What’s a great way to start your day? How about in a natural hot spring like, say, in Saratoga, Wyoming? That’s what Ted and I did today. The Hobo Hot Springs are located in Saratoga on the banks of the Platte River. Indian tribes would lay down their weapons to partake of the healing waters in peace. I’m convinced that if we all had more time in a hot spring or under the hands of a masseuse, none of us would have the energy or the desire to pick up our weapons afterward.
We didn’t actually go to the Hobo Hot Springs because our hotel conveniently had private pools fed by the hot springs.
There is a Native American chessboard in the hotel’s pool courtyard. The big hot pool is within the fenced area.
Each tipi has a hot spring pool inside. The water in these pools is about 120 degrees. That’s probably great in winter, but it was too hot in today’s warm weather.
Here we are in the hot pool. This big pool is about 105 degrees. Wonderful!
While we were enjoying the warm water and getting a relaxing start to our day, other people gradually joined us at the pool. We all had a good time chatting together. They were all local people–you can buy a membership to this pool area through the motel–so they recommended that we have lunch at the Wolf. We didn’t have a better idea, so we promised we’d do it. While we were at the Wolf, one of the couples we’d been talking to at the pool arrived and sat at a table beside ours. It felt like having old friends in Saratoga.
Here’s one of the light poles on Saratoga’s main street. The fine print says “Where the trout leap in Main Street.” Saratoga is also a hot spot for rainbow trout fishing.
The main street isn’t very long–about twice this, on both sides of the street. It’s definitely a Western town.
Our lunch venue–the Hotel Wolf Restaurant. It was easy to find in the downtown area.
The Wolf is a bit more genteel than Buck’s. Once again, we had delicious food and met friendly people.
There is apparently an “upper crust” in or near Saratoga. There were at least 30 private jets at this airport.
Now we’re off to Happy Jack. Check the next blog for more information.