Bubbles, Beer, and Bock: A Couples' Escape to Quapaw Baths & Spa

 Bubbles, Beer, and Bock:

A Couples' Escape to Quapaw Baths & Spa

There’s a moment, when you first slide into a private couples bath at Quapaw Baths & Spa, that your entire body goes:

“Ohhh… yes. This is it. This is the good life.”

It starts with a sigh. Then a giggle. Then you make accidental eye contact with your partner and both realize: you’re basically stew meat now, gently poaching in ancient mineral water. And weirdly? That’s exactly what you came for.

Hot Springs, Arkansas, may be known for its national park charm and gangster-era lore, but tucked right into the historic Bathhouse Row is an underrated couples retreat that blends relaxation, skin-soothing minerals, low-key romance, and a healthy dose of "Should we be wearing swimsuits right now?"

The Private Bath: Healing Waters and Mild Nudity (Optional, But Encouraged)

Let’s set the scene: you and your partner have booked a private couples bath at Quapaw. You're led past the glowing turquoise pools into your own steamy, tiled sanctuary. The tub is already filled with piping hot natural spring water, rich in silica, calcium, magnesium, and mystery.

Swimsuits are technically required in the main communal pools, but in the private bath? Let's just say the robe-and-slippers life has its... freedoms.

There's something disarmingly intimate about soaking in pure thermal bliss while the walls hum with 4,000 years of geological history. The water doesn’t just relax your muscles — it melts your mutual stress, peels off the crust of work emails and grocery lists, and leaves behind two gloriously hydrated, slightly prune-y lovebirds who’ve remembered what it feels like to just be.

Plus, there’s no better time to have a deep, meaningful conversation about your hopes and dreams than when you’re both sweating and naked in a porcelain cauldron.

After the Soak: Beer, Burgers & the Blissful Glow

Once you’re cooked to perfection, you’ll emerge from Quapaw all dewy and serene, like spiritual sea otters. At this point, there's only one thing left to do: eat and drink something decadent.

Just a few steps down the row, you’ll find the only brewery in a U.S. National Park: Superior Bathhouse Brewery. Yes, it used to be a real bathhouse. Yes, it now serves beer. And yes, that’s the best idea anyone’s ever had.

Order yourself a Goat Rock Bock — a rich, malty beer named after a scenic overlook in Hot Springs, but possibly also how you’ll feel after two pints. It's smooth, a little nutty, and goes exceptionally well with their burgers, which are juicy, perfectly grilled, and likely sent from the gods of post-bath hunger.

There’s a good chance you’ll sit there in your still-wet-from-the-inside-out clothes, sipping beer and watching the golden afternoon light hit the street, and say something like:

“Let’s never leave.”

Steam, Suds, and Sweet, Sweet Silence

Whether you’ve been together 30 years or 3 weeks, there’s something soul-resetting about sharing a hot mineral bath. It’s quiet, it’s healing, and if you play your cards right — it’s swimsuit-optional.

So book the bath. Skip the swimwear (privately, of course). And afterwards, raise a glass of Goat Rock to your newly softened skin and slightly buzzed hearts.

Because sometimes, the best couples therapy is just hot water and good beer.

   

 

Hiking the Narrows in Zion National Park: How It Helped Me Make Peace With Life

Some hikes are about reaching the destination.

Others are about the journey.

And then there's The Narrows in Zion National Park...

A hike that seems determined to remind you that life is a lot easier if you stop fighting the current.

If you've never heard of The Narrows, let me explain.

Imagine someone looked at a perfectly good hiking trail and said,

"You know what this trail needs? About knee-to-waist-deep water, slippery bowling-ball-sized rocks, towering canyon walls, and absolutely no dry feet."

Someone else replied,

"Perfect! Let's make it one of the most famous hikes in America."

Thankfully...

They did.

Because hiking The Narrows became one of the most unforgettable adventures of my life.

This Isn't Your Average Hike

Most hikes involve dirt.

Maybe a few rocks.

Some switchbacks.

You know... normal hiking things.

The Narrows laughs at those ideas.

Your hiking trail...

is the Virgin River.

You're literally hiking in the river.

Every single step.

Sometimes ankle deep.

Sometimes knee deep.

