Margaret Nemec likes arranging eco tours for Pura Vida USA guests, on the 72 acres of forest and field, or into the region. She can even point you to sister properties in Costa Rica and Mexico with the same philosophy as the north Georgia center: total wellness through physical, mental and spiritual practices to promote anti-aging.

The spa is painted a calming lavender, and treatments include information about what you might expect to happen as a result.

Just enjoy the massage if you prefer and don’t bog down with facts, but I was hunting my healthy future and was glad for the concepts.

How about massage to identify trigger points and pain patterns to speed healing by releasing endorphins, or hot stones from a local river to harmonize my energy with the earth’s life forces?

Maybe a sea salt scrub to activate my lymphatic system or a facial with the collagen fibers hospitals use on scars, burns and wounds for those pesky lines in my face?

I counted 15 possible treatments and it wasn’t out of the question to match each one up with some issue of benefit to my body, and so I suspect, with my future.

Some time under the stars in the big outdoor hot tub, rocking on the wrap-around porch and walking the 1.5-mile trail fit well into the Pura Vida USA wellness notions too.

Forrest Hills Mountain Resort and Conference Center didn’t know I was coming to check out staying healthy options, and I didn’t know they were launching the Anidawehi Wellness Center with a staff of 12 and a commitment to sustainability: keeping up what you gain here.

I figured I’d discover some feel-good opportunities in an upscale cabin with my own hot tub overlooking the woods, a fireplace, full kitchen, stereo CD, big TV with DVD and long private back porch with rocking chairs, plus a visit to the spa or walk in the woods.

That happened, and could also be accessed in a startling array of accommodations, from private cabins just for you or two to an inn with 12 bi-level suites, Victorian cottages and lodges big enough for the whole family, corporate retreat, church group or non-profit rejuvenation.

Forrest Hills can handle crowds but they won’t be in your space. Laughing will. And many kindnesses.

The second generation of the Kraft family runs this place and they clearly love it and each other based on the joy they exude and the ways they treat each other and their guests.

Together they built Forrest Hills, literally, hammers in hand, 31 years ago. This tight-budget family endeavor in 1977 today is gracious and luxurious, and now cutting edge with the Wellness Center that opened May 4.

I’m all for seeing what happens to me with their full-deal staying-well process which takes two weeks in these lovely woods with the staff of 12 trained in natural healing. Talk about self focus.

They call it cleansing and renewal.