River carries life with spawning salmon
Trees dappled with autumn golds
Spirits soak under canopy of branches
Water nurtures and mends
Silverware clinks with satisfaction
Cell phones uninvited
Time only regulated by faraway gongs
Sanctuary surrounds
Peace holds within as you leave,
Hearts full and souls revived.
THE DAY STARTS WITH A GONG
At Breitenbush Hot Springs, the gong reverberates throughout the retreat space to signal meal time is near. Farm fresh, organic, vegetarian meals are thoughtfully crafted for all who visit this off-the-grid sanctuary. Special diets are honored with care and ingredients are listed for each meal.
TIME TO SOAK
You can opt for a yoga class in the morning followed by soaking in their natural hot springs or treat yourself to a therapeutic massage. They don’t mess around at this place, one and half hour massages are your only option, so book and know that self-care is important to your health. When you check in, they ask you, “Is this a personal retreat or are you here for a workshop?” When you attend just to visit, it is a personal retreat. Which means, you do what you want to do. The only timelines that you want to note are meal times and if you have a massage booked. Besides that, enjoy the solitude and natural surroundings of birds, the river, sunlight streaks through branches and buzz-bing-ding free zone.
EXPLORE
Short hikes take you around the resort, crossing log bridges covered in a canopy of greenery. One and half mile hikes extend to five mile hikes with steep inclines and a payoff of beautiful views.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Be prepared for rustic cabins with optional half-bath facilities. Group housing in shared bunk facilities are available for the bargain-hunter and a few lodge rooms are also available if you want to be near the action.
Travelers from around the world seeks this place out for it’s unusual healing waters and off the grid (no cell reception) environment that we all crave and need.
After soaking in the spiral tubs that range from warm to very hot, take the cold river plunge in the giant wooden tub and relish in the endorphin rush.
GET QUIET & REFLECT
If quiet is really what you need, they have a silent soaking pool that overlooks the meadowlands. Walk the meditative labyrinth or lay near the riverbed and stare up at the sky as the rushing water centers you back to who you are as a human on this planet.
In the summer they have camping options as well—vehicle camping, tent and platform tents with mattresses from Memorial day to September.
BOOK NOW, NOT LATER
Booking is difficult and this place sells out. Two nights feels like one week so imagine what a week would be like. I’ve only stayed two nights but 3 nights is on my bucket list.
TRAVELER NOTES
Things to consider, clothing is optional in the soaking areas. No hair dryers are allowed due to the energy it sucks. It is a drug-free/alcohol free zone. You will need to bring your own coffee. It is a long gravel road up to the sanctuary—the winter time can have really heavy snow. There are no televisions and no cell reception.
