Destination Spa Vacations with Michelle

Vacation Benefits

For almost everyone, summer means vacation time. Unfortunately, the cost of gas and the state of the economy has many people questioning the necessity of a summer vacation this year. While the cost may be higher than previous years, the benefits still outweigh the price tag. So as a reminder, here are just a few reasons to start planning your summer vacation now.

Health And Wellness

• Travelers rate their overall health one full point higher (on a scale of 1 to 5) while on vacation. They also get three times more deep sleep after their vacation and sleep almost 20 minutes longer after their vacation.
• An annual vacation can cut a person’s risk of heart attack by 50 percent.

Relationships

• At least four out of ten travelers feel more romantic on vacation (42%), and nearly one-third admit to making love more often on vacation (31%).
• More than half of employed Americans say they come back feeling reconnected with their family after vacation (53%).

Career Success/Productivity

• Travelers experience a 25% increase in performance on vigilance tests after returning from vacation – travelers 45 or older show a 50% increase in performance.
• There's a good chance the benefits of vacation will go straight to the bottom line. According to a study by American Express, more than a third of small-business owners say their best ideas – the ones that lead to business growth – come not at work but during their downtime.
• An inability to take a break can lead to stress, burnout, and a greater likelihood of feeling betrayed and angry when things do not go well at work. Anxiety of top executives often translates into low morale and slumping productivity throughout the ranks.

Source: Travel Institute of America

A study done by Cornell, shows that Destination Spa Vacations have equal or even more benefits. Destination spa vacationers feel more energetic, more productive, more connected with friends and families, and better about themselves than general vacationers.

No more excuses, you NEED to vacation. Start packing!

4 day jumpstart at Fitness Ridge

From the moment I arrived at Fitness Ridge, I felt like I was part of a spa family. This is often the case at Destination Spas, but I found this to be especially true at Fitness Ridge. Just one reason I would have liked to have stayed longer and definitely one of the reasons their weight loss program is so successful. Unfortunately, my schedule only allowed me to stay for 4 days (note - Fitness Ridge is a 7 day minimum program that runs from Sunday - Sunday).

Upon arrival I was whisked away for a consultation with Sharon. I closed my eyes while she measured my body several different ways - scale, tape, and body fat analyzer. Like most women, I always see room for improvement with my body, especially when it comes to measurements. That said, both Sharon & I were pleased with the "healthy" results. With some encouragement, I decided my goal for this visit would not be to lose weight, but rather to participate in as many activities as possible and work on resetting my sleep schedule.

After a quick (reminder) tour of the facility, I took some time to settle in. The room was very comfortable, nicely decorated, and equipped with everything I needed (2 queen beds, desk, dresser, TV/DVD/VCR, full bath). Considering the budget pricetag of Fitness Ridge's program, the rooms are definitely above average.

About an hour later, my adventure began with Aikido (pronounced a-key-doh). I had heard of Aikido and knew it was a Japanese martial art but I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Basically it felt like a mixture of tai chi and self defense moves. Instead of opposing the attacker's movements, you use the attacker's movement and redirect it. Kwintin taught us 4-5 simple moves to escape most attacks. I'm still amazed how easy it was to get free. What a great class with real life lessons.

Dinner was next; my first meal at Fitness Ridge. Typically I eat ~1800 calories/day spread throughout the day with 5 smaller meals so the 1200 calorie meal plan had me a little worried. Tonight's dinner was a chicken breast with a couscous pilaf and a frozen yogurt dessert. It was definitely enough to satisfy my hunger and discerning taste buds - absolutely delicious! Chef Cameron worked for Wolfgang Puck in his younger years, so his culinary skills are highly developed. In one meal he managed to quell my concerns about the food.

Off to meditation. Ahhh.... what a great way to end the evening. Unfortunately, I can't tell you much about the meditation that was offered on this night. The room was dark, there was soft music playing and the leader guided us on a journey. I remember something about a red ouse and then I fell asleep (as did several other guests). I took it as a sign to retire for the evening. Not bad, ~10:45pm and I was in bed.

The next morning started with a hearty breakfast of pancakes. They were delicious, but frankly it was hard to eat something "sweet" so early in the morning. It didn't stop me or anyone else; we knew we needed the energy for the hike. After fueling up, all of the hikers met in the front lobby for brief announcements. The hikes (3 levels) were explained and the leaders introduced. Suprisingly, many guests chose to walk the "Stop Sign" route because of the even surface (safety and calorie-burning potential). I prefer the adventure, challenge and scenery that the trail offers.

I'm an avid hiker, so I joined the level 3 hikes each day. Today's hike (Gila; pronounced Hee-la) took us to Snow Canyon, which is a short drive from the spa. Later we would find out from Annie (our hiking guide) that the trail is named after the gila monster lizard which roams the area. I think the severe cold and snow kept everything, including the gila, away. We were the only thing moving out on the trail. We did take a quick yoga pose break to pose for this picture, but otherwise we were moving at a good pace for seven miles and 2.5 hours.

Aquafit class is scheduled for 11am every day at Fitness Ridge. Normally, I would be the first to jump in the pool. Not today! Did I mention it snowed the day before? A hot shower sounded a lot more appealing to me. Many other guests took part in the aqua class and claimed it wasn't that cold. I wasn't sure if I could trust my new friends yet. Maybe tomorrow...

The hike worked up my appetite for lunch. As I walked in to the dining room, I saw a server bring a bowl of soup to the table. I'm a bit of a soup fanatic, so I was thrilled to find out that all of the lunches (not just today's) include a soup. And they were all delicious, especially the roasted pepper soup. Apprarently I missed a superb cauliflower soup the day before; all the guests were raving about it.

After lunch, Chef Cameron emerged for a cooking class. He started by sharing his pantry secrets with us. Tofu, agave syrup, feta cheese and Bragg's amino acids (soy sauce substitute) were the ingredients that stuck out most in my mind. The other suggestion that he made (and the spa advocates) is to use the spray salad dressings (e.g. Paul Newman) in order to limit the serving size. Following several questions, Cameron moved to the demonstration. I joked with him that it was a big tease session as he prepared the lasagna and then mixed brownies in front of us. Half-joking, half-serious, several guests offered to lick the mixing bowl from the brownies. Cameron just smiled, politely laughed and promised that we would get to taste the end-product later on that evening.

The afternoon fitness classes were all taught by Sharon. First, strength conditioning, then a cardio circuit, and lastly a gentle stretch class. By the end, I felt like my entire body had been worked over by Sharon.

Cameron's lasagna and brownies were a big hit at dinner. I think I even saw a few people licking their dessert plates. After dinner, Michelle taught us all how to balance our calorie budget. According to her formula, my daily caloric allowance (income) should be ~1700 calories in order to maintain my current weight. If I want to lose 10 pounds in 5 weeks, I need to deduct 100 calories/day. Seems simple enough. I'll let you know how that goes...

To complete the day, I scheduled a full-body massage with Sheila. I told her where I was sore (all over) and what body parts to focus her attention on (hips & butt). It has been my experience that most therapists neglect or barely work the glutes even when I specifically request that they hit these spots hard. Sheila was the exception - she gave me an excellent hip and butt massage. Probably the best I've ever had! Totally relaxed, I slowly made my way to bed (10:45 again).

Day 3 started with a breakfast that I'm used to - egg white scramble with salsa - and another hike in Snow Canyon. Ironically, it rarely snows in Snow Canyon so the fact that we had snow 2 days in a row was very special. Everyone was in awe of the beautiful contrast that the white snow created against the red rock. Annie managed to find an ice skating rink to play on; Marika & I decided to stick to hiking. Today the hike took us on the appropriately named Red, White & Blue trail. The terrain and scenery continually changed from red sand to white rock to blue lava rock. Another day, another beautiful hike.

