The Heat Is On in Chena

After almost two weeks in this Alaskan cabin, without the convenience of running water, I decided it was about time to have a bath. I felt like I could take a long hot soak for days, and that is exactly what I did.

Chena Hot Springs, renowned for its amazing restorative waters, was discovered by gold miners in 1905, who bathed in the springs to relieve their aches and pains. Everyone loves a good long soak, and people have been taking communal dips in the springs for over a century. A resort dating back to 1914 has slowly grown around the hot springs offering every kind of Alaskan activity you can imagine, including horseback riding, winter dog sledding, and hiking any number of nature trails in the area.

After dreaming of a hot bath for days, Chena Hot Springs seemed to be exactly what I needed. I decided that I would go wallow in the rock pools like a hippopotamus and treat myself to a massage. As my spirit of adventure began to grow, I had great visions of riding bareback into the sunset astride a great stallion, or bravely following bearded rangers into remote mountain passes, pursued by swarms of bat-sized mosquitoes and grizzly bears. The theme tune from Deliverance suddenly popped into my head, and after a moment's consideration, a pre-dinner Martini in the lodge seemed like a much better plan. My escapades as an action heroine could wait until tomorrow.


www.chenahotsprings.com