agua caliente

this weekend eliana had her first real hot springs experience. we set out on saturday morning to explore jackson hot springs, a small little resort about three hours south of missoula, in the big hole valley. montana is a land blessed with hot thermal waters, in remote, untouched settings. hot springs were things that i hadn't explored much, growing up in southern california. being the piscean, bathing beauty that i am, hot springs are one of my absolute most favorite things in the world. i could stay in the warm, mineral laden water for hours, chatting with folks in the pool, sipping water to rehydrate, and taking in the natural splendor that usually accompanies a montana hot spring. this place was no exception. not too fancy, not too shabby, a rustic lodge sits in the hopping town of jackson, population 49. the hot spring is one large pool, with a perfect temperature of around102 degrees. the warm water is a good thing considering jackson, montana is just about 17 miles from wisdom, montana, which is generally the coldest spot in the country. the sharp fall air settled on the snow dotted plains. the sun was high and the sky a piercing blue. in the distance the pintler and beaverhead ranges soar, giving that pristine, utterly "big sky" feel to this location. getting out of the car after a beautiful drive across the continental divide, i felt proud of the land that i chose to call home (not to sound too woody guthrie or anything...)

we were traveling with the grandparents in celebration of both morty and roseann's late september birthdays, so jeff and i had the advantage of live in, vacation babysitters. we promptly jumped on that and spent most of saturday in the pool alone, while the g's entertained their sweet little one. after a delicious dinner in their restaurant which boasts using local, organic goods, jeff and i were able to hit the pools again, enjoying the almost full moon and watching the white steam off the cool blue water in the darkness.

after breakfast, we decided that eliana needed to experience the magical water. we had already met two other newborns in the pool, and knew that it was worth a try, as these two little tadpoles had loved it. we put her in her "swimmie" diaper and navy gingham suit, with lacy trim skirt and yellow duckie smiling in the center. i think she was just about the cutest thing i've ever seen. i carried her gently down the stairs and lowered her into the warm water. she seemed to take to it immediately. i kept her close to my chest and lowered down, being careful to keep her downy head out of the water. she took it all in and quickly assumed a tadpole like position, her little leggies making a diamond shape in the clear blue below. she seemed to be remembering her nine months in the womb and felt completely relaxed and at ease. this made her mama extremely happy and proud. i felt so moved thinking of all the marvelous wonders i have yet to share with her.