Body Mind Gifts Blog

The next stop on the journey East to West was Las Vegas, Nevada, which despite its raunchy reputation, holds a few diamonds in the rough. We stayed in the Signature Towers at the MGM Grand, in a room that had an en-suite kitchen that included a stove, blender, and all the cutlery needed to make delicious meals. FYI, there is a Whole Foods a few miles from the hotel.

Paul Van Dyke, Wet Republic Pool Party, MGM Grand Las Vegas

Staying at the Signature ensures you a smoke and gambling free environment, and gives you access to 3 serene private pools. You are also allowed entrance to 5 additional pools within the MGM Grand complex which are open (for a fee) to the rest of the public. The pools include a half olympic, dedicated to lap swim, a water polo pool, one for splish slpash and cooling off (a good spot for kids), another called Wet Republic that is a raging pool party with world famous DJs, and my favorite of the pools, The Lazy River.

The river pool is architecturally designed with lots of curves and bumps at the bottom that create a strong current. Most people rent inner tubes, order a tall fruity drink, and float along by the river’s design… but I saw the river as an opportunity for a work out. I started to jog into, the rather strong, current. On my first lap around the long course, people floating by were saying things like, “Hey, you’re going the wrong way.” I just smiled, and by the third lap there was a small heard of people who had joined me in this amazing upstream workout that required massive leg and abdominal strength, especially after the first lap. And yes, it hurt so good the next day.

Vegas has become a place to see theater. Cirque du Soleil has several shows that have built homes in theaters specifically to meet their needs. This creates an experience that becomes one part amusement park ride, as is the case with the Beatles LOVE show. In addition to amazing dance and aerial work the sound design is 3d, with speakers in each seat playing the Beatles songs you love, remastered and remixed so that at times it sounds like a little bird is chirping on your shoulder, or as if your section is playing the trumpet and across the theater is playing the guitar. This effect is fantastic, and brought me to tears in moments from its audio beauty combined with the overall show staging.

Remember to bring walking shoes so that you can stroll the strip and take in the colorful crowds, street performances, plus neon gone wild.

As we headed to our final stop, California, my Mom and I took a few moments to reflect that we were grateful to be able to create the time to make this journey together.

Driving out of Wyoming towards Salt Lake City, Utah we saw many animals in herds – horses, cows and sheep. This is the part of our country where herds are “kept,” and there was a kind of sadness hovering over the land. I remember closing my eyes in moments to reflect on the grandeur we had just left in the Tetons and Yellowstone; the purple rivers, and jade thermal waters framed by waves of grain, ever greens, and sculpturesque mountain ridges. I love that being in the National Parks of Wyoming increased the number of unique water visuals I have in my heart, to call upon as guides.

When traveling to urban spots in the U.S. I always check to see if there is a Kimpton Hotel, and to my joy there was one in Salt Lake City. Founder Bill Kimpton created this 50 location boutique hotel experience (and growing) on the foundations of affordably chic comfort while setting new industry standards for being eco and pet friendly. I have been to one of their hotels in San Diego too, both featured wine tastings in the evenings, a restaurant with menus based on locally sourced organic produce, as well as comfortable modern design features and in-room swag that included razors made from recycled materials.

Also made from recycled materials are all the staff’s uniforms. And for those chem sensitive folk, you will be happy to know that their cleaning products are green and environmantally friendly.

Kimpton Hotel Salt Lake CIty

Don’t forget to request your FREE Yoga Kit which includes a mat, bag, brick and strap to use while staying at the hotel. At the front desk you will find a list of staff picks for how to “act like a local” featuring directions to gardens, their favorite spas, farmers markets etc. I could go on and on about the amenities, perks, and social responsibility aspects of the Kimpton chain, but I would like to sum it up by saying, if you have the opportunity to stay with them, give it to your self and your loved ones – they seem to think of everything.

As a lover of synchronicity, I was happy to discover that Anusara teacher, B.J. Galvin, just happened to be teaching a workshop at The Yoga Center the morning I was in Utah. I received some wonderful adjustments in her class as well as good take-aways to share with students including the yummy, brick between the feet in Ustrasana. Try it… you’ll see what I mean.

Rolling out of Salt Lake City towards Bryce Canyon, I popped into the car’s audio deck an informational CD on one of the essential oils that I use in treatments with clients. Only a few seconds into the CD I noticed an advertisement on the side of the road for the very farm in Mona, Utah where that very company, Young Living, grows and distills some of their herbs. This was completely unplanned… and goes to show, when your journey is filled with gratitude, and your eyes are open to opportunity, synchronicity provides auspiciousness in abundance.

One of the photos in the slide show below shows a glass encased collection that dates back to 1883 of nearly two hundred herbs and instruction manuals for their use. It would be amazing to read those manuals.

