I was at The Fort the day before, May 13. The surf was a little choppy and the wind was up early, but the sun was great and the breeze finally calmed down.

I've not been able to come to The Fort as much I woudl have liked because I've had obligations for the last 6 weekends in a row. I know that one time I was there during the week, there was one pervert who stipped naked and ran around aroused. The guy was a real jerk, and he must have been on Viagra. The next time I came to the beach the nudism signs were up.

So far I've no problems. I wear my usual suit, and the rangers wave to me. I just hope that the jerks will be scared off so that we can have great spring, fall and summer.

BTW, what's this about no one coming to beach in May? To me it's the best month. The weather is consistently clear and good; it;s not too hot; the paths don't get flooded with water and the mosquitoes have not come out yet in the doons. Summer can be challenge because the heat and all the other things on my list. PLUS the Gulf gets up to 90 degrees, which is hardly refreshing.

Yes you can still wear thongs at Fort Desoto,  you can actually wear a g-string back. 

With the north end open we are getting a lot of kids (with parents) walking down from North Beach. We were out Sunday and I spoke with the ranger. They are considering making the area from where the tree is uprooted up to the north inlet area a Bird Sanctuary. This would actually benefit us thong wearers by eliminating the families from the north that are not expecting to see thongs. Sure it will shorten our beach a little but we can just move a little south. We will still be away from the crowds. 

Two years ago all the couples were further south anyway. So I really see it as a benefit overall to keeping our beach. The people coming from the south have plenty of time to see what they are walking into whereas the peole coming from the north come through the trees and there we are.  We are actually hoping the next time we go out to see the signs and some type of barrier up.

Everyone needs to stop worrying about the helicopters.  We have seen as many as 5 in one day. We had the coast guard, air force, sheriff, channel 10, and a private one. Trust me, as I have flown after every hurricane to assess the damage they do not see much flying over.  Unless they get below 100 feet they cannot tell whether you are dressed or not. 

SUNAMI - Not sure where you were on the beach but there are more people on the weekends. As for women, they are becoming fewer as the increase in children passing by has slowed them down. I guess its that mother instict thing.  Google search the 2 resorts you mentioned and you can get all the information you need.  They are located in Pasco COunty along US 41. One is just south of SR 54 and the other is further north closer to SR 52. Both are very nice. Caliente being newer has some nicer amentities but both have great people. If you want to just go look at naked women you will not last long out there if they let you in. That is not the purpose of the resort.

BEACHFOLKS -  Nothing personal as we know you and we like you but do not blame the beach erosion and stuff on the County or State. We have let to many people build along our beaches. Talk to some of the old timers and you will hear about Sand Key being just a beautiful beach running miles long. It's the number of people that have ruined the beaches in Florida.

Greengold-Yes- we have over-building in Florida, but the over-building is nowhere near the DeSoto beach and still DeSoto is eroding rapidly. This isn't any new process, the beaches and the dunes change constantly, but if Pinellas County wants to maintain a park on the same site year after year, then they will have to re-nourish the beach. Look to the south of the place we go-There is a half mile of beach which was re-nourished about 500ft wide 30-40 years ago-likely when the channel was deepened.

All the gulf beach towns from Pass-a-grille north to Clearwater are re-nourishing their beaches after the hurricane surf of the last few years. Above Clearwater is well built up with sea walls and hasn't lost so much.

Just got home from having a great day out at the Fort. Pretty busy with people everywhere. Understandable with it being a Holiday weekend. Wind was rather brisk. Surf was up. Water temp was great.

USER -  Plenty of thongs out today. People in Pinellas County know that Clearwater is the only place they are outlawed on the beach. Go to SKINZ located on Gulf to Bay Boulevard in Clearwater and get all the thongs you want. 

There wer probably 30 out today. Only 4 or 5 women.  Which is due to the eyes they get from those chosen few men that act as if they have never seen a cheek.  When you have a couple laying there and there is plenty of beach left why must the single guy coming down have to sit within 10 feet of them?

Hopefully more couples will come out to enjoy the beach in their thongs. There is always safety in numbers.

