Ever since I experienced the magic of the Chinati Hot Springs, I've been looking high and low for more springs with a delicously high lithium content. I've been meaning to get up to Ojo Calente, but haven't had the time for the long drive in to the Taos high country, so I settled for a stop over in Truth or Consequences, NM on the way back from Tuscon. Truth or Consequences is a New Mexico town that was re-named for a game show in 1950. The quiz show is long gone and the town formerly known as Hot Springs, is now referred to as T or C.
The town has a snazzy website that lets you book a room online. I picked La Paloma hot springs for their pet policy and was not disappointed. The retro motor court lodging is comprised of CCC worker cabins that have been moved to the site from nearby Elephant Butte.
While the cabin/motor court accommodations are a bit rustic (there were no showers in the rooms) The main attraction here are the baths which are first-come-first-served private enclosed rustic tubs with pebble floors. Soaking is unlimited with an overnight stay in the motel, and there is 24-hour access. Inoffensive new age-y music is piped in the rooms and the water is HOT. The various natural (but privately enclosed) tubs rage from 109 to 104 degrees. The inn provides heavy terry cloth robes and the temperature in T or C, about 150 miles south of Albuquerque is generally mild enough that you can scurry from the bath house to your room through crisp, but not cold, mountain air.
Twenty-four hours of napping and soaking here is just the right amount of time to detox and unwind. I look forward to visiting in the spring and fall when the conditions will be right for some good hikes at Elephant Butte, right up the road.
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