Travel Diary: How A City Girl Finds Solace In The Arizona Desert

Early mornings. Tight deadlines. Drinks with friends. Late nights. If I were a rapper, I'd be waxing poetic about living in the fast lane (not stuck behind slow-pokes on the sidewalks), fast cars (erm, taxis), and fast money (the manner in which it leaves my wallet...very slowly to return). I imagine that's the life of many 20- and 30-somethings living in big cities, and most of us wouldn't trade it for the world. NYC, in particular, can make anyone feel special; it's a place that belongs to the workhorses, creatives, and creatures of the night. But even with all its magic, this city can also wear you down to a nub.

Once in awhile, especially during these awfully cold months, a city dweller just needs to re-energize and escape to a calm, quiet place. So, when our friends at Subaru invited us to test-drive a new car in the Arizona desert, I was packed and on a plane faster than you can say prickly pear margarita.

And surprisingly, the trip wasn't just about torque, fuel emission, and circular cup holders. In just three days, this editor learned how to stop checking her phone, quiet her mind, think introspectively, and release some pent-up agression — using just a few spa treatments, a horse named Hartwin, and the breathtaking beauty of what Mother Nature gave us.

Click ahead to experience the humbling powers of the desert — and get in on a few unusual treatments you can use to zen out wherever you live.