Welcome to the Spaloon

A typical day in a spa anywhere in the world is generally without stress. The environment is meant to be relaxing, even for a working environment. During my days at The Lane Spa in Florida, my massage room was my sanctuary for thoughtful meditation and prayer. This place is not far from that. From where I am sitting, if I look left out my window I see horses, fields of wildflowers, and a snowcapped mountain. To my left, the great Ragged Mountain glistens in the morning light. Straight ahead, kids are playing outside the apothecary, some are headed up to the schoolhouse, and a few workers are hanging a sign that reads "Blacksmithing."
A typical day in "the Town" includes a long hike to Dark Canyon or even to Crested Butte after a big breakfast. There are times we will have guests pop into the "Spaloon" for a service, but things don't usually get busy until after lunch. Here at the Spaloon you can receive a massage, facial, manicure and pedicure, sit in the hot tub, in fared sauna or steam room, lay on the hydrotherapy massage bed, or get a body scrub or wrap followed by a Vichy shower. The Spaloon is one of the prettiest spas I've been in. Bridget wanted a place where her and her friends could come and enjoy the days here out in the Wild West. It's working. Everyone loves it here. It's one of the only buildings that isn't "period" to the 1800's and is comfortable and modern. Bridget amuses "This is not period, its menopause."
We end up working until dinner, usually around 7:30. After we've greased up their hair with massage oils and facial creams, they receive a shampoo and blow-dry and maybe even a few false lashes depending on the night. One night, for Christina's birthday, we all raided the Women's and Gentleman's Shop, put on our fancy outfits, and had a pub crawl. We bounced from the Saloon, to the Cattleman's Club, to Long Branch (another Saloon), and ended up at the train station for cake and champagne. Just another day in 1880.

Mark and Maria

Maria and I at Long Branch