New Guest Area at Glen Ivy Hot Springs
When I was in college, I had the lucky opportunity to spend a month at the Prescott College Kino Bay Research Center. Kino Bay or more properly Bahia Kino, is a quaint little fishing village along the Sonoran Coast of the Gulf of California. If you have spent any time in the Gulf you know what I am talking about when I say the stark yet serene desert stretches out right to the shores of the sea.
Centuries old columnar cacti like Saguaro, Cardon and Organ Pipe dot the hillsides and bajadas, sometimes reaching more than 20 feet into the air. The mostly still and glass-like crystal blue waters of the gulf extend to the horizon interrupted only by the midriff islands like Isla Tiburon and the occasional sea turtle or dolphin that break the surface of the water. The only thing here, separating the desert from the sea is a narrow road with seaside shops and sandy beach.
I will never forget the warm waters, friendly people and diverse landscapes I encountered while there. The locally indigenous Seri Indians that came to trade with the “Americanos” were always friendly and inviting. The mangrove swamps, hot chiltipina peppers collected wild from the desert, and colorful cottages and fishing boats that dotted the narrow strip along the shore have stayed fresh in my mind for 20 years now.
It is these images and experiences that are the inspiration for a newly renovated landscape area between Glen Ivy’s Rancho Las Uvas and South Pool. Young columnar cactus including Saguaros, Yuccas, Barrel Cactus, and sages add to the feel of a contrasting environment. Colorful pottery and crystal pools reminiscent of the quaint and serene villages that line the coast of Sonora highlight the semi-shaded lounging and dining area. And like the welcoming Seri Indians of the Gulf of California, the caring and dedicated staff at Glen Ivy invite you to come enjoy this new experience, allow your worries to be carried away on the warm desert breezes, and find tranquility in the clear healing waters that can only be found at Glen Ivy Hot Springs.
Patrick Mitchell
Glen Ivy’s Director of Landscapes & Sustainability
Patrick: I loved this post! It took me back when Jim and I drove down the Baja Peninsula from San Diego to Cabo, stopping at small towns on the Gulf along the way. I agree that Rancho Las Uvas has the same quiet feel and can transport you to a more relaxing place without having to leave home! I will have to spend some time there in the future myself!