April 23, 2015

We made the decision to move on this morning. We’d done most of the hikes we wanted to do … and the weather and wind made for bad paddling conditions for Bruce … too many HUGE waves, HUGER rocks and constant wind to really play in. So … off we went.

We drove east on CA Hwy #20 from Ft. Bragg to Willits, CA. We were thinking of taking a ride on the Skunk Train which runs between the 2 towns, but as they’re doing maintenance on the line on the Ft. Bragg side, the only rides were ½ day rides from Willits.

We’d also heard that Ukiah, which is just south of Willits, has quit a historical past, plus there’s lots of wineries if we chose to go that route.

Hwy #20 was a bit hairy, lots of twisty-turny, ups and downs … but nowhere near as ‘interesting’ as #1. That’s a good thing. It was actually a beautiful ride through forests of big trees then into some beautiful verdant valleys.

Not many places to camp though. The one place we’d headed to at Lake Mendocino was ½ closed and the rest seemed to be reserved. Go to Plan B. We headed to Ukiah and found an RV park (yes, another commercial one … very little BLM land around here and at only $27/night it’s cheaper than state parks! Go figure!), and we’re camped again in a field. Well … it’s just for sleeping, yes?

The first thing we did was head to Vichy Springs. Once again the write-up hooked us! What an ‘interesting’ place! A VERY beautiful area that was developed in around 1850 or so and has had numerous historical figures visit here to take in the waters.

Heading to the springs

“Named after the world famous springs first discovered by Julius Caesar in France, the virtually identical waters of Vichy Springs surge forth from six miles deep within the earth. The water is naturally warm and effervescent, renowned for it’s healing and restorative qualities. It’s the only warm and naturally carbonated ‘Vichy’ mineral baths in North America. It was a favorite retreat of writers Mark Twain, Robert Louis Stevenson and Jack London, and Presidents U. S. Grant, B. Harrison & T. Roosevelt.”

Well … it was a little weird. And f_____g expensive! They mostly cater to people staying in one of their guest rooms/cottages although it is open to the public for day use. First,  we had to ‘register’, showing ID etc., and filling out a form. Then, we had to pay $55 EACH as a ‘deposit’ which would give us all day there if we wanted. If we were there less than 2 hours, we’d get a refund of $25 each, but that still makes it $30 each just to soak in the spring!! We almost didn’t go … but we’d driven all the way there and it WAS an experience, so we went for it. (By the way, that $30 didn’t get you any towels, robes, water … NOTHING but the privilege of soaking in their tubs!).

What a weird set-up! There are 4 outdoor ‘tubs’ which are all set in concrete and have weathered to a rust-coloured patina from years of mineral buildup. They will fit one person (or 2 if you’re chummy). There are also 6 more tubs ‘inside’ an old (historical!) shed-like building … making for TEN tubs only. Luckily we were the only people there just then … but I have no idea what happens when there’s a crowd of people. Your 2 hours could get used up just waiting for a tub!

Tubs at Vichy

The Tubs at Vichy

The beautiful patina lining the tubs created by years of mineral buildup

There are no change rooms per se, but as there was no one else around we made do. The tubs fill with water when you want to use them so each person has new water to soak in. The temperature is warm-ish at 90F, a bit below body temperature so it feels a bit cool. The water itself doesn’t seem bubbly … but after you get in (it makes you VERY buoyant) your body becomes covered in small bubbles. It’s quite neat … and very tingly. As your capillaries open up you actually feel as if the water is getting warmer – although it’s not.

LInda in tub

LInda getting ‘carbonated’!

We soaked for about ½ hour (I mean … how long can you really soak in a tub?) and then headed for the small hot tub. This is a more conventional type of pool at around 104F. We rescued a small lizard that had fallen in and was glad to see him finally recover and run off. We were afraid he’d been cooked!

The Hot Tub at Vichy Springs

We soaked there for about another ½ hour (again … how long can you soak?), and went to have a look at the ‘Olympic-sized’ swimming pool. Very nice but we opted not to go in as it was not heated and very very cold! Again … no change rooms so we changed in one of the 2 restrooms at the pool. The only shower was an outdoor shower.

The Olympic size pool at Vichy Springs

They say they’ve tried to keep it as it was in years gone by … and it’s very clean and nice and all … but it really could use some extras. Some flower pots … statuary … a few change room etc. would all make it that much nicer. I mean for $30 each for about an hour … you really expect more. Although, as I have already said, I think they really cater to their staying guests and the springs are included in the cost of their room.

The grounds do have some hiking trails, which we rambled around a bit on … we didn’t want to go over our 2 hours! The paths are pretty primitive but it really is a beautiful place so we did enjoy that.

Hiking the grounds at Vichy Springs

Back to mo-ho and sat outside a bit till my old friend the wind got too strong and we headed inside for ‘wing night’ and the rest of Episode 4 of Star Wars!