Relentless

We have been working hard to get a long list of projects done with RD home, and we needed a break to enjoy some recreation. RD had been to the hot pots (natural hot springs) with the the scouts when he was scoutmaster last fall, and has been wanting to go back, so we decided to go there. Since it gets really crowded there, he really wanted to go while school was still going. So the second to last day of school, we convinced Grace to pass on the school pool party (which Cameron decided not to miss, but ended up getting to swim for only 45 min) and come with us and Bree.
We wanted to leave early to get a spot, but after getting kids off to school and packing up the gear we left a bit after 9 am. The hike up to the hot pots is about 2.25 miles, and follows the river up the mountain. It's a pretty hike, and the river was super high from all the run-off. Grace was a trooper, but Aubree wanted to get carried sooner than later. The dog was the one slowing us down, stopping every 3 feet to smell something; it got rather annoying. Grace was holding him, and was great with him.
We made it to the pots in good time, but as we stood at the first two pools, one of them occupied, a couple came walking down the hill stripping off gear/clothes and walked right into the pool in front of us.
"there are more pools up above' they said.

SO we hiked up the hill, and found a couple more pools, shallower and occupied. Padfoot wasn't that happy about walking around them. There was one person in one of the pools, and three in the larger, which still had some room, so we asked if we could get in the open water. As we made our way over to the rocks, shedding packs and shoes, the lone person left the pool, and we were happy to get in! The water was cool with a hot current running through it, and felt awesome after the hike. The girls loved it, we loved it, and Padfoot wouldn't get in. Which was just as well, since it's a lot harder to wash the sulfur smell from him than us.
 
The group next to us left after awhile, and for a bit we were all alone, and it was glorious. Relaxing in the soothing water, the river rushing by, trees, blue sky, moutains and sun, girls playing with the rocks in the water. Bree piling pebbles on us.
 RD and I could have been there a long time.
 
Too soon groups starting coming by, and a family reunion plopped a couple unaccompanied toddlers right next to us in the pool  before deciding to move down to the deeper pools. (phew) While that was happening, a couple got into the pool right next to us. We'd been there about an hour, and Grace was getting done. We reluctantly decided to leave. RD got Aubree out, and I was still standing in the pool when the coupe got up and came in, at my feet. They were cuddling just a few inches from me.
I guess I have too highly developed boundaries, and was weirded out by them as I hurried to get out. I guess you gotta be aggressive with no boundaries to get in the hot pots.
We ate some orange creme filled twizzlers as we dried off, and then started back. The walk back was enjoyable, till Bree got tired again and wanted a ride. RD's the man. He's packing at least 50 pounds carrying her. The hot springs had been so great though, that his back was doing way better at the end of the hike than when we got to the springs.
We picked up lunch (part of the bribe to come with us) and got home with just an hour until the kids started getting home. We tried to wash the smell our of our clothes/towels/bodies, but there was a lingering smell of sulfur. It was still totally worth it.