Still too cold for me to hop in the pool; maybe tomorrow. Instead, I caught up on some phone calls and e-mails before lunch. Today's lunch was the roasted pepper soup and a turkey sandwich. The soup was my favorite and the sundried tomato spread on the turkey gave the otherwise boring sandwich a great punch.

Kwintin (Aikido instructor) emerged again for a lunch and learn seminar, "Finding Value in Your Body". Turns out he is a licensed therapist as well as an Aikido instructor. Unfortunately, time ran out due to several questions from the guests. My key take away from this session was to have some quiet time to relax before eating meals [Listen: slow down and discern body signals]. While I am usually a slow mindful eater, I do tend to rush the start of the meal.

From the presentation, I moved to the Circuit Training class. "Pick a machine, any machine," Sharon instructed from across the room. The "machine" room is equipped with cardio (treadmills, ellipticals, bikes) and strength machines that have been strategically numbered for the circuit workout. All you have to do is follow the numerical order. Sounds easy enough, right? I exercise very regularly but admittedly do not like machines, so this ranks up there as my least favorite class. However, the fact that we only spent 2 minutes on each machine made it bareable. And with Sharon and the rest of the group motivating me, it was actually - dare I say it - fun?

OK, maybe not fun. I'll stick with bareable. But the next class - kickboxing - was definitely a lot of fun. This was by far my favorite exercise class at Fitness Ridge. Armed with gloves and a boxing bag stand, everyone let the punches and kicks fly for 50 minutes. I forgot how much I enjoy this class; it's a great way to relieve stress and it provides an excellent total body workout. I'm definitely going to invest in a boxing bag of some type for home and will take any kickboxing classes offered at my gym.

To round out the afternoon activities, Alise led us through a gentle yoga class. I can't remember the type of yoga that she said it was. The flow of the class was nice, very similar to other classes I've taken and ending with everyone's favorite - relaxation pose. Again, I managed to fall asleep.

I changed out of my sweaty clothes for dinner so that I wouldn't scare anyone off. Tonight's dinner was another one of Cameron's creations - Asian Rice Bowl. Again, he has created a masterpiece. If I had to pick a favorite dinner meal, this would be it.

After dinner, Emily the dietitian arrived to teach us how to spend our calories wisely. Notice the financial reference. Emily passed around plastic food models which represent standard portion sizes of common foods. You can just imagine the laughter that ensued when she showed some of the miniscule rations. Emily got us back on track and made her way through all the food groups. Everyone took notes, because on Saturday Emily will be testing their knowledge. Every Saturday, Emily takes the guests out for dinner at a local buffet restaurant. Another way, Fitness Ridge teaches it's guests how to live the healthy lifestyle at home; very nice!

Off to bed... I'm still struggling with the idea of going to bed before 10:30pm, but tonight my body is ready for the rest. And the best part is that I slept until 6:45am, waking just in time for breakfast. I'm in luck; today's breakfast is oatmeal & fruit - another one of my morning staples.

We're off to Snow Canyon again for today's trail. Due to the snow and ice we hit a different hike than what was originally scheduled. I don't remember which trail it was, but if offered some great climbing and a lot of exposure (open air space). If you are afraid of heights, avoid the hikes that indicate "exposure" as this essentially means there are drop-offs. For me, I love the adrenaline rush of such hikes. Frankly, I would have like to have stayed out hiking all day.

Instead, we completed our course and drove back to the spa, just in time for Aquafit. That's right - I finally jumped in the pool. And my new friends weren't lying, it really wasn't that bad. As a matter of fact, it was warm. Only at the very end, when we stopped moving, did I feel the cold air. Danae kept us working for the entire 45 minutes, mixing it up with weight, noodle and aerobic exercises. We finished with a fun partner race where one person does the upper body work and the other does the lower body work. My mother would be proud to know all of those swimming lessons paid off - we finished 1st.

Just as I remember from my childhood, the pool made me hungry. Pavlov? I'm not sure, but I was ravenous. Thankfully, lunch was extra satisfying - soup, salad, and pizza. Remember, Cameron worked for Wolfgang Puck, so just imagine how good the pizza was...Excellent by all accounts! In a matter of fifteen minutes, I went from ravenous to full. I didn't even finish my pizza. After lunch, Cameron treated us to another cooking demonstration. This time he showed us how to make hummus (several variations) and a mango vinaigrette that he had served on a salad earlier in the week (before I arrived). Like the cauliflower soup, everyone was singing the salad dressing's praises so I was anxious to see what it was all about. And like Cameron's other creations, it was delicious and deserving of the praise.

The 2:30pm class schedule said Treading. I was glad to discover that it was not another pool class. However my excitement was short lived; it was another "machine" class, similar to a fartlek or interval work-out. After a 5 minute warm-up, you start the intervals. Work for 5 minutes then recover for 5 minutes, work for 4 minutes then recover for 4 minutes, and so on until you are sprinting beyond your comfort level for 15 seconds and then cooling down for 5 minutes. Now you know why some guests call it the dreading class. Actually, it made the 30 minutes on the treadmill go by fast. Another trick for me to make the machines tolerable at home - score!

After Michelle worked us in the treading class, she led us through a Yogalates session. It is not a typo, yogalates is a fusion class that combines the best of yoga and pilates. I enjoyed it but am not really sure why the two methods are combined. Semi-private Pilates sessions were offered after Yogalates. I hadn't planned to participate in the session. Frankly, the Pilates reformer scared me - it looks like a torture machine with its springs, straps, gears and pulleys. There was an open spot, so I decided to give it a try. When in Rome, right?

Despite it's clunky akward appearance, the Pilates reformer is an amazingly elegant machine. The reformer provides finely tuned exercise resistance that allows you to work very precisely and develop good alignment, core strength, and flexibility. Even though I know Sharon was making us work, I didn't feel worn out after class. Instead I felt like I was stretched and relaxed - similar to that post-massage feeling. Could it be that I have found a "machine" I like? 

The aromas from the kitchen drew me right to the dinner table after Pilates. Cameron's creation du jour was salmon and the dessert was a light tiramisu that he was testing. The salmon gets 4 out of 5 stars in my book, but the tiramisu still needs some work.  I'm sure by the time you visit Fitness Ridge, he will have it perfected.

Emily was back for an encore performance after dinner. While we did share quite a few laughs, tonight's topic had a more sober message - mindful eating. She shared Evelyn Tribole's Intuitive Eating Principles, which I subscribe to as well. Just look at the first three principles and see if you don't agree:

1. Reject the diet mentality. 
2. Honor your hunger.
3. Make peace with food.

One statistic came up during the course of the evening that I must share with everyone - people who don't eat breakfast are 450% more likely to be obese. 450%! Hopefully that will convince a few people to finally break-the-fast and regularly grab a bite to eat in the morning.

I packed my bags and made it to bed by 10:30pm my last night at Fitness Ridge. Three nights in a row I went to bed before 11:00pm - a great victory for me. I fit in a spin class and one more hike the next morning before heading home.

While shorter than Fitness Ridge's normal program and what I would have preferred, I managed to get a great jumpstart. I'm not concerned about taking those 10 pounds off, but I am hopeful that I can stick to the earlier bed-time.   

   

Red Mountain Spa - an insider's view

After a brief visit to Green Valley Spa, my girlfriends and I drove the short 10 miles to Red Mountain Spa, where we would spend the next couple of days. This marked my 4th visit to Red Mountain Spa in the last eight years. Each visit, I'm amazed by the spectacular "backyard playground" and view that Red Mountain Spa is blessed to have. The red rocks of Snow Canyon are absolutely breathtaking. I could definitely live here. At least for the next couple of days, this was my playground.

