Southwest Treasures Newsletter- Celebrating the diversity, magic, mystery, culture and history of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah!

November 13, 2026

Hello There Reader

When we were small, someone else ran the bath. Warm water sloshed over our shoulders, a steady hand held us, and somewhere between the steam and the quiet, our little bodies simply let go.

Somewhere along the way, most of us forgot that feeling. We got busy. We got showers. A few of the places I’ve lived didn’t even have a tub, which is how I ended up wandering the West in search of hot water, and why I’ve been grateful for it ever since.

Now the air is turning crisp, the light is slanting low, and the desert nights are asking us to slow down. So I’ll ask you something: when did you last let yourself be held by warm water? What might change if you treated a long, quiet soak not as a luxury, but as a practice?

In this month’s article, I look at how people have turned to bathing for comfort and restoration since ancient times, what a good soak has meant for my own body after long days on cross-country skis, and the simple evening bath ritual I’ve come to rely on. I also share what to know before you head out to a natural hot spring in the colder months.

There’s something worth remembering here, something our ancestors knew and we’ve set aside. Maybe this is the season to pick it back up.

Read the full article on Four Cornering →Healing Benefits of Hot Springs and Therapeutic Baths: A Southwest Guide​

Two Soaks for the Cooler Months

​Montezuma Hot Springs, New Mexico: A Hidden Jewel Along Gallinas Creek​
Just outside Las Vegas, New Mexico, a handful of stone-lined mineral pools waits beside Gallinas Creek. Pair a quiet bicycle ride along Highway 65 with a long, warm soak, and linger over the history of the old stone hotel above the creek, along with a few tall tales about Billy the Kid.

​“Toddy for the Body”: Soaking at Joyful Journey Hot Springs in Southern Colorado​
At the northern gateway of the San Luis Valley, three mineral pools look out over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, each one a little different in temperature. Slip into the hottest pool on a crisp morning, follow it with a hot stone massage, and see why I call it “toddy for the body.”

Until next time, may your days end in warm water and your evenings in quiet.

With Warmth,

Sharron

P.S. Ready to plan your own soak? My downloadable guides to Southwest outdoor adventures and hot springs locations are available on Gumroad. Browse the guides →​