We roamed The Ark bookstore, bought some wonderful items at Doubletake, a consignment store that sells used cowboy hats, sheepskin coats, table linens, southwestern jewelry and the like. Then we headed up Hyde Park to Ten Thousand Waves, a spa that is dedicated to providing a Japanese sense of serenity and relaxation. They offer a unique 'Japanese-adobe' esthetic, with eight outdoor hot tubs.
The Japanese tradition is to utilize spas--onsen and sento--to have a good time (often in a beautiful place), and that's exactly what they provide at Ten Thousand Waves. The best part for me was the cold tub. After sitting in a hot sauna, you immediately immerse your whole body in a cold tub, which is shocking, yet feels amazing! Then sit for awhile in the 105 degree temp.hot tub with snow lightly falling on your head, enjoy conversation with new found friends, and start the process all over again. Heaven is right here on earth!
