The Spinning Atlas

The Spinning Atlas Zurui & Travis 🏞️ TN based bucket list adventure travel couple

💌 [email protected]
(25)

08/23/2026

SAVE for your next trip to Vegas!

📍Located just 45 minutes northeast of Las Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park

✈️Best time of the year to visit: October - April. From May - October, the park CLOSES majority of its trails due to high temperature and to protect its wildlife.

🚗Best time of day to visit: Sunrise. Lighting in the park is best at sunrise, making it the prime time for PHOTOGRAPHY and COOLER temperature for hiking.

💵Entrance Fee: $10/vehicle for Nevada residents. $15/vehicle for out-of-state visitors. You would need to stop at the entrance and put your entrance fee in an envelope.

🚘 Vehicle Requirement: 2x2 would suffice as most of the park roads are well-paved, NO off-road allowed within the park.

🐕Pets allowed on leash.

📍Things to do:
🟢 Fire Wave & Pastel Canyon: 1.3 miles RT, easy hike. Parking is very limited.
🟢 Elephant Rock: 0.3 miles RT, easy hike. Located near the east entrance and can be seen from the main road.
🟢 Drive down Mouse’s Tank Road
🟢 Atlatl Rock/Petroglyph Canyon: 0.1 miles RT, easy hike. These petroglyphs are 4,000 years old!
🟢 Scilica Dome Overlook: 0.1 miles RT, easy hike.
🟢 Explore the park’s various arches and interesting rocks: piano rock, balancing rock, pagoda arch, lone rock, arch rock. We visited windstone arch June 2024, and noticed the main column is unfortunately gone/broke off.

📸Have you ever visited Valley of Fire? What is your favorite stop?

08/22/2026

Oh how we love you, Tennessee ❤️

We’ve been lucky enough to call this beautiful state home for the last 10 years, and somehow, we’ve yet to get tired of everything it has to offer.

Maybe it’s the mist rolling through the Smokies in the morning, the sound of a waterfall after a week of rain, the winding mountain roads, or those small towns that make you want to slow down and stay awhile.

We’ve traveled to some incredible places around the world, but there’s something special about exploring our own backyard. The more of Tennessee we see, the more we realize how much there still is to discover.

So consider this your sign to take the road trip. Chase the waterfall. Drive through the mountains. Visit the little town you’ve always passed by. And make a few memories somewhere along the way.

Tennessee, we’ll never get tired of you. 🏔️🌲

08/21/2026

Comment “Stay” to book this A-Frame!

If you are planning a trip to Zion National Park in Utah, we’ve got the perfect Airbnb stay to add to your itinerary!

This A-Frame in Hildale, Utah sits above the Virgin River on a basalt cliff, with a private patio overlooking the Zion canyon, with direct access to BLM public land trails right outside the door.

🚗 50 minutes from Zion National Park; 20 min to Coral Pink Sand Dunes; 15 min to Kanab, UT
🛁 Private hot tub
🪵 Private fire pit
🫧 Private full-sized indoor bathroom steps away from the cabin
🔥 Grilling & dining deck with stunning Zion Canyon views
🧖🏼‍♀️ Cedarwood dry sauna
🦮 Pet friendly!!

Send this to the person you would like to take here! 📩

08/20/2026

Location details👇🏼
 
If you are a Cars fan, here are some iconic towns in the USA that look straight out of Radiator Springs 🚗
 
🟢 Seligman, AZ: one of the most iconic preserved Route 66 towns. If you are a Cars fan, this town is for you!
🟢 Hackberry General Store: vintage gas station vibes + classic car photo ops
🟢 Williams, AZ: gateway town to the Grand Canyon with classic Route 66 energy
 
🚗 ROAD TRIP PLANNING
🟢 Don’t expect fast interstate-style driving, many stretches are slower scenic roads
🟢 Fuel up often between towns as gas stations are limited
 
🥾 THINGS TO PAIR WITH YOUR DRIVE
🟢 Detour to the Grand Canyon South Rim if you have an extra day
🟢 Visit Valley of Fire State Park if driving from Las Vegas
🟢 Stop at roadside diners instead of chain restaurants for a great Route 66 experience!
 
Save this for your future Southwest road trip and send this to who you’d cruise these vintage towns with 🗺️

08/19/2026

Your desert travel guide 🚗

If you are planning to travel to the American Southwest in the near future, aave this for your next road trip ↓

🌊 Page, Arizona
🟢 Horseshoe Bend: 1.5 miles RT, easy, paved + dirt path. Go for sunrise if you want minimal crowds and easy parking.
🟢 Antelope Canyon: Upper = easier + more light beams; Lower = ladders + narrower passages. Both require guided tours, so book weeks ahead.
🟢 Lake Powell – Kayak to Antelope Canyon: 4–6 miles RT depending where you start.
🟢 Glen Canyon Dam Overlook: 0.8 miles RT, short and easy, good for quick stops between activities.

