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<P> <B>By Mary Armstrong</B> </CENTER> <BLOCKQUOTE>
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<A HREF="Images/hallway.jpg"><IMG ALIGN=LEFT BORDER=0 WIDTH="150"
HEIGHT="150" ALT="I" SRC="Images/i.gif"></A> t looked like the
set for Alfred Hitchcock's <EM>Vertigo</EM>, bell tower and all, but during our
pampered stay at the Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa, no bodies, real or imagined,
plummeted from the bell tower. <P> We were grateful for that because my husband,
Michael, and I really needed a peaceful and romantic weekend trip and weren't looking
for anything remotely Hitchcockian. We'd have loved to try Provence, but the time
wasn't right, so the obvious choice was California Wine Country. <P> The Sonoma
Valley was named Valley of the Moon by the Indians, who were the first to use the
natural hot artesian mineral waters. Now, my husband and I planned on testing the
waters One hour away from fog - blanketed San Francisco, we reached Boyes Hot Springs, the
running - to - shabby town where the decidedly unshabby Sonoma Mission Inn is
located. <P> <A HREF="Images/exterior.jpg">The Inn</A> is an architecturally
accurate replica of a California Mission. It is made up of several different buildings
painted a rich pink, promising the guest a soothing calm. The Inn's long history
dates back to the mid-19th century. Twice, it burned to the ground and twice it was
restored. It faded from popularity after World War II, but in 1980 was renovated and the
Spa added. In 1991, the current owners found a new source of the springs 1100 feet below
the Inn and harnessed those waters for their <A HREF="Images/pool.jpg">two</A>
<A HREF="Images/poolside.jpg">swimming pools</A> and the whirlpools. <P> The
Sonoma Mission Inn's Spa is world renowned and when I remember our sojourn
there, I remember the wonderful mineral waters going to work on my achy muscles I
think of the good smells of healing potients, the quiet, and the soothing lighting. Just
remembering it, I feel calm enough to let go of some of my everyday tensions. <P> The
spa has so many different types of treatments, you could spend a month there and not
have enough time to try them all. They offer over 40 massages, facials, body
treatments, and fitness classes. You can have private consultations on everything from
"style definition," to "stress management." Or you can just stare at your belly button
and sip the fruit of the vine. <P>
Our "Wine Country Room with Balcony" was a pretty space overlooking the resort. It was
well appointed: King size bed, loads of fluffy pillows, a welcome bottle of good local red
wine and the heavenly quiet of the Valley of the Moon.
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