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"Rough road - do not attempt without
a four-wheel drive." "Bring
boots with good traction."
Then, "fantastic soak," fantastic
scenery," "therapeutic, thermal
pools."
We heed the advice and
call on Sweet Pea Tours to haul us to the mysterious
Strawberry Park Hot Springs. Rowan, our driver and a local for
20 years, is a typical mountain sort of guy. He's
rugged, friendly, spends the winters in Steamboat and the summers as a
white water guide on the
Salt River in Arizona. He's generous with his knowledge and
gives us lots of recommendations for dining.
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At first the road looks easy enough
as we wind through the backside of
Steamboat Springs. Within
minutes open spaces present unique
and notable landmarks that hint of
the quality and character of the
town.
Strawberry Park, named for it's
history of prolific strawberry
fields, and now covered with
sparkling crystals of fresh snow,
stretches for miles ahead.
Mountain homes, cabins and rustic
sheds punctuate the scene
occasionally, but for the most part,
the fields appears unpopulated.
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Colorado
Hot Springs by Deborah Frazier
$16.94
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Perry Mansfield
School of Art
Imagine, spending
the summer exploring dance, art, creative writing and more, in
an open air setting surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, alpine
ponds, grassy meadows and aspen groves. |
Next, we pass herds of Scottish Highland Cattle - furry cows, known
to be among the most picturesque of all cattle breeds because of their
elegant horns and shaggy coats of wavy hair. Perhaps their history
as the oldest known breed of cattle contributes to their characteristic,
gentle nature, making them a favorite for families.
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Click on the
pictures for a closer look at the furry coats and graceful
horns. |
Broken down sheds stand proudly here and there - symbols of the past
-as if saying, don't forget . . . In complete
contrast, on a hill a mile or so into the woods, a 25,000
square foot house is under construction.
The road begins to narrow, is getting slick and the Aspen trees,
bare-naked in their winter stance, bend over the road like
guards.
Suddenly, Rowan slows the van to a crawl as we approach a slippery,
uphill hairpin turn. The remainder of the trip is a series of dips
and turns before our final entry into the hot springs.
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We climb out of the van, and are immediately sucked into the ambiance
of a carefully tended and protected setting. Descending down a
long set of wooden steps, we begin to feel and see hot steam rising like
a contradiction in the frosty scene.
Our first glimpse of the
pools is breathtaking, and frankly, we're wondering if telling you about
this is such a good idea. That's how good it is - so pure
and remote, so spectacular, that we're questioning our judgment in
revealing the secret.
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Like to see a bigger view?
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Three pools, all natural and spacious, one at 102°, one at 106° and the
third, ice water, have been formed by stacking rocks around the natural
springs. A large teepee serves as a changing room, not heated, so we
quickly change into our bathing suits and tiptoe down rock steps, carefully
avoiding patches of snow and slip into the hot, hot, hot pool. Within minutes we are believers that the springs are
therapeutic, and soak up any medicinal qualities they wish to
deliver. Surrounding the pools on all sides are steep,
white mountains, thick with trees and outlined with bright blue
sky. Is this what "died and gone to heaven"
means?
We were warned that the pools will "make you happy"
from lithium,
which has many uses, one of them, a treatment for
depression. Indeed we are happy and celebrate the vast
resources available to us straight from the earth. Braver
(than us) souls, periodically jump into the ice water for
a 'refresher', then dive quickly back into the hot
pools.
A small section of the pool is kept private for Watsu, a floating warm water
massage inspired by Shiatsu.
Julie, the therapist, explains what to expect in a typical session and I'm
relieved to hear that the nose is kept above water, and the nose and neck are
supported while the rest of the body is submerged. Gentle motions like,
spinning, rocking, floating and stretching are applied, inducing deep
relaxation.
Julie says Watsu is also useful for people who have arthritis, back strain,
fatigue and other ailments. But the real power in Watsu is much more
spiritual. Andrew Yavelow, in his article, Finding Yourself in Warm
Water, delves into the subject, pointing out that during deep relaxation,
the mind ceases to chatter, and when the body is free, the soul must shine
through.
| After our soak, we meet
Don Johnson - the infamous, Don Johnson, we hear
- who has made it all possible. The hot springs,
once a medicinal gathering place for local Indians,
eventually became run down and abandoned, until Don
bought the property and brought it back to
life.
While carefully guarded the natural environ, he has
managed to make it an enjoyable and safe opportunity for
anyone. |
Don Johnson, Owner
and Hot
Springs
Manager, Matt
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Our van is ready to take us back after an hour and 15 minutes, timed
perfectly to prevent 'pruning.' On the way down the hill, feeling snug and
stress free on our lithium high, we contemplate where we'll go for dinner, or if
dinner is really all that important.
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| If you do decide to go - and promise
not to tell anyone - check the website
for hours, admission and shuttle service. You can spend the night too.
Strawberry Park offers accommodations in heated rustic cabins
(bring your own linens) or their "luxury" ose,
complete with linens, a kitchenette and a shower.
Or, if you're more the outdoorsy type, camping is
available in covered wagons or your own tent.
After dark the pools are clothing optional, but if the
moons not out, you won't see much!
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More
about Steamboat
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Tomorrow we Fly! Fish, that is.
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