Into The Mystic

Earth Day, April 22, 2013 – Portland to Boise ID

One rule I set for myself was that whenever possible I would not drive more than six hours in a day, preferable just four hours. I was in no hurry. I had a lot to see and unlimited time to see it. The first leg of my journey I drove Highway 84, an incredibly scenic trip up the Columbia River Gorge, and stayed my first night at a Motel 6 in Boise Idaho. Luna and I had a nice stroll around downtown, a simple dinner, and an early night so we could hit the road at the butt-crack of dawn. It was a completely uneventful day, which is just the way I wanted it to be.

April 23-25, 2013 – Boise to Monroe, UT/Mystic Hot Springs

That second day I broke my cardinal rule, I drove more than seven hours from Boise to Monroe Utah, home of Mystic Hot Springs, thanks to the recommendation of my friend Maurice Tierney. The name does not do it justice. This is a slice of heaven in Utah. It was a long haul and I was sure happy to be there! Mystic is a complete hippy enclave in all the best ways. There were dogs off leash everywhere, no problem; lots of trails to hike in the foothills; school bus, cabin, camping and RV accommodations; few people and fewer rules; best of all was the hot springs! They have a proper geo-thermal heated swimming pool, but even cooler are the old claw foot bathtubs nestled into overflowing water which creates weird and wonderful sculptures which envelope the tubs. The first night I hung out around the campfire with a cool couple who criss-cross the country in their RV and a rather uptight motorcyclist from Denver. I soaked in a bathtub under a nearly full moon and was really happy I had Luna by my side that night. It was a true three-dog night, I awoke to a frozen solid water bottle, but I had to settle for just my one dog.

In the morning, I wandered the foothills, coffee in hand, visiting llamas, emus, and other furry friends, while Luna happily explored everything. I treated myself to a “spa treatment” consisting of a mud mask and another soak in a tub, followed by lunch and another stroll. I felt like the Pied Piper of Dogs. There were a lot of property dogs and they always joined us on our walks around the camp. Luna was over the moon to have so many four-legged pals! I spent the afternoon reading and sleeping, followed by another nearly full-moon soak and a long chat with Chris the philosophy major. What a chatter!