One thing I've learned from previous Destination Spa vacations, is to immerse yourself as quickly as possible. So after checking in, all of us changed into comfortable clothes and made our way to the Cross Train Cardio class. The instructor had us jumping, stepping, squating, lunging, twisting, lifting and pushing. I think every muscle in my body was tested. If everyone would do this class on a regular basis, there would be no obesity problem in the US. Seriously, a great workout. My only concern was that my girlfriends may have overdone it in the first hour of their spa visit. Thankfully, a Tai Chi class followed to help us calm our minds and bodies.

We snuck out of the Tai Chi class a little early to join the Orientation and Property Tour. I always recommend that guests partake in the orientation to help orient themselves and to learn about all of the insider tips. Even if you've been to a spa several times, these tours are a good idea. I always learn something new. On this day, the Fitness Manager led us through all of the buildings and shared a few Red Mountain secrets. As a bonus, she gave away prizes at each stop.

After a quick shower, we made our way to the Dining Hall. We had made dinner reservations for 5:30pm since all of us had spa treatments starting at 7pm. [Note reservations are not necessary for breakfast and lunch, just dinner]. I ordered the fish special, which was Ono, Christy and Sarah ordered the Wild Game Trio, and Angela ordered the Filet. Everything was delicious and beautifully presented. In an effort to keep my calorie intake in check, I abide by the rule to enjoy wine or dessert with dinner, not both. Normally, wine wins over dessert. But tonight lemon curd was on the dessert menu so it was an easy choice. I'm not big on desserts, but love anything lemon. It was the right choice - absolutely delicious and a great palate cleanser.

Unfortunately, all of us had to rush off to our spa treatments. Don't get me wrong, we were looking forward to some pampering. We just wanted to relax and enjoy each other's company longer. A good reminder for me that when you are with a group, it is best to keep the evening time free.

The Sagestone Spa opened just over a year ago, so this was my first visit since it opened. Unlike most Resort Spas that build a new facility in these situations, Red Mountain converted one of the original dome buildings to host the new spa. And what a fantastic job they did. The Sagestone Spa has a very warm and welcoming feeling thanks to all of the archetictural curves. Plus they were able to preserve a part of the spa's history [the "domes" were the original buildings from the National Institute of Fitness days]. The new spa now provides spa guests with a relaxation room with an amazing view of Snow Canyon, changing rooms with lockers, separate steam rooms, an expanded treatment menu and services. All serious upgrades from the former spa. For my first night at Sagestone Spa, I went with two basic treatments - a Swedish massage and manicure - and enjoyed a quick steam. The Spa Dames enjoyed a Desert Rain massage, Desert Pearl facial, and Mountain Glow body treatment. I was confident everyone would enjoy the spa services, but the relaxed look on their faces after the services told me they were totally immersed and thoroughly enjoying their spa vacation. Rave reviews for the new spa - Red Mountain truly hit the mark with Sagestone.

Day 2 started with a light bite from the breakfast buffet. All of us signed up for the Trekker 2 hike, so we wanted to make sure to eat enough to fuel us through the hike but not too much that we would be uncomfortable. Breakfast always offers a big variety - almost too much for a morning spa brain to comprehend. After fueling up, we made our way to the Gazebo - the designated starting point for all hikes. Today's Trekker 2 was the Joan's Bones hike. I'm an avid hiker and normally do the Trekker 3 level hikes but today I decided to join my girlfriends. Our lead hiker (Bob) did his job well; we laughed, enjoyed the great scenery, and managed a quick pace as we traversed the trail to the summit. Here, we learned why the hike is called Joan's Bones. On the way down, Angela and I enjoyed a conversation about all things wine with Bob. If you are a wine enthusiast, as I consider myself, make sure to hike with Bob at least one day!

Since the hike was short (by my standards), Angela, Christy and I decided to walk back to the spa versus riding in the van. It gave us more fresh air, a longer workout and a close-up view of Snow Canyon. As Bob promised, we made it back in time to partake in the 11 o'clock classes. I hit the cooking demonstration while the others wisely chose to stretch out their muscles. While I could have used the stretches, I am glad I partook in  the cooking class. I consider myself an adventurous and accomplished cook, but I struggle with seafood so I was really looking forward to this class. The Sous Chef lead us through three seafood dishes - Poached Salmon with Tofu-Dill Sauce, Coconut-Encrusted Cod with Fruit Sauce, and Sugar-Cured Albacore Tuna with Chinese Mustard. Remarkably, he completed all three entrees from start to finish in the 1-hour class. Equally remarkable, all of the dishes were spectacularly delicious. Everyone in the class raved about the taste and were impressed by the simplicity of the preparation. I'm still not sure which is my favorite, but I know I will definitely be preparing all of them at home.

After the cooking demo "lunch" I decided to enjoy some down time. It is very easy to get caught up in participating in all of the classes and lose sight of the idea of relaxation while at the spa. I blame it on my Type A personality. Early afternoon is a good time for relaxing at Destination Spas as the schedule is usually light or free. Hammocks are scattered throughout Red Mountain's property, constantly reminding guests to take the time to relax. I got the hint and decided this was my time. AHHHH, very nice! The other ladies found the pool. Spagoer's note - make sure to schedule some lounging time during your spa vacation!

Fully relaxed and recharged, I was ready for some lively activity. Lively is an understatement for the Drums Alive class. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but with that name I knew it was going to be fun. The instructor (Lori) set up "drums", provided all of us with our drumsticks and cranked up the rythymic music. In a matter of seconds, we were striking the drums, jumping, twirling and marching to the beat. The laughter was contagious; everyone was thoroughly enjoying themselves and this class. Of all the fitness activities I've ever participated in at Destination Spas, this has to rank as the most fun! If you have the opportunity at home or while visiting a Destination Spa, let down your guard and try it!

Tonight was the night that I snuck away from Red Mountain to visit another Destination Spa Group member, Fitness Ridge (more on this later). The Spa Dames enjoyed dinner, spa treatments and the Evening Star Gazing Party offered by Red Mountain. While there is an extra fee associated with the star gazing party, it is well worth it. The Utah sky provides a very clear view and John is wealth of knowledge. I've participated each time I've been at Red Mountain and have never been disappointed. My girlfriend's confirmed that it was all I had hyped it up to be and more.

Day 3 started early for me as I decided to go on the Trekker 3 hike. As usual, the Trekker 3 hike only attracts the regular hikers so our group was small - 4 total. A young couple from Ohio who were on yesterday's hike with me and a woman from New York. Interestingly, all of them were return guests. Today's hike was the Winter Quarters Trail - one I had not done before. It offered a very different terrain for our hike - green with more vegetation versus the red rock canyons. One of the main reasons that I enjoy the Trekker 3 hikes is the climbing and this trail offered a several fun climbing moments. Check out this "hole" we climbed through to get to the Winter Quarters. Another day, another great hike! If you are visiting Red Mountain, you must go on at least one of the hikes.

I met up with The Spa Dames for lunch after the hike. They stayed with the Trekker 2 hike. I can't remember which trail they hiked, but I know Bob was their lead hiker again and they thoroughly enjoyed another one of Snow Canyon's trails. After refueling, I decided to listen in on the Iridology discussion. Frankly, I am skeptical when it comes to some of the non-traditional healing therapies but I went in with an open mind. Ian White provided a very good explanation, answered many questions and had the group examine each other's eyes. I found it to be very interesting and have decided to learn more. I wish I would have been able to sign up for a consultation before departing, but my schedule was already full.

