Beating the heat by taking it all off

COLERAIN TOWNSHIP, Ohio - We all have ways of dealing with the heat: staying in the shade, having a cool drink, maybe just not going outside at all.

Behind a set of remote controlled iron gates gates in Colerain Township, a growing number of people have stripped down the art of keeping cool to the bare essentials.

"I think everybody knows," says Kevin Stetson, manager of Paradise Garden Nudist Resort, "the more clothes you take off the cooler you do feel."

Paradise Gardens is a 30-acre compound where being naked is a way of life.

"We had an open house last Saturday," says Stetson. "(We) had over 100 people here, beating the heat."

Many like Libby (who asked that only her first name be used) decided to move in.

"We have a lot up here," she says. "We come usually every weekend, and sometimes during the week."

She says a foray into a nudist resort was not something on her bucket list.

"I used to be be very cover, cover, cover. And never would have dreamed I would be doing this. But...I just loved it from Day 1, because everybody's the same," Libby said.

Walt, who also preferred to be on a first-name-only basis, adds that being nude is the great equalizer.

"No pretentiousness," he said. "You can be a truck driver or a lawyer, or anything inbetween."

Just remember to pack the sunscreen.

Another reason to bare it all: "It's a lot less laundry for the week," admits Libby.

OK, so the advantages may be obvious in the summer. What about in December?

"Yes, we wear clothes during the winter," said Stetson. "We're not stupid."