Sometimes even deeper depending on conditions.

The towering sandstone canyon walls rise thousands of feet above you while the river twists through one of the most beautiful landscapes you'll ever see.

It's impossible not to feel small.

In the very best way.

The Adventure Begins...

With Fashion

Before you even begin hiking, you get fitted with equipment.

Not climbing gear.

Not ropes.

Not crampons.

No...

You get outfitted with giant waterproof canyoneering boots, thick neoprene socks, and chest waders that make you look like you're about to rescue fish instead of hike.

I looked in the mirror and thought,

"Well... this certainly isn't making the cover of GQ."

But about fifteen minutes into the hike...

I understood why.

Whoever invented those waders deserves a medal.

Never Underestimate the Walking Stick

I'll admit it.

When they handed me a walking stick, I thought,

"That's nice... but I'm in decent shape."

About three steps into the river...

I realized that walking stick wasn't an accessory.

It was my new best friend.

Every rock beneath the water seems specifically designed to test your balance.

Some wobble.

Some roll.

Some disappear beneath your feet just when you've committed your entire body weight.

That walking stick becomes your third leg.

Your safety blanket.

Your emotional support hiking equipment.

By the end of the day I was considering naming mine.

Then...

I Dropped My Phone

You know that moment when your heart completely stops?

Mine came when I reached for my phone...

...and watched it disappear into the river.

Time froze.

My brain immediately began calculating how much all my photos, notes, contacts, and memories were worth.

Fortunately...

I had placed it inside a waterproof bag.

Unfortunately...

That waterproof bag had decided it wanted to go sightseeing without me.

So there I was.

Walking upstream.

Scanning underwater.

Trying to remember exactly where I'd been.

I'm pretty sure everyone walking past thought I had lost my mind.

Instead...

I'd simply lost my phone.

Thankfully, after retracing my steps, there it was.

Safe.

Dry.

Waiting patiently for me to stop panicking.

Sometimes life reminds us that preparation really does matter.

And waterproof bags are worth every penny.

The Beauty Is Almost Impossible to Describe

Pictures don't do The Narrows justice.

Videos don't either.

It's something you have to experience.

The canyon walls seem to glow.

The sunlight filters down in beams.

The river sparkles.

Every bend reveals another view that's somehow even more spectacular than the last.

There were moments when I simply stopped walking.

Not because I was tired.

Because I wanted to absorb it all.

Nature has an incredible way of reminding us how magnificent the world really is.

The Energy of the Hikers

One thing I've written about often on the Make Peace With Life blog is the energy of people.

The Narrows had plenty of it.

Everyone was smiling.

Laughing.

Helping strangers across deeper sections.

Offering advice.

Cheering each other on.

Nobody cared what your career was.

Nobody asked how much money you made.

Nobody cared what kind of car you drove.

We were all just people trying not to fall into the river.

There's something beautifully equal about that.

Adventure has a way of stripping away all the labels we carry in everyday life.

Out there...

We were simply hikers.

The River Has a Lesson

From a metaphysical perspective, I couldn't help but notice something.

The river never argues with the rocks.

It simply flows around them.

Maybe there's a lesson there.

How much energy do we waste trying to force life to go exactly the way we planned?

Sometimes peace isn't found by removing the obstacles.

Sometimes it's found by learning how to flow around them.

The Virgin River has been teaching that lesson for millions of years.

It just took me one afternoon to finally listen.

Every Step Required Presence

You couldn't daydream in The Narrows.

If you weren't paying attention...

Splash.

You'd find yourself unexpectedly testing the waterproof capabilities of those fancy waders.

Every step demanded focus.

Every movement required awareness.

In today's world, that's surprisingly rare.

For several hours, I wasn't thinking about emails.

Deadlines.

Social media.

Or tomorrow's to-do list.

I was simply present.

Sometimes that's the greatest gift an adventure can offer.

The Perfect Ending

After hours of hiking through cold water, climbing over rocks, laughing at myself, and soaking in one of America's greatest natural wonders...

There was only one logical destination.

Zion Canyon Brew Pub.

Nothing tastes quite as good as a burger after you've earned it.

Well...

Maybe a cold beer after hiking miles through a river.

Actually...

The combination was pretty close to perfection.

Great food.

