George Washington Was Here: Part II
While Thomas Jefferson soaked in Hot Springs VA, George Washington did it in Berkeley Springs WV.
In Berkeley Springs there are five warm mineral springs within a couple 100 yards of each other, located mostly at the Berekley Springs State Park. The Native Americans were the first to use the springs for their curative properties. The area has been used as a health resort since 1776.
The temperature of the warm spring pools is 74 degrees and open to the public for wading and soaking, but you need an appointment to soak in the Roman Baths, which are heated to about 100 degrees.
The only thing in our private mineral pool room was an orchid and a pitcher of drinking water.
In the afternoon, we rode our bikes on the sidewalk, explored the shops and ate outdoors at B&B café. We call this shot “Our Florida Vacation Without the 12 Hour Drive.” We had a trip to Florida planned but couldn’t face the driving and ended up Berkeley Springs (aka Bath) to take the cure and soak in the warm springs for the weekend.
If you stand on a sandy spot in the middle of this pool, you can feel the springs tickling at the bottoms of your feet.
If you stand long enough, minnows will cover your legs and chew at your skin, trending these days as “fish spa exfoliating.”
It did freak me out a bit.
We stayed at The Berkeley Country Inn, adjacent to the State Park. Opened in 1930, the inn had an Old World charm, a restaurant, tavern and spa that features warm springs pool soaks and massages. I sat on those rocking chairs more than once.
Friday night we ate oysters and sang Octopus’s garden with the Sweet Maple Singers at a music club with comfy couches called The Granary. Cookies and wine came with the tickets price.
Saturday night we stayed up late eating tiramisu and dancing to Tom Petty and other covers in the Inn’s Valentine decorated ballroom. Performed by the talented Matt Otis and the Sound, the set ended with a rousing version of Wagon Wheel that brought the house to the dance floor.
I had a leisurely brunch Sunday morning while Joe took a second pool soak,which I thought was too hot for a second go. By noon I got brave and, slowly but surely, immersed myself into one of the outdoor wild pools. Once in, I drew a lot of attention from other pool soaking wannabees. The water was warmer than the 60 something air temperature, but it still took some getting used to.
See more photos of our weekend at Berkeley Springs HERE. / Our World Tuesday
February 20th, 2017 10:24 am
It looks like a great vacation! The mino soak is great. But I don’t think I would like it! It reminds me of Josh’s experience in China.
February 20th, 2017 10:48 am
And Joey and Nancy did it in Jamaica. This was completely wild and free and not advertised as fish exfoliating.
February 20th, 2017 2:13 pm
What a great trip away. I love love that picture of the woman and the orchid.
February 20th, 2017 6:06 pm
sounds like perfect relaxation from all the recent and ongoing stress! We, too, have been talking about a trip to the coast, but ours won’t be so warm – just the sounds and sight of the sea and the birds and the healthy salt air to bring us relief.
February 20th, 2017 7:44 pm
What an interesting destination.
February 20th, 2017 10:23 pm
What a place. I could go there, now that I have heard about it. Sign me up for massages and warm springs, cookies and wine, front porch rocking, dancing to Tom Petty covers and the rest.
My wife and I visited Hot Springs, Arkansas and “took the cure” at one of the Spas in the National Park. It was great but it took a long time. I felt a bit parboiled but totally relaxed afterwards.
February 20th, 2017 10:40 pm
Yes, we’ve been to some hot springs in the Colorado and some in Asheville, as well as Hot Springs VA. You could say we are fans.
February 21st, 2017 11:31 am
I was last there with three girlfriends. We did the spa treatment then headed to Cacapon State Park for our overnight. Passed through there last summer as we headed to Three Otters Eco Retreat. Thanks for the reminder that it would be a good getaway spot for husband and I.
February 21st, 2017 3:57 pm
Had not heard about this wonderful place — and what a perfect getaway! In spite of the fact that we spent years doing roadtrips and loved it, I also adore this kind of getaway that does NOT involve long hours getting there. And 12 hours (the time it would have taken you to get to Florida) is exactly the wrong length of time — too short to be a good roadtrip and too long to be a staycation destination. You picked well. And I’d love to visit these Springs.
February 21st, 2017 10:03 pm
This is so cool. Thank you for sharing.
February 22nd, 2017 6:31 pm
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