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Join in on a naked run during the Nude Race Series

It’ll be an unforgettable experience.

Many runners experience a sense of freedom while traversing a quiet trail. The American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) takes freedom further by letting people run in just their shoes.

“The Nude Race Series (NRS) is a series of clothes-optional 5K cross-country runs hosted by AANR clubs throughout the Southwest Region and conducted on the club’s private property,” said Rick Wall, NRS coordinator for the AANR Southwest Region. “The runs are open to the public and while primarily family oriented recreational events, they are also competitive enough for serious runners to compete.”

The goal of nude recreation

If you’re unfamiliar with nude recreation, it might sound racy. That’s not the point at all. In its more than 90 years of existence, AANR has promoted nudism as a wholesome, natural experience while staunchly opposing sexual exploitation of the human body.

“Many who did not grow up in a nudist environment find it difficult to fully grasp the concept that regardless of age, nudists are comfortable in their own skin,” according to an AANR statement. “The human body is merely the vessel that carries us through life, and the transition from child to teen to adult for a nudist is comfortably free of much angst that textiles experience.”

Nude Race Series

The Sunbelt states are most popular for nude recreation, Wall said, because they offer year-round opportunities. Some of the upcoming races include the Skinnydipper Sun Run in Decatur, Texas, on April 27; Run, Walk, Crawl in Depew, Oklahoma, on May 11; and Bare as you Dare in Alvord, Texas, on September 16. The 5Ks happen on private nudist club properties. In its 27 years, more than 10,000 runners have participated in the Nude Racing Series.

“Our runs attract dedicated nudists as well as those curious about nude recreation,” Wall said. “A majority of the runners are in the 40 -75 age range and we have one runner that is a regular participant that is 93! Typically, approximately 75% of the runners are male.”

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The nude running community

Don’t things get a little, well, floppy? “Many nude runs are actually clothing optional, which allows for runners to wear support if they feel they need it,” Wall said. “In actuality running nude is very natural and a large majority of runners are very comfortable running totally naked. Of course, the use of sunscreen is very important.”

Runners enjoy meeting body-positive people of all ages, creeds, genders, ethnic origins, and sexual orientations. The runs usually end with pool parties on nudist club properties. “Regardless of the reason for participation, almost all the runners enjoy the comradery and sense of community that takes place during and after each run,” Wall said.

Soak your cares away at these 6 free-to-visit hot springs

Jump in!

Join the long history of people relaxing in warm mineral waters by visiting a hot spring. You can find naturally occurring hot springs through the United States, but they’re most plentiful in West Coast states. These fascinating spots are also known as thermal springs. They form when geothermal heat (heat from within the Earth) warms groundwater. Some springs can reach wickedly high temperatures that repel all but the most heat-resistant organisms. Lucky for water-loving travelers, there are also plenty of comfortably warm springs to enjoy throughout the country.

Find your next hot spring experience with this list of six free hot springs destinations. Or, have a more luxurious vacation at these hot spring resorts.

Hunter who bagged potential record deer under investigation

Christopher J. Alexander, who gained notoriety after killing the buck during archery season, is facing poaching allegations.

An Ohio hunter who gained notoriety after killing a potential record white-tailed deer last month during archery season is at the center of a poaching investigation.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources on Tuesday confirmed that its Division of Wildlife is investigating allegations that Christopher J. Alexander, 28, of Wilmington, failed to obtain written permission from the owner of the private land on which the deer was harvested.

“While the investigation continues, Ohio wildlife officers have seized the antlers, cape, and hunting equipment associated with the alleged unlawful taking of the deer,” the DNR stated in a news release.

According to Outdoor Life, hunters on social-media forums had expressed suspicion that the deer might have been harvested illegally at night, since published photos showing Alexander posing with the buck were taken after dark.

Alexander’s explanation, according to Outdoor Life, was that the deer was harvested during legal hours but the photos were taken later, after a friend’s girlfriend arrived with a camera.

The DNR did not mention allegations of after-hours hunting.

The agency stated, simply, that the investigation was launched “after information was provided alleging that Alexander failed to obtain the lawfully required written permission prior to hunting on private property.”

Outdoor Life, citing an expert, reported that the buck warranted a “green score” of 206 7 / 8 inches.

“With that preliminary score,” the publication continued, “the buck would have the potential to be the number one typical whitetail taken in the state of Ohio, and the number three typical whitetail taken in North America.”

