The Open Road

Step into another world without leaving Earth! Just outside Hanksville, Utah, the Bentonite Hills look like something straight off Mars. With their swirling bands of red, purple, gray, and white clay, this alien landscape has even been used as a training ground for astronauts at the Mars Desert Research Station. In this video, we’ll take you on a journey through the bizarre, colorful terrain of the Bentonite Hills—often called Utah’s Red Planet. Discover how these ancient cla

Just east of Hanksville, Utah, in the surreal badlands of Blue Valley, rises a solitary sandstone tower known as The Dark Spire. Surrounded by blue bentonite clay and towering canyon walls, this remote formation looks like something pulled straight out of a Star Wars desert world. In this video, we explore the strange, otherworldly beauty of Blue Valley and discover why the Dark Spire — also called the Silver Spire — is one of Utah’s most unforgettable hidden gems. If you lov

Join Teresa as she explores Moonscape Overlook, a surreal, otherworldly landscape just outside Hanksville, Utah. Sitting on the edge of this barren plateau, I gaze across the Blue Valley with its rippling ridges, winding gullies, and colors that shift from gray to blue to purple as the light changes. This hidden gem feels like a lunar plain or a distant, uncharted planet—raw, remote, and unforgettable. Stay Connected If my story resonated with you, I'd be grateful if you coul

Just west of Hanksville, Utah, lies Goblin Valley State Park—a place so strange and whimsical it feels like you’ve stepped onto another planet. Carved over millions of years, the hoodoos here resemble towers, faces, and mushroom-shaped figures that seem alive in the silence of the desert. If it looks familiar, you may have seen it in the cult classic Galaxy Quest (1999), where it doubled as the alien world Epsilon Gorniar II. On my visit, I had the valley all to myself, wande

The Four Peaks Wilderness Area is one of our favorite areas in the Phoenix area, as it offers dramatic desert scenery, towering saguaro cactus forests, rugged off-road trails, and quiet hiking routes that showcase the raw beauty of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. Where is the Four Peaks Wilderness Area? The Four Peaks Wilderness Area  sits within the Tonto National Forest and covers more than 60,000 acres of protected land . It’s named after the dramatic four-summit mountain ridge

If you’re driving through the red rock landscapes of Southern Utah, somewhere between the Mars-like terrain of Capitol Reef and Goblin Valley, you might stumble upon a structure that looks like it walked right out of a steampunk western.

Every fall, something magical—and almost mischievous—happens in Sedona. For most of the year, the famous red rocks rule the landscape with effortless authority. They rise from the desert floor like ancient fortresses, glowing in shades of crimson, copper, and ember. People travel from around the world to see that unmistakable color that needs no filter, no introduction, and no competition. But autumn changes the dynamic. Autumn brings challengers. As October deepens and Novem

If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping onto another planet without leaving Earth, the deserts around Hanksville, Utah, will make that dream a reality. From Mars-like clay hills to whimsical alien valleys, this corner of the American Southwest is a playground for explorers, photographers, and sci-fi dreamers.

Bale Grist Mill: Where Napa’s Past Still Turns When most people think of Napa Valley, they imagine rolling vineyards, world-class wine, and luxurious tasting rooms. But tucked between St. Helena and Calistoga lies a rare and remarkable piece of California’s agricultural history: Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park.

When most people think of spring, they picture cherry blossoms in Japan, tulips in Holland, or roses in a country garden. But out here in the American Southwest, the arrival of spring is announced with a different kind of bloom

When one thinks of awesome geological features in Arizona, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Monument Valley are top of mind. However, another stunning feature is the Mogollon Rim which provides breathtaking views. The best way to experience the “Rim” is via Forest Road 300 during the Arizona Monsoon season.

There’s no place quite like Death Valley—where extremes meet in stark beauty, and silence stretches for miles under an endless sky.

When people think of Arizona, their minds often jump to the dramatic cliffs of the Grand Canyon, the iconic silhouette of saguaro cacti at sunset, or the endless red rock vistas of Sedona. But tucked away in the remote reaches of the Navajo Nation lies one of the state’s most awe-inspiring and yet lesser-known natural wonders: Grand Falls.

For train enthusiasts, history buffs, and lovers of the great outdoors, Steam Saturday is nothing short of magical. On select Saturdays throughout the year, the Grand Canyon Railway brings history roaring back to life by firing up its legendary steam locomotive #4960—a 2-8-2 "Mikado" type engine built in 1923.

Tribal Park may be lucky enough to encounter them—grazing in the open desert, climbing ridgelines with surprising agility, or simply standing still against a backdrop of ancient rock and endless sky.

Welcome to Arizona Wine Country, where rugged desert terrain gives way to rolling vineyards, historic ranchlands, and a climate strikingly similar to the great wine regions of Europe. This unexpected paradise is spread across three primary regions: Sonoita, Willcox, and the Verde Valley.

Arizona’s Salt River boasts a mesmerizing landscape adorned with stunning desert vistas and a remarkable ecosystem. Nestled within this...

An Arizona Route 66 Story Standing alone along an abandoned section of Route 66’s original 1926 alignment is the Painted Desert Trading...

Sunset Serenity Introduction San Diego, often hailed as “America’s Finest City,” is famous for its idyllic weather, laid-back charm, and...

The Southwest's Hidden Gem Tucked away between the better-known wonders of Arizona’s canyon country lies a breathtaking, mysterious...