One of the best ways to decompress after spending magical mellow time in Yellowstone National Park is to drive out of the South Gate, just before sun set, stopping along the way to watch shards of light shine through the Grand Tetons, reflecting and fractalizing on bodies of water. Be prepared to encounter lots of “nature paparazzi” eager to instruct you on how to get the best shots of this phenomena.

For dinner, keep driving South and pull your horse and buggy into the cow boy / skii village-town of Jackson, Wyoming. For large portioned healthy vitals and fresh juices check out the Lotus Cafe, an organic bakery, bistro, and lounge open until 9pm.

Just down the street is the eco-certified Alpine House, a boutique bed and breakfast lodge, complete with mini spa, dry sauna, rooms that feature hand crafted bath botanicals to enjoy in deep Kohler bath tubs, and free bikes for guests to use around town. The lodge was created by Winter Olympians Hans and Nancy Johnstone to reflect the hospitality and coziness they had experienced in similar family-run inns in the mountains of Europe. Another comfort they offer is a 24 hr self-serve tea bar featuring Dragon Lady Teas. I was partial to “Happy Tea” a blend of Lemon Balm, Rosebuds, Jasmine, Licorice Root, Honeybush, and Lavender.

Jackson is home to the online Yoga TV station Yoga Today which features classes shot outside in the splendid beauty of the area. A good spot to stretch your legs and hips indoors is Akasha Yoga, a sweet shala with mountain views and alignment based teachers. I was able to take a class with Jen, the studio manager, and it was like dental floss for my road tripped out joints.

Stock up on healthy snacks at the Jackson Whole Grocer. They have a fantastic food and juice bar. I tried the “What’s Up Doc” and the “Joint Juice” and felt my sinuses clear, nerves soothed, and brain fog lift. This is a large market that prides itself on being purveyors of everything local from granola to kumbucha, raw dairy and locally raised grass fed meats as well as raw and vegan treats.

The community was just starting to raise funds for a project called Vertical Harvest while we were there in the Autumn of 2011. I am curious to return and check in on the progress of this 3 story indoor farm.  With the ground floor open to the public plus two “growing” floors above, by going vertical, this greenhouse hydroponic farm will increase it’s 4,500 sqft footprint to 13,500 square feet dedicated to providing fresh, locally grown produce to the town of Jackson 365 days a year!

Back at Mt Rushmore, my Mom was excited to buy her “senior” Lifetime National Parks Membership for the bargain price of $10 which included admission for her junior companion, me. (this next part is to be read tongue-in-cheek) She was excited to use it at our next destination, but being a senior means you some times forget where you are going, and she kept talking about going to Yosemite, which we were not. After a few times of correcting her, she started to get it, but it would still come out some where in-between as Yosmellowstone. I then translated this to Los Mellowstone in tribute to the chilled out feeling you get when you spend time in the amazing part of our planet that is Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone lodgings, including camping permits, often get booked a year in advance, so you have two options: plan ahead or a friend, who goes to the park regularly, told me about this tip: keep calling, you will eventually get the reservation you want because there are always cancellations, and she was right. This is how we got our nearly last minute room at the Old Faithful Inn, also known as the Great Lodge. Constructed in 1903 from mostly locally found materials the hotel boasts no TVs, no internet, and very limited cell phone service.

To our joy, our room directly faced the infamously on time geyser, and we could watch it going off from our cozy room. This was helpful as temperatures in America’s first National Park in September range from 29 to 79 degrees.

If you can, take the opportunity to go on a Photo Safari of Yellowstone with the most patient and generous man, resident guide and photographer, Win Kolk. You will rise before dawn to experience the cold morning air mixing with the hot steam of the geysers to create morning mists that leave mana like dew on all the wild life. Win will show you some of his favorite spots to photograph in the park, and how best to capture them as well as feed you breakfast and hot chocolate out of the back of the old time refurbished 1930′s Yellow Touring Bus you will ride around in.

with Photo Safari Guide Win Kolk

Our last stop of our tour with Win was into a forrest of ancient lodgepole pines. You can tell the age of a lodge pole pine in inches as they only grow an inch or 2 a year, depending on how much sunlight they are receiving.

Another favorite place we found is called Artists Point and Inspiration Point where at sunset the yellow rocks that gave the park its name, shine like gold, highlighting the 308 foot fall of the Lower Falls into the park’s Grand Canyon.