Alexander faces a significant fine, at the least, if he’s found guilty of illegally harvesting the buck.

–Generic white-tailed deer image courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Live the RV life at these 10 gorgeous camping destinations

Hop in for an RV adventure.

How do you balance road-tripping with the comforts of home? More and more Americans are doing so with RVs. Approximately 20 million will go RVing this holiday season, a 30% increase over 2022, according to the RV Industry Association Holiday Travel Intentions Survey. Not only will you feel more at home, but so will your pets. About 60% of RVers will bring their pets on holiday this season. Fido will thank you for not leaving him behind in a kennel.

Don’t have your own RV? No problem. With RV rental platform RVezy, you can book an array of experiences. Get some travel inspiration with this list of 10 rentals you can book at beautiful and outdoorsy RV camping destinations across the country.

Bald eagle’s porch attack on Yorkie warrants another look

A recent owl attack on a man and his dog is reminiscent of a bald eagle attack on a Yorkie that was captured on video.

News item: Owl swoops toward dog and returns seconds later to attack the dog’s owner this week in Medfield, Mass. The dog is OK and its owner is nursing minor head wounds.

Reaction: Large birds of prey can be territorial, especially during fall/winter nesting seasons. They might also perceive small dogs as prey.

The incident, which was not captured on video, is reminiscent of a 2022 bald eagle attack on a Yorkie in broad daylight in British Columbia.

That extraordinary scene, which includes frantic yelps and a nearly successful porch theft of the Yorkie, was caught on video. The footage is posted below and might serve as a reminder to keep small pets close at all times.

The 10 most scenic mountains in the US

See America’s best mountains.

If you’ve ever trekked up a mountain, you know how rewarding (and challenging) it can be. There’s nothing quite like using your own two feet to reach new heights. The journey gets even more exciting when you’re scaling a mountain range known for its gorgeous scenery.

In North America, you can find several massive mountain ranges. From the Rocky Mountains and Cascade Range to the Appalachian Mountains and Alaska Range, there are miles of mountainous terrain to explore. Get inspired for your next mountain getaway or climbing trip with this list of the 10 most scenic mountains in the United States. You can also find the country’s best mountain climbing destinations here.

Watch: Stealthy bobcat scores actual birdie on golf course

A recent image showing a bobcat on a Florida golf course is reminiscent of a wild scene involving a bobcat shown hunting ducks at an Arizona course.

A “good size” bobcat was photographed recently at a Florida golf course, leading WINK News meteorologist Matt Devitt to remark via X: “Golfing in Florida is always full of surprises.”

The image atop this post, credited to Bo Jackson, is a reminder that bobcats, like coyotes, sometimes hunt on golf courses.

The bobcat was prowling the range at The Sanctuary Golf Club and the image is reminiscent of a wild scene captured on video last January at Silver Leaf Country Club in Arizona.

The accompanying footage, captured by the River Pig Saloon, shows a bobcat hunting ducks around one of the greens, using steep bunkers as cover before launching a successful ambush attack.

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A post shared by River Pig Saloon (@riverpigsaloon)

“Oh, he got one!” someone in the group exclaims as the bobcat leaps from the bunker, scattering the flock, as other golfers react giddily.

Viewers will have to click to a second video segment on the Instagram post if they wish to see the bobcat securing and running off with its feathery prize.

–Image showing a bobcat patrolling a Florida golf course is courtesy of Bo Jackson, via Matt Devitt of WINK News

Can you spot the Yellowstone critter spying the coyote?

While stuck in a bear jam last May in Yellowstone National Park, I spotted a coyote that was being closely watched by a potential prey. Can you spot the smaller critter?

Last May in Yellowstone National Park I observed more bears in three days (14) than I observed during all prior trips later in the season.

I spent hours in “bear jams,” standing outside my vehicle while trying to spot and photograph bruins at various safe distances.

During one sighting, involving a cinnamon-colored black bear and two cubs, I looked back across the highway and spotted a coyote trotting behind the mass of cars and people.

Coyote bypassing a Yellowstone bear jam, closely watched. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

I snapped a photo before turning back to face the bears. It wasn’t until hours later, while checking my images, that I noticed another critter closely watching the coyote.

The image is posted above and a question for readers: How quickly can you spot the critter? (Answer below.)

