Those steamy summer nights

“Tell me more, tell me more.” Yeah, OK, I admit it. Back in high school I tried to be a theater queen. Looking back, my only excuse is that I had no other role models at the time, so I thought that’s what I had to do in order to be gay and get laid.

The theater bug didn’t stick, thank God, but there are some things that got lodged in my brain back then and no matter how hard I try to purge them, they still won’t budge.

Like this lyric from the spring musical during my freshman year: “It’s hot as hell in Philadelphia,” from that horrible song, “Sit Down, John.” I still think “1776” is one of the worst shows ever produced, but that line has stuck with me. It really is hot as hell in Philadelphia during the summer, and the town just seems to empty out every weekend as people seek relief down the shore or up in the mountains.

Luckily, there are lots of destinations in both directions where you can hook up with leathermen from across the region.

Rehoboth Beach, Del.

If you head south to the Delaware beaches, be sure to visit Delaware’s only leather and bear bar, the Double L Bar, 622 Rehoboth Ave. in Rehoboth. The Double L is a great little bar with two pool tables and a big patio out back. The patio is exempt from Delaware’s smoking ban, so feel free to light up a cigar. The Double L draws folks from Philadelphia all the way down to Washington, D.C., which makes it a great place to meet new friends or bump into old ones. Check it out on the Web at www.DoubleLBar.net.

Asbury Park, N.J.

Drive east to the Jersey Shore and you’ll find Asbury Park, where Dragonslair Productions hosts a Leather Night at Cruisin’ on the first Friday of every month. Wear your leather, your club vest or a military uniform and your first drink is on the house. Cruisin’ shares space with The Circuit at 911 Kingsley St., so you can get your leather and your dance on in one hot spot. See www.CruisinTheCircuit.com for more information.

Sandy Hook Beach, N.J.

From Asbury Park, drive about 15 miles north along the Jersey Shore and you’ll end up at Sandy Hook Beach and National Park. While Sandy Hook isn’t specifically a leather destination, on any given day you’re sure to find lots of leathermen there. You might have a hard time identifying them, though, because they probably won’t be wearing much leather. Or anything else, for that matter.

Gunnison Beach at Sandy Hook holds the distinction of being the largest nude beach on the East Coast, and it attracts a healthy number of folks from the leather community. There’s just something about an all-over tan that makes your chaps look even better. Park in Lot G, then walk to the ocean side and head south until you see the signs that mark the beginning of the clothing-optional area. It’s a carry-in/carry-out beach, so remember to pack up your trash and take it home when you’re done. More details can be found at www.sandy-hook.com.

If the beach isn’t your thing, then drive up the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, where we have our pick of three different gay and lesbian campgrounds, all with regular leather weekends.

The Woods Campground

The newest of the group and the closest to Philly is The Woods in Lehighton, which is about an hour-and-a-half north of Philadelphia, just off the Northeast Extension at exit 74. The Woods is a private-membership campground open to gay men and lesbians 18 and over. It offers cabin rentals, tent camping and RV hookups. Facilities include a lake, a pool, two hot tubs, a recreation hall with dancing on the weekends, a café, an outdoor pavilion and a bonfire.

Special leather parties are scheduled Aug. 17-19 and Sept. 28-30, but every weekend there are lots of leathermen and women at The Woods. For more information, see www.TheWoodsCampground.com.

Hillside Campground

Hillside is about two-and-a-half hours away and is the only one of the three campgrounds that is all-male and open only to those 21 and over. Take the Northeast Extension all the way to the end in Clarks Summit, then continue on I-81 north to exit 219. Hillside is a huge facility covering 235 acres that includes a swimming pool, a recreation hall with dancing on the weekends, a café, a huge bonfire and a massive 45-acre outdoor play area (or “nature paths” as some call them). They offer tent camping, trailer hookups and a very limited number of cabin rentals.

Hillside draws men from New York City, Washington, D.C., and Canada. Every weekend has a special theme, and leather weekends are scheduled for July 20-22 (when Centaur MC will be hosting a party) and Sept. 14-16. See www.HillsideCampgrounds.com for reservation information.

Oneida Campground

Oneida is the oldest of the three campgrounds and also the furthest away from Philadelphia. Follow I-81 a little farther north to exit 223. Oneida is open to men and women, and also to those under 21 if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Oneida’s facilities include a swimming pool, two ponds, a sauna, workout center, café and a recreation hall with a fireplace. Weekends feature dancing and a bonfire. Tent and RV campsites, cabins and lodge room rentals are all available.

Oneida is hosting the annual Pocono Warriors Run the weekend of Aug. 3-5 and a Leather Weekend party from Aug. 17-20 (where NJ Leather will be hosting a party). For information about Oneida, check out www.OneidaCamp.com, and for information on the Pocono Warriors Run, see www.PoconoWarriors.org.

Questions or comments? Contact Jim at LeatherLookout@gmail.com.