Earth Day - Everyday!

It's hard to explain the importance of intact ecosystems, wilderness and habitat conservation land planning to folks these days. Environmental education is weak, and so few of us have real relationships with the great outdoors.

In truth; "Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man." - Stewart Udall



Protect Earth Everyday:

1. Take every opportunity to preserve what's left of our roadless lands. Stand against invasive mining, logging and road building in every form. Sign the No Dirty Energy and No Dirty Gold pledges.
   
2. Eat local food and less or no meat. Everything has a transportation cost attached. A pound of beef typically equals a pound of oil. The oil went for transport, antibiotics, hormones (to make the beef bigger, faster, in unsanitary factory farm conditions), fertilizers, pesticides, plastics (styrofoam tray) and of course the energy to make them all. Each and every one of these uses of carbon is unnecessary and directly contributes to global warming. Every meal you eat that doesn't contain any meat is far better for the environment in every way. Eating less or no meat also helps the last herd of genetically pure bison left in Yellowstone...
   
3. Defend the Endangered Species Act, Endangered Species and threatened wildlife vital to healthy ecosystems. Join the national outcry to Save Wolves before May 4th!
   
4. Always pick up trash and leave a light footprint when visiting the great outdoors.
   
5. Keep good stuff out of landfills, take advantage of websites like freecycle and craigslist.
   
6. Unplug electronics and appliances. Computers, coffee makers, TVs, cell phone chargers etc. all have one thing in common. They suck power even when turned-off. Unplug 'em, and pick up a special green surge protector.
   

"Keep close to Nature's heart...and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." - John Muir

Mountain Village Resort Hot Springs Video Clip

Video Features: The hike out to the soak shack, inside the soak shack overview, hot springs pool and soak

View the complete listing for the Mountain Village Resort, located in Stanley, Idaho.

Natural Hot Springs - Big Mountain Views

Stanley, Idaho is well-known for being a tad chilly. It has even been, at times, the coldest place in the United States. My good friend that works at Denali National Park will surely contest this.

So, you might be thinking - why on Earth would anyone want to spend spring break in such a place? Well, for starters, Stanley is quiet and engulfed by the mighty Sawtooth Mountains. Other benefits include: hot springs (of course), lack of people, snowshoeing, incredible scenery, wildlife and yes - homemade blackberry pie (this one was a bonus).

One evening spent soaking and gazing at the Sawtooths involved watching a live episode of the playful coyote. In this episode, the coyote romped and rolled around in crunchy snow amongst a gaggle of nervous Canadian Geese. Much better than any talk box show I could think of.

This particular natural hot springs is rather deluxe, and is only available to guests of the Mountain Village Resort. Which I ended up calling 'Mountain View' a few times in the video clip. It's rather difficult not to think 'Mountain View' up in Stanley when surrounded by the majestic Sawtooth Mountains.



In a nutshell; staying at the Mountain Village Resort was better than expected thanks to friendly staff, clean rooms and good food (homemade pie!). I can also imagine that cleaning up their guest-use hot springs facilities is quite the chore. I thought it was rare to see a garbage can at a hot springs. Despite the presence of the receptacle, many guests still opted to throw their trash everywhere else. One would hope that those visiting areas like this would be least likely to be trash mongers. One would hope.

Here's the skinny on Mountain Village Resort; includes additional pictures and video.

Stanley, Idaho Map


View Larger Map

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References

Sawtooth Mountains on Wikipedia

Stanley, Idaho Chamber of Commerce

Stanley Idaho on Wikipedia

[where: Stanley, ID]

Commercial Hot Springs Updates in Idaho

It is surely Spring. The time when Idaho commercial hot springs owners and operators begin sending in their updates to IdahoHotSprings.com.

New info. has been added/updated for the following commercial (fee use) hot springs located in Idaho:

1. Indian Springs Hot Springs Resort and RV Park (see previous post for info.)
2. Easley Hot Springs in Idaho: listing and link update
3. Durfee Hot Springs in Almo, Idaho: Google Map location update and new listing added
4. Riverside Inn & Hot Springs in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho: listing update
5. Riverdale Resort Hot Springs in Idaho: listing and link update

Related Links:

View Interactive Map of All Commercial Hot Springs in Idaho