 |
| Angelika/Mike Schilli |
|
Angelika Today I am opening our travel journal again: This time we drove with the "PERL MAN" (our car's license plate) for two hours on Highway 101 North to Ukiah, to the "Vichy Springs Resort." There, you can find a natural healing spring, where warm, carbonated, and mineral-rich water comes from the depths of the earth. This water is safe to drink and also promises various benefits when you bathe in it. It not only helps with stomach ulcers, gout, rheumatism, and arthritis but also soothes sunburn. Burns and skin injuries heal faster. And for those who do not yet suffer from the various ailments described, the soothing water helps to simply relax and unwind. By the way, the place is called "Vichy Springs" because their water is remarkably similar to the French original--showing America's pragmatic nature.
The healing properties of the spring water have been known to the ancient Pomo Indians for millennia. The current resort opened its doors in 1854. By American standards, that's ancient, a historical sensation. Vichy Springs attracted notable figures such as Mark Twain, Robert Louis Stevenson, Jack London, and even a few American presidents. Back then, it was considered "mega cool" in San Francisco to head to Vichy Springs. There was even a dance hall to ensure that the fun didn't come to an abrupt end after a refreshing bath. Today, things are a bit more tranquil, and you're more likely to encounter famous Perl book authors (haha!). We slept in a cozy room that was renovated not too long ago and enjoyed long walks on the vast grounds in addition to extensive baths.
Bathing in the healing water proceeds as follows: Since it would be somewhat impractical and perhaps not very environmentally friendly for everyone to gather in the not-so-large spring for bathing, there are various bathtubs fed by the spring. Some of these bathtubs are outdoors, while others are in a covered, long hut divided by walls, so that there are always two bathtubs next to each other in a small room. Even in the covered huts, it is required to keep your swimsuit or swim trunks on, which at first glance doesn't seem unusual in prudish America. However, there are several places in Northern California with natural springs where you are allowed to enter unclothed ("clothing optional" is what it's called here). This might also be because these places attract many freedom-loving old hippies or "New Age" people.
But I digress. The bathtubs have a huge metal plug that you simply pull out on one side and then plug back in on the other side. As soon as you do this, the water starts bubbling and the bathtub fills to the brim, limited by the natural water pressure of the spring. When you get into the water, it initially doesn't feel too warm. The trick is to stay completely still. Then, small bubbles slowly form around your body like a second skin. Your veins expand, your blood starts to circulate more vigorously, and your body warms up from the inside, so to speak. Usually, the stomach area warms up first, followed by the other parts of the body. It's a funny feeling. By the way, the bathtubs are brownish in color due to the minerals in the water. On our first evening there, we got into the baths at dusk, and Michael amused me with stories about what might be at the bottom of the bathtub. It's a good thing I'm not easily scared. If you ever find yourself in the Ukiah area, stop by Vichy Springs. By the way, you don't have to be a hotel guest to enjoy the healing waters. A day pass grants you access.
){kind=link}
){kind=link}