Photo Friday: Michigan says “Keep your swimsuit on!”

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Photo Friday: Michigan says “Keep your swimsuit on!”

You might imagine my surprise when I spotted this sign on a beach near Empire, Michigan, advising visitors to remain clothed.

A stretch of beach about one mile north of Esch Road near Otter Creek in the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore is relatively quiet and undeveloped, apparently making it popular as a sort of “unofficial nude beach”.

We’ve wandered around this area for years, and we’ve yet to see any nekkid folks. But kayakers out paddling along the scenic coast have apparently discovered a bit more scenery than they bargained for in some cases.

This sign reminds visitors that Michigan laws prohibit clothing-optional sunbathing, although some sources say enforcement of the law in this particular area is pretty casual and most normally consists of a park ranger politely requesting that sunbathers opting to forgo clothing put their clothing back on.

Consider yourself forewarned if you wander too far down a deserted beach in the area with the family!

Thanks to Debbie Dubrow of Delicious Baby for creating and coordinating Photo Friday to link travel photos and blog posts across the Web.

Posted at 03:00 AM in Michigan, Parks, Travel, Traverse City | Permalink

Comments

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I love it!!! That is hilarious!

Posted by: Jen | March 19, 2010 at 07:21 AM

LOL! Love it.

Posted by: Kirsten Lesko | March 19, 2010 at 11:00 AM

Jen & Kristen-I thought it was pretty funny, too. It still surprises me that we've never seen anything particularly revealing along the beaches up there

Posted by: Dominique King | March 20, 2010 at 08:32 PM

Germany has a really relaxed attitude about such things. There are designated nude beaches, but going topless at regular beaches is pretty common.

Posted by: gypsyscarlett | March 21, 2010 at 08:42 AM

Gypsy-Much of Europe in general has a more relaxed attitude about such things, doesn't it? I remember seeing some discreet nude sunbathing at the big public beach at San Sebastian in Spain.

Posted by: Dominique King | March 22, 2010 at 01:58 PM