Portland Here I Come

So it looks like I really will be visiting this wonderful city next month!

I'm excited because it's been a while since I've been to a real city (well, Tucson is, uh, small) and the opportunities todiscover amazing spas, some great hotels (always a favorite activity) and cuisine that's not based on beans and rice (not that there's anything wrong with that) sounds pretty good after suffering through a punishing summer here.

Turns out there's a Spa Chakra in the Avalon Hotel & Spa that's supposed to be heavenly. Sounds like my kind of place. And another visit to something sounding very European, Hotel Provenance group, should satisfy my French-fix (even if it is Italian, close enough!). It's called Hotel de Luxe and sure looks like my kind of vacay place.

We'll see. Lately, I have been thinking about what a spa experience should be like. And I decided to share some simple ways you can create the "spa ambience" right in your own home. Starting with aural selectivity. Talking about music. There's something about soft, no-words music that always relaxes me.

Just lisening to my "spa music" collection soothes my anxieties and eases any tension. It's almost hypnotic. And if you feel like indulging (alone or not), a few drops of essential oils (lavender and tree oil are among my faves) in a hot bath will feel like a small miracle.

One we all deserve.

So if you can't make it to a spa this month, treat yourself at home. Take care of yourself. Be gentle and forgiving. You're only human. And humans need gentleness in their lives. And the more kindness you give.....you know....

Not sure why this turned into a philosophical discourse, but that's the way it goes sometimes. Especially since I haven't been to a spa in....I don't know how long!

How many days to Portland?

The Pacific Northwest Calls....

And when the Pacific Northwest calls, I always listen.

I've had some amazing experiences in Vancouver, with its plethora of amazing spas, restaurants, hotels and general ambience of the city. It reminded me of a clean Toronto, since New York City has really cleaned up its act, you can't use it as a comparision as a dirty place to be anymore!

So now I am being lured to one of my favorite cool cities in the country: Portland, Oregon. And I plan on staying at some very la-de-dah hotels (I'll spill the beans when I have them in hand...I'm cautious that way.)

But I definitely have my sights on a few well-reputed spas and places to visit. The last time I was in the uber-friendly city, I got so lost, a friendly truck-driving woman (it was a small truck) asked me where I was going and she said I was all turned around. As usual. And then she offered a ride to my hotel! I had no fear. It's that kind of vibe. Friendliness seems to emanate from the magnetic pull of the city, or something.

Anyway, she brought me to the door of this very fancy, well-known Heathman Hotel which has been re-done, restored and brought up to speed in the most graceful, customer-satifsying way.
I had a blast there, and even was in walking distance to one of my favorite spas: The Aequis Spa, which has since moved to bigger quarters.

The website alone will put you into such a state of tranquility (no whale music, just some very easy-going spa sounds) that you'll feel as though you've already arrived.

But I have that as number one with a bullet on my list of spas, albeit it's a day spa and I'm used to resort type spas. But, it's a remarkable spa, serene and lovely, and when I visited (before the grand move) I was transported into a state of physical and emotional happiness of the non-verbal type.

For when you have a marvelous spa experience, you want to savor the experience as long as possible, and words always seem clumsy. For me, anyway.

Anyway, if you are ever in Portland, you must check out this spa. You will not be sorry. They start by soaking your feet, a personal favorite.

They had me at hello.

I plan on discovering some wonderful places to visit and will even let you know about them, since this blog is all-encompassing now, especially since my own health problems had interferred with travel and actual spa-visits. I am so overdue with a spa visit it's crazy!

But I'm better now, thank you, and plan on making this getaway in mid-October.

We'll all be in for a treat.

Before Halloween.

Time Out for Tune-Ups

Send Thee (and me) to A Spa.........

So how long has it been since I've been on a relaxing journey? Too long.

With the exception of visiting gorgeous and nearby Westward Look Resort & Spa in Tucson (a small gem of a spa!) and soul-sighing sister properties of J.W. Marriot--one right here in Tucson and the other two in Scottsdale (www.camelbackinn.com) -that's been it.

Why? Because this intense, hell-based heat has prompted a chronic pain condition to flare (unfair!) and has been an unwelcome guest far too long. And you know about those. Unwelcome guests, that is.

However, I hope that will shortly end as I am more than looking forward to a visit to the much-heralded , celeb-loved, luxurious La Costa, near San Diego, in order to reflect and restore my health and sharpen my observational skills.

And it's all for you! And for a particular magazine I hope you will check out: Spa Asia, which will carry my "Musings" in my column of the same name, that runs each issue.

Okay, it's really for me and you'll get to share it vicariously.

Hey, at least you'll be a little closer to making your own plans for a spa-break (you know you need it).

Especially after listening to all the convention nonsense (this won't get political, I promise) aren't we all ready for a nice hot shower to get rid of the dirt we've been hearing about?

Or a waterfall massage....but I digress.

Until you get to a spa on your own, make bath-time fun for you...and maybe a significant other, if you are so in your mind.

Use essential oils, massage yourself, use that loofah you forgot about, work out some kinks under steaming hot (not too hot) water and you'll soon feel better.

That's all I've been able to do for the past couple months. Not ideal, but better than having a pity party, right?


Of course right.

And, by the way, if you have questions about specific spas or tips of wonderful ones I should know about, bring it on!

I'm here, healing and waiting for that ahhhhhh moment we all deserve.