Page 6 September 24, 2020 Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
A joyful journey T
here is a place where humans are few and cows are numerous. It is a place where mountains soar above the largest high-altitude alpine valley on earth. The valley is 7,500 feet above sea-level and some of the peaks that surround it reach 14,000 feet. At 8,000 acres, the San Luis Valley encompasses six counties and contains portions of three more. The valley is also home to the headwaters of the famous Surveyor Rio Grande river. Columnist Facts aside, the San Luis Valley is considered a magical place, and many people happily live a peaceful and off-grid existence here. It is home to Crestone, this tiny town is said to have more religious centers per capita than anywhere else in the world. Crestone is about a half-hour from Joyful Journey Hot Springs, which is located in MofHeidi fat, population 120. Head Kerr-Schlaefer east on Highway 285 and in 20 minutes land in Saguache, a slightly bigger community with around 500 residents. The hot springs are also about an hour from Great Sand Dunes National Park. A soak at Joyful Journey is a wonderful way to experience the enchanting calm of the San Luis Valley. It’s not only a hot springs destination but there it has lodging and camping too. If you have always wanted to stay in a yurt, for instance, they have those. They also have lodge rooms, tipis, RV sites and campsites. There’s also a two-bedroom home available to rent. In addition to lodging, this is an event venue hosting yoga retreats, medita-
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tion retreats and more. Lastly, they offer spa services. Most of us, however, visit because of the hot springs. There are three pools and a built-in fire feature on one of the patios. The pools are sheltered from the elements by see-through plastic walls that allow for expansive views of the San de Cristo mountain range. In fact, soaking here at sunset can feel like sitting in the middle of a Rocky Mountain postcard. The hottest pool is connected to the other two by a boarded walkway with a rope railing. This walk provides unfiltered panoramas of the photogenic mountain range. The pools are heated to between 98 and 108 degrees. The water has a combination of beneficial minerals like magnesium. The hottest pool is therapeutic for sore muscles and joints or those suffering from arthritis. The cool pool is for visitors who want to receive the benefits of a soak here but can’t tolerate hot water. The mid-temp pool is perfect for a long soak. During Coronavirus, please be aware that a limited number of visitors will be allowed into the pool during a two-hour session. While not required, it is recommended that reservations be made ahead of your visit. There are extended soak times for guests of Joyful Journey’s lodging allowing for an immersive experience in the early morning or late evening. Learn more at JoyfulJourneyHotSprings.com.
