Soap Lake at the foot of Grand Coulee about four and a half hours east of Seattle, boasts the highest mineral content of any body of water on Earth. The minerals give the lake a slick, soapy feel and cause the water to foam up, especially as it hits the shore. In the early 1900s Soap Lake was a thriving spa destination, replete with sanitariums and bath houses, and to this day the “healing waters” draw a large number of Russian and Ukrainian visitors. The public well has two sides – one for fresh water and one directly from the lake. While there we saw several cars pull up to fill massive jugs with the medicinal waters, and two women lying on the beach caked in mud singing Russian songs.

If you prefer the privacy of your own tub, the city has several modern day spas like the Healing Water Spa where you can take a Soap Lake Mineral Water Bath ($15), or indulge in a Full Body Soap Lake Mud Wrap ($125) to fully immerse yourself in the therapeutic minerals.

When in Soap Lake be sure not to miss the fantastic diner on Daisy Street, the B & B. The place looks like your standard hamburger shack, but when sitting down at a booth you notice something peculiar… why is there a wall phone next to this menu posted at my table? What would happen if I picked up the phone? Why, someone is asking for my order! In fact, the ONLY way to order your perfectly grilled ham and cheese sandwich or rich vanilla shake at the B & B is over the phone from your table. Long live the novelty diner! Next up, Grand Coulee Dam…