For those who would want to enjoy the healing waters of the thermal springs, most all of the pools in the park are hot enough to melt your skin off. However in the Northern corner of the park, the part that is in Montana, there is a must stop spot called Boiling River. It is a little bit hard to find, but after an easy 1/2 mile walk you arrive at an area where a thermal spring runs into the Gardiner River. Humans have built little natural “tubs,” out of rock barriers, to capture the mix of water. The side of the tub closest to the river is cooler, and the side closest to where the thermal spring comes out of the earth is hot. The rocks also create a minimal barrier to the strong current of the Gardiner River. My mother was highly skeptical about going into the fresh water, but once she got in and felt the healing energy she had the biggest smile on her face. I really applaud her sense of adventure and pushing through the fear of doing something new.

The Boiling River

The entire time we were at the Boiling River, large reddish brown dragonflies danced around us and then followed us on the trail out. The dragonflies were so big they looked prehistoric.

We were blessed and grateful to make eye contact with many animals on this trip: Chipmunks, a moose, many deer and elk, and a heard of mother and baby buffalos as well as 2 grazing males.

FYI’s…

One can fish (with a permit) all year long in Yellowstone, where the thermal waters meet the rivers, which is what attracts the many animals that call this place home.

Buffalos, incredible creatures that they are, survived the last ice age.

It was beautiful to be at Mt Rushmore with my mother. Neither of us had ever been there before. Our sunrise stop here was a bit of a quickie. Our 2 hour pause was not quite enough time to see everything, as there was more that both of us wanted to explore at this beautiful place where man installed art into nature. It was moving to see the gratitude welling up in my Mom’s eyes at the opportunity to be able to share the experience of seeing (as another visitor put it) “some presidents” for the first time, together. Artist Gutzon Borglum and 400 workers spent 14 years in a daily ritual carefully placing dynamite in granite to carve George, Thomas, Teddy, and Abe, forever changing the Black Hills of South Dakota with their determination and love.

Buffalo, WY was a fun town to stop in. It newly has a health food store, the Buffalo Food Depot, lots of hiking trails, and is home to the famous Occidental Hotel & Saloon, which has been in operation since 1880! Guests have included Buffalo Bill, Teddy Rosevelt, Butch Cassidy & Calamity Jane. The hotel is still fully operational with antique and old world touches updated to modern age functionality, plus you can go through room to room to view the hotel as a museum chock full of history.

The Occidental Hotel 130 Years of Continuous Western Hospitality. Pictured here, a shared guest kitchen complete with vintage fridge and cow hide chairs.

Some times a trip is about the things you see and the people you meet along the way.

Cesar & Augie owners of La Casacada Restaurant Mitchell, South Dakota

One of the goals I set while traveling across country was to create each day in gratitude. There were some guidelines for how to perform this. One of those was to nourish my body with only the best food and company.

Now there are some stretches of our country that make the food part of this rule very challenging, like the long and beautifully stark stretches between Wisconsin & Wyoming. So I came prepared for how that would go: keep driving on and on until my nose and heart knew it had found some place worth stopping for; otherwise I would just nibble on my carefully picked car full of supplies.

In Mitchell, South Dakota I found a place worth stopping for! La Cascada Mexican Restaurant, owned and operated by Augie and Cesar, a lovely couple who make delicious house made sauces and salsas for their fresh, made with love, food. I felt blessed to find a family establishment and a real “home cooked” meal just at this half way point in my trip across country.

La Casada Mexican Restaurant ~ 1522 W. Havens Ave. Mitchell, SD ~ open Tues - Sun 11am - 9pm (605) 995-2094

Back on the main drag, Highway 90, I saw sign after sign describing the fabulous Wall Drug. I have to admit, they captured me with their simple marketing investment of what looked like hundreds of hand painted signs describing refreshing FREE ice water, T-Rexes, and elusive Jacalope sightings. I was convinced I needed to stop there.

When I got there it was a rather large outpost of stores linked together selling everything from drug store items to homemade ice cream, and various South Dakota trinkets. The part that both my Mom (who was with me) and I really enjoyed was the sculpture garden, a great place to stretch you legs, laugh, and eat our left overs from lunch at La Cascada.

Kohler Vichy Shower

In my free time I enjoy researching where the best spas are on our planet, so when I find myself in that corner of the world, I can visit them and have extraordinary experiences. Somewhere in my research I heard about the top rated Kohler Waters Spa in Wisconsin.

Take a look in your bathroom and kitchen, the bathroom and kitchen of your favorite restaurant or coffee house, even your Yoga studio and gym – there is a good chance they have Kohler fixtures. Now imagine the world leader in water fixtures creating a resort and spa!

With my love for water, I counted the days to arriving in Wisconsin – a thought I never imagined having, but what a beautiful state it is. Even with the windows of the car closed, I could smell the freshness of the air coming through the vents as we entered Wisconsin; with their closeness to Lake Michigan, Lake Winnebago, Green Bay, and Lake Superior plus acres of undeveloped lush pastoral land, there is something very pristine about Wisconsin, and the quality of life people have entwined with nature.

