"After driving 16 hours from Florida," said Jeff Langley, as he lay back in a spa whirlpool with his family, "I think I should've rented a cabin here, because I could do this three times a day."

Langley, his wife Marci and their daughters Robyn, 6, and Alyson, 4, came to Madison County to escape Florida's August heat. They also brought along the girls' nanny, Brenda Wakinda. All five splashed around and relaxed in a mineral-rich hot tub, sequestered by tall, verdant trees.

Even in the warm weather, in a whirlpool of 100 degrees, the Langleys said they were completely contented.

"It's so cool here compared to Florida," Langley said. "This is going to be the highlight of my vacation. We're nestled in the woods, it's spacious, yet secluded, and the tub feels incredibly private for me and my family. The hospitality here has been incredible."

While the Langleys drove from Florida, locals can easily take advantage of this unique, outdoorsy town.

Located only 33 miles northwest of Asheville, Hot Springs offers not only the popular mineral springs, but massage therapy, whitewater rafting, hiking along the Appalachian Trail - which runs smack through the middle of town - plus great food, live music and cozy accommodations.

"It's a cute little town," said Dan Gallagher, co-owner of Bluff Mountain Outfitters. Gallagher can sometimes be found sitting on the bench outside his store just enjoying the view.

"We're contemplating life," Gallagher said, referring to himself and friends Chris Parton and Ben Houser. Parton and Houser sat on the ground next to Gallagher, smoking cigarettes and chilling out. "We're whitewater bums," Gallagher explained.

But not just "bums." Three years ago, Gallagher and Wayne Crosby took advantage of all the rugged activities available in Hot Springs and opened Bluff Mountain Outfitters, which caters to almost every outdoor venture.

"Ten years ago," Gallagher said, "this was a ghost town, until the Hot Springs opened to the public. Basically, we're an outdoors store, but we have a natural food store and gifts and books. And we have a cyberstation for hikers coming down the mountain who want to check their e-mail."

Gallagher also recommends the Bridge Street Cafe and Inn, located right across the street from his store. "They have great food," he said. "Especially the grilled pizzas."

Bridge Street Cafe and Inn, owned by Gerri Barraco, serves lunch and dinner made with organic ingredients. And customers can enjoy their meal on the back deck, overlooking Spring Creek. The cafe also features live music on Saturday nights. (Owner's note: The Bridge Street Cafe is under new ownership with a new exciting menu.)

Hikers and rafters need not worry about packing a lunch, because the staff at Aunt T's Cafe on Bridge Street can take care of that. "We're still making changes as we go," said Teresa Catillo, the "T" in "Aunt T." The cafe serves sandwiches, pastries and beverages, with an emphasis on coffee.

"We got a local artist to paint the booths to correspond to the coffees we serve," Castillo said, "like Costa Rican and Nicaraguan." The booths, which were a bright orange when the cafe opened in April, are now mostly blue with a riot of tropical designs.

For those wanting to unwind, the Mountain Magnolia Inn and Retreat is the perfect prescription. The manicured grounds of this inn are stunningly colorful and inviting - and lucky guests can stay inside the beautiful main house, or in the Garden House out back.

"But there are only two weekends open in the Garden House between now and November," said innkeeper Karen Nagle. The main house, a refurbished 19th century Victorian mansion is no slouch either. In addition to full home-cooked breakfasts, guests can receive massage therapy by appointment.

"We'll hook them up with horseback riding, the spa, bikes, hiking," Nagle said. "But some people come in the winter and sit by the fire and just read."

Owners of House on Strawberry Hill note: Our house is within a very short walk to the Mountain Magnolia Inn and Retreat. Whether you are spending time with familly for a wedding or simply want to enjoy meals and time spent at Mountain Magnolia, our home gives you a private location, a few houses away, while still allowing you to enjoy the Inn.