10/02

September is a great time to go to Nantucket, Massachusetts; still warm enough for the beach (70-75 degrees air, 70 degrees water, very little wind or rain), but no big crowds. Usually we go to Miacomet Beach, but you need a car to get there and we did not have one this time, so took the NRTA shuttle bus ($1.00 in coins or a dollar bill - no change) from Nantucketown to remote Madaket Beach. It is about a 100 yard walk from the last bus stop to the beach, and once there we turned left and after another 100 yards we were away from the crowd. I took my top off and at first kept a towel nearby to cover up if necessary, but discovered that no one paid any attention at all. There are no lifeguards or restrooms at this particular area, but there is a restaurant and bar right at the bus stop.

Note: I have been topfree at beaches in ME, MA, NY, NJ, HI, and FL for over thirty years and have found fewer and fewer gawkers, stares or negative comments. Never have I been asked to cover up, probably because I don't walk around topfree if it is crowded, and I do stay away from children. That avoids complaints. If one just sits or lies quietly in the background and a bit away from the crowd, topfree is just not a problem, legal or not. It's those who flaunt it by walking around, or are lewd, that cause the problems for those of who just want to enjoy a quiet, topfree, day at the beach. That's my experience, anyway.

--Carol, Red Bank, New Jersey