Silver Valley Sun Club
Newberry Springs, California
Story and Photo's
By Tom Bryant
When looking for a weekend get-a-way spot, something different, something "out of the norm", we've found an ideal place. For those who enjoy desert living, lakes, pools, hot tubs and clothing optional living, Silver Valley Sun Club in Newberry Springs is that place.
Nestled in the desert, just 13 miles east of Barstow on the I-15, Newberry Springs is a quiet, small community with a lot of pride. Newberry Springs also happens to be the home of the Silver Valley Sun Club.
As we traveled east on the I-15 to the Sun Club, we had no idea what we would encounter once we arrived. We were definitely apprehensive since we had not been asked to review a "clothing optional" resort before, this was a first for us. You hear all the stories associated with clothing optional living but unless you've actually been to one, especially as a journalist, you have no idea what you may encounter.
I have to admit that arriving at the resort made us a little nervous, as you might probably imagine, but we had traveled an hour and a half and there was no turning back.
The resort is surrounded by a large wooden privacy fence, and access is granted through an electronically controlled gate. Driving inside we saw a very nice manicured resort with beautiful pools of water, paddle boats, tree's and buildings.
We were met by Sandra Delaney, the resorts General Manager, and SaLaura Gates the Assistant General Manager for Silver Valley Sun Club. We were pleasantly surprised to meet two highly motivated professional's who managed a business and were determined businesswomen.
Sandra is the granddaughter of the resorts founders, Nancy and John Dulle. Established in 1988, the resort was built and ran entirely by the Dulle's until Nancy Dulle became ill.
An Ohio native, and just 5 classes short of her Masters Degree in Business, Sandra left college in Maryland and traveled to Newberry Springs to help out once she learned of her grandmothers illness. That visit has turned into a permanent stay to run the resort. Nancy Dulle lost her battle and passed away, leaving the resort without a leader at the resort.
Taking over as the General Manager in 2009, Sandra needed some help. San Francisco native SaLaura Gates came to the resort in April as a guest and never left.
SaLaura was a teachers Assistant in after school programs for special educational needs children, SaLaura seems to have found her place here at Silver Valley. "The experience of being away from home, (San Francisco) is liberating, doing something on my own, helping Sandra deal with the resort" is why she came here, said SaLaura.
Together, these two businesswomen run a resort with a membership of almost 70 people from around the world. I asked Sandra how hard it was to run a "clothing optional" resort.
"I run the resort like my grandmother wanted it to be run, it is a small comfortable place for people who have never participated in a clothing optional lifestyle as my grandmother intended it to be", said Sandra. "This is a family orientated resort, we want the best for our members who also expect the best" Sandra added.
The work is hard, since the ladies are the maintenance, housecleaning and management all rolled into one but make no mistake, these ladies are professional businesswoman making a resort functional and operational.
Amenities at the resort include 2 very large lakes for swimming, water volleyball, paddleboating and fishing. There are several private islands in the lakes for private sunbathers. The resort has a large hot tub, as well as a brand new swimming pool. There is a pool room, shuffle board area, BBQ area, fire pit, Karaoke, dining facility and camping. You can pitch a tent or rent a room. You can also rent a mobile home trailer with all the comforts, a smaller trailer for sleeping, or a large ranch house room inside the main house.
The resort prides itself as a clothing optional resort because guests are not required to completely undress. Women can lounge in a body wrap and swimming shorts or towels can help the men feel more comfortable. The only time guests are required to be totally undressed is in the water, pool or hot tub.
Sandra welcomes all members and guests and there is no discrimination against anyone. All guests are welcomed no matter the race, gender or sexual preference.
Some may believe that a clothing optional facility may be a hotbed of misbehavior but we saw for ourselves that this is a professionally run resort by two very talented professionals and the rules and guidelines are strict. Misbehavior is not tolerated and those that wish to disobey the rules are escorted out.
We really enjoyed our visit to the Silver Valley Sun Club and we know our readers who are adventurous or are naturalists will enjoy a visit as well. The drive isn't too bad, just the other side of Barstow, and the people are great.
For more information about the resort, call Sandra or SaLaura at (760) 257-4239. If you're a naturalist, this is a comfortable and relaxing place to be.
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