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Borrego Springs, CA

Saturday, May 26, 2012

A soak, a view, lunch out, and a surprise.

Yes, this morning was my appointment to soak in the mineral warm springs pools that FDR established when he was hoping to cure the effects of polio.  So I left the campground this morning clad in my swimsuit covered by a shirt and shorts.

_MG_8347 _MG_8346All three pools are connected, and you can walk in the water from one to the other without having to get out.

The two lady rangers remembered me from last week and were thrilled to see that I actually showed up for the 90 minute soak.  Hey, I paid $20 in advance for this unique experience, so it would take something really dramatic for me not to show up!  Considering that these pools were established to help people with polio, there is a ramp as well as stairs for entrance to the waters.  I chose the ramp since stairs aren’t really my friend at the moment. 

The first thing I noticed upon getting wet is that there is a reason this town is called Warm Springs and not Hot Springs.  The water bubbling out of the the underground pipe is 88*, and the further you are from the bubbling, the lower the water temperature is.  While I was sure to walk or float to all of the three pools, I spent most of my time near the source.  I really wanted to feel the force of the water and bubbles entering the pools, but an elderly woman staked her claim to that spot, and refused to budge for the whole time.  She must have been here before.  These pools are only filled and open on two weekends every year.  I’m thinking very few people have ever experienced using these historic mineral pools.  I was thrilled to be able to do so, and think back to what it must have been like 70 some years ago when people traveled here with such high hopes for a miraculous cure.  As for my aches and pains, I’ve still got them, but it certainly was a mentally therapeutic morning.

I had a couple of other things on my agenda for today, so I left the pools and headed for the top of Pine Mountain.

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Dowdell’s Knob was a favorite spot that FDR enjoyed for picnicking and contemplation.  During his years as President dealing with the Great Depression and World War II must have taken a great deal of contemplation.

_MG_8353He tried to keep his disability private from the public, but felt comfortable enough here to wear his leg braces on the outside of his pants.

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The view of the valley below Pine Mountain.  FDR had the BBQ pit on the right built so he could enjoy rather formal picnics on the mountain top.  It has since been filled in with cement to preserve it.

IMG_8359It was here on April 10, 1945, that he came to think about the war in Germany and the Pacific.  As he arrived in his car, he sent the secret service men back down the road on foot, and told them not to return until he honked the horn.  He sat in the car thinking for two hours.  This was just a mere two days before his death at the Little White House.  I can understand why he so loved this location.

Back down the mountain I went to have what turned out to be a less than memorable lunch out.  I found only one thing at the buffet at The Bullock House worth mentioning.  I couldn’t seem to find the advertised fried apples, but did find what I thought was applesauce, so I put a nice scoop on my plate.  As I dished a spoonful into my mouth, it was immediately apparent that it was not applesauce.  I had to ask the waitress what it was… rutabagas!  Ack!  I’ve never had them before, and hope to never have them again. Smile with tongue out

When I drove to Warm Springs last week, I let Jack-in-the-Box figure out the way and he took me down some less often traveled roads.  On the way home last week, I flew by a Union Cemetery that I was determined to stop at today on the way home.  I figured since it was Memorial Day Weekend, I’d pay my respects to those Civil War Yankees that gave their lives so far from home.

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Surprise!  This ‘Union Cemetery’ had nothing to do with the Civil War.  I hope if you click on the pic you’ll be able to read this interesting story.

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Sometimes Jack leads me to places I would never have known about.  I guess I’ll keep him around for a bit longer.  Tonight’s post has kind of dragged on and on, but I sure enjoyed my day, and it was much better than listening to all the pounding music from my neighbors out enjoying the first long weekend of the season.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

33 comments:

  1. I didn't think your post went on and on - I enjoyed it! Very interesting story about the Union Cemetery. And I enjoyed the tour of the pools and Dowdell's Knob. Too bad that old lady hogged all the bubbles!!

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  2. Pounding music in a camp ground is something I really don't look forward to!

    I find walking and stretching in warm water very helpful when I have back pain. I once took a special class at a physical therapy pool and learned some simple exercises for the back.

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  3. Nice pictures from Pine Mountain, great story from the Union Cemetery. I love those markers, you can usually get a good picture of them. After that soak I bet you sleep good tonight.