A refreshing drink.

A body pleasantly exhausted.

And a heart completely full.

Sometimes happiness is surprisingly simple.

Making Peace With Life

The Narrows taught me more than how to hike through a river.

It reminded me that life isn't always about dry paths and easy footing.

Sometimes it's cold.

Sometimes it's slippery.

Sometimes you lose your phone.

Sometimes you have to retrace your steps.

Sometimes your walking stick becomes your greatest ally.

And sometimes...

The most beautiful experiences require getting a little uncomfortable first.

Would I do The Narrows again?

Absolutely.

Without hesitation.

In fact, I'd probably hug my walking stick before we even started.

Because The Narrows isn't just one of the most unique hikes in America.

It's one of those rare places that quietly changes something inside you.

It reminds you to slow down.

To stay present.

To appreciate nature.

To laugh at yourself.

To trust the journey even when you can't see the next step beneath the water.

And maybe...

Just maybe...

That's what making peace with life really looks like.

Sometimes...

You don't find peace at the end of the trail.

You find it one careful step at a time... right in the middle of the river.

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The Metaphysics of Stepping in Dog Poo

The Metaphysics of Stepping in Dog Poo

There are moments in life that change you forever.

Graduation.

Getting married.

Holding your child for the first time.

And...

Stepping in dog poo while wearing your favorite shoes.

Let's be honest.

The experience usually happens in slow motion.

You take a step.

You feel something... different.

There's a strange squish.

You freeze.

You slowly look down...

And immediately begin negotiating with the Universe.

"Please let that be mud..."

It never is.

The Initial Shock

Isn't it funny how something so small can completely change your mood?

One second you're enjoying a beautiful walk.

The next you're balancing on one foot like an Olympic gymnast while trying not to spread the disaster any farther.

Life has moments like that too.

Unexpected setbacks.

Disappointments.

Embarrassing moments.

Loss.

Someone says something hurtful.

Things don't go according to plan.

None of us wake up thinking,

"I hope today I emotionally step in dog poo."

Yet somehow...

It happens.

Then We Carry It Everywhere

Here's the interesting part.

Stepping in it isn't actually the biggest problem.

The biggest problem is what happens next.

If you don't clean your shoe...

You carry it everywhere.

Into the house.

Into the garage.

Into the car.

Across the sidewalk.

Before long...

You've spread one bad step into twenty bad steps.

Sound familiar?

Sometimes we do exactly the same thing emotionally.

Someone hurts our feelings on Monday...

We're still angry on Friday.

A mistake from years ago still affects today's decisions.

One negative experience starts showing up in conversations, relationships, work, and even how we see ourselves.

The dog poo isn't following us.

We're carrying it.

Eventually...

You Have to Stop and Clean Your Shoes

There comes a point where you realize...

This isn't getting better on its own.

So you stop.

Find a hose.

Grab a stick.

Maybe sacrifice an old toothbrush.

And finally clean your shoe.

Life asks us to do the same thing.

Sometimes we have to stop long enough to clean off:

Old resentments.

Past failures.

Embarrassment.

Regret.

Negative self-talk.

None of those things magically disappear.

They require intention.

You Don't Throw the Shoes Away

Here's something I love about this metaphor.

When you step in dog poo...

You don't usually throw away perfectly good shoes.

You clean them.

Imagine saying,

"Well... that's it. These shoes are ruined forever."

No.

You wash them.

Give them time.

And they're ready for another adventure.

Maybe we should treat ourselves the same way.

Just because life gets messy doesn't mean we're ruined.

It simply means it's time for a little cleanup.

The Humor Helps

Let's face it.

Stepping in dog poo is rarely funny...

At first.

A week later?

It's usually a great story.

Many of life's worst moments eventually become our funniest memories.

Time has a remarkable way of turning frustration into laughter.

That's one of life's hidden gifts.

The Make Peace With Life Lesson

Making Peace With Life doesn't mean pretending bad things never happen.

It means refusing to carry them farther than necessary.

Clean your shoes.

Clean your heart.

Clean your thoughts.

And keep walking.

Because life is too beautiful to spend all day staring at the bottom of your shoe.

Final Thought

The next time life surprises you with one of those unpleasant "dog poo moments," remember this:

The mess doesn't define your journey.

