Journeys›Photograph

A Few Days of Sun in Calistoga

·Calistoga, California·#california#summer#bay area#gardens#calistoga
A lush garden features tall green grasses, palm trees, and a dark pond in front of a white building.

A few days of sun in Calistoga, at the top end of Napa Valley, and no plan beyond walking the grounds. The whole town started as Sam Brannan's health spa in 1859, and the hot geysers and mineral and mud springs are still the business here — the bathhouse near our building says NATURAL BATHS across the arch, with a fountain running over river stones by the door and gnarled old olive trees planted around a second one out back.

The pond at the corner of the property is ringed with papyrus, heads gone straw at the edges, fan palms stacked against the white fence behind it. White roses climb the walls along the walkways, more open blooms than buds at this point in June.

The sun dropped behind the ridge west of the lodge last evening while the row of rooms lit up over the parked cars. By late morning today the restaurant patio was already set — round tables, wine glasses out, umbrellas up before anyone had sat down.

Lush green palm fronds and other foliage against a bright blue sky with sparse clouds.Several white flowers with light brown centers and green leaves are growing against a white wall.A white two-story building, parked cars, and a dirt road lead toward distant mountains under a clear blue sky.Sunset sky above buildings with illuminated balconies, a parking lot, dark trees, and distant mountains.Outdoor restaurant patio with multiple tables and chairs under umbrellas, surrounded by green trees and palm leaves.A stone water fountain with a round basin and rectangular pool filled with pebbles in a sunny garden.A white building with "NATURAL BATHS" above an arched entrance, an orange umbrella, and white flowering bushes.A sunny outdoor courtyard with a tiered fountain, curved benches, olive trees, and an American flag on a distant building.

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