Cranky Sue's of Cannon Beach. Oregon

Well, you know we like to eat, and one of the places we always go to when we're in Cannon Beach is to go to Cranky Sue's for some great crab cakes! We happened upon Cranky Sue's a few years ago, and now many more people have found it (not difficult to do since you pass it driving into town). There is small restaurant with both inside-seating and outside (dog-friendly) seating. Now, just like most coastal restaurants, it's not an inexpensive place, but if you like crab cakes, then this is the place for you ~ enjoy!

(Remember ~ if you like crab and are a bit further down (south) the coast, go to the Riverhouse Restaurant)

Ainsworth Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada

Today was a cloudy and cold day in the Kootenay area of British Columbia, so we decided to warm our spirits in the Ainsworth Hot Springs. From Creston we again went north on the 3a highway to the ferry terminal at Kootenay Bay and then took the ferry across Kootenay Lake to Balfour. (This is the same route as described in yesterday's post). Once in Balfour we headed north along the west side of the lake to the town of Ainsworth and their hot springs.

What makes the Ainsworth Hot Springs unique is that it has great views of Kootenay Lake from the pool area, as well as a second pool with a horseshoe-shaped cave which goes back into the side of the mountain. This is the origin of the hot water. You can go in one side of the cave to exploring the chambers and come our the other side. Inside the cave the ceiling is covered with stalagmites and the water seems to get hotter the deeper you swim into the cave. The inside of the cave is very steamy and not will lit, so take it slow until your acclimate. To cool down a little, we proceeded to the larger pool which felt only warm in comparison to the cave pool (kept at 106 degrees). Both pools have ledges along their side to sit and soak. There is a small third pool (it's the size of a small hot tub) was the cool pool. This was way too cold for us so we skipped this adventure while remembering our purpose was to soak and relax, and goosebumps didn't support that goal.

This hot springs is smaller than the ones we have been to, but with the cave and the views it's worth a stop. The change/shower rooms were very small and crowded. There are no lockers, but you are given a bag for all your personals and then you check the your bag into at the desk for safe keeping. (This service is free.)

As a bonus on our trip, we found out that a Letterbox was hidden at the hot springs. So after our soak we followed the clues and found it. Check out this link to the Letterbox website to find out what it's all about. We have found it has encouraged us to go a few additional places during our travels that weren't in our initial plans, plus that bonus of finding the actual letterbox!

Miette Hot Springs, Jasper National Park, Canada

We enjoyed Miette Hot Springs ~ there are two heated pools, one that is more shallow for kids/families and one that was deeper so there tended to be more adults in this pool. The water temperature was quite hot, they advertise that it is 40oC (108oF), but it did not feel that hot. There is a slight sulphur smell, but you get use to it quickly. There are also two cool water. There is ample deck space for sun bathing and also a small covered which provided some needed shade. There are not enough chairs on the deck versus the number of people in the pools, so you have to move quickly and show not mercy when a chair become available. There is no food or drink allowed in the pool area, but they do have a small café off to one side of the pool where drinks and snacks can be purchased and eaten there. There are lockers for a one-time use for $1, and you can rent swim suits and towels. The women’s locker room had individual dressing areas, unlike the men’s which was one large room. Both locker rooms had open communal showering areas.

There are a couple of hikes that originate from the main parking lot. One goes to the ruins of the original bath house. You can walk through the remaining walls and foundation. Information plaques and pictures are provide that provide the history. Further up the trail you can go to the hot springs source of this original bath house.

Tip: Bring a lunch for there is a nice picnic area right off the parking lot.