Natural hot springs occur in many areas of Colorado, some easy to find and some requiring a good hike to access them. Touring Colorado Hot Springs covers locations, descriptions, maps, photos, anything you need to start exploring these geological wonders hidden throughout our great state.

Carl Wambach is a lifetime outdoorsman and lover of the American West. He grew up in Missoula, Montana and has a singular passion for the outdoors. Some of his earliest memories include visits to Lolo Hot Springs in Idaho and he has been visiting hot springs locations ever since. This book is not an exhaustive guide to every hot spring Colorado has to offer, but it does list all the best that the public can access.

The book is divided into geographic locations with the rectangular state of Colorado sectioned into four quarters. Each hot spring listed has a name as well as a code referencing its location in the state. The description notes the location, detailed driving directions, a map, how developed the hot spring is, best time to visit, accessibility, and water temperature, services, and GPS coordinates. There is also a narrative section that has an overview including history, quirks and details of the pool, and the Area Highlights section gives interesting facts about the area and fun things to do when not soaking in the hot springs.

The book is detailed, easy to read, well-organized, and includes a short list of specific kinds of hot springs (like clothing-optional, family-oriented, or great pampering) for those looking for a specific experience. An index makes finding a specific spring quick and easy, and the introduction includes a brief geology lesson on what a hot spring is.

This is a great book highlighting some wonderful locations to get away and experience the tranquility of a soak in nature’s bathwater. Nothing can compare to a good hot springs experience, so get out there and start to explore!

Self-Massage for Athletes
BY PATTY REAGIN

Who doesn’t love a great massage? Whether from a pampering spa professional or a loved one or friend, a massage is relaxing, soothing, healing, and quite possibly addictive. But our friends and loved ones eventually get tired of giving those massages constantly, and who can visit a professional as often as one would like? So what’s a person to do? Self-Massage for Athletes is a great way to learn how to give those healing and relaxing benefits to yourself.

Rich Poley spent five years researching Self-Massage for Athletes. He is an avid athlete himself, participating in swimming, running, cycling, and triathlon in between practicing law in Boulder and teaching workshops on self-massage. Self-Massage for Athletes is the only book currently on the market that teaches athletes how to perform massage on themselves for relief of sore muscles, decreased chance of injury, and better overall health and mood.

Self-massage is easy to learn and immediately accessible, as you don’t have to beg, cajole, or pay anyone to perform the massage on you—you can do it yourself whenever you need it. Self-Massage for Athletes is divided into three easy-to-read sections. The first section discusses in detail the advantages and benefits of self-massage; the history of massage in eastern and western medicine; how self-massage can improve performance, mood, and health; and how self-massage can activate your endorphin delivery system. Part 2 teaches the seven massage strokes that make up a good massage. Photos, detailed descriptions, and helpful tips make this section easy to follow and practice. By the end of the section, you will be able to perform a full body massage on yourself. Part 3 delves into more detail about how to explore and find trigger points and utilize acupressure in your self-massage, and talks about some massage tools no self-massage should be without.

The sections are a quick read and easy to absorb. Poley makes learning self-massage simple and exciting and who doesn’t like a good massage, even if it’s one you are giving yourself?

This book is full of detail, descriptions, and helpful photos. Learning self-massage doesn’t take long, but the benefits are long-lasting.

Patty Reagin
is a freelance writer based in the mountains outside  Boulder.
She is an active outdoor enthusiast, equestrian, and animal lover.
patty_reagin@yahoo.com