IMMERSE YORSELF IN A SPA

When it's time for a relaxing getaway at the Crawford home, the family takes the few steps from the back door to their spa.

"It's wonderful," said Carol Crawford. "We use it every weekend."

For the children -- Trenton, 8, and Casey, 5, -- a dip in the hot tub is a treat usually reserved for adults. "It's relaxing," said Trenton, as water bubbled up around his neck. Casey preferred to dabble her toes in the churning water.

Bill Joiner of Solar Pools in Cape Girardeau said this summer has marked one of the best years for sales and installations of spas and hot tubs. He has been in the pool and spa installation business for 30 years.

"This is the busiest we've ever been for both spas and pools," Joiner said.

Crawford said she always planned to have both a pool and a spa. "When we moved here, I told them to make sure to put the septic tank far enough away so we would have room for a pool some day," she said. When interest rates recently dropped, the Crawfords refinanced their house and added a pool and a spa.

"My husband said if we're going to go broke, let's go broke all the way," she said.

They use the hot tub every weekend, summer and winter.

"We've been out here in 7 inches of snow," she said. "We put a little piece of carpet across from the door."

Often, like the Crawfords, when families decide to put in a pool, the spa is added at the same time. Others select a spa instead of a pool.

A spa is often an adult item and a swimming pool is something for an entire family.

"The main thing with a spa is relaxation," Joiner said.

Jets of pulsating water and air, and special features like back massage equipment, make spas therapeutic.

Spas come in a variety of colors, but the therapeutic features usually attract people.

Ed McCormick, manager of Room Mates Pool and Spa, said therapeutic attributes of spas attract customers.

"The basic ones, with four basic jets that circulate water, aren't selling as well," McCormick said.

Spas offer water jets that focus on specific trouble areas -- feet, lower back, calfs, neck.

"You can get one therapeutically designed to reach about any part of the body," McCormick said.

The warm water also helps people with arthritis.

"It's probably one of the quickest ways to relax," McCormick said. "About 15 minutes in the spa and your body is completely, totally relaxed, and you feel refreshed."

Care of spas has become easier in recent years with the advent of new chemicals. "Basically it requires no work," Crawford said.

Joiner estimates that proper care of a spa takes about 10 minutes a week.

Free-standing and built-in models are available. Joiner said a locking cover or lid is a must to protect children.

Spas range in price from around $2,500 to over $6,000. The least expensive models seat four and can be plugged into a regular 110-volt receptacle.

In addition to the cost of the unit, Joiner said customers should consider the cost of operation. An energy efficient model can be operated outside for a little more than $10 a month, Joiner said.