It only defines your next decision.

Will you carry it everywhere...

Or will you stop, clean it off, laugh about it, and keep moving forward?

Because peace isn't found by avoiding every mess in life.

It's found by learning that even after stepping in dog poo... you can still enjoy the walk.

And who knows?

Maybe next time, you'll look where you're stepping.

Or maybe not.

Life has a funny way of keeping us humble... one shoe at a time.

 

 

Why Trying to Be Someone Else Won't Help You Find Peace With Life

Have you ever looked at someone else's life and thought...

"If I could just live like them, I'd finally be happy."

Come on...

Be honest.

We've all done it.

Maybe it's the successful entrepreneur driving the fancy car.

The couple that looks like they never argue.

The fitness influencer who somehow wakes up smiling at 4:30 in the morning.

The family with the perfect vacation photos.

Or the person on social media who appears to have mastered the art of living an absolutely flawless life.

We look.

We compare.

We admire.

And sometimes...

We begin trying to become them.

The problem?

We're trying to copy a book after reading only the cover.

The Great Illusion

One of the biggest traps in life is believing that everyone else has it figured out.

Spoiler alert...

They don't.

Every person you admire has struggled.

Every successful person has failed.

Every happy couple has had disagreements.

Every confident person has experienced self-doubt.

Every family has challenges.

Every human being carries something.

Some people simply carry it more privately than others.

The absence of visible struggles doesn't mean the absence of struggles.

Social Media Is a Movie Trailer

Think about your favorite movie trailer.

It shows:

The exciting scenes.

The funny moments.

The dramatic music.

The best visuals.

It doesn't show the awkward fifteen minutes where nothing happens.

Social media often works the same way.

People post:

The vacation.

The promotion.

The new house.

The perfect sunset.

The anniversary dinner.

Very few people post:

The anxiety.

The sleepless nights.

The arguments.

The bills.

The doubts.

The moments they cried in the shower because life felt overwhelming.

We compare our behind-the-scenes footage to someone else's highlight reel.

That's a game nobody wins.

You Were Never Meant to Be Someone Else

Imagine if every flower in a garden decided it wanted to become a rose.

The sunflowers would stop reaching for the sky.

The daisies would lose their charm.

The wildflowers would disappear altogether.

The garden would become less beautiful...

Not more.

Life works the same way.

Your uniqueness isn't a mistake.

It's your purpose.

The world doesn't need another copy.

It needs the original version of you.

The Metaphysical Journey Is Personal

One of the things I love most about metaphysics is that it reminds us there isn't just one road.

Your spiritual journey isn't supposed to look exactly like mine.

Your meditation may look different.

Your beliefs may evolve differently.

Your path toward peace may include hiking mountains.

Or painting.

Or reading.

Or volunteering.

Or raising children.

Or traveling.

Or sitting quietly with a cup of coffee watching the sunrise.

There isn't one correct blueprint.

The Universe doesn't hand out identical maps.

It hands each of us a compass.

The journey is ours to discover.

Stop Borrowing Someone Else's Dream

Sometimes we chase goals because they genuinely excite us.

Other times...

We chase them because someone else made them look impressive.

Ask yourself this question.

If nobody else ever saw my accomplishments... would I still want them?

That's a powerful question.

Would you still want the expensive car?

The big house?

The promotion?

The luxury vacation?

Some of those answers may surprise you.

Sometimes we're pursuing applause instead of fulfillment.

Your Happiness Isn't Hiding in Someone Else's Life

Let's pretend, just for fun, that tomorrow morning you woke up as someone you admire.

You have their house.

Their career.

Their money.

Their schedule.

Their responsibilities.

Their challenges.

Wait...

Their challenges?

Exactly.

You don't get to borrow only the good parts.

Every life comes with its own set of blessings...

And its own set of burdens.

That's the part we often forget.

Build Your Own Recipe

Imagine asking ten people to make chili.

They'll probably all use similar ingredients.

Beans.

Tomatoes.

Seasoning.

Meat.

But every recipe ends up tasting a little different.

Life is like that.

Read books.

Listen to podcasts.

Learn from mentors.

Take classes.

Explore new ideas.

But don't feel obligated to follow anyone's recipe exactly.

