My friendship with the folks at the Terra Cotta Inn keeps getting better and better: I have officially been invited to visit the nudist resort in Palm Springs, Calif.

The back story is a quick one. I’ve already told it once this week — in my Tuesday “Naked city” post — but here it is again.
Hoping to drum up ratings for the old blog, I said I might have to re-visit the Berkshire Vista nudist resort in Hancock, Mass., the site of an earlier newspaper assignment. Tom, from the Terra Cotta, wandered into the entry and gave me some tips for attracting more readers. He was very helpful.
One I can figure out for myself. People like reading about “racy” places like nudist resorts. Think this post was titled “The naked truth” by accident?

Anyway, Tom posted an earlier Wilkin blog entry on his nudist blog, so I returned the favor and talked about the Inn. I’ve seen some of the sights at the Terra Cotta, and one of these days will have to fly out for a swim. Tom made the trip a little easier in his Thursday night visit to the Gazette’s blogosphere.
“You are officially invited to The Terra Cotta Inn,” Tom wrote. “Give me a call at 800-786-6938 or e-mail me when the time is right to visit sunny Palm Springs. Ask for me personally.”
So I’ve got that going for me ... which is nice.

But I may need help from readers or friends to cover the Terra Cotta story uncovered. In another e-mail, Tom said:
“Now, if you have a wife or girlfriend, that is the best way to experience a nudist resort as they are predominantly couples oriented.”

That’s where the problem comes in. As a bachelor, I’m afraid a wife or girlfriend is not currently in my immediate social circle! Most women I know are married or engaged. And I have a feeling that traveling to California, going skinny-dipping and talking to people in the all-together might be a hard sell. Even with the 17 rooms, complementary afternoon hors d’oeuvres and massage sessions.

I might be able to talk one of the Gazette’s former reporters into making the trip; she remains one of the top outfielders on our softball team, and has always possessed a carefree attitude, a devil-may-care zest for living ... “K” might consider leaving her downtown Albany home for a clothing-free visit to the Terra Cotta.
I won’t even look — I’ll be too busy writing notes on other nudes.
Maybe I’ll ask her at our softball practice on Sunday.

In the meantime, I’ve been getting eyefuls of information at the Terra Cotta Inn’s blog. I’m learning all about the clothes-free life.
The Terra Cotta folks say they get all sorts of questions.
“One of the popular questions from women is ‘I need to lose --- more pounds before I feel comfortable letting someone see me topless or nude, will I fit in.’
Of course you will. No one really cares about how much you weigh, only you, yourself care. And once you go to a nudist resort, you will realize that inner beauty is what matters most.”

Sorry, Tom, I have to disagree. Before I check into the Terra Cotta — maybe this fall — 15 pounds are checking out!