The activity calendar for the day listed several walks around the grounds: a fitness walk, an anti-stress walk, and an evening walk, but rather than join the group, I preferred to enjoy the solitude of my surroundings. I set off at a brisk pace, but soon stopped to explore things, from the weathered rail fence, put together without benefit of wire, staples or nails, to the old barn and the gardens. Lush green trees, plants and wildflowers provided each of the other cabins I encountered on the path with privacy from the world.

My appointment with Rénald was for late afternoon, so I regretfully cut my walk short and headed up past the pond to the main building. Clad in the standard issue beige robes, various spa residents lounged on the chaises, watching the water in the fountain, and the tiny fish swimming below them. The load croak of a bullfrog echoed past us all.

With the quiet charm of a French nobleman, Rénald gave me halting English directions on settling myself on the treatment table. But the language of body message has no barriers -- soon the Miracle Minéral Dos had worked its magic and every muscle in my body was fully relaxed. After the oil massage came the minéral treatment. Rénald covered my back, thighs and legs with cloths then applied a warm mineral layer. With another layer of cloths and a blanket I soon felt its effects, as the warmth permeated all of my pores. The strong smell of menthol filled the room, even opening my nasal passages to the experience.

But that wasn't the end. As he removed the mineral wraps he continued the massage from my neck right to my toes. Using some reflexology techniques, he worked on my legs and feet. After what felt like ten minutes, but by conventional time was more than an hour, I slipped from the table and into my robe. Back to fluorescent lights and reality, my body somehow melded with my mind, I wandered back out to meet Theresa.

Dinner was next on the agenda in the dining room, and what a meal it was. Spa Eastman's chef was a treasure, from his training in Belgium to his French restaurant experience, he had the ability to make magic with foods we often think of as less than exciting. Part of the spa program is a tantalizing, very healthy menu, focusing on organic foods grown in their own gardens. However, Spa Eastman staff hasten to assure visitors, "We don't push people towards a diet -- you can eat what you like."

In addition to a salad bar, the menu's first course included Leek soup, Waldorf salad, and Ramequin of barley and oyster mushrooms. The entrée choice was salmon filet with red bell pepper sauce or veal roast with mustard and tarragon sauce. Dessert options for those of us, like me, with a sweet tooth, were maple pie or wild berry pie. Edible flowers garnished all of the dishes, so the meals were true French Canadian culinary delights. (CONTINUE...)