To round out the day's activities, I tried two new classes - Balletone & Chiball Stretch. Balletone felt a lot like ballet class which is not my forte. I struggled through it but was able to laugh at myself. If you are a dancer, this is a class for you. Non-dancers, consider yourself forwarned. Thankfully the Chiball class was much easier and very relaxing. The ChiBall Method™ is a mind/body fitness concept based on traditional Chinese Medicine and incorporates philosophies from Tai Chi/Qi Gong, Dance, Yoga, Pilates, Feldenkrais Method and Deep Relaxation. No wonder everyone enjoyed it so much. The room felt very calm and balanced as we departed.

Saturday's dinner was a bit rushed due to spa services again, but Sarah and I enjoyed what both of us felt was our best meal at Red Mountain. My dinner entree was the Prickly Pear BBQ Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Jalapeno Cornbread and Red Chile Slaw and Sarah enjoyed the Deconstructed Blue Corn Tamale. Both spicy, both delicious. These and other recipes are available on Red Mountain's website.

All of us enjoyed one last spa treatment this evening. I like to finish my spa vacations with a pedicure and this trip was no different. I indulged with a 90 minute Trekker Pedicure for which my feet are still thanking me. Buffed, puffed, polished and rubbed - The Spa Dames were ready for the real world. For our last night, we decided to enjoy some entertainment outside of the Red Mountain campus. A very short drive from Red Mountain, Snow Canyon has it's own amplitheater (Tuachan) where major theatre shows are produced. This very special amplitheatre offers one of the most breathtaking theater settings I've ever experienced. I will forever remember seeing 42nd Street amongst the red rocks. If you are in St George during their production season, I highly recommend seeing a show.

The next morning we checked out of our rooms and enjoyed breakfast. Actually, it was probably the only meal where all of us were totally relaxed and didn't rush off to the next activity. A great ending to a great Destination Spa Vacation for The Spa Dames.

Where do you think The Spa Dames should go next?

Welcome Fitness Ridge Resort & Spa

Great news - Destination Spa Group has expanded! We've recently added Fitness Ridge Resort & Spa to our collection. Spa enthusiasts now have 25 locations to choose from.

A little bit old school, Fitness Ridge Resort & Spa offers a seven-day, results-oriented health fitness and weight loss program. The week is fully structured and designed for guest interaction and support. Owner Cameron Kelsch states, "Guests affectionately refer to us as a compassionate boot camp. They come to exercise, eat healthy, and renew themselves in the spectacular, natural, red-rock setting."

Anyone seeking a weight management program should consider Fitness Ridge. It is the focus and passion of the spa. And with its structured program, small number of guests, and supportive environment of staff and guests, the program is designed for success.

Similar to other Destination Spas, Fitness Ridge offers a schedule chalked full of activities. The highlight is the hiking amongst the spectacular red rock canyons.

Sample Schedule

• 6:30am Hike
• 9:30am Breakfast
• 10:15am Cooking Demo
• 11:30am Water Aerobics
• 12:45pm Lunch
• 2:00pm Total Toning
• 3:00pm Cardio Circuit
• 4:00pm Gentle Stretch
• 5:30pm Dinner
• 6:15pm Evening Lecture

Spa aficianados may know Fitness Ridge by their former name, The Body Shop. It is the same program and located in the same area, but with one major improvement - a brand new building. With a new name and new facilities, Fitness Ridge opened it's doors in 2007.

The spa is located in picturesque Southeastern Utah. The high desert climate, dramatic red rocks, calm blue skies, clean dry air and stunning vistas provide an ideal setting for a Destination Spa. And now there are three to choose from: Green Valley Spa, Red Mountain Spa, and Fitness Ridge Resort & Spa.

Copperhood Inn & Spa

Over the past eight years I have visited many Destination Spas, some several times. But for some reason, it took me a long time to visit Copperhood Inn & Spa. A couple of weeks ago, I finally decided to make some time. So, armed with a great airfare thanks to www.travelocity.com and a last minute reservation I headed off to New York for the weekend.

I flew into LaGuardia and transferred to the Port Authority terminal in Manhattan to catch the Adirondack Trailways bus. I just missed the 10:00am bus so I strolled around Manhattan for awhile (I pack light) and enjoyed a snack while I read my book (Animal Vegetable Miracle) in Bryant Park. The 12:35pm bus was on-time and dropped me off at Copperhood promptly at 3:30. While it was a long day of travel, it was all worth it once I stepped inside the spa.

Elizabeth Winograd is the owner of Copperhood Inn & Spa. Note that it is Copperhood not Copperhead as many people often mistake it for. As I found out during my stay it is named after the large copper hood above the fireplace in the dining room. Elizabeth showed me to my room and let me settle in. After freshening up, I ventured to the main room where I met two sisters from NY who had just checked in as well. Elizabeth showed us the entire property, introduced us to staff - including her husband who is the chef - and answered all of our questions. Immediately, one thing stood out about Coppperhood – it is owner run and operated.

After the tour, all of us decided to join the afternoon yoga class. I definitely needed some stretching after all of my travels and a long day. Samoa taught the class, which was listed as Gentle Yoga. It started out gentle but definitely worked up to a more intense class. I was sweating half-way through. And I can’t remember the last time I worked up a sweat like that in yoga. The yoga studio at Copperhood is small and intimate, offering a beautiful view of the river and mountains. I found it very inspiring. Right at the end of class there was a clap of thunder and lightening. A sign that we had ended class just in time.

I showered after yoga to help me relax and so as not to offend my fellow diners. Due to the weather, we were dining inside (by the copper hood). Copperhood’s dining room is set up like a restaurant so you dine with your party unless you ask to be seated with others. I found a small table set for one and anxiously anticipated the delicious meal that ensued. The place setting was beautiful and the food was even more spectacular. Elizabeth’s husband knows what he is doing. The meal began with wild leek soup and salad with multigrain bread and an olive tapenade – all to die for. For the entrée, the chef served up a seafood dish with colossal sized shrimp and scallop. And to finish, fresh wild berries. Rodick was the server for the evening and managed to take care of all the guests single-handedly – I’m still amazed!

My room was a deluxe suite with three beds – 1 king and 2 queens - so I had my choice for sleeping. They were all winners with feather bedding and luxury sheets. I opted for the king size bed and easily drifted off into a deep slumber for the night.

The next morning, I dressed for the hike and headed downstairs. Low and behold, there was Elizabeth – our hiking guide. She is very fit but I was surprised she was hiking and even more surprised when she told me she leads the hikes every day! She set us up with water bottles, day packs and hiking poles. Just as we started to leave, a storm rumbled in. Smartly, Elizabeth suggested we wait out the storm and enjoy breakfast. By the time we finished breakfast the storm had passed. We packed up again and headed across the street to the trail for Mount Sheridan. As we traversed the trail, Elizabeth pointed out several mushroom varieties, most of which I had never heard of. The most remarkable mushroom we saw was called Chicken of the Woods. It is a beautiful orange color and grows on trees. Elizabeth was very excited to see it. She said it is delicious (tastes like chicken, thus the name) and makes a great vegetarian meal option. At the summit of Mt. Sheridan is a wishing "monument". To make a wish you must add a rock to the collection and state your wish in silence. I’ll let you know if mine comes true…

Two hours later we made it back to the spa. And just in time as I had a massage scheduled. The massage therapist ushered me into the treatment room and covered the customary questions. She then proceeded to give me a relaxing Swedish massage with medium pressure – just the way I like it. As usual, sixty minutes was not enough. I really need to schedule 80 minute massages.