I heard a rumor yesterday, Saturday June 10, that the powers at be are going to prohibit thongs on Fr. DeSoto Beach. A guy I know who also thongs there stopped one of the rangers in his truck and asked him if that was true. According to my source the ranger said yes.

Has anyone read anything about this? If it's true it will be a big blow to thongers through out the area. This is one of the best beaches on the west coast of Florida IMO.

If you "wait, listen, and watch what goes on" you will be responding after the fact.  The guys on the ground only know after it has become policy.  This puts you in a reactive and reactionary mode.  When you try to change things after the rules are writen, you will come of a a radical who is protesting law and order, it then being the law.

You are much better off getting organized as a group and heading them off at the pass. If you notice most political action groups put their efforts into heading of legislation before it passes, and modifying or killing rules before they become final.

Once bureaucrats and politicians have made their minds up it's very difficult to change them, because most of their effort goes into proving the decision was right, regardless of it's merits.  If you want rules in your favor, now is the time to do it, before anything is set in stone.

Water and stuff flows down hill. Don't get in a rear guard fight where you are trying to shovel it up hill.  The best defense is a strong defensive/offensive posture, that is both visible and respected.  So:

• Form an interest group. (No fees, so it's easy to sign up)
• Attend the meetings of affiliated organizations. (Friends of the park, NAC, etc. Build collations with them, you may find you have lots of common ground on some issues.)
• Find out how the process works for that park and start attending any planing meetings. (Most government meetings are open to the public, this is Florida, Government in the Sunshine)
• Figure out who regulates the park, and what rules they use.
• Get a copy of the rules and find out what procedure they have to go through to amend the rules.
• Make sure you are in the loop.

If rule changes are suggested, then be in the loop and propose alternative solutions, or alternative wording, that solves the target problem without taking away your rights.

I don't live there. I can't do this for you.  You folks who live in that county have got to make it happen for your selves.

I understand that the park comes under the ?Pinellas County Park Board' that is an advisory board to the ?Pinellas County Commission'. So it's time to make friends, attend meetings, and start to make political connections. Be the real person with a face and respectable job that they meet at meetings, not one of a bunch of nameless weirdos spoken of in the third person.

Other reading NAC 2002 preposal for De Soto

Remember:  "As nightfall does not come all at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there is a twilight. And it is in such twilight that we all must be aware of change in the air -- however slight -- lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness."     Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas

hey Ft. DeSoto regulars.....I will be in Florida for about 3 weeks in July. A couple of years back I went to the Fort on the 4th of july  to hang but was dissapointed because it was so overrun with kids & families. Yes, I realize that the 4th is a BIG family day so that is to be expected. Last year I hung out at Lido on the 4th and that was pretty cool. I should point out that on my previous 4th at the Fort people still hung out on the north end and not the current west beach location where you park on the grass and head to the beach.

Any ideas folks? Will our thong beach be overrun with family types? or should we all plan to be out there and make a showing of it? any feedback appreciated....I am a big fan of the Fort and have met some great people out there.        

It does not matter much where you go, 4th of July is the offical RED NECK DAY AT THE BEACH.  

Time for drinkin, chichen, childen and things you can set fire to, rockets, cherry bombs and anything that goes bang.

If you go to the beach any day in the week after the 4th, please take a trash bag and pickup as much as you can.

jn9195 - Go into the park and turn right, and then continue to the right, with the beach to your left.  Drive all the way up to the northern most parking lot, then go over to the beach area. 

I am surprised you did not see any thongs out on the point.  If you walked north until you were cut off by water you were at the northern most point.  Also if you parked on the grass north of the fort and walked all the way to the north you should have seen thongs also. Could have been the days you were there or could have been you just ended up in the wrong spot.  Everytime we are out we are in thongs and see a lot of other people in them also.  Sorry you had a bad experience. 

