning family will be thrilled to be back at “home”.  Take your travel personality profile on the Shoes Only website.  If Hedo II comes up, make your reservations to the party of your lifetime!

Vacation is the perfect time to let all your worries go and focus on spending some alone time with your sweetie.  With Shoes Only taking care of getting you to and from your resort or cruise, you can concentrate on how you’ll spend the days.  Clothing optional means you can leave a lot of room in your suitcase but it doesn’t have to mean forgetting everything.  Plan ahead and fill your bags with tools to turn up the passion in your relationship while experiencing a day made for two.

Before you buy anything, ask around about your destination.  Resorts have amazing services designed to melt tension and send the every day away.  Hedonism III features extra large bathtubs, perfect for a morning bubble bath.  Every morning at Hidden Beach Resort starts with a romantic walk- it’s right there on the schedule!  Desire Resorts offer the Sensual Desire Massage; 80 minutes of couples massage.  Ask about a private dining room for two- your own.  Room service can set up a lovely, candlelit meal while you and your sweetie splash the afternoon away.

While things like rose petals and karma sutra seem cliché, they’re a great way to indicate that this is time for two.  Silk rose petals will not take up much room in your suitcase.  Scent them with any number of aphrodisiacs and spread them on the bed before dinner or a late-night trip to the bar. The warm tropical air will help release the stimulating oils, filling the room with smells that are a sure turn-on.  Hidden Beach Resort can give you some how-to with their erotic massage, positions of the kamasutra, and erotic body art activities.

For the most romantic way to express your love, recite new or renew time-honored vows at Grand Lido Braco and Hedonism with their complimentary wedding services.  The exchange can take place in many of their lush settings and include a minister, witnesses, (if you don’t bring your own or meet them along the way) bouquet and boutonniere, champagne and a wedding cake.  It doesn’t get more romantic than that. 

Romance doesn’t have to be packed into one day.  Start the week off with dating activities- dinner with flowers and champagne, propose mid-week, and end the week with your declaration of eternal love. 

Adult travel affords an opportunity to reconnect to the most important person in your life while unplugging from the rest of the world.  Shoes Only Travel has selectively chosen which resorts and cruises to represent for their activities and amenities.  Rely on their experience to ensure a memorable vacation.  Get creative with the possibilities.  Be prepared.  Schedule your time so you can have a day for two already planned, reservations and preparations already taken care of.  When all the particulars are taken care of, you can focus on the two of you.

Things to know before you go

South Beach.  Mexico, Jamaica, European beaches. They’ve always held interest to you.  Something about being that exposed in nature, every inch of your body caressed only by the sun holds appeal for you.  Clearly you’ve done your homework, learned that Shoes Only Travel offers great clothing optional travel excursions and found yourself here.  The first thing to do (after reading this blog!) is to find your travel personality in the travel personality profile. 

Before you know it, you’ll have your travel dates planned and be ready for the adventure of a lifetime.  And as you plan, it’ll hit you, you don’t know what to take, what to do, what to expect!  Don’t worry.  Keep reading and we’ll help you with the basics of Shoes Only Travel because even though the name implies grabbing a pair of flip flops and your passport, clothing optional travel does not always mean everything goes; here’s what you should know before you go.

The heat of the Caribbean starts with the sun. You’ll want to protect yourself with a good sunscreen (SPF 70 works great for those special areas), sunglasses, and maybe a sunhat.  The sand can be hot too so good shoes are a sure bet.  Swimwear can be mild to wild and no one knows who you are so take this opportunity to show off your efforts in the gym with a suit you wouldn’t dream of wearing to the neighborhood pool- if you want to take anything at all!

If you’re a slave to your workout routine, you’ll be glad to know that most resorts and cruises offer fitness centers, but of course you’ll want to bring workout gear for lifting and sweating.

Hedonism, Desire, and other resorts and cruises have theme nights to help turn up the fun factor.  If you want to join in, you don’t want to be without a costume!  Check the resort page on the Shoes Only Travel site to find out what theme nights will take place during your stay and raid your costume chest for pirate costumes, disco wear, and the like.  If you’re ready to let go of your inhibitions, costumes for nights like “All That Glitters” can be contained in a small package of rhinestones to be creatively placed. 

Surrounded by sun, sand, and festivities, it will be tempting to load up on pictures, but remember to be sensitive to fellow vacationers.  The CPA and his wife in the next room who you’ve been drinking buddies with since check in may not want pictures of the Mrs. taking a body shot in your online gallery.  However, they may not mind getting a copy of that shot , so experienced travelers recommend taking personal calling cards with your name and email address to hand out to new friends.

It is better to be over packed than under prepared but overall, don’t forget that this is a vacation.  Take what you need and trust that the rest will take care of itself. 

Shoes Only Travel & the Carbon Fund have teamed up to bring you the first “Clothing Optional” Carbon Neutral vacation program. When you travel with Shoes Only Travel your entire vacation has been offset.

• The round trip car ride for two from your home to the airport
• Your round trip flight for two from your home airport to the resort
• Your entire stay at the resort

Now you can be totally carefree without clothes and without guilt knowing you are doing your part to preserve our planet.