The massage was scheduled during the normal lunch hours, so I ate a quick bite and rushed off to join the nature walk. Violet took us over to the island where there are several interesting herbs and plants growing wild as well as a sheep and a goat. The animals joined us for most of the walk which was quite amusing. Violet explained leaf patterns, provided medicinal uses and invited everyone to smell and taste several edible plants. It was a lot of information that I’ve already forgotten. What I did learn and have retained is how to recognize the mint family and poison ivy. And after her informative nature walk, I’ve decided that if I ever get bit or stung by a poisonous animal that I will chew on some leaves and make a paste for the bite. It can't hurt... Another interesting phenomenon that she pointed out is that Queen’s Lace always had 1 dark purple flower in the center. She reminded us of the poem by William Carlos Williams that speaks about the purple mole of Queen Anne’s lace. Check out my picture that clearly illustrates this.  

After the island discovery, the sisters and I joined Elizabeth for a Zen meditation. She briefly described the process to us and then set the timer for 15 minutes. I was good for 5 minutes of concentrated and dedicated meditation and then I lost it. The sisters indicated that it was difficult for them as well. Elizabeth assured us that everyone struggles with it and that is why it is called practice and more importantly why everyone should find time to meditate each day.

Not long after we finished the meditation, Kathy was leading a gentle yoga class. Kathy’s class was gentler, which was just what I needed. During the course of today’s yoga class, the clouds separated and let the sun shine. This allowed us to dine outside for dinner. The outdoor dining deck is a beautiful setting overlooking the river. I indulged in a glass of wine and enjoyed another delicious meal.

After dinner we were entertained by Steve Herbst, a professional whistler. Yes – there really is such a profession. Steve shared a film documentary, Pucker Up, in which he was featured and followed up with three live songs. Steve was the 2002 International Grand Champion in 2002 and has been inducted into the Whistlers Hall of Fame. Check out his website http://www.SteveTheWhistler.comto hear his beautiful "song". I hope you are all whistling as you read this!

Another very complete day and a good night’s sleep in the books. The next morning the weather allowed us to enjoy breakfast on the deck and head out for a bike & hike adventure. Guess who? Elizabeth was there again to lead us on the 7 mile bike ride to the cute town of Phoenicia. Not far from downtown, there is a park with a great short hike – Tanbark trail. It was steep, so it offered great views of the area once we reached the top. The hike down was tricky to maneuver due to the rain the day before, but everyone managed and we biked the 7 miles back to the spa. If I could only do this everyday like Elizabeth…

My weekend was coming to a quick end at this point. It was time to shower, enjoy a quick lunch and head home. You guessed it; it was Elizabeth who drove me to the bus stop at Phoenicia and see me off. Always too short, but always worth the effort – a Destination Spa vacation should be on everyone’s agenda. And Copperhood offers a very personalized and attentive approach in a fantastic upstate NY setting.

BC Destination Spas - Part 2

Although it was hard to leave Echo Valley Ranch, I was excited to visit Coastal Trek (our newest member spa). Due to our original plans being cancelled, we opted to take the BC ferry to Nainamo where the spa staff would pick us up. Much to our surprise, it was Andrea, one of the owners, who picked us up at the ferry dock. After the hour drive to Coastal Trek, Andrea showed us to our room and gave us a tour of the spa. Ahhhh – finally we had arrived! Exhausted from the traveling, we settled in and hit the bed hard.

Sunrise Yoga was the first activity on the agenda. And as the only guests there, we were treated with a personal yoga session with Nikki. I’ve done a fair amount of yoga, but Steve has not so she kept it fairly easy for our first day. The Sun Salutations were a perfect start and worked up our appetite for breakfast. Nikki joined us for breakfast, where we discussed our stay and that day’s hike. We had hoped to hit some of the mountain trails. Unfortunately, Mother Nature was not on our side - the BC Mountains still had snow and ice. Instead, we hit some low-level hikes through the lush rainforest. Nikki and Andrea were able to round up some rain gear for us to wear. I say this as I want everyone to learn from our mistake – Pack Raingear! I know better, but forgot.

Armed with hiking poles, rain gear, and a backpack filled with water and a spa luncheon (all furnished by Coastal Trek), we hopped in the van and drove a short distance to Strathcona Provincial Park. Nikki had thoughtfully decided to hike at this location - very close to the spa – so as to avoid more car travel. We hiked several of the park trails, barely noticing the rain. The small stream that flows through the park was moving like white water rapids due to snowmelt – a very awe-inspiring site for all of us. At one point we stopped to nibble on the trail mix from our pack and spotted some eagles soaring gracefully through the sky. After the aerial show was over, we ventured back to the trails again for another couple of hours.

We had worked up quite an appetite at this point, so I was thrilled to find a delicious vegetarian sandwich packed in our lunch. I couldn’t quite put my finger on the flavor but I really enjoyed it as did Steve. Nikki proudly informed me that it was Hornby Island pate. The spa purchases it from a local vendor who makes this delicious concoction of sesame seeds, potatoes, vegetables and herbs and spices. What I wouldn’t give to be able replicate that recipe at home. I’ve tried without success…. So if you are in BC and see it – I highly recommend trying it, vegetarian or not. It’s delicious!! We brought some home with us…

Despite the rain, we hiked a little longer. Along the way, we spotted a fish hatchery and being the inquisitive person I am I rattled off a bunch of questions which Nikki politely answered. Thankfully for her, we came across a man who was working for the hatchery. He was happy to answer all of our questions and provide additional commentary. He had worked at the hatchery for many years and this happened to be his last week before retiring, so he had many stories to share. After about 20 minutes, we said good-bye to our new friend and enjoyed the rest of the trails before heading back to the spa. Once inside, we stripped our wet clothes and raced to the hot tub and steam room. The hot tub provides a glorious view of the Comox Valley, so we stayed there until 3:59pm, right before the 4 o’clock fitness class. April was ready for us, but we were rather tired at this point so she led us through some stretches and core strengthening which was a perfect way to end the day’s activities.

While we were enjoying the hot tub and working out with April, Chef Kathy was preparing our dinner. The enticing aromas were emanating throughout the entire lodge and leading us right to the table. Check out the table – hand carved from one tree – amazing!!! And the meal was equally amazing – Lemon Curried Salmon with quinoa and green beans. Not only was this one of the best spa cuisine meals I’ve ever had, this ranks as one of the better meals I’ve ever had. Absolutely delicious. Check out the recipe at http://www.destinationspavacations.com.

I didn’t have long to savor the delicious meal as I was scheduled for a massage after dinner. The masseuse provided a very good massage with strong pressure, which is how I like it. She worked my travel knots out, so I could just roll into bed.

Six am rolled around very quickly the next morning. Both of us had slept soundly through the night and would have liked to relish the comfortable bed a little longer. However, today was our last day so we wanted to make the most of it. Nikki led us through the Sun Salutations and some more advanced yoga to start the day. The sun actually saluted us – finally!!! After breakfast we packed up the van and headed out for some island hiking.

A 15 minute drive and 2 ferry trips later, we had landed on the infamous Hornby Island. First, we hit Tribune Bay Provincial Park. The fall storm had taken down several trees so the path was not exact, but we found our way to the "rock" summit. It was more of a climb than yesterday’s trails, whetting our appetite for the mountain hikes. Next we headed over to Helliwell Park for some ocean view hiking – it was very different than the other hikes and a nice change of scenery. The island had some glorious trails which we thoroughly enjoyed. We spotted some sea lions out on a small nearby island, enjoyed a picnic lunch on the beach, and discovered mushroom rocks.   Another day of great nature hiking and exploration.

Our explorations and adventures used up most of our day, so we made our way back to the spa and started packing for our trip home. While we packed, Andrea put the finishing touches on our last meal. Pecan crusted chicken over a microgreen and vegetable salad - another delicious creation from the Coastal Trek kitchen. Local, seasonal, and organic food really shines here!

