From: chenier@kaoa12.enet.dec.com (Mario Chenier)
Subject: Directions to nude beach in Ottawa region
Reply-To: chenier@kaoa12.enet.dec.com (Mario Chenier)
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation, Kanata Canada
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1992 19:11:42 GMT


I've had quite a few request to pass on what I've been sent...
Well here it is

>        Have you visited 'The Barn' outside of Ottawa?  I know it is
>new, so I don't want you to compare it to a 30 year old developed
>park.  I would be interested in your comments about places in the
>Ottawa area.    Thanks...Dave      (Member of Glen Echo Park,Toronto)

I have never heard of a place called "The Barn", and would like to
hear more.  Here is some information on a place near Ottawa that you
may find valuable:

                         Meech Lake CO Beaches
                            Fri Jul  3 1992

Meech Lake is a located in Gatineau Park, just across the Ottawa
River from Ottawa in Quebec.  The lake is famous (infamous) in Canada
because a proposal to revise the country's constitution was drafted at a
government resort located on the lake.  The "Meech Lake Accord" was
later rejected by some provinces, and this has sparked a long debate
about the future of the country.

The lake is also famous (infamous) locally because it has a couple of
beach areas that are frequented by nudists.  In fact, these CO beaches
are very near the government resort used by the politicians, but a few
hills and a few thousand trees ensure that one area is not visible from
the other.  These beaches are not officially CO, but they have existed
for a number of years a no one seems to make a fuss.

Directions
----------

- there are a number of routes through Gatineau Park to the lake.  My
favorite is to pick up Highway 5 in Quebec and follow it to the
town of "Old Chelsea".  After exiting the highway, turn left and proceed
into the park.  There are no facilities at the beaches, just raw
Canadian wilderness, so you should be prepared.  The stores near the
highway are a good (but expensive) place to pick-up last minute
supplies.  The road you are on will take you directly to the lake,
although some park signs may suggest that you take a longer route.

- when approaching the lake, you may see a small government sign for
"O'Brien House".  This is the government meeting centre mentioned
previously.  A few yards later is a parking lot for "O'Brien Beach".
This is the lot that you want.  Parking is $5.50/day, with summer passes
also available ($30.00), but it is limited and does fill up.
Alternative parking is hard to find, and cars parked illegally tend to
disappear.

- from the parking lot, the path leading directly to the lake (at the
far end of the lot) will take you to O'Brien Beach, which I understand
to be a typical textile beach.  There is another path, however, that
crosses the gravel road leading to O'Brien House and leads up a large
hill.  This is the path that you want.

- the desired path crosses the gravel road, proceeds up the hill, and
then runs alongside the road for a few yards.  It then turns into the
woods.  The walk through the forest is quite nice (20 min or so), and we
have seen deer and other critters here.  You will eventually come to a
very steep hill leading down to the lake.  The gravel on the hill is
maintained a bit, but you will probably want good shoes for this part.
You should also remember that you are going to have to come up this hill
at the end of the day.  (Why do all the CO beaches that I know have
these darn hills?)

- at the bottom of the hill is a wooden bridge that crosses a small
stream.  This stream flows between the main lake (on the left) and a
smaller sub-lake (on the right).  There are CO beaches on both of these
lakes.

- the main area used by sun lovers is at the far end of the smaller
sub-lake, at the ruins of an old mill (the Carbide Wilson Ruins).  There
are two routes one can take to get there.  A few yards past the bridge
there is a small path leading off to the right.  This path follows the
shore of the small lake, and it is rather rough in places but the
shorter route.  A better path can be found by taking the second right
after the bridge.  This path is wide enough for vehicles (only
maintenance traffic is allowed and it is rare), and is much easier
going.  Both paths eventually take you to the same place.

- the ruins are interesting and worth exploring.  There is a small
lagoon that is fed from the smaller lake, and there is a small sandy
beach when the water levels are low.  The stream through the ruins ends
in a small waterfall that is quite popular on hot days.  The stone
structures of the ruins are popular for sunning, but they can be
dangerous.  Recently, the park management has been installing railings
to improve this.

- since this area is mostly rock, many people bring air mattresses to
make things more comfortable.  These are also good for floating around
in the lagoon and the far end of the small lake.

- the second area that is used by nudists is on the main lake.  After
crossing the wooden bridge, take the first path to the left rather
than to the right.  This will lead to a very small sandy beach and a
small grassy area.  This space will only hold a handful of people, but
it is a nice place to sit and the entrance to the water is very
gradual.  This is the area I like to take my kids to, and they love to
play at the water's edge.  This area has only recently been used by
nudists and you are more likely to encounter clothed people here. 
This has never been a problem, however.

- the regulars at these beaches tend to me quite laid back and
friendly.  I have run into the occasional "gawker" or "pick-up
artist", but most people just want to enjoy themselves.

- remember that this is real forest area.  You are not going to find
toilets or a Coke machine.  You should be prepared to clean up
after yourself and carry out whatever you carried in.  What you will
find are some beautiful lakes and wilderness to enjoy, naturally.



-- 
Andrew Patrick, Ph.D.       Communications Research Centre, Ottawa, CANADA
andrew@calvin.dgbt.doc.CA
            "Making computers do the things they do on television."
            "Making television do the things that computers do."
>From quantum!revcan!cunews!nrcnet0!bnrgate!bmerh85!bnr.ca!glenm Tue Jul 07 09:06:10 EDT 1992
Article: 3310 of rec.nude
Newsgroups: rec.nude