It is said that the Ute Indians believed the hot springs in Pagosa Springs, CO was gift of the Great Spirit. Legend has it that a plague fell on the Utes. All the skills of their medicine men failed to stem the death of many tribal members. In desperation, a tribal council was called on the banks of the San Juan River. A gigantic bonfire was built to send a message to their gods for help.
The tribal council danced and prayed around the great fire until, exhausted, they slept. On awakening they found the fire burned down and in it’s place had appeared a pool of boiling water. By drinking from and bathing in the waters from the boiling springs, the Utes were healed.
I wonder what they would make of the tourists playing in their ‘boiling waters’?