Ash Springs / Crystal Springs, Nevada

There are stretches of US-93 in southern Nevada where the land looks half asleep, all pale dirt and blue distance, and then, almost absurdly, water appears. Ash Springs and Crystal Springs are part of that small miracle, two clear-water stops in the Pahranagat Valley near Alamo that roadtrippers and bird watchers tend to mention in the same breath.

Continue reading Ash Springs / Crystal Springs, Nevada


Salmon Falls, Idaho

Salmon Falls, Idaho, offers a breathtaking escape into nature that’s hard to forget. Known for its striking waterfalls and bubbling springs, the area provides an inviting destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether it’s the tranquility of fishing along the Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir or the thrill of exploring canyon trails, this region delivers endless recreation opportunities. For an immersive adventure that captures the beauty of Idaho’s landscapes, Salmon Falls is a must-visit.

Continue reading Salmon Falls, Idaho


Stratton Spring (Manitou Springs, CO)

Stratton Spring was drilled in 1936 by the Myron Stratton Foundation., The soda-type spring has a controlled flow of two gallons per minute and is drilled to a depth of 167 feet. This site was the junction of early Indian trails and several major mineral springs. Later it became the major access to the Mount Manitou Incline and the Pikes Peak Cog Railway and was the loop were Stratton’s Trolley Line reversed to return to Colorado Springs.

Continue reading Stratton Spring (Manitou Springs, CO)


The Blue Hole of Santa Rosa

In the middle of the New Mexican northeastern desert is an aqua dark blue oasis called the “Blue Hole”. It was also once called “Blue Lake” or “Aqua Negra Chiquita” as one of the seven sister lakes connected underground by a vast network of water sources that gives Santa Rosa its reputation of being a city of natural lakes.

Continue reading The Blue Hole of Santa Rosa


Bottomless Lakes State Park

Bottomless Lakes provided much cooling off during the hot and dry summers of the desert. Only Fifteen miles from Roswell, the Lakes is located along the Pecos River, and are a series of natural caves and sinkholes forming lakes used for recreation. The parks were established in 1933 and were the first State Park founded in New Mexico.

Continue reading Bottomless Lakes State Park