Orvis2

	This is the view from the grounds of Orvis Hot Springs. These are the San Juan Mountains, with the highest peak at about 14,000 feet. At the tree line of these mountains, at about 11,000 feet, is Blue Lake, which is destination of the hike while staying at the hot springs (see photos below) Orvis Hot Springs is nearest to Ridgway, CO and also close to Ouray and Telluride, CO. You can get directions to Blue Lake when you in the area.
	This is the main pool at Orvis Hot Springs, with a temperature of about 103 F. There are 2 other outdoor pools and one indoor pool. There is also a sauna and a very hot small pool (about 112 F). The pools are fed from a hot spring where the water temperature is about 142 F.
	This is the path to Blue Lake. It starts at about 9,000 feel and goes to Blue Lake, which is 11,200 feel. It a is a beautiful, easy hike (except for the lack of oxygen).
	Getting closer to Blue Lake.
	Blue Lake is just beyond this log.
	Welcome to Blue Lake. Blue Lake has an almost mystical quality and mediations here are very clear and powerful. One feels a deep connection to Nature and a disconnection from the man-made world. It reminded me of my visits to the Himalayas and hot springs and lakes I visited there.
	Blue Lake has a special color and energy with a setting at the base of these impressive mountains. The quiet, still portions of the lake with the more active, small ripples of other parts, reminds one of the still meditative states of the mind and the more active, dynamic states of the mind and emotions.
	Water at a very high elevations, brought there by solar power from lower elevations though the process of evaporation (and purification) is now ready to begin it journey, by the force of gravity, to lower elevations. Water at these high altitudes has considerable gravitation energy between this level and sea level.
	Water in this special lake seems to have its own mood, telling its own story.
	Water from Blue Lake begins to flow over the natural rock formations, dissolving minerals in the process in combinations that are unique to these rocks.
	Sometimes this flow is smooth (laminar) and sometimes, as in this photo, it turbulent.
	Here the stream becomes a waterfall. This is a very nice medium size waterfall. This photo was taken at a distance from the waterfall.
	These are aspen trees near the stream. Water as it flows to the ocean or evaporates along the way, flows through all living systems, which are part of the natural cycle of water, the hydrologic cycle.
	Two days after the hike to Blue Lake, there was an early snowfall at the hot springs, and this is the view early in the morning. In this photo, you see naturally heated spring water, vapor coming from the water and water in its frozen (solid) state, snow.
	Priscilla Pattison, is a massage therapist at Orvis Hot Springs and also has her own watsu pool at her home, a few miles from the hot springs with same beautiful view of the San Juan Mountains. I got a watsu treatment from Priscilla and I would hope anyone visiting the area would get a watsu or massage treatment from Priscilla. Priscilla is giving a watsu treatment to her husband in this photo. Priscilla Pattison Watsu & Massage, Ridgway, Co (970) 626-5752