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I am finally catching on. I am a brilliant woman when I want to be.

My inlaws are visiting from the east coast and my husband wanted to go away with them for a few days (as a family). I didn't even think twice, I said: Let's go to Calistoga! It's a great place, it's not too far (and with my back we only had to stop once!) and when we get there, we can relax.

Day one: Friday: travel day. Check in to hotel, go down to mineral swimming pool and whirlpool, swim laps in green mineral water and shower. Find out that the minerals make your body feel like silk. Go to dinner in town, come back to hotel. Go to sleep.

Day Two: breakfast at hotel (hotel is non-snobby, a real find in Calistoga and the wine country in general, believe me) where I chat it up with the concierge, my new best friend Sean, who gives me tons of coupons and lots of great advice.  We go to the Sterling Wine vinyard (where the wine isn't so hot, but the tram ride up is spectacular (did I mention it's mustard season, so the valley is covered in bright yellow?). The day is beautiful. A professional photographer takes pictures of our family and has us sign release forms. Then he asks to photograph me. It's the first time I have really had my pic taken since my surgeries and subsequient ups and downs with weight and health. But on Day two, I feel beautiful. And the photographer tells me so. I can't wait to see the photos. 

Then I send the family off to see the petrified forest and the Geyser of Calistoga and I go to the spa. I have a mud bath (yes, you sit in a tub of very thick mud) and the experience is so amazing that I forget to be grossed out. I am truly weightless,and feel no pain. And my body is detoxing while I am at it. I am so jazzed that I tell the sweet young woman who brings me water that I am so grateful for being there at that very moment...she comes back and pops on a seaweed facial ("don't tell anyone, hon., but I really like you!). Next the mineral bath with jets (to get the mud out from....everywhere) with aromatherapy. Then an hour plus massage. I get the bill: $155

That may sound like a lot to some of you. But I swear, most spas are twice the price. I did my research and let me tell you, ladies, if you want to go with me to Calistoga, I have a standing invitation for all of you!!