Calistoga mud baths

Last week I flew to the Napa/Santa Rosa area to see my son and family. It is, unfortunately, cheaper to fly than drive your RV nowadays.

I stayed the first two nights at an old Victorian bed and breakfast in Napa- Churchill Manor. My sister had a certificate for a two-night stay but hadn't been able to use it. Since I wouldn't be able to get together with my son until the weekend, I went up a couple of days early. The hosts were gracious and I enjoyed a soak in my clawfooted bathtub!

Whenever we are in this area, we try to schedule a mud bath in Calistoga. George hadn't come with me, so instead I met a friend, Nancy, who had volunteered at Big Bend National Park opposite George and lives in the area. After lunch at the Calistoga Inn, we went to Golden Haven Spa for our appointment.

I originally went to Golden Haven because they usually have Internet specials. They have rooms with two tubs (some with three) so couples can do a mud bath treatment together. There are quite a few spas offering treatments in Calistoga; apparently not all are the same according to Nancy. Golden Haven has a mud bath/jaccuzi/warm blanket wrap that lasts an hour that is so relaxing. You could get a massage or other services too, but after an hour, I could go to sleep right there! I've been to Golden Haven for a mud bath four times, now.

The mud is squishy. You have to work your way into it. After you are situated, the attendant slathers a mask onto your face and cover your eyes with a cool cloth. The mud gets hotter the deeper you get so be cautious. Pictured is George last spring when we were there. For some reason, the photos the attendant took this trip did not turn out.

After about 10 minutes in the mud, you step out, wash off all the mud, then slide into a jaccuzi. Iced  lemon water to drink helps you cool off a bit. That is followed by a blanket wrap. The lights are low and soft music plays. Afterwards you can shower off. The whole treatment lasts about an hour. You can see how relaxed we are after! (above)

The drive between Napa and Calistoga takes you through scenic countryside past many wineries. I took Silverado Drive up the east side of the vally and Hwy 29 on the west side back to Napa.

This whole area - particularly going out to Bodega Bay on the coast - is dairy country. A farm just outside Napa has two breeds of unusual cattle: Belted Galloway beef cattle and Dutch Belted dairy cattle.

I highly recommend a mud bath - especially if you've never had one.

RV parks aren't real common in the area. If you are a member of the Elks, they have a small RV park in Napa and one in Petaluma. We've stayed in both. We also stayed along the Russian River northwest of Santa Rosa at River Bend RV Park in Forestville. It wasn't looking its best as it had recently been flooded, but I'm sure it has recuperated now. Check your RV park directory for others. It's easier to park your RV and drive your tow vehicle or toad. Jaimie

Comments

[Lloyd]

Dutch Belted dairy cows... Brings back memories. As a small child, a neighbor had a herd of Dutch Belted dairy cows. I remember being quite puzzled why our herd of Holsteins ranged from mostly black to all white or patterns and spots that an artist would love.

With the black and white patterns on the Holsteins, there was an easy way to identify them. If they all had the same white belt, how could you tell Daisy from Buttercup. (Real names for some cows in my dad's herd.)

Thanks for the memory.

Keep the balance...
Lloyd