Rock River, VT

[zipper69]

Anybody have any comments on this nude swimming location? I'm planning on going there soon.

 

[nudeyorker]

I've only been once, it seems like it was very popular. There are four pools in the river bed. The first one is the largest and mostly used by people wearing swimming suits etc. The three others about a half mile upstream are freely clothing optional. The second pool is used by the straight nudists and the third and fourth are mostly gay men. There are sandy areas where nude sunbathing is common.

 

[inwait8]

Its a great place... the guys are really friendly. I haven't made it up there so far this summer, but I've heard that the beach and river are perfect. Parking can be iffy depending on when you go, but it is totally worth the drive.

 

[Meniscus]

I've had some recent misadventures at Rock River. My reply is only about 6 years late, and I'm not sure if anyone even cares to hear this story, but here it is anyway. The story actually begins with my attempts to use Grindr to meet guys.

In late June, I woke up feeling somewhat horny (a somewhat rare occurence for me, but it does happen from time to time) and I decided to use my Fleshjack. As I was using it, I began thinking I might actually like to have sex with another person again someday. Later that day, I decided to try Grindr and other phone apps to meet guys. To put that in context, I gave up on meeting a guy years ago and consequently haven't had sex in years. I don't really have a sense of how long it's been, but may be as much as a decade or so. And didn't have much of a sex life before that.

There were basically 2 reasons why I gave up on meeting someone: 1) I wasn't having any luck whatsoever meeting guys online or at the local gay bar (which has since closed), and 2) I don't have much of a sex drive anymore. (Long story.)

Anyway, after joining Grindr I almost immediately heard from a really good-looking, 36 year old guy who wanted to come over and hang out. And that's all we did (no sex). He talked a lot about his husband and his views on gay politics, etc. He told me I that this is a terrible place for gay men to live (Western Mass.) and that I should go to Portland or California. He also told me that I was very sexy and had a nice bulge and that I'm not too old/fat. He encouraged me to start dating again, because I'm so handsome and shouldn't be alone. Then he disappeared from my life as quickly as he came into it. He either cancelled his Grindr account, or he blocked me (probably the latter). It was all very bizarre.

Later that same day, I heard from cute young guy who wanted sex. I hate to admit that I was actually horny enough that I was going to take him up on it, but then he asked me for $200--he was a prostitute. I had no idea such things were going on around here. At this point, I was starting to have Grindr culture shock.

The next day, an 18 year old down the road offered to give me head. I told him he was too young, but he begged, he pleaded...and I relented. I didn't really want to do it, but I figured I hadn't had sex in years and I shouldn't pass up the opportunity. It did NOT go well. I wasn't comfortable with the situation and couldn't perform. It was all very embarassing. I should have known better than to go against my instincts.

Then I met a nice young man for coffee. We're still in touch. He's interested in me sexually, but not pushy about it. He's not entirely uncute, but I'm not really all that attracted to him, either. I'm not sure what to do.

I've also heard from lots of young guys who aren't even local and who all want a "serious and long term relationship" or words to that effect. I suspect they are phishing or playing some kind of game, but I don't really understand what is going on. I asked one young guy from Wisconsin how he expected to develop a serious relationship with me when we wouldn't be able to spend any quality time together. He said we could spend quality time together, if I paid for his flight out here. I said, "Get real, kid." I've basically decided to ignore these guys.

Then there are the young guys looking for a "daddy." I'm aware of such fantasies, but I don't get it. When these kids call me "daddy," it just makes me feel old. I'm not their daddy. I'm not anyone's daddy. I'm never going to be anyone's daddy. Hell, I can barely take care of myself let alone anyone else, and I really hate being reminded that at 46 I'm old enough to be the father of an adult in his early 20s or so.

There was one guy I was really interested in...he was cute, our conversation seemed to be going well, and we were talking about getting together to "play," when he suddenly and inexplicably blocked me. At first I was disappointed, but then I figured I was probably better off without this guy.

Otherwise, things have pretty much dried up. I won't pursue younger guys. I've written to a few handsome guys close to my age (not many of those around), but only one guy has responded. His attention is on all the cute young guys who write him, then disappoint him in one way or another. He uses me to vent his frustrations, but doesn't seem interested in me as anything more than a friend, in as much as you can be friends with someone via Grindr. It's all very discouraging.

Oh, and I'm surprised at how many guys there are around here who are married an in open-relationships. I don't get how that works.

Ther are also lots of trans-men around. And it seems like everyone is into 420; or, to put it another way, I'm beginning to think I'm the only gay guy in the world who doesn't smoke pot.

It's all just making me feel very old and out of touch and like I should just go back into my cave.

My next post will actually be about Rock River.