We have been out the last 2 days.  It has been wonderful. Not very many people and just a few walkers as the day progressed.  The way the beach is now with the tides coming further up you have to watch where you put your stuff down or it may get wet.  Saw the ranger twice on both days but travel distance was limited as the water keeps them from being able to drive the whole way down.  Just some nice people out getting some sun and enjoying the water (86 today) to cool off. We need to encourage more couples and make every one feel safe and secure.  We have had no problems since early spring and I think most of the freaks have left the area.  We should all try and invite more people, especially couples to come out and enjoy our wonderful spot.  Now is the time to do it but get there in the mornings.

ONE POSSIBLE ISSUE: Today we noticed quite a few baby mosquitos. If everyone remembers last year it got really bad for a while. Just bring your bug spray, spray a heavy coat when you get out of the car, then rinse it off once you get to the beach. They only attack you on the way to the beach through the grass. You can tell when they are out in force because you see people running down the path to get away from them. It really is quite amusing to see people running and swatting. Just remember the OFF and then to rinse once you hit the beach.  Ther are no mosquitos once you get down on the beach. But they are all out in the grassy area between the parking and the beach. It does not matter where you are in the park when they are out your travel is not a good experience. But once you hit the beach you are free of them. Remember to spray before you head back to the car also.

Beachbroad1975,

Great to hear no mosquitoes!!!  How many people were out?  Many thongs around????

Thanks.

Just returned from a great Florida vacation. I was in Ocala visiting a girlfriend but I was able to get over to Tampa/St. Pete and enjoyed several days at the Fort. OK - WHAT I LEARNED ON MY FLORIDA VACATION;

1) Summer weather can change on a dime so be prepared. Floridians already know this.....but for a solid week there in July it would be beautiful in the AM and then by 2 or 3 the dark clouds would appear and that was it - lots of rain and thunder.  I was still able to get some good sunning and swimming in though.

2) The weekends are basically for amateurs. Yes, I realize many folks cant get to the beach during the week but it really has a different feel on the weekends. I arrived on a Friday at the Fort and it was gorgeous and a fair number of thongers were out. I returned on Saturday and it had a completely different feel. Just the masses I suppose. Large crowds bring in lots of goofballs.  

This stretch of beach was quieter than last  year, maybe because of the weather. I am in agreement with the other postings here. As the end of this beach area has changed and eroded a bit, more and more families are walking through what was once a secluded and excellent sunning area. I dont think it will ever get overrun with people however as this beach is a good walking distance from the parking areas. RE: Mosquitos, I had my Cutter repellent  with me and it did the trick. I stopped by the restrooms prior to going to the beach and the mosquitos were horrible. However, no problems with bugs at the beach. Still a beautiful beach area. I'm mighty jealous of those of you who live near there.          

DeSoto beach report-

Thursday Aug 10-We were on the open beach south of the trees all day. No insects. Hot sun and hot water, but there was a welcome breeze to stay cool if you had an umbrella. Not very many people out today, but a good proportion of thongers both male and female and couples from around the local Tampa and St Pete area. Also several couples scattered along the beach where the woman wore a thong, man wore board shorts, and women thongers down by the fishing pier which is adjacent to the old Fort.

Fellow thongers,

Has anyone been out to the Fort in the past week?  I read a mention of Red Tide earlier in the posts and wanted to know if it has hit the beach.  I'm heading down there on vacation late next week and hope there isn't a ton of dead fish around.  I need a week in nothing but my Skinz thong!

Thanks.

I was out at the Fort Yesterday on my boat and it seems the beaches are quiet.  I didn't many other suites.  Shell Island was beautiful, the water was clear as was the Fort.  I even went out to Egmonte Key but the water was a little green from red tide. I plan to be out at the Fort this week by land only.

G

The locals at Fort Desoto had better get control of this, before you know it the rangers will be pushing a anti-thong ordinance, the same thing happened at my local beach...Assateague Island, MD...now you almost have to have shorts on or you'll get hassled. When we were at Fort Desoto last month on vacation, I noticed a few guys who would take their suits off at their towel, but they would always put their suits back on before walking around or going swimming. Apparently, someone decided to take things to the next level, a conservative type of person then reported it to the rangers...then look what happened. At least you can still wear your thongs, for now that is, maybe things won't take a turn for the worst like they did at Assateague...someone had better do something...before you guys lose your beach like those of us at Assateague.

ctmonline & grnngold93  have the right idea.  The locals have to get a handle on the situation and work with the rangers, not against them.

