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Spas Bubble Up Beyond the RockiesCopyright © 2007-2008 Travel Alberta, All Rights ReservedWritten by: Travel Alberta We're famous in Alberta for our spectacular mountain vistas, as well as our national parks, glacier-fed waterways, alpine cuisine and hot springs galore. The Rockies may be our biggest claim to fame, but that's the tip of the iceberg. How about those prairie sunsets, the northern lights and the lunar landscape of the dinosaur badlands? Sometimes, the best gifts come when we're not looking...when we stray off the beaten path in search of the unexpected. From north to south and east to west, the road less traveled is dotted with quirky hideaways that dish out Alberta's famous hospitality in a setting that only Mother Nature could deliver. And the best part? Your road trip to relaxation begins right here, this minute... Gateway to the Rockies "Shhhh!" whispers Shawn Ripley as we wander through the forest in search of wild rosehips and sage. "I hear a deer." We stop in our tracks, straining to hear the telltale crack of snapping branches over the chatter of birds. With the sun glinting off the treetops and the earthy smell of last fall's foliage crunching under our feet, it's hard to imagine we're in the city of Calgary – just 15 minutes by car from the shiny office towers of downtown. Perched on the wooded slopes of on the city's west edge, Nature's Essence Spa at Ripley Ridge Retreat is unique because it relies on more than bricks and mortar to provide a wellness experience. "We like to think of our entire 7.6 acres as a spa," notes Ripley, waving across the hillside where First Nations people once collected herbs, hunted buffalo and took part in sacred ceremonies. "It provides the chance to escape the stresses of daily life...it's an oasis in the city," says Ripley, a microbiologist and registered massage therapist who founded the spa and retreat with wife Cara. "You have to experience it to really appreciate it." Today, we're out on a "wellness walk", discussing what kind of botanicals we might collect for my spa treatments. (Ripley practices what is known as 'wildcrafting' – the careful harvest of certain plants to stimulate growth without harming the environment.) Chairs and benches are scattered in clearings where guests can stop to meditate; and if the weather's nice you might be lucky enough to get a massage on an open-air gazebo, surrounded only by the chirping of birds and the rustle of trees. Mineral springs course beneath the property, coming to the surface in several pools and streams. The springs deposit clay and mud that are believed to be equal to the healing properties of Dead Sea mud. For those who are just too relaxed to leave, Ripley Ridge offers overnight accommodation – there are two cabins, one chalet-style condominium and two luxury suites (all with private bath), along with meeting facilities and a wedding gazebo. Bliss in the Badlands Whether you're in Calgary or the capital city of Edmonton, a 90-minute drive east to the area known as the Canadian Badlands beckons. Whether you're canoeing the placid Red Deer River, hiking the lunar landscape in search of dinosaur bones or simply climbing into the mouth of the World's Largest Dinosaur in Drumheller, this archaeologically acclaimed area is home to several spa vacations including the Inns and Spa at Heartwood. The facility, which opened 11 years ago, is actually two boutique hotels – Heartwood Manor and Heartwood Haven – where guests range from honeymooning couples to a gaggle of girlfriends out for a spa weekend. "They giggle by evening and spa by day," says Norah Bird Hamilton, who operates the historic Drumheller inns, seven blocks apart, with husband Bob Hamilton. "This year in particular, we're seeing a lot of people stepping out to embrace the healing world." Bird Hamilton notes the spa's therapists go beyond the routine to offer such treatments as Reiki, Indian head massage, mango polish, Thai massage, Shiatsu mens' pedicure and iridology. The wellness spa also hosts weekend workshops that often include sessions with a psychologist or hypnotist, and group, multi-day and treatment packages are also available. "People are really starting to realize they need to take better care of themselves. Our focus is really on healing." Walking on the Wild Side Perhaps, you don't want to just soak in the outdoors – you want to soak it up. This is Alberta, after all – home to vast tracts of untouched wilderness just begging to be explored. You're going to earn your pampering . . . by the time you hit the massage table, your muscles will be begging for a rubdown. At the Black Cat Guest Ranch, 20 kilometres west of Hinton on the northwestern edge of Jasper National Park, the view alone will take your breath away. Established in 1935, this family-owned guest ranch offers a multitude of outdoor adventures including horseback riding, hiking, birding, dogsledding and cross-country skiing. What's more unique are lively weekend workshops, which run the gamut from murder mysteries, writing and photography to scrapbooking and – of course – spa treatments. The spa component isn't lavish – there's massage and yoga, plus home-cooked meals, outdoor activities and a hot tub – but it's the mountain setting and northern Alberta hospitality that keeps guests coming back. As well, Black Cat takes part in multi-day Elderhostel retreats aimed at older adults (55-plus) seeking adventure, fellowship and learning. Situated in a 16-suite woodland lodge flanked by the front ranges of the Rocky Mountains, Black Cat is four hours by car from the provincial capital of Edmonton. About The Author:
*** Digital Reprint Rights *** *** Author Notification *** We ask that you notify the author of publication of his or her work. Travel Alberta can be reached at: travelalberta@raremethod.com *** Print Publication Reprint Rights *** If you desire to publish this article in a PRINT publication, you must contact the author directly for Print Permission at: travelalberta@raremethod.com
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