| | |  Travel & Outdoors | December 2008 
Refresh your Soul on Mexico's Baja Peninsula
 Judy M. Zimmerman - TravelVideo
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I longingly remembered the tranquility I felt that Saturday morning 17 years ago at San Diego Airport while waiting my return flight to Sacramento. Just one week before at the airport, I had boarded a comfortable bus for the one-hour ride to Rancho La Puerta Spa in Tecate, Mexico. The "Ranch", as it is fondly called by many repeat guests, is North America's first health and fitness spa resort, started by Deborah Szekely and her husband 68 years ago.
Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, and the calorie count of each item is prominently posted. The super-fresh vegetables, berries, and fruit grown in the Ranch's organic garden are so good that second helpings are hard to resist.
Guests can also sign up to walk a couple of miles to have breakfast at the organic farm, followed by a tour of the six-acre garden.
Three evenings, fresh seafood was served and it was always possible to arrange for a baked potato or pasta alternative to the offered meal. For dessert: carrot cake, cinnamon flan or a baked apple.
My sister and I began to fill in our first day's schedule of classes, selecting from more than 75 co-ed activities for every fitness level, in addition to 40 miles of on-site hiking trails. Each hour there is a choice of about 10 activities, including hikes, weight training, water workouts, volleyball, tennis clinics, dance, yoga, and aerobics.
Guests varied in their opinions about the best time to schedule a massage, facial or body treatment. My preference was a soothing massage just after the late afternoon Inner Journey meditation.
I recognized several masseuses from my earlier visits. Many of the caring and gifted staff are second and third-generation family members.
Although it was hard to leave the Ranch Saturday morning, I once again took home a special inner peace that will last a long time - perhaps until a return visit next year.
IF YOU GO
Book reservations well in advance. Otherwise, hope for last-minute cancellations. Call 800-443-7565 or check availability and book online at RanchoLaPuerta.com. |
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