High Class and Hot Springs: Sun Valley
The Scenic Road to Hailey, Idaho
The haul from Whitefish to Sun Valley was our longest stretch in a while – six hours of shifting landscapes. We descended from the northern Idaho mountains into the Snake River Plain, winding through the surreal volcanic rock deposits of Craters of the Moon before climbing back up into the Wood River Valley. Rosalea has relatives in the nearby town of Hailey that were generous enough to provide us with the holy trinity of road-tripping for a couple nights: a home-cooked meal, a hot shower, and a real bed.
Old School Elegance
Sun Valley Resort is “old money” in the best way possible. The lodge is a masterpiece of mountain class, complete with massive chandeliers and grand wooden staircases. Since it was a Monday, we practically had the mountain to ourselves. While the natural snow was a bit thin, Sun Valley’s legendary snowmaking came in clutch. We quickly realized the groomed runs were the place to be, offering nice, consistent snow that our tired legs appreciated.
To celebrate the home stretch of our trip, Monika treated us to a round of cocktails at a mid-mountain lodge that was just as fancy as the base. It was the perfect moment to toast to the thousands of miles we’ve covered.
Redemption at the Hot Springs
With my legs officially cooked, Rose and I decided to skip the final afternoon laps and hunt down a natural hot spring her family had recommended. After our failed attempt back in Canada, this was my first real natural spring experience, and it was a total success.
We spent the afternoon soaking where the scalding spring water mixes with the freezing river. We shared the pool with some fellow travelers and a group of kids whose hooliganisms and theatrical personalities kept us entertained for a while – one of them reminded me of Katie! It was the exact reset we needed.
The Final Push
We capped the night back at the house with chili and cornbread, followed by a hilariously sorry attempt at a game of Codenames. Our brains and bodies are clearly ready for the finish line. Given the conditions, we’ve decided to trade a second day here for an early start toward our final stop: Snowbird, Utah.
