It's Time For Yourself

by Richard Carlson, Birdwing Spa Owner

In 1981, I took a train ride across Canada for two days and spoke with the Conductor along the way. As we were stopping in Banff, I asked him where he went on the four hour layover. He told me, “I never get off the train.” In the first 10 minutes of a walk, I viewed some of the most spectacular scenery in the world; for 37 years the Conductor had traveled that route and had never gotten off the train! I promised myself that day...in life’s journey I will never miss a single opportunity by “not getting off the train.” I hope the same for your life.

In 2001, I was vacationing in Arizona and went for a walk in the mountains with some friends. My cousin introduced me to one of the walkers named Covert, telling me he was 70 years old. I was sure he must be wrong and the gentleman was really in his 50’s. I found out soon enough that Covert Bailey was, indeed, 70 years old and had written and sold millions of books on healthy living.

On my way back home, I stopped by B. Dalton and picked up a couple of Covert’s latest books. The next morning, after reading Fit or Fat, I decided it was time to begin walking everyday. Before my first walk, I stopped by a new neighbor’s house to introduce myself. We started talking about the book I had read and my new dedication to fitness. Being overweight himself, I suggested he might like to join me on my daily walks. He thought it was a great idea but told me he couldn’t that day as he had to attend the Phoenix Auto Show. He asked me to join him, instead, and we could both start walking the next day. I declined and thanked him, knowing if I did not start that day I might never begin.

Two weeks later, I asked a woman who was standing in his driveway if she lived there and if her husband was home. She told me her husband had a massive heart attack on his way back from the Phoenix Auto Show and that he was DEAD! What a wake-up call! We were both 59 and, fortunately, I decided TOMORROW was too late to start a healthy new approach to life!

When we opened Birdwing 23 years ago, only 40 spas existed in North America. Today, 10,000 spas of various types dot the continent. Still, there are less than 30 of the traditional “Destination Spas!” They, alone, offer a wonderful, healthy life changing experience. Please join us for some delicious spa cuisine, fitness activities, presentations and a touch of pampering at our magnificent lakeside setting...it’s a healthy choice, a gift to YOU!

Fit or Fat? If you think you are overweight, or want to maintain a healthy weight, Birdwing Spa will develop a lifestyle enhancement program for you through fitness and healthy nutrition based on spa cuisine

“Thank you for the wonderful three day weekend! We thoroughly enjoyed our Mother-Daughter time at Birdwing. The spa cuisine, the massages and facials, the exercise programs and your lovely country setting were all EXCELLENT. We hope to get away for another spa weekend this year!” —Rita & Kelly