so i will take my own advice/plea. i returned to paradise today after three months away. i go by way of bear valley road, and found that they are repaving Central. it wasn't an obstacle and speeds you along. bowen ranch road will bounce you a bit, but nothing really wrong with the dirt road. got to the ranch around 8 am - was immediately followed by another car with a couple in it. We descended to parking and were the only cars there at that point. hike in was quiet, not many critters, very beautiful, passed no one. (I did see a snake later in the day by the springs, but it wasn't a rattler and was speedy, it fled from my presence.) I could hear hooting and such when I reached the creek vista. Some loud 20somethings had camped by the creek and were already partying. But there were only about 5 of them, and in the end were rather nice -- they had youth energy and spent the day jumping over things, and wrestling in the sand like Greeks or Romans, and fishing, and...-- and otherwise the day was as peaceful and sparsely visited as any I can remember. It was cold in the morning and so soaking was amazing, and I went between the shaded steaming Arizona pool and the Womb pool, having both to myself. I soaked hard for hours.

There were about 10 people at the most crowded today. Maybe 12. 50/50 nude - textile. Many great conversations and lovely people. Also lots of dogs - pit, german shepherd, more.

There are really two things I want to report, that are different. First the bad: I noticed a small area, behind the rock outcropping in which the pools sit, has been burnt. About 20 feet wide swath, blackened by fire. I couldn't figure that out. Does anyone know anything?

The creek side pool has mostly dissipated, but a new wonder: Someone had built a new pool. It is on the way around the rock outcropping, where the water runs down to create the mud area that people use and enjoy covering themselves with. The pool is for one person, though it could hold two, and it did several times today. It is perfect on a hot day, as it is completely shaded; the water is tepid not hot, maybe body temperature. It is a beautiful small pool, whomever made it is to be thanked and praised.