Blue Tushies and Chinook salmon

For most of the country Memorial Day is the signal of the beginning of the summer.  This does not always hold true in Idaho. I've endured Memorial Days that were so hot the salmon I pulled from the water were poached, while the other weekends were so cold and wet my butt froze and fell off.  I am here to tell you a Popsicle butt is not a good thing.  Being an Idahoan isn't easy sometimes, especially when it comes to the weather.

 Folks like to whine and moan and make jokes about Idaho’s inconstant weather.  I'm sure you've heard a few-- “If you don't like the Idaho weather wait five minutes,” or my personal favorite, “Idaho weather doesn't suck, Wyoming’s blows.” 

Personally, being rather Chihuahua-like in size and stature, I prefer warmth and sunshine but for my bear of a husband weather is a non-issue.  This has caused more than one ridiculous fight in our marriage.  I crave a hot spring when sun and warmth are in short supply, while he would be happy anywhere fishing even when the Idaho sky is spitting in his eye.

After years and years and years of marriage we've learned to compromise. I've promised to endure all types of May weather and combat fishing on the Salmon River and in return he has promised to get  my blue butt to a hot spring on the way home, where I can warm my tushie until it returns to a healthy, normal pink. 

In May, the closest salmon fishing to my home is in Riggins which means that there are ample butt poaching opportunities on the journey home via Highways 55 or 95. Below, I've created two lists of hot springs to help keep your rear-end and marriage warm and happy.  Here’s hoping your Memorial Day weekend is full of fish, good times, and pink tushies.

Highway 95 Hot Springs

Zim’s Hot Springs—just outside of New Meadows—is a nice outdoor, commercial pool. http://www.zimshotsprings.com/

Mundo Hot Springs—just outside of Cambridge—is a gorgeous, commercial pool. http://idaho-rv.blogspot.com/

Highway 55 Hot Springs

Goldfork Hot Spring—just outside of Donnely—is a mountain gem with several pools ranging in temperature from hot to lukewarm.  http://goldforkhotsprings.com/

Terrace Lakes Resort—just off Highway 55 in the tiny community of Crouch—has it all including a golf course, a lodge, and a geothermal pool open year round.  http://www.terracelakes.com/-hot-springs-pool

Roystone Hot Spring—located on Highway 52 just a short ten miles from Horseshoe Bend—Roystone is one of my all-time favorites.  The pool is covered to protect you from inclement weather but still an outdoor pool, the family who owns the place is amazing, and the price is right!  http://www.roystonehotsprings.com/

My book Under My Idaho Sky, which contains more stories and maps of Idaho, is due to be published and available this July!  Stayed tuned for more information!