Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Hot Springs Hound


Thousands have lived without love, not one without water
— W. H. Auden 

I've been a hot spring hound for what seems like my whole life. The first natural hot spring I ever visited was during a summer visit to my Dad's in New Mexico, around age 8. I'll never forget that first dip in mineral rich waters, or the name of the resort; I proudly brought home a bumper sticker that remained on the back of my mom's old Kia for the next decade: You're always in hot water at Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs.

My solo trip to Iceland last year really solidified my love of natural hot springs. Most people conjure up Pinterest images of the Blue Lagoon when they think of the infamous hot waters of Iceland. As soon as I found out that the Blue Lagoon is actually man made (and astronomically overpriced), I scratched that off my list. Instead, I visited multiple natural hot pots across the country. Sitting and steaming in a hot river (for free!) after day hiking through Landmannalaguar Highlands was the definition of satisfying, and utterly unforgettable. The Secret Lagoon-'Gamla Laugin'- was my second favorite destination: shrouded in midst (rather, sulfur steam) and surrounded by greenhouses growing some of the only natural Icelandic vegetation- tomatoes. I met an awesome couple at the Secret Lagoon who I ended up traveling with on another day of my trip.

So you see, I had to make a visit to the infamous Mystic Hot Springs on my first trip to Utah. I flew into Salt Lake City to meet up with a friend and after a few hours in the city (and the best vegetarian Ramen of my life! Including a miso-beet broth), I made the two and half hour trek to Monroe, Utah.

Mystic Hot Springs, like Iceland, is one of those rarefied places that words cannot do justice. It's one of the most unique hot springs I've ever visited-and I've been to quite a few! Just last Winter I almost got stuck at Breitenbush Hot Springs in Oregon after a tremendous snow storm. Sitting naked in 106 degree hot pots, and a communal wet steam room, with snow cloaking all vision was an indelible experience to say the least.

I was lucky enough to get Mystic almost entirely to myself. There was one other couple there but they stayed in one of the two large communal pools the entire time. I made my way from tub to tub trying out the different levels of heat. And by tubs, I mean actual, literal bathtubs set into the red rock hillside where the natural hot spring bubbles up.

Besides the incredible setting and the mingling of indoor and outdoor space, the property itself is brimming with all kinds of unique oddities. There are wild turkeys and peacocks roaming the grounds. Buses and shacks/mini cabins are scattered around the water source and available for overnight rental. Some of the buses were deadhead transports used to track the Grateful Dead on their cross-country tours. 

Mystic Hot Springs is quite likely the closest experience you can get to a hippie commune in 2017. That really sums up the overall vibe of stepping back in time the second you arrive on this property.





I've always been a true water baby, born under a water sign. There is something about being surrounded by and cloaked in water that brings me the greatest sense of calm achievable. I used to struggle with intense anxiety and recurrent panic attacks. I learned that if I got into a hot shower or bath when the anxiety first started creeping in, I could almost always abate the fear inducing feelings before they got out of control. This worked better than my Xanax prescription ever did. I would sit in the shower for long periods of time and enjoy the simple healing of water beating down my back.

There is an undeniable effect of water in making me feel strong and magical. I never feel more vibrant or proud of my human shell than I do when I'm soaking in hot water. The feel and look of wet skin glistening in sunshine, of beads of water dripping from our human forms, is intimate and electrifying. The late great Vonnegut (my favorite) said it best: “In the water I am beautiful.”

***

I leave you with a few of my absolute favorite quotes about water, followed by photos of the next few stops I made on my road trip before the one and only Zion (blog coming soon!)
 
"You didn’t come into this world. You came out of it, like a wave from the ocean. You are not a stranger here."
-Alan Watts

"Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can't go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does."
-Margaret Atwood


"Human beings are a way that water has of going about, beyond the reach of rivers."
-Loren Eiseley

"You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend."
-Bruce Lee


Cedar Breaks National Monument:




Red Canyon:




Bryce Canyon National Park:











2 comments:

  1. Lovely thoughts on water...and the quote by Loren E. rings so true. You need to try Ouray's Hot Springs someday. We'll put you up with food and shelter :)
    mark

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  2. I would absolutely love that! I think a trip to Colorado, as well as Eastern Utah, is very much necessary sooner than later.

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