I suggest that thongers do several positive steps:

• Isolate the pervs.
• Put the pervs on notice that nude or sexual displays are out of line and you will turn them in to the rangers.
• Cary a camera:  When you see men who are naked or doing inappropriate things, take a picture. 
• Build relationships with the rangers and help them with 'their problem", the pervs.

There are things the thongers can do to differentiate them selves from the problem:

• Wear suits that are obviously, and visibly, legal.  You want people to be able to tell from a distance that you are wearing a legal thong.  So stay away from transparent, mesh, sand or nude colors.  For the time being stay away from suits that do not have visible straps.  You don't want people phoning in reports of a nude man when you are not nude.
• Thong in plain view.  Don't hide in the dunes, or behind trees, or behind wind breaks.  Be very public on the "I got noting to hide" principle.
• Don't wear suits that are sexually explicit or that project like a peacock.   Be a sun worshiper and not an exhibitionist.

You don't know if the rangers are taking pictures so as to prosecute the random bad apple or... if they are taking pictures to justify broad new rules and laws that would outlaw regular thongers.  So you have to work with the rangers, not against them, and take an active part in running the pervs off your beach.  (Or maybe just educating them about keeping their thongs on.)

You have all read the posts on this board, about people who get upset when other people take their picture.  Think how much of a deterrent it will be to the perv, to find out that you have a camera, and are not afraid to use it, and will turn the pictures over to law enforcement and post them on the Internet.  Run the pervs off your beach.  Either do it your selves, or get your paid employees, the park rangers to do it for you.  Either way, be in the loop, or you may find your selves included as part of the target group.

I went out this past Friday afternoon around 2 pm.  The beach was quiet from the food shack to the NW end of west beach.  There were a few thongers out I did notice  alot of sherrifs veh on the island coming in and at one point the sheriffs chopper fly by rather low and slow.  The west beach is beautiful and I have been going there for more that 20 years and I will not allow some pervs to change what type of swimwear I tan in.  I noticed the sign at the north end of west beach about no nudity.  It seems to many people have been pushing the limit.  I have not been to the north island for some time, is it still closed off for dune renourishment or have they taken down the signs.  That would explain the pervs back in the dunes again.  Get a clue people, the beach is not a nude beach and some type of swimwear is requirred, even if it is dental floss.

Keep Sun-in your buns!!

G

It amazes me how the regular beach goers respect all the people on the beach. If they see someone coming down the beach they respect those people. There are some perverts that appear to get off on shocking these people by doing perverted things. If everyone remembers we had a bad period of time in the spring with visitors. They managed to cause major problems for the regulars. That is when the signs went up. I guess they are trying to get photographs now for legal reasons.  One of the rangers told me a few months back they were trying to get the northern end, where they cut through the trees, designated as a bird sanctuary.  Could be they were trying to document and justify that happening. I think that may be a good thing. We would no longer have traffic from the north beach area. Right now they pop through the roots and look up and see naked rear ends. They freak out and go tell the lifeguard they saw naked people. The people coming from the south have plenty of time to see what they are headed for. It's like a calm transition not a sudden shock.  We have to realize that some of these people that come through the trees at the north are using thier money from the Jerry Springer show. They have never seen a beach with people wearing thongs or maybe a woman laying out topless. They have probably not seen many gay couples either. We happen to be a straight couple but actually enjoy having the gay couples out. They are most always very nice and friendly, they enjoy the sun like us, and I would bet they would help out any way they could if you needed something and they had it with them. We can always tell the Jerry Springer people. They are either snow white or lobster red and wear a tent. I bet if we provided them with a free buffet they would not say a word. 

I do like the camera idea strictly for getting the perverts on film. Now with cell phones having the ability to take a picture it will be rather easy.

I myself will start using more the west beach out from were I park, instead of going towards the tree line.  There is plenty of beach to the south, I can not understand why the thong crowd has to group up at the tree area.  As for me, I will continue to stay midway between the snack shack and the tree line.

G