 

[Meniscus]

So...as a way of dealing with my frustrations, I decided to go up to Rock River. I haven't been there in years. It's hard to explain why, but during the summer, on my days off, I just don't think of it until it's too late to head up there (it's about an hour's drive north, and the hike through the woods takes about 40 minutes), or I talk myself out of it (e.g., drive is too long, hike is too difficult).

Here's a good article about the place:

http://vermontgaytourism.com/wordpress/?p=18

But a couple of weeks ago I thought about going to Rock River, and I actually went through with it. It was on Sunday, July 2. The place was packed; I've never seen it so busy, and I overheard other people saying the same thing. There are men of all ages and body types there, usually in pairs or groups. I ran into a guy I dated 16 years ago, and met his husband. He said it was their first time there (I also overheard a few other people saying that it was their first time there), and they left shortly after I arrived. It was slightly awkward, but no big deal. I also met a guy I'd been chatting with on grindr, and was introduced to his husband. That was also a little awkward. Other than that I didn't know anyone there and didn't talk to anyone.

Oh, there was one gorgeous, dark-skinned kid from Worcester. When I arrived he hadn't yet worked up the courage to disrobe. I overheard him telling someone that it was his first time there. He eventually got somewhat more comfortable, disrobed, and spent most of the day sunning himself, but didn't really interact with anyone. Eventually some of the older guys who are long-time regulars there managed to engage him in conversation and he joined their group. I was envious.

Now, I had heard that guys would go cruising in the woods beyond the river, but on my previous visits to Rock River, I stayed close to the water and didn't even consider exploring the woods. (I can't explain why.) But on Sunday I decided that it was time to check out the activity in the woods. I didn't really know what to expect, but I was only planning to "see what there is to see"; I had no real intention or expectation of joining in on any action I might find.

I wasn't prepared for what I saw. I almost immediately encountered some guys having sex. I honestly can't even remember exactly what was going on. I paused to watch for a moment, but only for a moment. I wasn't sure of the etiquette. Was I supposed to give them privacy? Was it OK to watch? If I watched would they expect me to join in, or would they not want me to join in? I decided it was best to move on.

A little futher into the woods I saw more guys having sex. Again, I don't have a clear memory of exactly what I saw. A little later on I saw two fit, muscular, hairy, tattoed guys fucking in between two trees. They were Logan McCree types, but not as heavily tattooed. (In fact, there were several Logan McCree type guys there that day.)

Then I came across a relatively large group of guys. One very attractive, dark-skinned guy was being gang-banged bareback by a group of guys of various ages and levels of fitness and attractiveness. Standing around them were more guys; some were just watching, others were jerking off. Some guys would only watch for a moment and then move along, but it seemed to be OK to stay and "watch the show," so to speak. It was kind of like watching a porn movie, but live and in person and only a few feet away...with some vague possibility of joining in that I wasn't too clear about.

I'll admit that it got me aroused, and I don't get aroused easily. It's one thing to be nude at a nude beach, it's another to be walking around in "public" with an erection. It wasn't inappropriate given the context, but still a strange and somewhat uncomfortable experience.

Anyway, I was still confused about the "rules" of what was going on. Was anyone allowed to get in line to fuck this guy? Did he have any say in the matter? Did he want any say in the matter? Had he made previous arrangements with a specific group of guys to fuck him? If so, was it someone's job to screen out or shoo away would-be participants? How did one join in (if desired)? How did one refuse?

My sense was that some of the guys who were watching were open to the possibility of hooking up with one of the other observers, but again, I wasn't sure how it all worked. How did you get one of the guys you liked and avoid the ones you didn't? How did you avoid imposing yourself on someone who wasn't really into you?

One guy caught my eye. He was masturbating while watching the core group and I got the feeling that I could have joined him. He wasn't gorgeous, but he was cute. He was very pale and had a bit of a belly, but I liked that because I'm also very pale and have a bit of a belly. In fact, I think we were the two palest guys in the whole place. (I've got medium brown hair and green eyes, but the complexion of a redhead; i.e., I'm pale, freckled, and I don't tan.) Anyway, he seemed to be more or less in the same "league" as me, which I found comforting. However, I was still telling myself that I was only there to watch (and I didn't have the courage to engage him), and I moved on, eventually leaving the woods and returning to the river.

Later in the day I regretted my cowardice, and wished I had perhaps had something as simple as a mutual jack-off session with this guy. So I went back into the woods hoping to come across him again, which I did.

He was actively engaged with a group of guys, but I wasn't sure if I would be welcome to join in. I didn't want to impose myself; I also wasn't interested in all of the guys in the group, and I didn't know how to politely limit myself to the guys that I liked. There was one Asian guy on the perimeter who kept trying to get close to me. He wasn't actually bad-looking--some other time I'd be willing to hook up with him--but at the moment I was focused on the guy that I wanted, so I kept moving away, and eventually walked off. I circled the woods a couple of times, pausing to watch the group each time. At one point I saw two really beautiful young guys--whom I hadn't seen before--join the group. So I circled back again. This time, I lingered around the perimeter, still very uncertain if I was welcome.