Our return flight started at the Comox Valley airport - a short 15 mile ride from the spa and definitely the easiest transportation option. And on a clear day as it was for us, a very scenic option. Several hours later we made it home safely and well rested unlike most vacations where I feel exhausted… Once again, I’m reminded why a Destination Spa vacation is a vacation for everyone.

BC Destination Spas - Part 1

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit beautiful British Columbia, Canada and hit two spas – Echo Valley Ranch and Coastal Trek. While I have visited many of the Destination Spas, I had not yet been to either of these. Mainly because both are fairly new to our organization.

The journey begins with Echo Valley Ranch... I started the trip (with my husband) by flying into Vancouver International airport Monday evening. Due to our late arrival we stayed over in Vancouver and enjoyed a delicious meal at The Cannery Restaurant. I thoroughly enjoyed the black cod, which I later learned, goes by many names – Sablefish, Butterfish, and a few others. [Side note - any chance you get, stay over in Vancouver; truly one of my favorite cities].

We had pre-arranged to fly with Norm & Nan, owners of Echo Valley Ranch, in their Beaver plane to Echo Valley (Norm is a pilot and is available for other sight-seeing tours too). Unfortunately we awoke to rain the next morning, which meant we would need to drive to Echo Valley (6.5 hours) instead of fly (1.5 hours). After packing 5 adults and a lot of luggage into the SUV, we set forth. Much to my surprise, the drive was very enjoyable and went by quickly. We enjoyed each other’s company, told jokes, and enjoyed the wildlife on the side of the road (black bear cub, deer, etc…). And six and a half hours later, we found ourselves in nature’s paradise.

As we pulled into Echo Valley, the clouds seemed to part and the welcoming party – staff and 12 dogs - emerged to greet us. The General Manager, Flint, showed us to our room in the main lodge (Dove Lodge) and let us settle in. The accommodations are quite comfortable and have a country cabin charm about them. All have their own en-suite bathroom and great views. Although the bed looked quite enticing at this point, I knew that I needed to move my body. So, I ventured downstairs for a brief orientation from Flintand then explored the main lodge before dinner.

The rain had stopped but the temperature was cold. Especially when you consider I was in Las Vegas a couple days earlier and the temperature was 110 degrees F. But the cold did not stop the staff from setting up the BBQ cook out for dinner. Chef Kim had prepared a feast - lamb, beef, and salmon plus several side dishes. I am primarily a vegetarian so it was a lot of meat for me. But I did indulge in the lamb with mint sauce which was superb. Everything I ate was delicious, very fresh and obviously high quality. The BBQ is definitely an indulgent night of dining compared to the typical spa cuisine and for those who can’t stop themselves, it is very easy to overdue it.

After dinner, the guests and staff were entertained with songs and stories from a local Native American. He has traveled all over North America performing at Pow-Wows and has many interesting stories. Finally, I hit the bed and slept very soundly through the still of the night.

The next morning we awoke to more rain. At breakfast, everyone assured us this was not normal BC weather and the rain was expected to stop later in the day. Nan suggested we try some spa treatments in the morning and postpone our ride to the next day, which we did. But first, I had to get some exercise in. I’m not compulsive, it’s just that after two days of little movement, I really needed to do something. We hit the gym which is housed in the Cariboo spa. Since outdoor fitness is Echo Valley’s specialty, there is minimal equipment in the gym. Steve & I were the only ones exercising, so we made use of every machine in the room.

After the work out we headed to the Baan Thai for our traditional Thai spa treatments. The Baan Thai is an amazing architectural structure that showcases the Thai culture. The top section of the building is a complex of two Thai houses, a pavilion and an entrance gate, all surrounding a tiled courtyard. One of the Thai houses is where the traditional Thai spa treatment area is housed. Steve & I chose the Luk Pra Kob Hot Compress Massage. Many of the other guests had enjoyed it before us and were affectionately calling it the "tea bag" massage. The herbal compresses are applied in a rocking massage motion all over the body – pure heaven. So as to savor the moment, our therapists invited to relax and enjoy a cup of ginger tea. Ahh…. I’ve totally forgotten about missing the horseback ride.

After lunch the weather cooperated enough to allow us to hit the trails and hike. What started out as a small group turned into almost all of the guests. The more the merrier. Nan and the dogs lead us through several of the trails on what was about a 1.5 hour easy hike. Actually, the dogs were off the trail and enjoying an afternoon chase through the woods.

That is all but Anna who stayed near Nan and I. Anna was definitely my favorite of all the dogs. Several others think they are the head of the pack, but the reality is that Anna dictates what the other dogs do, especially Sonny who has an obvious fondness towards Anna.

Four new guests (from UK) had arrived while we were hiking. And the moment when we walked into the lodge, they spotted some black bears in one of the fields. Their exclamations and excitement enticed us to find out what was going on. We could see the bears with our naked eye but all of us took turns observing the trio (momma & 2 cubs) with binoculars – very cool! However, this did reminded me why we take 12 dogs with us on the hikes. Safety first! Shower, dinner, and a good book allowed me to drift off early and get a good night’s sleep.

The next morning brought promise of better weather. After enjoying the buffet breakfast spread that Kim prepared, we hit the hiking trails again. We were looking for more of a workout so we signed up for the Mount Bowman Hike. Kurt, the resident fitness guru gathered everyone and led us (with the dogs of course) to our trail. The hike offered a few climbs, more of a workout, and a great view. On the return trip, we hit a point where the dogs circled an area and barked loudly. None of us saw anything, but we sure felt safe at that point. Led back to the lodge by the smell of Kim's gourmet spa luncheon, we finished the hike and cleaned up for lunch. As we sat at the table, someone spotted bears in the field. Low and behold it was in the area where the dogs were barking. A-ha!

The sun still had yet to make an appearance, but the weather that afternoon was agreeable for horseback riding. Finally!!! Horse back riding was the activity that I was most excited about. After all, it is Echo Valley Ranch. With several horses to choose from, the lead guides found the best matches for all the riders. We saddled up and rode off as a group. Half of the group left after about 1 hour and Steve & I stayed and enjoyed another hour. At the end, we led the field horses into the barn. My husband joked that we were real wranglers. Not quite… By far, this was the highlight of the spa visit for me. Very few spas offer horseback riding, so this is a special treat, especially for horse enthusiasts.

On a tight schedule, we had arranged to have another spa treatment before dinner. Again, we went traditional Thai, indulging in the Thai massage. I’ve had Thai massages before – in Thailand and at home – but this ranked as one of the best that I’ve had. My husband and the therapist noted that I had fallen asleep and even snored. Guess I was tired and very relaxed despite the fact that she was moving my body into flexible positions.

The dinner (our last) was one of the more memorable meals and by far my favorite. The staff, most of whom are from Thailand, prepared several authentic Thai dishes. I have to admit, at some points I had to remind myself that we were in Canada not Thailand, especially after the snooze. The doctor, who was visiting from Vancouver, warned me several times about how hot & spicy the beans are. I was a little hesitant, but frankly I like my food with a lot of flavor and heat. Everything was superb – fit for a King. And my two favorite dishes were the salmon and the infamous hot green beans. I drank a lot of liquids that night to soothe my tongue.

While we were still seated at the table, Lou (one of the return guests) entertained us in many ways including a Thai fashion show. She had purchased several lovely items of clothing from the gift shop and wanted to share with us. We watched, applauded and laughed out loud a lot! A great ending to the evening.

The next morning, we enjoyed breakfast and packed the car for the trip to Vancouver Island. Thanks again to Cynthia!! What a great couple of days we spent at Echo Valley Ranch. It is always too short of a trip and sad to leave the spa, but at least this time we had another spa to look forward to – Coastal Trek. Coming soon to the blog….