Most photographers expressed only a passing interest in the coyote; they were laser-focused on the bears.

Cinnamon-colored black bear. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

Momma bear was large and her coat lustrous. She napped briefly while her cubs scampered up a tree and hid in the branches.

Some argued that she was a grizzly because she was not black like most black bears. Others noted that she had the face and pointed ears of a black bear, and lacked the telltale grizzly bear shoulder hump.

Almost all spectators were outside their vehicles and some were in violation of the park’s 100-yard distance rule.

Momma black bear with cubs. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

As more people crept closer for better photo opportunities, the bear management team shut down the viewing session and ordered everyone to leave.

The tourists complied. But as often happens in Yellowstone, many returned within minutes after the bear management team had departed. I saw the new jam forming after turning around and driving past the sighting area, then continued east toward Tower-Roosevelt.

My good fortune continued when another momma black bear (with black fur) and two cubs emerged along the side of the road, where they foraged on grass.

Likely ground squirrel watching the coyote. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

I photographed them for several minutes before a crowd began to gather, then I continued east into Lamar Valley.

The coyote remained an afterthought until I was back in my hotel room in Gardiner. I almost disregarded the image but noticed the ground squirrel at the top of the frame, intently watching the squirrel-eating coyote.

The squirrel is circled in red in the image posted above.

Watch: ‘Super rare’ white orca hunts with pod off Monterey

A white orca nicknamed Frosty was spotted Sunday in California’s Monterey Bay and images and video footage appear to show a healthy young killer whale.

Frosty is the only known leucistic, or partially white orca off California. Some white orcas develop health issues that significantly shorten their life spans.

But Frosty, who was first documented off Monterey as a newborn in August 2019, appeared to be in good shape while hunting with its mother and orcas from another family group.

“We had Frosty the super rare white Killer Whale!” Monterey Bay Whale Watch, which captured drone footage of the orcas during an hours-long encounter, boasted via Facebook.

The California Killer Whale Project, founded by the company’s Nancy Black and fellow researcher Alisa Schulman-Janiger, stated in another post: “The whales hunted an elephant seal and at least one California sea lion, breaching and prey sharing with the carcass!”

Frosty, whose sex is unknown, belongs to a family unit cataloged as the CA216s. Frosty is documented as CA216C1.

Prior to Sunday, the last known Frosty sighting occurred in April off Palos Verdes in Southern California.

In August 2022, a thin-looking Frosty was photographed via drone in Alert Bay, British Columbia.

At the time, Oceanwise Research stated via Instagram: “The measurements of ‘Frosty’ indicate that this animal is quite thin. Having said that, killer whales around this age will often go through a thin period as they are weaned off their mothers milk and then start to fill out in subsequent years.”

Frosty sightings have been sporadic but wide ranging, having occurred from Mexican waters below San Diego to British Columbia.

Frosty is a Bigg’s transient killer whale. These orcas prey almost exclusively on other marine mammals, including gray whale calves. Younger orcas learn from older pod mates and ultimately pass their skills down to new orcas.

On Sunday, Frosty and her mom were with a group known as the CA140Bs, as passengers from several whale-watching companies watched in awe.

Stated Monterey Bay Whale Watch: “The orcas were displaying remarkably social and interactive behavior, with countless breaches and spy hops.”

5 places in the US where you can see wild bison

See America’s national mammal.

In 2016, bison officially became the national mammal of the United States. While people often confuse these critters with buffalo, some important characteristics distinguish the two. Bison are native to North America and have roamed the continent since prehistoric times. In contrast, “true buffalo” are native to Asia and Africa. Most Americans are at least vaguely aware of the bison’s place in American history, but this animal’s tale stretches back way before European colonizers arrived in North America.

Bison served both symbolic and practical purposes for North American Indigenous communities like the Blackfoot, Lakota, Navajo, and Paiute. Parts of the animal were used for everything from food and clothing to tools and shelter. According to the InterTribal Buffalo Council, an organization of Indigenous tribes advocating for the restoration and preservation of the American bison, the animal is a representation of Indigenous peoples’ spirit, “remind[ing] them of how they once lived free and in harmony with nature.”

Despite a history of European colonizers devastating the American bison population, the species still survives today. Conservation efforts have restored wild bison numbers from about 300 to 31,000. Witness the glory of this animal’s return at these five spots throughout the U.S. where you can see wild bison.