What I didn’t know about Kohler, the company, is that they are much more than a leader in the water fixture industry, they are a town and a community of people centered around entrepreneurialism, innovation, art, and service. Founded 4 generations ago, in 1873, by Austrian immigrant John Michael Kohler who purchased an iron and steel foundry in Sheboygan, Wisconsin where he began experiments coating turn of the century cast iron hog scalders in enamel, and created the first bathtub of this kind.

When we arrived in the evening to our room at Kohler’s Inn at Woodlake we found a delicious gift, form their Craverie Chocolatier Café, a box of other worldly treats that we savored and ate like medicine at various points along the rest of our trip. The room featured state of the art fixtures, including a shower that boasted wall-to-ceiling square water panels, that could be adjusted  to create your dream shower experience.

In the morning I attended an invigorating Yoga class with Deb Sampson, manager of  Yoga on The Lake - a beautiful lakeside Yoga studio the Kohler family created 3 years ago. Because of it’s close proximity to their world famous (PGA tour location) golf courses, this is an excellent place to cross train for golf and yoga lovers. Look for yoga, fitness, and athletic performance expert Katherine Roberts to be teaching Yoga for Golfers workshops at Yoga on the Lake soon.

Also housed on Kohler campus is a professional teaching kitchen, where you can enroll in seasonal cooking classes plus watch word class chefs create magic before your eyes and to the delight of your senses.

In the afternoon I went to experience the well designed pools and saunas of their spa plus checked in for a treatment called Complete Harmony which takes place in a two-room suite, starting in a stillness room for a mini facial and head to toe massage, then moving into a wet room where you receive a full body exfoliation under a Kohler Vichy Shower – an apparatus hanging from the ceiling that pours water rhythmically all over your body. A hair and scalp mask was applied before I entered into a tea-for-two Kohler bath filled with fragrant essential oil salts, while jets were turned on designed to deeply massage my muscles from the neck all the way down to my feet, all while a spout of water gently poured from the ceiling into the tub to replenish and keep my water warm.

Post bath, the therapist brushed my hair (this was one of my favorite parts of the treatment, I can’t remember when some one last brushed my hair, but I believe this ritual should be practiced more often). She then thoroughly applied body butter to hydrate and nourish my skin.

Through out the treatment no fewer than 13 lotions, tonics, gels and scrubs where used, and I remember the scents of rose, aloe vera, clary sage, geranium, and jojoba. I was awake during the entire 80 minutes of this divine treatment, right up until the therapist said, “Take your time getting up.” Then I went out like a light for what felt like a long, deep, much needed sleep.

Last, but not least for those who love design, and the history of, you must go visit the Kohler design center where you can see all of their latest creations, a museum on the history of the company and a room they call The Great Wall of China.

While in Wisconsin also check out:
Farm Fresh Atlases
Milwaukee Whole Foods
Travel Green
Goodside Food Co-op

Hallauer House reading room

The first few days of a road trip, the stresses of completing the tasks you need to do in order to get your “show on the road” are still whirling around your head and perhaps still on your “yet to do list.” As luck would have it, and because of my Road Trip Rules, we landed in Oberlin, OH at a country kitsch bed & breakfast called Hallauer House, a homey space note worthy on the nurturing scale – which was much needed that night.

The room came with free wifi, a cute desk to write at, a queen sized bed and a fold out single sofa bed with organic cotton and natural fiber linens. Our bathroom was well stocked with robes and fluffy towels as well as items one might need (that I happened to leave home with out): fresh toothbrushes, tooth paste, razors, and other toiletries.

There were so many divine elements to enjoy during our brief stay here, including a Japanese style spa room with infrared sauna and a (fill your own) whirl pool, an out door pool, and a very special art installation filled garden with a river that was designed to flow through out the property at the flick of a switch. The property has many nooks, crannies, and hidden rooms from its history as a safe house used to protect African Americans during the underground railroad days. It also houses lots of civil war paraphernalia and antiques of interest for history buffs.

Hosts Joe & Sue served a lavish breakfast made with fresh local ingredients that had everyone humming with joy. We shared the meal at a community table where one couple spoke about visiting Marfa, a small isolated town in Southern Texas where art and artists thrive in the desert. Just the way they spoke about it made me want to check it out the next time I find myself in the South West.

Our host Joe shared more about the history of the house over breakfast and about his family of 4 grown daughters and 5 grandchildren. He also told us that he used to have terrible sciatica. One autumn he was up on the roof with a leaf blower strapped to his back trying to clear his gutters, he slipped and fell to the ground on top of his leaf blower, and has been forever cured of sciatica – love that story!

While in Ohio also check out The Oberlin Market.

Hallauer House – Oberlin, OH