Green Valley & Red Mountain Spa Visits

For several years I have been trying to get the websmaster for Destination Spa Vacations to visit a Destination Spa. I'm not sure how, but I finally convinced him to push himself away from the computer desk and enjoy all that a Destination Spa has to offer first hand. Read on to see how this self-professed (male) desk-jockey fared at Red Mountain and Green Valley Spa.

Confessions of a Desk-Jockey

I have been the Destination Spa Group webmaster for over 5 years, and never visited a destination spa for a vacation. Frankly, I don't take vacations. I work from home and spend most of my time staring at three computer monitors. The little exercise I get is from walking my dogs and the occasional bit of kayaking. At 56 years old, I'm paying the price with my waist line.

Once a year I end up in Las Vegas, not to gamble but for a business meeting. Usually I fly in and fly out as quickly as possible, but not this year. Michelle Kleist (executive director of Destination Spa Group) insisted that I take a couple of days to visit Red Mountain Spa (www.redmountainspa.com) and Green Valley Spa and Resort (www.greenvalleyspa.com) in St. George Utah. Reluctantly, and under pressure from my wife as well as Michelle, I agreed to do what I don't do.

The two hour drive from Las Vegas was magnificent. I rented a convertible and crossed the hot dry desert with the stereo pumping out Tony Bennett, Dean Martin and Rosemary Clooney.

Red Mountain Spa was my first stop. Just outside of St. George, the red buildings of the facility are visually stunning. Check-in was painless, with friendly efficient staff ensuring that I had everything I needed. That included two reusable water bottles. Living a sedentary life in Alberta Canada, dehydration is not something I worry about, but I got the feeling I was getting the bottles for a reason.

A short walk past flowers, cacti, and water features took me to my room. I wasn't going to be suffering on this trip. Everything I needed was waiting for me, a great bed, a big closet with a built in safe, coffee machine, large bathroom with oversized tub, and a television/internet combination so I could check my email without turning on my laptop. A high speed connect for my computer was available should that be required.

I was running a fairly tight schedule and I'd arrived just in time for dinner. I made a reservation at the spa's Adventure Cuisine and Canyon Breeze Restaurant, and upon my arrival was immediately seated at the Captain's Table. The Table is a place for unaccompanied guests to meet and mingle (if they so desire). For me it was an opportunity to find out what kind of people come to a place like Red Mountain. The answer, people from just about every occupation around North America and beyond. Definitely more women than men, but I understand that more men are coming to destination spas every year. Since I was still adjusting to the heat, I had a delicious salad for dinner. If I had more time, I would have sampled more of the menu but, from the expressions of my table mates and a review of the menu, I can assure you that this is fine dining in a beautiful restaurant.

My next stop was a quick walk to the Gazebo, where I met Dave Becker. Dave is a professional photographer from St. George. That evening, Dave was leading a walk through the lava fields and sharing his knowledge of digital photography techniques. We were joined by a young engineer from St. Louis, who comes to St. George annually with his wife for a spa vacation. The walk took us through red rock and sand covered with black pock marked lava stones and boulders, and past a labyrinth used for meditation and one on one counseling. Rabbits, quail and lizards watched as we walked and talked. David explained how we could use the light to our best advantage, and showed us how to use filters to deal with bright blue skies, red rock mountains, black lava and green vegetation. As the sun sank behind the mountains, the light hid one world and revealed another. Night-time in the desert was coming, cool and fresh, filled with shadows shapes and sounds unfamiliar to me. I was starting to understand the appeal of a destination spa vacation.

Before retiring for the night, I decided to take a quiet stroll through the resort. Accent lighting made it easy to navigate the paved paths past the beautiful Sagestone Spa, a large red dome with a wall of windows overlooking the lava fields and mountains. I continued past more desert gardens and fountains, back past the store, gazebo, and restaurant. As I returned to my room a large silent white bird glided past me. Was it an owl or a desert messenger? It didn't matter, in less than six hours I could feel things changing within me.

After a quick cooling shower, the bed called and I answered with a still uninterrupted sleep. Things just kept getting better. At 6:00 AM I leapt out of bed, and readied myself for a morning hike.

With water bottle filled, and an apple in hand I made my way back to the gazebo. I had signed up for a Level One hike though Padre Canyon. There are three levels of hikes and I was being realistic, I didn't want to be carried out. Level One was a great choice, there were about 6 other guests and two guides. A quick drive in one of the spa's vans and we were at the trailhead. The hike took us through sand and rock canyon, up manageable inclines that would still elevate the pulse, and though washes edged by juniper, sage, cottonwoods and the beautiful but hallucinogenic flowering Datura. Our guides were knowledgeable and ever concerned with our safety and well-being. They also shared their knowledge of local flora and fauna in response to our many questions. We talked as we walked and learned a bit more about each other. I was pleased to learn that a couple from Chicago had found Red Mountain by going to destinationspa.com. Taking another sip from my water bottle I realized I had already gone through almost two liters. The temperature was nearing 100 degrees, yet I felt perfectly comfortable. Dry heat must be therapeutic. It was still less than twenty four hours and I felt like I'd been gone for a week.

Back at Red Mountain, I stopped in at the restaurant for a late breakfast. Fresh fruit, breads, muffins, cereals and an assortment of juices were waiting for me. I took breakfast in the courtyard beside a fountain, and contemplated the sky.

Reality reared its ugly head as I reluctantly acknowledged that I was only at Red Mountain for one night. It was time to pack up and move out. Fortunately, I only had a 15 minute drive to the other side of St. George and I would arrive at Green Valley Spa and Resort. To check in I drove to a cool white building where I was greeted by two lovely young women. Green Valley takes a different approach to check in. I was led to a couch where I filled out the requisite paper work and had all my questions answered. Next, I was assigned a spa concierge who guided me to my room, helped me unload the car, and took me on a tour of the resort. Different architecture, and a different layout, but like Red Mountain self contained and beautiful with a focus on health and relaxation. Formal garden arrangements and fountains line the walks past suites, pools, the store and the main building.

The suite at Green Valley was beautiful, once again I felt like I was being spoiled. Everything I needed was there, including a bowl of popcorn for healthy snacking, two bottles of water, television, high speed internet, a large bathroom with jacuzzi, and a private courtyard with two chaise lounges for reading, tanning, or sleeping.

Another shower to freshen up, and it was time to bite the bullet. I don't do spa treatments, but Michelle, Aly Hansen from Green Valley, and my wife were insistent that I give it a try. How could I refuse? I perused the spa menu looking for the option I would normally be least likely to choose. There it was, the Steaming Stone Massage. What could be more foreign to my uptight, male, deskbound world? A quick call to the spa and I was set for a treatment after dinner.

After a brief nap in the private courtyard, I dressed and made my way through the extensive book store. There I found a wide selection of books and DVDs dealing with self discovery, meditation, fitness, and a variety of New Age subjects. Next stop was the newly redesigned Horizon Room restaurant. I was ready to eat. The menu offered a wide range of choices, all healthy and nutritious without sacrificing anything to flavor or visual presentation. I chose the vegan option, starting with a micro greens salad and a grilled vegetable stack as my entree. I have been a vegetarian since 1972, and this was one of the best meals I have eaten in any restaurant in North America.

Slowly rising from the table with a smile on my face I proceeded with some trepidation to the spa. I was greeted by an attendant who led me to a private change and shower room, where she prepared a cleansing scrub for me to use in preparation for my treatment. Out of the shower and into a robe and slippers, I was introduced to my Masseur. Jake's background includes football and rodeo, somehow that made me feel more secure. Onto the table, and modestly draped in a sheet, I explained that I was not really comfortable with massage and had a hard time relaxing. That lasted about 4 minutes as Jake used the Steaming Stones to massage oil into my dry skin and resistant muscles. I'd like to tell you more but I was too relaxed to remember. Thanks Jake.

