Spas That Love Us

Charlotte and Vince Antonino wanted a new look for their back yard, so they added a spa.

Nyal Carver wanted to relax in surroundings that reminded him of the mountains, so he nestled his spa among pine trees, boulders and landscaped mounds.

Though the reasons for installing spas differ, these people are unanimous in their affection for their bubbling backyard springs. In fact, says Charlotte Antonino, "We think we should have done this a long time ago."

These spa-lovers are among the million-plus Californians who have spas and hot tubs in their homes and yards. The number is growing throughout the country, fueled by our aging population, according to figures from the National Spa & Pool Institute, a Virginia-based trade association.

"Baby-boomers are seeing the benefits of owning a hot tub for health benefits as well as recreational and social (benefits)," says spokesman Jack Cergol. "Basically it's for the aches and pains of growing older."

Tom and Linda Bell not only have a great-looking spa but also a great view of Millerton Lake. They built their spa in 1993 when they started construction of their new home. In fact, the spa came first. How's that for priorities? joke the Bells.

"There were three huge rocks that formed a natural hole where a spa could be nestled, so we dug, steeled, plumbed and gunited our spa before we started on the house."

Actually, the spa-first approach was necessary because once the house was built it would have been impossible to get to where the spa was located to add it.

The Bells used rock for their spa, and water from a rock pond at the top flows down a waterfall, creating a natural appearance and ambiance as the family watches sunsets on the lake.

Evelyn Knowles, on the other hand, enjoys the privacy of her spa that's inside a 10-by-18-foot Japanese teahouse constructed by her late husband, Robert. It has an opaque door and shoji windows, paneled walls and floor. A Japanese-style tea-serving area with low table is adjacent to the above-ground acrylic spa.

Knowles has made seven trips to Japan and has been involved in youth exchange programs with Japan. She uses the spa year-round for relaxation and to soothe her back and hips. "I'm so glad the spa is enclosed," she says. "I love to go in the evening just before I go to bed or after working in the yard."

Craig and Sharon Fosdick, however, knew they wanted to star-gaze when they installed a spa in their back yard two years ago. "We decided not to have a cover so we could see the stars," says Sharon Fosdick. "We use it at least three or four times a week and on Friday nights, particularly.

"We sit out and enjoy the music (they have stereo speakers outdoors) and relax with a Coke or glass of wine."

Fran and Ron Griffin have enjoyed a spa for 16 years at their home. They replaced a leaking fiberglass model three years ago with an irregular-shaped pebble-tech spa nestled under a Japanese pine tree and screened from the rest of the yard by bamboo water grass, bird of paradise plants, canna lilies, a variety of ferns and sago palms.

Their scene is completed by tiki torches, a lighted pagoda that's among the flowers and a lighted waterfall spilling into the spa. "We use the spa almost every night," says Fran Griffin. "We visit, talk about the day and enjoy music."

Carver, who brought the mountains to his home, is a landscape contractor and designer who created a secluded, grotto effect for his spa by setting it lower than the rocks that surround it. He also has a beautiful pool but admits the spa is his favorite. "A spa is its own world," he says. "If I had to choose between a pool and a spa, I'd choose the spa."

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