LAIRD RIVER HOT SPRINGS

THE HIGHWAY IS LITTERED WITH HUNDREDS OF BISON. 

WE PULL INTO THE CAMPGROUND AT THE LAIRD RIVER HOT SPRINGS  AND FIND A SPACE.  I FIXED DINNER AND WE BUILT A CAMPFIRE.  NO ELECTRIC AND NO RUNNING THE GENERATOR AFTER 10:00 PM.  THERE ARE TWO POOLS THE ALPHA POOL WHICH IS THE CLOSER POOL AND THE BETA THE FARTHER ONE.  WE ARE TOLD THE THEY ARE HAVING GRIZZLY PROBLEMS AND CAN'T GO INTO THE BETA POLL AS IT IS OCCUPIED BY A MOMMA GRIZZLY AND TWO BABIES.  THEY ALSO ARE COMING INTO THE CAMPGROUND.  

WE WAKE UP IN THE MORNING AND IT FEELS LIKE SNOW.  IT'S 44 DEGREES.  I'M NOT GOING INTO THE POOL.  THE GUYS MAKE ME FEEL GUILTY SO I AGREE TO WALK DOWN AND CHECK IT OUT.  IT IS 700 PACES ALONG THE BOARD WALK.   

OKAY THE POOL IS BEAUTIFUL.  IT'S ABOUT 108 DEGREES AT THE TOP AND AROUND 100 AT THE BOTTOM.  THE POOL IS APPROXIMATELY 3-5 FEET DEEP.  THE WATER IS CRYSTAL CLEAR WITH A SMOOTH GRAVEL BOTTOM.  I HAVE TO GO IN.    

THERE IS A WATER FALL IN THE POOL WHEN YOU SIT UNDER IT AND ROCK BACK AND FORTH IT GIVES YOU ONE HELL OF A MASSAGE.  IT MAKES YOUR BACK TINGLE. 

WE WERE GOING TO JUST STAY FOR A FEW MINUTES WE ENDED UP STAYING 2 HOURS.  ALL OF MY ACHES AND PAINS WERE GONE.  IT WAS TRULY AMAZING.  IT SMELLED A LITTLE SULFURY AND THE MINERALS IN THE WATER TURNED MY SILVER BRACELET A 100 YEARS OLD.  BUT POLISHED MY GOLD.

ON THE WAY BACK WE SAY FRESH BABY GRIZZLY TRACKS ON THE BOARDWALK.

  THERE WAS A LITTLE SIGN TELLING ABOUT THIS RARE FISH THAT LIVES IN THE HOT WATER.  VERY INTERESTING.

I DEFINITELY NEVER GOT COLD ON THE WAY BACK.  WHAT AN AMAZING EXPERIENCED.