Personal Independence Icon

In celebration of Independence Day, I'd like to introduce you to a local icon who has chosen to shed his dependence on such formalities as wearing a shirt, pants or even shoes.  He answers to "The Edmonds Beach Water Temperature-Taker Dude".  And yes, I am serious. He struts around the town of Edmonds wearing simply his birthday suit and a pair of short shorts.

My family and I ran into "The Dude" while enjoying the sunny weather this weekend.  As he was testing the water temperature in Puget Sound (hint: it's always freezing cold) I struck up a conversation with him because he looked so interesting.  He said I wasn't the first person to want to chat with him.  "The Dude" told me so many people were fascinated by him, someone set up a page about him on Facebook.  I checked it out and the Edmonds Beach Water Temperature-Taker Dude has lots of fans.  More than 4,500 in fact.

"The Dude" seemed quite jolly so I asked him the secret of his happiness.  He told me "If I don't like doing something, I find a way to like it."  Good advice, Dude.

I salute "The Edmonds Beach Water Temperature Taking Dude" and his independent spirit on Independence Day.  I'm grateful that we live in a wonderful country where you can be who you are– no shirt, shoes or in this case, pants required.