Mother Daughter Getaways

As women, our relationships with our mothers (and daughters) can be quite complex. What better way to reconnect than with a soothing spa escape for two?

By Debra Bokur, Elisa Bosley, and Melissa B. Williams

 

No matter how loving, family dynamics almost always include a little baggage, and not all of it's designer. Maybe you grew up labeled as moody, lazy, or opinionated, or still think of your mom as stern or absentminded. It can be hard to shake those definitions, even when they no longer apply. But people evolve, and so do relationships. Why not renew your bonds during a pampering spa getaway, where the relaxed setting can help you rediscover one another as the amazing, gifted women you've always been? Trust us—we tried it, and it works.

Sisterly Companions

By Melissa B. Williams

For most of my girlfriends, a vacation with their mother might include leisurely walks, girly movies, and just time to lounge and be together—but not with my mother. I generally have to stay extra caffeinated just to keep up with her frenetic pace, which easily bounces from Spinning and yoga classes to running a preschool, cross-country skiing, and exercising her ninety-pound Golden Retriever.

This might explain why ever since I was a teenager, my mother and I have had an unusual relationship. She was always open and nonjudgmental, leading me to be honest with her about any teenage issues I was facing, but in the process creating more of a sisterly relationship than that of mother-daughter. Perhaps it was her youthful attitude, but either way I look more to my mother for fun than for counseling or guidance. So when I set out to take my mother to the spa, I had to think of sisterly retreats. One where we could play, laugh, and for her Montanan soul, be in nature.

We chose to visit Devil's Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, Colorado, (just sixty-five miles west of Denver) for a few days of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and much-needed pampering. Devil's Thumb Ranch is an outdoor enthusiast's playground, featuring more than 100 kilometers of trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, mountain biking, and hiking (including 8 dog-friendly kilometers for skijoring), plus ice skating, horseback riding, and fly-fishing.

We arrived at Devil's Thumb Ranch early enough in the day that we were able to head to the rental shop and rent snowshoes for a few hours. My mother hadn't been snowshoeing since the days that snowshoes were nearly three feet long and made of wood, and was quite surprised to find that she enjoyed it. We meandered through the woods, got lost (only once to my father's surprise), and worked up quite a sweat before lunch at the Ranch House Restaurant.

After lunch, Hans, one of Devil's Thumb Ranch's instructors led my mother and me on a one-hour ski lesson, managing to address my lack of frequency with my mother's lack of flexibility: the ski lesson was insightful for us both and provided us each with some tips and techniques to work on. My mother was then ready to trudge ahead and practice, but I had to reign in her energy and remind her that skiing had to wait: we had spa treatments to get to. (Again, who's the mother here?)

Donning swimsuits and robes, we wandered through the Ranch Creek Spa to the outdoor hot tub. The property boasts two hot tubs, one is for the entire ranch and offers views of the mountains and cross-country terrain, while the other is nestled in the spa, hidden from view, and featuring a rock wall waterfall. We chose the latter and became so relaxed that we nearly missed our spa appointments. I had scheduled the Hot Towel Infused Massage; first, warm towels were artfully placed on various parts of my body, and then removed allowing the therapist to massage out any lingering tension. After my treatment, I wandered back to the waiting area to find my mother—who had opted for the Athletic Muscle Massage—blissfully snacking on the Ranch's spa mix: white chocolate chips, raisins, nuts, and dried fruit. Her smile on her face was obvious: she was having a good time.

Devil's Thumb currently offers everything from quaint cabins for two to large cabins that can accommodate up to twelve people. (The Lodge is currently under construction and after completion will add fifty-three guest rooms and suites as well as a new breakfast and lunch café and bar.) We had booked the Taylor Cabin, a large two-bedroom log cabin, named after Dick Taylor, who designed the first Nordic ski trails on the Ranch. Naturally, the cabin is Nordic in décor with plaid bed covers and old snowshoes adorning the walls. In addition, the property prides themselves on their eco-consciousness and it shows: geothermal radiant heat floors warm the cabins, EPA-approved chimneys minimize the emissions from the wood burning fireplaces, and much of the Broad Axe Barn's framing (which currently houses the Ranch Creek Spa) is salvaged from a Civil War-era barn.

The Ranch House Restaurant & Saloon offers a cozy and romantic dining option for both guests and local diners. Utilizing natural and sustainable food resources, the menu is innovative, and portions are modest allowing diners to taste a variety of options during the course of their meal. During our dinner we indulged in first courses of a Jerusalem artichoke soup; and a salad of red beets, Camembert, and spicy greens. We opted to split our entrees: mushroom stroganoff with a sorrel and potato puree, and a sautéed trout with green beans served with a side of lemon butter sauce. While dinner was a bit indulgent for our tastes, it felt utterly deserved after spending nearly half of our day trekking the wintry terrain.

The following morning, my mother was quick to rise and request another day skiing. She didn't travel this far for her ski adventure to end. So, we set out, and from what I could tell we were the only two crazy loons to hit the trails when the temperature hadn't risen above ten degrees. By the time we ended our ski adventure, others had joined us, and my hands had thawed. I have to admit, I didn't want to go that morning. I could have just as easily stayed in my warm bed, but the knowledge that my mother never takes vacations and that this truly was relaxation for her, prompted me to down another cup of coffee and rise to the challenge.

After our ski adventure, we hit the spa for our last treatments before heading home. I enjoyed the unique Rocky Mountain Rain Therapy experience where the therapist focused nine different oils on my spine—ranging from oregano to wintergreen; the therapy is designed to enhance immunity by stimulating the chakras as well as the physical body, and the scents themselves provide a fabulous backdrop for the indulgent massage that follows. My mother opted to have her hands and feet pampered after all the time they spent holed up in gloves and boots.

On the way home, I looked over at my mother. She wasn't worrying about her work or even the drive. She was gazing out the window as we passed through Winter Park, still talking about our two days at the Ranch and already planning for our next wintry escapade. For more information about Devil's Thumb Ranch, call (800) 933-4339 or visit www.devilsthumbranch.com