On the way back to my room, I stopped by the store and borrowed a DVD called The Secret. I only watched about 15 minutes before I was asleep again. Less than 30 hours into my spa experience and I was totally relaxed.

Another early morning as I rose to meet my fellow hikers at 6:45 AM. Water bottles at the ready, I chose another easy hike with a group of women. Our lead guide was 79 years old and in better shape than any of us. What an inspiration, there's still hope. Yet again into a van for a brief ride to the trailhead of Paradise Canyon. Beautiful red rock formations, cactus, juniper and wildflowers outlined our paths. Terrain varied from red sand, to loose rock, to solid rock and winding climbs to a plateau overlooking St. George. We saw hawks, and lizards, mountain bikers and traces of horses. We kept our eyes out for hela monsters and desert tortoises, but not on this hike. We broke the silence as we walked, and found out about each other. I was lucky enough to chat with an environmental activist from Seattle and a dog lover from Santa Barbara. They asked what I thought of Green Valley, and how it compared to Red Mountain. As I was nearing the end of my visit, I should have given them a clear answer, but I was unable to.

On reflection, each of the spas I was fortunate enough to visit were unique, and incomparable. There can be no doubt that their primary purpose is to enhance your health. In less than 48 hours I had only scratched the surface of what they have to offer, yet I can honestly say that my life has been changed. Since my return two weeks ago, I have adjusted my diet to reduce salt, fat and carbohydrates. With the inspiration of the spa menus I encountered, our meals at home remain full of flavor without relying on fat, salt and sugar. Massage and spa treatments no longer seem to be something for my wife, as I look forward to my next massage. My walks are getting longer, with more vigorous expeditions planned, and the pull of my computers seems less powerful.

I'm Mike, I'm 56 years old, and I'm looking forward to my next Destination Spa Vacation.

Lake Austin Spa Resort - a guest experience

Recently I heard from Mrs. Hart (Bloomington, IN) who had just returned from a visit to Lake Austin Spa Resort in Texas. As President of a successful company, she travels often for work and tries to include spa visits into her itinerary as much as possible. And as you will see, she has visited some well know Resort and Destination Spas. I asked her to share her thoughts about her recent spa vacation, so that others may benefit from her experience. Here is what she had to say...

What other spas have you been to?

• Golden Door in Escondido, CA
• Mii amo in Sedona, AZ
• The Mission Inn in Sonoma, CA
• Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, NC
• Barton Creek Resort Spa in TX

What made you decide to visit Lake Austin Spa Resort?

• a friend who had visited and highly recommended it.

Share some of your favorite things that you experienced:

• Fitness activities: great group fitness classes, particularly Body Pump, kayaking, and hikes!
• Classes (cooking, art, lecture, etc): I didn't attend any.
• Food or meal: the food was exceptional - healthy and delicious; great room service.
• Spa Treatment(s): Body treatments (scrubs were great), facial (very nice).
• Place(s): accommodations were very nicely appointed and comfortable, fitness area was very well equipped, spa and pool areas are wonderfully landscaped, and a great gift shop.

What is the one thing, everyone should definitely partake in during their Lake Austin visit?

• Body Pump - what a charge!
• A nap in the hammock by the lake.

One thing that's OK to miss?

• For me, the steam room. I think I'd enjoy more eucalyptus.

Do you have some insider's tips or suggestions?

• Request a villa with a full view of the lake.

What did you "take away" from your Destination Spa vacation experience at Lake Austin?

• continue with Body Pump class.
• invest in quality makeup products.

Would you recommend Lake Austin to potential spa-goers?

• ABSOLUTELY!

On a scale of 1-3, 3 being the best how would you rank Lake Austin?

• 2.5

Any last thoughts or comments?

• This is a great "small" spa (not too many guests) with exceptional service!

I completely agree with Mrs. Hart, Lake Austin Spa Resort is a "great small spa" with a magnificent lakeside setting. I have personally visited the property twice and thoroughly enjoyed everything it had to offer, including the classes that she missed out on (must attend the cooking classes and Trisha's garden walks). My favorite -- the lake itself! If you are considering Lake Austin for your next spa vacation, I hope this information makes the decision easier. After your visit, let me know what your favorites were.

Rancho La Puerta - An insider's view

I've just returned from a (long overdue) visit to Rancho La Puerta. I was there for a site visit almost seven years ago, but I did not have a chance to explore its legendary fitness & activities program. That is, until last week. For the sake of research, I tried almost every class, food & beverage, and spa treatment offered.  I can assure you, "The Ranch" as it's loyal fans call it, deserves all of the accolades and repeat clientele it has received over its 66 year history. Since I can't write about everything I experienced, here are some highlights, tips, and suggestions from my recent visit:

Saturday - I took the 12:15pm San Diego airport shuttle which was very easy, welcoming, and comfortable. Crossing the border was expedited and simple as RLP's staff does this 4 times every Saturday throughout the year. Upon arrival, we were greated with chair massages, lavender towels, lemonade, lunch al fresco and orientation. The staff guided us through what felt like a maze, to get to our suite (Villas Luna 10). The room was away from the heart of the activities and offered a beautiful view of Mt. Kuchamaa. Several charming appointments - tile, artwork, linens - reminded me that I was in Mexico. I settled in and attempted to make sense of what I wanted to take part in during the week (RLP offers ~70 acitivities). With a tenative calender mapped out, I rested and enjoyed the view before dinner. Although I didn't think I'd be hungry after the late lunch, I ventured to the Dining Hall around 7pm and was seated with a lovely Mother & Daughter, Marilyn & Piper, from Oakland. Quickly, we all became friends and shared several laughs.

Sunday - My alarm went off at 6:00am to ensure I would make it to the Lounge before the 6:30am hike departed. Despite the early hour and definite chill in the air, I was determined to enjoy the Professor's hike (3.5 miles; named for the founder, Professor Edmond Szekely). About 5 minutes up the hill my body started to awaken and warm up. During the hike, I chatted with Linda from New York who has been to RLP many times and before I knew it we were back and enjoying breakfast (must try: fruit butters & licorice tea). Maybe it was the conversation, but this hike seemed very easy to me. Definitely a great start to the week. Because RLP is a 7 day program, many activities including the hiking are progressive. Day 1 is an introduction and by Day 7 you will definitely see improvements and progress. Because I'm a novice in both areas, I decided to take advantage of the progressive Pilates and Ranch Spanish classes. For those of you who have not yet tried Pilates - I highly encourage you to do so! My abs & back are definitely benefitting! As for my Spanish --- well, I'm signing up for more lessons. Later in the day, I enjoyed my first spa treatment - the Scalp Massage. With my hair slicked back, I went to Christmas mass at a local Tecate church. Thank goodness, no pictures were taken at that moment.

Monday - Despite the late night at church, I decide to go on the morning hike again. Today, the Pilgrim Hike (3.5 miles) was scheduled, which promised more of a cardio challenge. There was definitely more of an incline and workout as compared to yesterday. Still we managed to return before the highly anticipated breakfast bell ringing. Today, I notice the "skull" and sheep rocks at the top that I somehow missed the day before. Breakfast - Millet never tasted so good!!! 9am - Joe Sweeney led a bird walk through RLP's grounds. Armed with binoculars and several experienced bird watchers, we spotted several species - Scrub Jay, Red Tailed Hawk, Quail, Hummingbirds and least 4 others. Next was Yoga with Phyllis. Yoga has always been difficult for me but I know it is good for my Type A personality, so I ventured to the Montana gym. For the first time, I really enjoyed Yoga and promised myself I would return to yoga class during the week. After class, I heard several people expressing the same thoughts. Dancing is one activity I really enjoy and RLP offers some kind