It turns out that the two new guys were a couple. The quiet one had long, brown hair and a huge, pierced dick. The other guy was tall and blonde; he didn't have the prettiest face, but he had gorgeous, long, moderately hairy legs.

Anyway, at this point there was one guy on his knees giving head to at least 6 or 7 guys: the two new guys, another gorgeous young guy, my average-looking cute guy, an older guy who was taking the attention of average-looking cute guy (but not getting any attention from the guy on his knees), and at least one or two other guys whom I don't remember clearly. The youngest, best-lookng guys were getting the most attention, and the tall blonde guy was kinda directing the action. He saw me lingering outside the circle near the guy that I liked, and pulled me in saying something to the effect of "You want to get in on this?" I said, "I don't know, this is a bit outside my comfort zone." The guy on his knees said, "Me too, I've never done this before, yet here I am" and the blonde guy said, "Go on, get your dick sucked." So I got my dick sucked for about 30 seconds, if that. It was nice, I guess, but ultimately kind of frustrating and disappointing. At that point the guy on his knees decided he was too tired to continue. My average-looking but cute guy briefly took over the cock-sucking chores, but he only sucked one or two of the really good-looking guys; I never did get his attention and the rest of the group decided to call it a day and headed back to the beach.

At that point it was getting rather late and I decided it was time to head on home. During the rather strenuous hike through the woods back to the highway, I encountered a really cute young guy who had caught my attention earlier in the day. He was friendly so we chatted as we walked out together. (It turns out he was only 19!) Among other things, he talked about how he was disappointed that he didn't have a successful hook-up in the woods. I asked if he saw the hot guy getting gang-banged and he was disappointed to have missed it; it turns out he was totally hot for the guy in question. It was refreshing to have such frank, open conversation about sex. Anyway, when we got to the highway he gave me a hug good-bye. He's from Newton, Mass. and doesn't get to the river very often, so I have no idea if I'll ever see him again.

So in some ways it was a really good day and in other ways it was disappointing and frustrating. I'd really like to socialize more on the beach, since I feel like the only guy there who is there by himself. I'd also like to have more success in the woods, now that I've got a bit of a taste for it. I decided to go back on July 4; I wasn't sure if it would be busy due to the holiday, or if it would be quiet because people had other plans. It was very busy, but not quite as busy as Sunday, and there weren't as many good-looking guys around.

I'll make the July 4 story my next post.

 

[Meniscus]

July 4 was similar to July 2, but with a lot less action in the woods. (Some action, but not much to see and nothing to join.) As a general rule, there's no sexual activity on the beach, but it's a rule that gets broken. It's not entirely unusual to see a guy with an erection, or a guy fondling himself and showing off, or even a couple of guys fondling each other. But it's "light" sexual activity, for the most part. I did notice one cute young guy who was constantly fondling himself, and he seemed to notice me. I would have liked to have chatted with him or gone into the woods with him, but the only opening he gave me was when he asked me if I smoked pot, which I don't. I said, "No, sorry," and that was that.

I spent most of the day sunning myself (using plenty of sunscreen), reading a book, and bathing in the river. (You can't really do a whole lot of swimming--it's too rocky and the water is shallow in most places. There are places deep enough to submerge your entire body, but the current is strong and likely to wash you into some big rocks.) I also brought a light lunch.

At one point while I was in the river, I saw two really cute young guys set up their towel next to mine. They weren't new arrivals; they were there when I arrived. I don't know where they were sitting before, but for some reason they moved next to me. I assumed that they knew who they were sitting next to, even though I was in the water at the time, so I was flattered that they chose to sit next to me. I hoped that when I returned to my towel they would say hi and introduce themselves, and we could have a chat. (I would have been open to more that just chatting, but I would have been content just to meet the guys and socialize a bit.) No such luck. When I returned, they didn't say "Hi," or give me an opening to say "Hi," they turned away from me, seemingly making a pointed effort to ignore me, and put up a wall between us even though we were sitting only inches apart. I honored their wishes, minded my own business, and didn't attempt to chat with them.

I'll also mention that the cuter (and younger?) guy wasn't fully nude; he was wearing a black jock strap. It looked really sexy, but it was also frustrating not to get to see the whole package.