Take the ingredients that nourish your soul.

Leave the ones that don't.

Create your own masterpiece.

Comparison Is Exhausting

Trying to become someone else requires enormous energy.

You constantly wonder:

"Am I doing enough?"

"Do I look successful enough?"

"Am I spiritual enough?"

"Am I happy enough?"

That's exhausting.

Wouldn't it be easier...

To simply become more of yourself?

The Peace You're Looking For Is Already Inside

One of the greatest misconceptions in life is believing peace is something we find "out there."

It's not.

Peace begins when we stop chasing someone else's definition of success.

When we stop measuring ourselves against lives we barely understand.

When we stop apologizing for being ourselves.

The journey inward is often far more rewarding than the endless chase outward.

My Own Journey

If you've followed the Make Peace With Life movement for very long, you've probably noticed something.

I'm not trying to be anyone else.

I'm just trying to become a better version of me.

I enjoy baseball.

I love music that gets me moving.

I enjoy metaphysics.

I like exploring national parks.

I get excited about mysterious things like crystal skulls.

I laugh at myself.

Quite often, actually.

That's my path.

Your path may look completely different.

And that's wonderful.

Because if we all became the same person...

Life would become incredibly boring.

The Make Peace With Life Challenge

For the next week...

Every time you catch yourself comparing your life to someone else's...

Pause.

Instead ask yourself:

"What would make my soul happy today?"

Not theirs.

Yours.

Maybe it's taking a walk.

Calling a friend.

Reading a book.

Playing music.

Watching your kids laugh.

Helping someone.

Or simply sitting quietly and appreciating everything you already have.

Little by little...

You'll stop chasing borrowed dreams...

And start creating your own.

Making Peace With Life

Making Peace With Life isn't about becoming someone more successful.

More popular.

More famous.

Or more like someone you admire.

It's about becoming comfortable in your own skin.

It's about embracing your own story.

It's about discovering that your life doesn't need to look like anyone else's to be meaningful.

The Universe has never asked you to become a copy.

It has always invited you to become the most authentic version of yourself.

So stop trying to wear someone else's shoes.

They probably don't fit anyway.

Instead...

Walk your own path.

Laugh at your own mistakes.

Celebrate your own victories.

Learn your own lessons.

And create a life that feels peaceful—not because someone else approves of it...

But because your soul finally recognizes it as home.

Because that's where happiness lives.

Not in someone else's story.

But in the beautiful, wonderfully imperfect story that only you can write.

And that...

...is how you truly begin to Make Peace With Life.

Click here to get your Make Peace With Life Shirts 

 

 

The Powerful Energy of Dancing (Even If You Dance Badly)

Let's get one thing out of the way right now.

I am not a professional dancer.

I'm not even an amateur dancer.

Depending on who's watching, I may barely qualify as someone who should dance in public at all.

And you know what?

I couldn't care less.

Because dancing isn't about perfection.

It's about energy.

It's about joy.

It's about letting your body remind your soul that life is meant to be experienced—not just observed.

One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is permission to dance...

Even if your dance moves have absolutely no business being seen by another human being.

Nobody Dreams About Standing Still

Think back to when you were a kid.

Did you ever see children hear music and say,

"No thanks. I'll just stand here and politely nod my head."

Of course not.

Children hear music...

...and they move.

They bounce.

They spin.

They wiggle.

They invent dance moves that would make absolutely no sense in a ballroom competition.

And they're having the time of their lives.

Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, many of us become afraid to dance because we're worried about looking silly.

Here's a little secret.

The people having the most fun usually don't care what they look like.

Dancing Is Exercise That Doesn't Feel Like Exercise

Let's be honest.

Not everyone gets excited about spending an hour on a treadmill.

But put on your favorite song?

Suddenly you're burning calories without even thinking about it.

Dancing improves:

• Cardiovascular health.
• Balance and coordination.
• Flexibility.
• Muscle endurance.
• Mobility.

But unlike many workouts...

You're smiling while you're doing it.

Now that's my kind of fitness plan.

Your Metaphysical Body Loves to Move

From a metaphysical perspective, movement is energy.

When we dance, we're not just moving our muscles.

We're moving stagnant energy.

We're shaking loose stress.

We're releasing tension.

