Added a few more photos of Vintage Cars. I was able to add music to this and not have to leave the blog to listen to it. I can’t do that anymore. I hope this comes up in our assignments!
Category: Travel
Hit The Road, Jack
Just Get There Anyway You Can
Pah Tempe Hot Springs: Hurricane, Utah
Having written about a couple of luxurious hot spring resorts, some distance away from my home, I would now like to tell about one, right in our “back yard” almost. Pa Tempe Hot Springs is located between the two small towns of LaVerkin and Hurricane, UT; legally sitting in Hurricane. The humble little town of LaVerkin’s claim to fame is that it is the gateway leading to the world renowned Zion’s Canyon. I have lived within 40 minutes of this monumental natural wonder where people come from all over the world to see and have not taken the time to come as often as I should. I want to change this, this coming year. I did spend quite a bit of time at Zion’s one year when my mother was still alive, bringing her and some of my grandkids here to ride the free shuttle system that travels through this amazing park.
But this blog post is not about Zion, more on that another time. Today I would like to introduce you to an amazing natural hot springs I have enjoyed over the years. A long and extensive legal battle between the owner and the water district; closed it down to the public a few years ago. There were petitions going around for a long time, trying to save Pah Tempe, apparently they failed in doing so. I will post the history of all this on here; it’s interesting and very disturbing as well. This has been such a disappointment to both locals and visitors from other areas. It seems incredibly wrong to have shut this beautiful oasis in the desert off to the public. Something like this should have been preserved and made available to one and all.
Pah Tempe survived a magnitude 5.8 earthquake back in 1992 that changed its appearance. Prior to the earthquake, you would follow the same, narrow path from the parking area along the base of the canyon walls and, arriving at the hot springs location, would step into a cave entrance to find them. The cave was actually a long, narrow tunnel with an opening at the other end. The hot tubs sat in natural grottos formed inside this cave. It was one of the most unique mineral springs I’ve ever seen. You had to almost feel your way through the tunnel to each grotto with very dim natural lighting. I agree, with others, that damage wrought from the earthquake actually led to an improved appearance and accessibility to the mineral baths. It’s became light and open with large soaking pools. There is only one large pool left partially inside the cave. You can squeeze your way through to the other entrance via this pool.
Sadly, Pah Tempe survived the natural disaster but not the greed and ignorance of man. Most feel this is a God-given treasure that should remain open and available to all. Click on the link to view the ongoing legal battle facing Pah Tempe, its owner and so many who have joined in the fight to save this natural wonder.
New Mexico Hot Springs: Ojo Caliente
My husband and I took a road trip last summer with our destination being Taos, NM. I’d been there before but he hadn’t. As the New Mexico license plates label it “The Land of Enchantment”, I can attest that they chose a perfect description of this enchanting land.
Almost everywhere we set out to go we ended up driving in circles; backtracking, getting lost or taking the very long way around. Since we had no agenda, we just took it in stride and I experienced a new feeling about “being lost”. It was almost liberating to not be the one in charge and to let go the frustration of taking a wrong turn and ending up somewhere totally off track. Eventually we just let this “confusion” have its way and instead of fighting it just surrendered our need for control and put ourselves in a joyful state of unknowing, following the whims of whatever force was guiding us. Because of this, we were able to experience a more innocent, childlike state of wonderment over the new, unexpected sites along the way.
Central California Coast: Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort
My sister flew to Oregon from Hawaii, where she resides, a few years ago and drove down the coast, stopping in as many hot springs as she could find along the way. She even has a map listing all of them in the U.S. She was really impressed with one in Avila Beach. I hoped, someday, to check out this fascinating little place we’d heard such good things about. Our chance came! After a family reunion in Southern California, my husband and I headed up the coast highway intending on camping at Avila Beach Hot Springs for a few days. When we got there, sadly, we weren’t as impressed with the mineral spa facilities as my sister had been but the campground was perfect!
Driving up the road the next day to explore the area, we saw a beautiful large resort that looked like it would be quite expensive to stay at. I decided to check it out and, surprisingly, we were there at the off season and the rates were affordable. We booked two nights and were in for the most exquisite experiences.