⛰️ Monument Valley
🟢 17-Mile Scenic Drive: Requires a vehicle with good clearance. Sedans can make it, but SUVs recommended. Takes 2–3 hours with stops.
🟢 Wildcat Trail: 3.9 miles RT, moderate. The only self-guided trail in the park. Best started early before the sun reflects off the sand.
🟢 Photography Tip: The mittens look best at sunset; parking areas fill up 45+ minutes before golden hour.

🧡 Moab (Arches + Canyonlands)
🟢 Delicate Arch: 3 miles RT, moderate with steep sections. Start no later than sunrise in warm months — no shade.
🟢 Devils Garden to Landscape Arch: 1.6 miles RT to Landscape Arch (easy). Add the full loop (7.9 miles) for experienced hikers only.
🟢 Mesa Arch (Canyonlands): 0.7 miles RT, easy. Arrive very early for sunrise — one of the most photographed spots in the SW.
🟢 Shafer Trail Road: High-clearance 4x4 only. Do not attempt in rain. This is one of the best beginner-friendly off-road routes if conditions are
good.

🌄 Sedona, Arizona
🟢 Cathedral Rock: 1.2 miles RT but steep with scrambles. Expect 1.5–2 hours. Requires confidence with hands-on climbing.
🟢 Devil’s Bridge: 4.2 miles RT from Dry Creek Road trailhead. High-clearance vehicle shortens it to 2 miles, but road conditions vary.
🟢 Birthing Cave: 2 miles RT, easy. Navigation can be confusing — download the map before heading out.
🟢 Parking Tip: Nearly all popular trailheads fill by sunrise; use the free Sedona Shuttle when available to avoid ticketing.

Are you ready to go west?

Travel has a funny way of putting life into perspective.I went for the mountains that made me feel small, the places tha...
08/16/2026

Travel has a funny way of putting life into perspective.

I went for the mountains that made me feel small, the places that reminded me how old this world is, the cultures that made me see life differently, and the moments that made me realize just how much exists beyond the little corner of the world I call home.

The more of the world I see, the more I realize how little I’ve seen. How much there is to learn. How many different ways there are to live. And how small we really are in the grand scheme of things.

It keeps me curious. It keeps me humble. And somehow, every time I go somewhere new, I come home seeing the familiar a little differently.

Here’s to seeing as much of this world as we possibly can. 🌎✈️

📍Lake Louise, Canada

📍Katsuoji, Kyoto, Japan

📍Yosemite, California, USA

📍Artemis II Launch at Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA

📍Mooney Falls, Arizona, USA

📍Shangri-la, Yunnan, China

📍Icefields Parkway, Canada

📍Yellowstone, Wyoming, USA

08/14/2026

New York is WAY more than NYC 🗽

While we have nothing against the city (we go there every Christmas!) If you head upstate, you’ll find stunning waterfalls, deep gorges, Adirondack peaks and some of the best hiking in the Northeast. Save this adventure guide for your next road trip!

💦 WATKINS GLEN
🟢 Gorge Trail passes 19 waterfalls in about 1.5 miles

⛰️ INDIAN HEAD
🟢 About 10 to 11 miles round trip depending on route
🟢 Located on private Adirondack Mountain Reserve land, check current access and reservation rules before visiting

🌊 LETCHWORTH STATE PARK
🟢 Follow Park Road to easily access overlooks of the Genesee River gorge
🟢 Don’t miss Upper, Middle and Lower Falls

🪨 AUSABLE CHASM
🟢 Explore trails and bridges through a sandstone gorge
🟢 Admission required, with rafting and other activities available separately

💧 ITHACA FALLS
🟢 One of the easiest major waterfalls to reach in the Finger Lakes, easy roadside stop

🔥 ETERNAL FLAME FALLS
🟢 Roughly 1.5 mile round trip hike
🟢 Look behind the waterfall for the small natural gas flame that’s lit year-round

🍂 KAATERSKILL FALLS
🟢 One of New York’s tallest waterfalls
🟢 Parking may be challenging on weekends, plan ahead

🚤 LAKE GEORGE
🟢 Rent a kayak or boat to explore the lake
🟢 For a hike, Buck Mountain offers expansive lake views

🌈 NIAGARA FALLS
🟢 Walk Niagara Falls State Park for multiple viewpoints
🟢 Take Maid of the Mist for an up close experience and expect to get wet

