About 45 minutes southwest of Phoenix, AZ is a place called El Dorado Hot Springs. Upon our reentry into the United States, I was ready for a good hot soak and Josie found us just the place to do that. If you’re only into the nice plush spa thing, then this is not your cup of tea. However, if you like things a little more rustic, then you’re going to love this place. Like the oasis of Victors Ranch in Mexico, El Dorado is a green paradise in the middle of the desert. Bamboo, Palm and mesquite trees are the most prominent. The first impression one gets when approaching El Dorado Hot Springs is that it looks old and eccentric because it is. It has an assortment of odd structures with antiques and various art work scattered about. Having said that, the overall cleanliness of the place is well maintained. El Dorado Hot Springs is located above a subterranean hot spring and maintains a constant flow of pure, odorless, tasteless mineral water into the pools at approx. 107 degrees, give or take a degree given the time of year and water flow. I was impressed by how clear and clean the water was in all the pools. Near the main entrance you’ll find Desert Pete’s, a large area with several pools open to the public and is nude only, cloths are not optional. The remaining pool areas found throughout the grounds are all private and can be reserved by the hour or half hour. A select few can be reserved for the entire night. Check out their website for prices and details. There are a handful of spots for RV Camping and a few for tents. At the far end of the property is a duck pond filled with tilapia fish. I’ve never been in a place in the middle of the desert with so much wild life. They have peacocks, Ginny hens, quail, a white heron I called Harriett, doves, bunnies and several other birds I didn’t recognize. The birds were so abundant and so loud that it sounded as if we were in the middle of a jungle. Each of the main pools are unique in design and are constructed of stones and cement. Many have agates or crystals embedded among the stones. I met some great people and created some new friendships. I noticed a native American sweat lodge structure near the duck pond and asked the owner Matt about it. He said they periodically have sweat lodges, and various ceremonies such as fire walking and piercings. I felt a connection to the land, the water, the people who visited it and or who worked there and was inspired to build my sixth chair made from the local mesquite trees. I planned on gifting it to Matt, however, a little girl by the name of Passion, Matt’s future step-daughter arrived on the scene and asked if she could have it. She is a very powerful, attentive and persuasive young girl. The previous day I’d noticed Passion sitting in the chair out near the duck pond and had obviously become quite fond of it. I told her, “yes, you can have it, if you agree to take care of it and share it with others”. I told Matt of how each of the chairs I’ve built have been given a name and asked if he would do the honors and give it a name. He paused for a moment, then said, “Good Vibes”. And so, If you’d like to experience sitting in a Peace Chair while you’re in the Phoenix, AZ area, check out El Dorado Hot Springs, do some hot soaking and experience the “Good Vibes”.
Nature's G.A.S. Station 