09/26/2019 Day 109 head to Hidden Valley RV Park in Tijeres NM

Today we hit the road as we begin making our way back home to SC. Yesterday we agreed we’re in “travel overload”. We’ve seen and done so much our old minds can’t handle much more. And, it’s time. We miss our babies and “our kinda weather”.  

But, yesterday we took care of the “getting ready to go chores and, took a little drive up the road to see what the heck this thing is. 

Every time we drove by we saw cars stopped & people taking pics, so we had to stop, too. 

It’s the Pinkerton Hot Springs! 

Pinkerton Hot Spring was discovered in the 1800s by explorer James Pinkerton, and quickly transformed into a resort and tourist attraction for all Americans to enjoy. Back then, hot springs were believed to possess life-changing healing powers, considered to be great for the skin, arthritis and potentially even longevity. It’s said that even Marilyn Monroe made visits to soak in these healing waters.

Today, you won’t find a pool or resort (it burned down a total of three times) but instead a unique, rare mineral feature. Back in 2001, the Colorado Department of Transportation altered the direction and flow of the spring by inserting a vertical pipe to protect the nearby vegetation and structures. Now the colorful, mineral rich rock pile builds upon itself indefinitely, creating unique formations, shapes and a kaleidoscope of colors.

See the water flowing down the sides 
Check out the cool colors 



It doesn’t take much to entertain us old folks 🤷🏻‍♀️. 
Mineral rich waters are one of God’s hidden treasures in our Country. In SC, people come from all over to visit “Healing Springs” & fill jugs full of the fresh, clean water. Making “hot springs” of mineral rich water is a double treasure afforded us. In Ouray, they had a swimming pool of the hot springs there. When we were on our Alaska trip, we went to Liard Hot Springs and , it was wonderful on my achy body. I love hot tubs, but you just can’t beat fresh, clean mineral rich hot springs. ☺️

So today we drive to NM, the 17th state on this trip, bringing us one day closer to home and our babies. ❤️ 

Have a good one everybody, we’re sure trying to.