Taking a shower outdoors?

[GDawgC220]

Clean getaway By J.C. O'Connell, Globe Correspondent | August 19, 2004 Outdoor showers, used as a quick way to rinse off the beach sand and salt, became popular on Cape Cod during the 1950s and 1960s. Most of them were nothing more than showerheads affixed to the side of the house, offering cold water only. But they're no longer just a place to rinse off before taking a ''real'' shower indoors: People quite enjoy lingering in their alfresco soak-downs. "Our outdoor shower is not just an after-beach thing for us," said Bruce Nightingale, 66, of Harwich Port. "In the summer, unless the weather is bad, we shower outside all the time. It gives the septic system a break [water typically drains right into the ground] and causes less wear and tear on your bathroom," he explained. "But, really, we use it because we love it. When our children and grandchildren visit, they can't wait to use it." Inside the big-enough-for-two shower that Nightingale built himself, "There's a really good showerhead, mounted high. It has such a great force of stream -- it really hits you good, like a waterfall. It's so refreshing, you just hate to get out," he said. To avoid steaming up the bathroom during the most humid days of the summer, and to help keep it clean, Wellfleet's Meg Ekdahl, 58, has one rule for her houseguests. "We tell them they must use the outdoor shower. At first people look at me skeptically, but, without fail, after they emerge from the shower they always gush about how great it is to be showering outside," she said. Like Nightingale, many people build their own. Installation of plumbing for a basic model isn't too difficult for most handy homeowners to figure out. Even if help is needed from a professional, the job is relatively inexpensive, said Laura Hessek of MDJ Plumbing of Falmouth. "Plumbing for an outdoor shower is between $400 and $500. Prices depend on how near or far the shower is to an interior water source," she said. For enclosures, fence companies and home centers sell "outdoor shower kits" with wood fencing and easy directions. Many people, like Ekdahl, see them as opportunities to unleash their creativity. Her 20-year-old shower features an Isamu Noguchi-inspired abstract driftwood design on the front of the enclosure. Inside there are two mirrors, a bench, and ceramic fish decorations. During the summer, a climbing hydrangea blooms over the top. Memories of Peter Rabaioli's childhood summers spent on the Cape spurred him and his wife, Wendy, to build an outdoor shower at their Mendon home. "As a kid, I loved using outdoor showers on the Cape after the beach," said Rabaioli, 50, who uses his shower from May until "it's too cold to stand outside." "We're not by the beach, but I use the outdoor shower all the time. It's great to jump into on a hot day after working in the yard, and at night it's very special to be out there in the moonlight," he said. Lou Mikitarian, 43, said his Boylston outdoor shower is one of very few in the area. "People are surprised when they discover I have an outdoor shower here, so far away from the coast. But after a while, a lot of them say, `Hey, that's a really good idea, maybe I should build one,' " said Mikitarian, whose wife, Jan, and daughters, Ani and Karine, all use the shower. "I use it more than they do," he said. "You get such a nice, airy feeling taking a shower outside. I figure, you take a shower once a day, you might as well enjoy it as much as possible." http://www.boston.com/yourlife/home/...clean_getaway/

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[JohnCL]

That would be pretty cool, maybe a little hard to get used to though.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm, that's a great idea. Where around my house can I put one.........?

[deuce zer0]

right outside your neighbors window. i am sure they will love the new addition to your home.

[AirBenz919]

Originally Posted by deuce zer0

right outside your neighbors window. i am sure they will love the new addition to your home.

Yeah, he can put it outside, while I f^ck his wife!

[tyro]

[MBZ12]

I guess....whatever floats your boat!

[benggolf]