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| Welcome to Sol Duc |
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| Sol Duc Hot Spring pool |
Only a fortnight ago I stumbled on the existence of a natural hot springs, which is a part of Olympic National Park. I mentioned the site to my fitness trainer Karina. Only days later she told me her hubby and she had driven out there to scope it out and she suggested we have one of our fitness sessions at the 'Sol Duc' hot springs. Yay!
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| Széchenyi Thermal Bathes in Budapest, Hungary |
I told Karina I have never been to a natural hot spring. Then it finally hit me yes I had! In 2016 I visited mineral bathes during a central European vacation. Turns out that when Karina was a teen, she too had visited the same mineral bathes. That gave us the happy squeals!
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| Sol Duc Spring water pools |
Shortly after 3:00, I got out the pool - I was one boiled potato! I took some photos, then headed back to the Women's locker room for a shower and to get out of my soggy clothing. I met up with Karina and Hutch outside by the main door, and after a short photo session we were off on a short hike.
Now walking, is one of the better exercises for me. Requires no special equipment other than my chubby legs and it can be done pretty much anywhere. Karina was the one who suggested a post soak hike, and just before we headed out, Hutch asked if I'd like to walk out and back to the car (our hike's starting point) or if I would like him to meet us at the hike's end. I opted for a one-way walk, and thank heavens I did. For whatever reason, my left hip was aching. Why? Who the heck knows.
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| Skunk Cabbage |
On the moist forest floor, there were giant Skunk Cabbages - a wild plant that has large lily-like flowers. Not uncommon at all, but always fun to see, when in bloom.
Our hours long hike ended (OK, it was more like 20 minutes) we headed back to Port Angeles. By the time I made it home I was quite worn out. I'm not sure why I was so tired - perhaps being boiled? Perhaps hiking a whole 20 minutes? Maybe all that fresh mountain air did me in. I was happy and thoroughly done for the day.
