ABSTRACT
Soak away fatigue and care each time you slip into the swirling water; enjoy your family even more in a communal bath; return to romance with your spouse or friend in the intimacy of your own backyard; and do not forget to show off the fine wood tub and tropical setting to your neighbors. These were the allurements of hot tubbing in the last half of the 1970s. For the weekend warrior and home gardener, the hot tub became a place of sanctuary at the end of a long day. Water, bubbles, and splashing, always favorites with children, enticed adults just the same. As for lovers, an invitation to go hot tubbing meant only one thing: champagne, no swim-suits, and little conversation. Though no more than a large half-barrel, the tub was a work of art. Its staves came in redwood, teak, oak, cedar, or some other rot-resistant wood. In California, where hot tubs originated and became a way of life, redwood was the most popular around the San Francisco area; around Los Angeles it was not uncommon to see a mahogany tub. Usually surrounding the tub was a whole hothouse of humidity-loving plants; they provided color and a lush atmosphere for the tubbers to enjoy.