🏔️ LAKE PLACID
🟢 Great Adirondacks base for hiking, paddling and scenic drives
🟢 Walk around Mirror Lake or explore nearby High Peaks trails

🌲 STONY BROOK STATE PARK
🟢 Gorge Trail follows waterfalls and natural pools
🟢 Gorge access is seasonal

🚡 WHITEFACE MOUNTAIN
🟢 Drive the Veterans’ Memorial Highway nearly to the summit
🟢 Check operating dates and weather before going since mountain conditions change quickly

Comment “STAY” for our NH Airbnb listing!Planning a New England fall foliage getaway? New Hampshire packs scenic drives,...
08/13/2026

Comment “STAY” for our NH Airbnb listing!

Planning a New England fall foliage getaway? New Hampshire packs scenic drives, waterfalls, mountain overlooks, lakes, and colorful gorges surprisingly close together. Aim for late September through mid October for peak foliage and save this guide! Airbnb

🍂 DIXVILLE NOTCH
🟢 Drive Route 26 through the notch for one of northern NH’s classic foliage corridors
🟢 For an adventure, hike Table Rock for a dramatic view over the notch

💦 BEAVER BROOK FALLS
🟢 Roadside waterfall near Colebrook with virtually no hiking required

🏞 LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE
🟢 Drive around the lake for foliage reflected across the water

⛰ CATHEDRAL LEDGE
🟢 You can drive to the summit when the auto road is open
🟢 Great overlook above North Conway and the surrounding mountains

💧 CRYSTAL CASCADE
🟢 Located near Pinkham Notch Visitor Center
🟢 About 0.6 mile round trip via Tuckerman Ravine Trail

🌊 GLEN ELLIS FALLS
🟢 Short walk to a 64 foot waterfall in Pinkham Notch
🟢 Expect stairs and a steep return climb
🟢 Parking can fill quickly during peak foliage weekends

🚗 KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY
🟢 Allow 2 to 4 hours with stops between Conway and Lincoln
🟢 Stop at roadside overlooks, Sabbaday Falls and Rocky Gorge
🟢 There are no gas stations along the 34.5 mile scenic highway, plan ahead

🍁 FLUME GORGE
🟢 2 mile loop through a natural granite gorge
🟢 Fall weekends are busy, so reserve admission ahead

🪨 LOST RIVER GORGE
🟢 Explore boardwalks, caves and boulder passages
🟢 Advance reservations are recommended during foliage season

08/12/2026

CA Weekend Roadtrip Guide

California is made for road trips 🌴⛰️ If you have 2 days of PTO, you can combine your weekend and go from desert rock formations and the lowest point in North America to Yosemite waterfalls, Highway 1 and the foggy redwood forests north of San Francisco. Save this route for your next California adventure!

🏜️ ALABAMA HILLS
🟢 Drive Movie Road for views of the Sierra Nevada and Mt. Whitney
🟢 Mobius Arch Loop is an easy 0.6 mile walk
🟢 Camping requires a free permit
🟢 Best from fall through spring when temperatures are cooler

🌵 JOSHUA TREE
🟢 Keys View, Cholla Cactus Garden and Skull Rock are easy road trip stops
🟢 Ryan Mountain is 3 miles round trip with about 1,050 ft of gain
🟢 Sunrise and sunset help you avoid peak heat

🔥 DEATH VALLEY
🟢 Visit Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and Artists Palette
🟢 Avoid strenuous hiking during extreme summer heat
🟢 Fill your gas tank before exploring remote areas

🏔️ YOSEMITE
🟢 Mist Trail to Vernal Fall is about 3 miles round trip with 1,000 ft of gain
🟢 Glacier Point and Tunnel View offer major views without long hikes
🟢 Check current entry reservation requirements before your trip

🌊 BIG SUR
🟢 Stop at Bixby Creek Bridge, McWay Falls and Pfeiffer Beach
🟢 Check Highway 1 conditions before driving since closures can affect your route
🟢 Pfeiffer Beach has limited parking and a day use fee

🦈 SHARK FIN COVE
🟢 Located near Davenport along Highway 1
🟢 A short but steep trail leads from the roadside parking area to the beach
🟢 Low tide gives you more room to explore the shoreline

🌲 MUIR WOODS
🟢 Parking or shuttle reservations are required
🟢 The main redwood boardwalk is easy and accessible

🌿 POINT REYES
🟢 Allow at least half a day because attractions are spread out
🟢 Visit Cypress Tree Tunnel and Point Reyes Lighthouse
🟢 Expect fog, wind and rapidly changing coastal weather

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Austin, TX

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