People who complain about birthdays clearly don’t have family and friends to celebrate with. What could be better than a week (or more) of dinners, visits and escapes? In our family birthdays were always a big deal. So, naturally mine started with a surprise dinner with my sister and niece at a favorite restaurant the night we arrived back in town after five months on the road. For the next two weeks there were celebration dinners with many dear friends!

Then – there was the BIG escape. Three days at an oasis in the Arizona desert – Castle Hot Springs. Castle Hot Springs was established in 1896, but the springs were first utilized and the area cultivated by the Yavapai Tribe. Then settlers moved into the area and ‘the springs’ were developed into a health resort that drew the likes of the Rockefellers, Pews and Vanderbilts. Cecil B. DeMille staged his cast and crew at the resort during the Depression and filmed an early “talkie”. Unfortunately, a fire destroyed several of the buildings in 1976 and the resort fell into disrepair. Recently it was purchased, restored and added to with lovely casitas, a ‘farm’ (which grows most of the fruits and vegetables utilized in meal preparations) and revitalized grounds. Most of all – the hot springs have survived all these years and are the main draw to the resort.

One really has to want to enjoy all there is to offer here, as the trip is not an easy one – but much easier than they had it in the early 1900’s!! A drive of approximately 15 miles heading north off of 74 (the extension of Carefree Hwy that takes you to Wickenburg) will get you there – AFTER 7 miles on an interestingly maintained dirt road;-)

Then you come around a corner and there is the oasis of Castle Hot Springs!

The grounds are beautiful – and so are the accommodations! The staff is extremely friendly and cheerful and the food is delicious. And, no one let me forget about a birthday;-)

Of course the main attraction is the mineral water – hot springs – in the three pools at varying temperatures.

Other sights and sounds of the resort take one back to the days of old – –

There are scheduled activities much of the day, which one can participate in as much as wanted. A short walk into an adjacent canyon takes one past the ‘castles’ from which Castle Hot Springs derived its name and petroglyphs from the original inhabitants.

As always – the sun goes down on our adventures and it is time to fly away back home;-(

Only an hour from home, but a world away in relaxation. AND – a perfect way to conclude birthday celebrations.

E saying a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to G for a wonderful birthday celebration;-)