Breitenbush Hot Springs, Oregon

A seven-hour drive took me and a friend to a meditation retreat at Breitenbush Hot Springs last weekend, where we mostly remained silent among the sounds of the Breitenbush River rushing, ravens calling from a bare branched tree-top, an evening thunderstorm followed by a steady rain and dripping from cedars and firs, and regular dinner bells announcing organic vegetarian, colorful, sumptuous, and nourishing meals. And, of course, the mineral-rich amazing hot springs in pools we women stepped into, melting away all pretense and care, soothing muscles and skin accustomed to holding stress, leaving only softness. So you see, heaven is really Earth.