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  4. Ahhh, Memorial Day weekend. It was busy at the National Park today, I played tourist and went on some tours. No loud music here, just tired employees. I think that the mineral springs have a positive effect on us even if they are only lukewarm. I'm hoping to stop at some hot springs in this area soon.

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  5. Chico Hot Springs in Montana is one of the best places in the world to be in the winter time. Of course, I don't want to be in Montana in the winter time so I may never get to enjoy it again. Here in AZ everybody has left town to head for the hills for the week-end so it's really really quiet here.

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  6. Easy to see why FDR would come to this spot to do some thinking. But what's with the rutabaga's comment, they are my favourite, although best served with turkey and gravy.

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  7. Nice post Judy, I really enjoyed it. I can't imagine the stress that FDR was under with all the challenges he faced. It is understandable why he enjoyed that view, it must have refreshed his soul when he needed it most.

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  8. I think FDR was the greatest man of the 20th century, and loved visiting his home at Hyde Park - wish I could visit Warm Springs some day. Just the word rutabaga doesn't sound good to me. Sort of like yogurt. I hear that word and all I can think of is "YUK!"

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  9. Well, you can scratch rutabagas off your bucket list, even if you didn't know it was on the list.

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  10. Judy you never go on and on...great post. Enjoy your weekend

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  11. another lovely day!..what a view from Pine Mountain!!

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  12. How fortunate for you that you happen to be in the area one of the two weekends.

    You have one busy day with so many great experiences.

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  13. Always nice to stumble upon something unexpected. Good post about an area I didn't know much about.

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  14. This was a wonderful post Judy. Really enjoyed it all. You have some unique experiences and we all love to enjoy them right along with you.

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  15. Glad you were able to go into the mineral springs...great timing with your visit. Sorry of your experience with the Bullock House...it has been years since we have been there. In fact we ate there with Gene & Judi Curp a few years ago.

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  16. Some great history today. This took care of the learning something new every day:)

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  17. Judy,

    I have it on good authority that it takes 72 hours for the effects fo the warm baths to take effect. So by the end of the weekend you should be doing jumping jacks and cartwheels. So I am told

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  18. A "union" of a different kind; interesting story. Enjoyed soaking in the Warm Springs Pool with you :-))

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  19. Very interesting post--especially about FDR.

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  20. Glad you enjoyed your soak. It is a shame they don't fill the pools more often.

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  21. Those southerners have some interesting things, don't they? Ever tried fried fatback?

    We never made it to Warm Springs when we lived in Georgia....maybe one day we'll get there. It sure was interesting reading your blog posts.

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  22. It looks like you had a gorgeous day up on Pine Mountain!
    No wonder FDR loved it up there.
    We were so glad the salty fresh air tuckered out the campers here
    last night! It was a lot quieter than Friday night! LOL
    We hear you big time!

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  23. Sounds like a great day to me! Old cemeteries are fascinating, even if they aren't for Civil War dead! And FDR's favorite spots are very worth preserving -- he did a great service for our country.

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  24. I love your header picture and all the pictures you took of FDR's favorite places. Beautiful spot he picked for thinking.

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  25. Great post, Judy. I loved all the history and trivia about FDR.

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  26. I would certainly enjoy those mineral baths....if I was the only one in the water that is.....

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  27. Unique twist on the naming of Union Cemetery. At first glance I would've also assumed it was a cemetery for Union soldiers.

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  28. Taking care of the widow, indeed! :)

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  29. Still in Indiana...just wanted to see how the soak went...Looks great....Thanks for inviting us along...I already feel better!

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  30. Goodness Judy what must you think of my posts if you think this varied and interesting one dragged on and on. Sorry to hear about the music. It's one of my pet peeves in campgrounds and at the beach. What arrogance to think that everyone wants to hear their music. I think noise and light pollution is two of the biggest pollutions there are and they are hardly ever mentioned.

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  31. I’ve always admired FDR, and Eleanor especially, for creating such an extraordinary partnership. Few couples can boast so many combined accomplishments, so much good delivered to so many.
    Quite the fascinating couple... right up there with Caesar & Cleopatra ;)

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  32. I agree with you Judy, you were going on and on.

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