Enchantment

We woke well before dawn so that we had time to ease our way through an expresso and slip into our day packs and headlamps, wanting to get onto the trail down to San Francisco Hot Springs at the first glimmer of light in order to ensure that we had the springs to ourselves for a while. 

We had arrived the afternoon before and walked a bit of the 1 1/2 mile route to get an idea of the terrain,  being reasonably certain that we could walk it safely as the sun rose. There were only 2 other rigs anywhere near the trailhead,  and both belonged to mountain bikers,  so we were already feeling comfortable in our surroundings. 

Coming to the final descent,  we were happily presented with the view of canyon cliffs, tall cottonwoods and sycamores,  and a clear flowing river with steam rising above sandy beaches. Heaven awaited down below. We found a low, swift ford to cross over to the pools, stripped down, and oozed into the clear, non-sulphurous pool, laughing at our.good fortune. 

We had the pool to ourselves for at least an hour before a young couple from Durango arrived and patiently awaited their turn. 

It worked so well this morning that we plan to repeat the same process tomorrow. Amazingly,  though,  we have this entire patch of desert to ourselves tonight, as we have had for most of the day, except for the myriad stars, the bluebirds, and the javelina tracks.  Social distancing is easy out here in this enchanted land.