We're allowing our emotional energy to flow instead of getting stuck.

Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to stay angry while you're dancing to your favorite song?

It's possible...

But it takes a lot more effort.

Movement changes energy.

And energy changes us.

Laughter Is Part of the Dance

One of the best things about dancing badly...

Is how funny it can be.

Have you ever attempted a dance move that looked incredible in your head...

...and absolutely ridiculous in real life?

Congratulations.

You're human.

Some of my favorite memories involve people laughing while dancing.

Not because someone was making fun of anyone.

Because everyone was having fun together.

Laughter has energy.

Dancing has energy.

Put them together and you've got a pretty powerful combination.

Dance While You Do Chores

Who decided that folding laundry had to be boring?

Turn on some music.

Dance with the vacuum cleaner.

Two-step while washing dishes.

Moonwalk across the kitchen floor.

(Actually...

Maybe don't moonwalk on a freshly mopped floor.)

Housework suddenly becomes much less work when there's a soundtrack involved.

Dance With Your Kids

If you have children...

Dance with them.

Not because you're trying to impress them.

Because you're creating memories.

Children don't remember whether your dance moves were perfect.

They remember that you danced with them.

Those moments become stories they'll tell years later.

And honestly...

You'll probably laugh just as much as they do.

Dance With Your Partner

You don't need a ballroom.

You don't need a special occasion.

You don't even need to know the steps.

Put on your favorite song.

Hold each other.

Dance in the kitchen.

Dance in the living room.

Dance on the back porch.

One song.

Three minutes.

A memory that lasts much longer.

Sometimes romance is wonderfully simple.

Dance Like Nobody's Watching...

Because They're Probably Looking at Their Phones Anyway

We've all heard the phrase.

"Dance like nobody's watching."

These days...

There's a pretty good chance nobody is.

They're busy scrolling social media.

So go ahead.

Have your dance party.

Be goofy.

Be joyful.

Be free.

Life is far too short to spend worrying about whether your left foot is doing the right thing.

Music + Movement = Energy

I've talked before about the incredible energy of music.

Now combine that with movement.

It's amazing.

Music motivates your mind.

Movement energizes your body.

Together they create an experience that lifts your entire spirit.

No wonder nearly every culture in human history has included dance in celebrations.

People have always understood that dancing brings us together.

Dance Through the Difficult Days

Here's something I've learned.

Some days you won't feel like dancing.

Those are often the days you need it the most.

No...

Dancing won't magically solve every problem.

But it can remind you that joy still exists.

That hope still exists.

That your body is capable of feeling something besides stress.

Sometimes healing begins with one song.

Dancing Is One of Humanity's Oldest Celebrations

Long before concert halls.

Long before streaming services.

Long before smartphones.

People danced.

Around campfires.

At weddings.

After successful hunts.

During harvest celebrations.

In moments of gratitude.

In moments of victory.

In moments of hope.

Dance has always been one of humanity's favorite ways to express emotions that words simply couldn't capture.

Thousands of years later...

We're still doing it.

There's probably a good reason for that.

My Challenge to You

This week...

Put on your favorite high-energy song.

Close the blinds if it makes you feel better.

Dance for one entire song.

Don't worry about technique.

Don't worry about looking cool.

Don't worry about whether anyone would score you a perfect ten.

Just move.

Smile.

Laugh.

Feel the music.

Let your energy rise.

I have a feeling you'll finish that song feeling just a little lighter than when it started.

Making Peace With Life

Making Peace With Life isn't always found in deep meditation or profound philosophical discussions.

Sometimes...

It's found barefoot in your kitchen.

Dancing with your kids.

Spinning your spouse around the living room.

Celebrating while folding towels.

Laughing at your own terrible dance moves.

Life gives us enough reasons to stand still.

Choose to move.

Choose to laugh.

Choose to dance.

Even if you're terrible at it.

Especially if you're terrible at it.

Because dancing isn't about impressing other people.

It's about reminding yourself that you're alive.

And that's something worth celebrating.

So turn up the music.

Dance like your dog is your biggest fan.

Dance like your kids think you're the coolest person in the room.

Dance like your soul has been waiting all day for this moment.

Because sometimes...

The fastest way to raise your energy is simply to dance.