Hot Tubs
In Michigan, we do a great job of celebrating the winter. What to many is unfortunate and miserable is to others time to ski, snowmobile, or sit by a fire. We moved here about 13 years ago and I’m still learning to lean into that perspective. With winter getting aggressive so early this year we have already had opportunities to practice this. For us and many, if not most, of our customers one thing we commonly see in wintery backyards is hot tubs. This last week, late one evening, I slipped out for a soak. It was a negative windchill night. I sat deep in the hot water, the sky was still and then would erratically whip up a blow, frosting my head with snow and chill. The contrast is exhilarating, my achy back appreciated it and the sleep I get after 20 minutes in the tub is always deeper.
This morning, we went out before dawn with our coffee. The sun was just pushing up over the eastern meadow and in 15 minutes I watched as predawn turned to a red-hot ribbon along the skyline that moved in a matter of minutes into cotton candy pink clouds above a glowing orb. It happens so fast that you can watch the change. It’s a pure blessing to have that in our outdoor space. We watch as seasons change, leaves drop, seedheads become pronounced and at a time of year or time of day we wouldn’t typically be out there without a warm place to rest. We celebrate our yard through seasons we never would otherwise while talking out the demands of life.
I get mixed reviews from customers. Everyone has different experiences of course and hot tubs are no different. These start in the form of questions when in the planning stage – ‘will I use it once, and never use it again, how can we get privacy, what’s maintenance like’?
Most of the time we find that people use them more than one would think. Active folk like, or even need, the heat. People with injuries find relief, others just enjoy that opportunity to spend time in their spaces when they normally wouldn’t. And for every person, there is a different solution. We have installed simple versions that are budget-friendly and elaborate, custom Jacuzzis where we located each jet specific to the user’s body. We have small ones for just a few people and some that are party tubs for ten or more that act as a plunge pool during the summer.
There is some work in locating a tub, code that needs to be met, power needs, and privacy plans. However, a little creative work can get a tub in almost any setting. I spend about 10 minutes every week or two checking chemicals and cleaning and a few hundred dollars a year for supplies. Tubs start around 10k, with five more for installation. They can go up to 60+ for custom in-ground units or swim spas. Ours is a budget-friendly version; however, if we were to amortize our investment over its life, I guarantee we are saving thousands on couples therapy and PT that it seems to provide for our family. Never mind the joy of a sunrise.