My summer and fall out west comes to a sad end. Ricky and I say goodbye to the Parkers and head the Jeep over the mountains toward Mississippi.
First stop was Summer Lake Hot Springs. Summer Lake is a most remarkable site, were people come together to merge with nature in ways not found many places around the world. It is a place of extreme beauty and silence, a place where body and mind rediscover a connection and common ground between the Water, Earth and Sky.
We get checked in to the Ranch House and begin to check out the grounds.
We soon find some hot water.
The timber frame and corrugated metal structure was built in 1928 surrounding the large hot mineral pool, providing year round comfort for soaking and healing. The 106 - 113 degree spring fills the pool through a 4-inch pipe,
which many find therapeutic to stand underneath, allowing the hot mineral water to fall upon necks and shoulders, melting away tension for a deep therapeutic healing.
Traveling from an aquifer nearly one mile below the surface, fresh water is heated by volcanic conditions and through pressure the now hot water is forced upward along the Slide Mountain fault line. On its journey the water absorbs various minerals before it comes out of the ground at 106 to 113 degrees. This water is then channeled to the large soaking pool, various outdoor rock pools and geothermal floor heating. It is high in silica and you will notice a silky and soft feeling on your skin soon upon entering in the water.
We head south,leaving Oregon for northern California. We run into quite a bit of snow. Sierraville Hot Springs was out next stop. Sierra Hot Springs is a non-profit retreat and workshop center located at the cusp of an enchanted forest and a beautiful alpine valley. Here, it is impossible to resist the overwhelming sense of tranquility. The natural spring water is as smooth as silk, and the pools are a true experience. For centuries, Native Americans have regarded this land as a sacred healing place.
The historic Main Lodge houses five comfortable shared bath private rooms, as well as a five-bed dormitory. The Lodge, originally built in the 1870's, also includes an airy wood-paneled lounge with comfortable couches and a wood burning stove, a communal kitchen, the main office and a small store. There is also a massage room, a TV room, and located downstairs is our restaurant, the Philosophy Café. The Lodge is within walking distance of all the pools and also has a large lawn and front porch, perfect for lounging.
We enjoyed the funky lobby and our colorful room.
What an interesting door!
For almost 150 years, this land has hosted popular hot springs resorts. The spring water here is as smooth as silk and the pools, which are open 24 hours a day, are a true experience. Within the last several years, two of the springs have been beautifully redeveloped.
The Temple Dome Area is the main pool area and consists of The Hot Pool, which has a sand bottom, with mosaic tile sides and is enclosed in a large geodesic dome,
featuring stained glass and skylights
and a chubby friend
and complimented by two cold plunges.
Outside the dome, the large Warm Pool is complimented by a large sundeck.
There is also a new and improved dry sauna at the Temple Dome Pool area.
Soaking time done, it's time to hit the road and continue south through California on the eastern side of the Sierra Mountains.
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