 |
|
 |
|
Chinati Hot Springs, Texas |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Group pool at Chinati Hot Springs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nestled in a canyon in the Chinati
Mountains of west Texas |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chinati's caretakers Dave &
Krissy Sines |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Faywood Hot Springs, New Mexico |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Massage cabin at Faywood Hot Springs |
|
|
|
|
|
There's nothing quite like a relaxing soak
in hot, hot water after a long day's drive or sitting in hot
water up to your neck in the cold night air, watching satellites
and comets shoot across the dark night sky. Any wonder why
we love hot springs?
This winter we added two more hot springs
to our life list, only fueling our desire to experience more.
As we travel, we check to see if there are any hot springs
along our route. They are both refreshing and relaxing. In
fact, it is easy to get hooked and make hot springs not only
part of the journey but even at times the destination.
CHINATI
HOT SPRINGS
While at Big
Bend National Park, we drove west through the Chihuahuan
desert along the Rio Grande on Hwy 170 through Presidio and
Ruidoso, then another seven miles on the rather washboard
Hot Springs Road to Chinati Hot Springs. Nestled in one of
the many small canyons in the Chinati Mountains of west Texas,
this oasis offers hot mineral waters reputed to have healing
powers.
We rented one of two cabins, each with
its own soaking tub. Other accommodations included guest rooms
attached to the main house, tent sites and boondocking areas
for small RVs. Though a 28-foot trailer made it down the rough
roads and turns, we would not recommend doing that. Instead,
leave large RVs in Presidio and come out for the day.
We were greeted by a howl from Jubilation
T. Cornpone, the bloodhound, plus several other barking dogs.
Amazingly they only barked on our arrival. Caretakers Krissy
and Dave Sines showed us around. Besides the tub in our patio,
there were three "private" soaking baths holding
two to four people -- private because once you go in and lock
the door, it is yours until you come out. You can also use
the larger group soaking pool and a swimming pool.
For meals, we cooked in the communal kitchen
which has two refrigerators and is fully equipped for guest
use. You bring your own food. It was a fun way to meet other
people. Departing guests often leave extra food and supplies.
Unfortunately, there were no coffee filters, so include those
in your supplies.
We enjoyed dark night skies from our outdoor
tub and sampled other private baths. I did wish we'd brought
inflatable pillows to cushion our necks. We also hiked in
the nearby hills. With no phones or computers access, this
was a great place to get away from it all.
Chinati can be reached from Marfa, Texas,
via Hwy 67 to Presidio, then west on Hwy 170 or by a high-clearance
scenic route. Check on road conditions before attempting this
route unless you have four-wheel drive. Click
here to visit Chinati Hot Springs online.
FAYWOOD HOT SPRINGS
After our wonderful two nights at Chinati,
we asked RV friends for hot
springs recommendations. Hot spring aficionado Betty Prange
recommended Faywood Hot Springs in New Mexico. North of Deming
off I-10 and just off Hwy 181, Faywood is about halfway to
Silver City on Hwy 61.
Faywood has 30- and 50-amp pull-through
RV sites as well as tent sites, cabins with kitchenettes,
and teepees for rent. The main public pools with lounging
areas are segregated into "clothing optional" and
"clothing required" areas; both have privacy fences.
Additionally, we could use a "clothing optional"
area for overnighters. Each pool area has three soaking pools
-- one is about 110 degrees Fahrenheit, another about 105,
and the third is cooler. Private soaking pools can be rented
for an additional fee.
You can stay in Deming or elsewhere in
the area and come in for the day. However, using the pools
at night and seeing the stars, plus soaking early in the morning
made staying there worth it. There's a lot to explore in the
area: City of Rocks State Park, Silver City museums and shops,
Gila National Forest and the cliff dwellings there, plus Deming.
Massages can be booked; ours with Marshall were wonderfully
relaxing. Click
here to visit Faywood Hot Springs online.
Next:
Hot Springs Recommendations>
Jaimie
Hall
3/5/06
Page 1|2
More
RVing Articles>
|
