Napa Valley : A Little Bit of Heaven

Driving from Bodega Bay’s beautiful coast, by the farms and endless fields of cows, headed to my first mud bath in the lovely Napa Valley. Winding down the mountain road, there is a clearing in the redwood trees and the Napa Valley comes into view. A range of mountains covered with forest green and patches of gold spreads out as far as the eye can see. Descending into the valley, the road is lined with oak and pine trees. Cows and hilly farmland are exchanged for rows of grapevines cascading down gentle slopes.

A few minutes into the valley and I turn into the charming little town of Calistoga. Inns, art galleries, restaurants and flowering trees line the street. Layers of overlapping mountains from the Palisades Range turn this little town of 3,500 into a picture perfect destination. A small white cloud lays nestled into one of the mountain ridges.

Green and blue awnings spread above shop windows set into stucco and stone store fronts. American flags blow in the gentle breeze. This is the 4th of July weekend and the weather is perfect…seventy something degrees with a bright blue sky and the occasional small white cotton ball cloud.

Passing by the elegant Lincoln Avenue Spa, I look out at this historic stone building. Built in 1890, this newly renovated day spa offers world class massage, gentle herbal facials, Jacuzzi baths, and a unique and wonderful body masque for those not wanting to engage in the full mud bath experience. Rejuvenating and detoxifying clays, herbs and oils are applied to your body and then you relax in the comfort of specially designed Ayurvedic steam tables. The warmth of the aromatic steam is blissful and you emerge feeling and looking renewed and refreshed. Knowing how wonderful this experience is from my last visit to Calistoga, it is difficult for me to drive by without stopping. I stay focused on my destination, the Golden Haven Hot Springs Spa, knowing I have a great new experience ahead.

Approaching the Golden Haven Spa, I see the tall poplars framing the entrance and a colonnade of leafy mulberry trees providing a lovely shaded canopy over the road leading into the Hot Springs.  Golden Haven is nestled into this beautiful countryside. Fountains, climbing vines, big ceramic pots filled with blue bunches of agapanthus and a bright circle of perennials frame the entrance to the Spa. Red, pink and white oleander bushes create a medley of color throughout the property. To the left, the natural hot mineral water swimming pool with a patio of lounge chairs and striped umbrellas for shade. Golden Haven has its own hot mineral water source. Calistoga is famous for its mineral water which is bottled and sold worldwide. The source at Golden Haven taps into the same aquifer that produces these popular mineral waters and it feels like such a luxury to swim and bathe in it!

Beneath the blue canopy and across the tile walkway, I enter the mudroom tiled in soft warm beige with a ribbon of colorful mosaic tiles around the room, it feels peaceful and calm. My personal attendant, Rosa, shows me into the room. There is a large L shaped tub, built for two, filled with the detoxifying mineral rich mud. Over to the side is a Jacuzzi filled with mineral water and a big yellow rubber ducky. A shower with a curtain is at the other side of the room. Although this is a mud bath, the room is spotlessly clean and cared for.  Rosa describes the 6 step process to me and holding on to the bar alongside the tub, I lower myself into the mud.

It is thick and warm and fluffy. It does not feel like mud. The sensation is somewhat like floating in a big warm bowl of your favorite oatmeal. It feels great. For a few minutes I just lay on top it, fully buoyant. Before leaving the room, Rosa tells me I can stay on top of the mud or move lower. The more I move into mud, the warmer it is. My hair is in a shower cap and my head rests on a piece of soft foam set into the mud. Moving my arms away from my sides, I scoop mud onto myself a little bit at a time…first covering my belly, then my chest and thighs. I am smiling. It feels a little bit like heaven. I push myself a little lower into the mud…just my toes are sticking out. This is a completely soothing experience.

 Rosa comes in and puts a cold cloth on my forehead and asks if I would like a clay mask for my face. She applies the clay which will leave my face clean and soft and glowing after the rinse. My tired muscles from yesterday’s mountain hike are being soothed and relaxed. I feel like a baby enveloped in a big warm hug. I love this!

Rosa comes back into the room and asks if I am ready for the warm mineral water shower. I shower in this gentle, refreshing rainforest and then submerge myself into my private hot natural mineral water jacuzzi. Soaking in the water, which is the perfect temperature, for 10 minutes, with my yellow rubber ducky. Pouring another glass of cool water from the pitcher, a few slices of fresh lemon floating to the top…this is more heaven.
 
After wrapping myself in a plush terry robe, Rosa arrives to lead me to the blanket wrap room. The walls are hand painted with a big leafy tree and the blue ceiling is sprinkled with little illuminated stars. A small table top water fall creates a gentle soothing sound. Soft candle-like light fills the room. Lying down on the soft warm bed, Rosa envelops me in a warm blanket, puts a cool cloth on my forehead and asks me if there is anything I need. Murmuring a contented “no”, I close my eyes and drift off for 20 blissful minutes. Spending time like this is pure luxury…nothing to do, no place to hurry off to, just relax in this cozy sweetness.

Rosa comes in to help me emerge from my warm nest. She asks if I would like to take a dip in the pool, but I am relaxed and happy in my current state of bliss.

I am already planning my next visit. The next time I will bring a friend and we will both sign up for one of Golden Haven’s fabulous massages. We will enjoy their friendly and attentive staff, the charming and relaxing environment and spend the night in one of the lovely hotel rooms. Instead of jumping into the car and riding off into the sunset, we will nestle into a cozy bed and drift off to a nighttime of extended bliss.

For more information, call (707) 942-8000 or go to www.goldenhaven.com. The spa is located at 1713 Lake Street in Calistoga.