There's a small hill to the right of the main beach leading to some landscaped, semi-private circular areas surrounded by small trees and shrubs. They're not really private, because there's a path winding through these circular areas, and you can easily see through the foliage. At one point I was walking through this section and I saw a couple of guys fucking. I was surprised to see that level of sexual activity down by the beach, since that sort of thing is "supposed" to happen in the woods, but I wasn't offended by it, and it got me a bit aroused. Further down the path I saw another guy similarly aroused by the action, and he noticed my semi-hard condition. He looked at me with clear interest, but I was not especially interested in him. He was a bit older, grey-haired, balding, with an average body. He wasn't entirely unattractive, he was actually kind of cute, but I wasn't really interested. We said "Hi" to each other and I moved to walk past him, but he reached out to fondle my cock. I didn't mind, but I wasn't really intersted in things going any further than that. So I stood there allowing him to fondle and caress me, wondering if I should go with it or if I should assert myself, say "No thanks," and move on.

I didn't say no. I didn't stop him. I could have, but I didn't. The truth is, I was enjoying the attention, even if I wasn't all that interested in the person providing the attention. So...I ended up getting a blow job in the middle of the path in the "public" section of the beach with people walking by. I said something like, "Usually this sort of thing happens in the woods" but the guy said, "There are two people fucking over there--nobody cares." Every time someone walked by I shrugged and looked apologetic. At one point two guys had to squeeze past us and I said, "Sorry." One of the guys said, "Don't apologize. Don't ever apologize," which I thought was very nice of him.

Anyway, the other guy eventually jerked himself to orgasm while fantasizing out loud about fucking me. At one point he asked me if I wanted to cum, but I said, "Oh, I don't think I could." After he came, we spoke briefly. I learned his first name and where he was from. Fortunately, when the encounter was over it was over, and he seemed content to move on and leave me alone. I don't really know how to think/feel about the encounter. The guy seemed soooo happy to have had a moment with me...I'll admit it made me feel good for someone to find me that attractive. (I'm a pale, flabby, overweight, middle-aged guy with no illusions about myself.) I just wish I felt the same way about him, or that some of the more attractive guys liked me as much.

Before leaving, I decided to have one last walk through the woods, just in case anything interesting was going on. I didn't see much, but at one point I saw a small group up to some kind of action. The cute young guy in the black jockstrap who had been sitting next to me on the beach was there watching the action and appeared to be jerking off. When he heard me coming he looked up, saw me, seemed to panic, pulled his jockstrap up, and ran off. I don't know what that was about. The two guys who were at the center of the action decided that it was getting too crowded and broke it off. I continued my walk through the woods. When I got back to the beach, not long afterwards, the two cuties had packed up and left. I got the sense that they fled from me, but I can't be sure of that.

I went back one more time on Sunday, July 9. There's not much to tell about that day. It was busy, but not quite as busy as my two previous visits. There was almost no action in the woods--certainly nothing of interest. The only interesting thing that happened was that the two cuties were there again, and sat near me again, but behind me rather than next to me. I had been sunning myself on the beach (alas, I forgot to bring a book), with a guy to my left and a couple of guys to my right. At one point I heard some people setting up behind me, so I rolled over and craned my neck to take a peek. It was the two young cuties again! Except this time, there were three young cuties, as they had brought a very attractive friend with them. (It was apparently the new guy's first time there, as I overheard them asking him, "Well, what do you think of this place?") The younger, cuter guy waved at me, which surprised me since the last time I saw him he ran from me. Unfortunately, I was lying on my stomach with my arms beneath me, so I couldn't return the gesture. I was also confused by the sudden friendliness.

Again, the young cutie wasn't fully nude, at least not at first. This time he was wearing black boxer briefs. Again, they looked very sexy on him, but it was frustrating not to be able to see more. By the end of the day, however, he was fully nude and I finally got to see the goods. VERY NICE.

But, again, they didn't talk to me and I didn't impose myself on them. I wonder what will happen (if anything) the next time I see them?

On my way out, as I passed the "regular" (i.e., not exclusively gay) nude beach, I saw a guy standing there masturbating. I thought, "Hey, you're in the wrong place for that, you should be up in the woods at the gay section." But then I noticed that there were other guys also masturbating. Then I noticed that they were watching a couple of people fucking. At first I assumed it was two guys, and wondered why they were fucking in the "straight" section, but then I realized that the person being fucked was probably a woman. I couldn't see well enough to tell, and I didn't go in for a closer look. It seems that the heterosexuals are taking a page out of our book, and turning nudism into an opportunity for public sex. The only problem is that it spoils the place for heteros who just want to enjoy a day at the nude beach without any sexual shenanigans going on. Ah well, it's not any of my business.

If there's any interest in any of these stories (and I doubt there will be), I'll provide updates on future trips.

 

[Uncutpete]

I can only say that next summer you should really try to be more adventurist, voyeuristic and exhibitionistic. Take some chances. What if you are rejected? What do you lose? You can't be any more self critical and alienated than you seem from these posts. Let yourself have some fun.

 

[BuckeyeInJP]

Has anyone been up to Rock River lately? Wondering what it's like there this summer and if guys are still going ...