Just What the Doctor OrderedTrying something new and daunting can be good...very good!By Lucinda Michell
I was traveling with my sister who was quite skeptical about this adventure. We arrived in this lovely quaint town with 75 different spas to choose from. Some were quite elegant. I selected the oldest one at the far end of town because I was intrigued by the name (a Chiropractor is the owner) and I’d heard wonderful things about it. I got a sideways look from my sister. We were greeted by friendly staff and ushered into a quiet, serene room to change into robes. Beautiful, relaxing music was playing. Soft-spoken Martha took us to a large room containing whirlpool hot spring baths, saunas and....two large tubs of mud! I refused to make eye contact with my sister.
After 20 minutes in the warm mud bath, we showered again, then entered a bubbly mineral springs whirlpool. The contrast of these two tubs was intoxicating. I got a glimpse of my sister. She had a total look of bliss on her face. At last! Next stop was the sauna with a refreshing glass of lemon water. Then a 15 minute blanket wrap and slow cool down. Please tell me that’s not my sister snoring.
After we finished our exquisite treatments we walked out to the lobby and there was Dr. Wilkinson himself! As we chatted, he told us that he came to Calistoga as a young man in 1946. Because of his background as a Chiropractor, he was interested in the healing properties of the mineral springs and lava ash mud. After working in one of the local spas he decided it was time to buy his own. He has been pampering his guests ever since.
Contact InformationDr. Wilkinson’s Hot Springs Resort Calistoga Chamber of Commerce Photographs by Melissa Shoen |
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Would you like to try something a little different? Something that has been around for centuries, but chances are you haven’t tried since you were a child? Something that leaves you relaxed, rejuvenated and glowing? Then head to Dr. Wilkinson’s Hot Spring’s Mud Baths in Calistoga, California. 
After showering, we swallowed all inhibitions and eased ourselves into what looked to be heavy thick mud. To our surprise, we felt buoyant and the mud was actually light and fluffy. It felt divine! Martha told us the mud was made with local volcanic ash, imported peat and naturally boiling hot springs water. I loved it. My sister got the giggles. 
Next, our attendants put a lovely milk and honey masque on our face, soothing cucumbers over our eyes and a cool cloth on our forehead. Their brochure says, “it’s magical”, and it is.
Because we signed up for “The Works”, our final treat was a full body massage. “That was the best massage I have ever had!” my sister gushed. Is this the same person I came in with earlier? 
So the next time you’re heading north in the Napa Valley, treat yourself to Dr. Wilkinson’s mud bath. You know you’re getting close when you see a truck with the license tag “MUD TUB”. You are definitely there if you see the license tag “MUD KING”. Guess who that belongs to?!