Posts for South America Category

32 Best Foodie Places in the US

Central America, North America, South America, Travel Blog, Travel Tips - Ross French - February 4, 2023

Foodie Places

Get ready for a culinary adventure! If you’re a foodie looking for the best foodie places to eat in the United States, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered insights from travel and food experts to bring you a list of the top food cities in America. From coast to coast, there’s something for every palate.

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds as you explore the diverse food scene of the US. Indulge in classic American dishes and sample local specialties in cities known for their food culture. Discover top restaurants, hole-in-the-wall cafes, and award-winning bakeries. Whether you’re in search of traditional comfort food or exotic international flavors, there’s something for everyone on this delicious journey. So, pack your appetite and let’s start exploring the best travel destinations for food lovers in the US! Continue Reading

Continue Reading

Where to Stay While in L.A.

South America - Ross French - March 16, 2022

Whether you’re headed to Los Angeles to catch a glimpse of someone famous, you want to have some fun in Universal Studios, or you’re headed to California for a business trip, you have plenty of choices for hotels. Whether you want to walk the city streets to see the TCl Chinese Theatre or you’ll be looking for your favorite star on the walk, there are plenty of things to do in and around Los Angeles. Planning your trip well means considering where to stay while in L.A. will give you easy access to the activities you’re planning on your trip. Think about the things you plan to spend your time doing and check out these hotels. Continue Reading

Continue Reading

5 Fantastic Nevada Hot Springs to Visit

South America - Ross French - February 20, 2022

Nevada Hot Springs

When it comes to outdoor activities, The Silver State has to occupy a top place on the list. We all know that it has the highest number of mountain ranges out of any US state. Some of these ranges have peaks reaching the height of 13,000+ feet. It also boasts having the driest region in all of the US, the Mojave Desert. Interestingly, one can find many natural thermal pools scattered across these peaks and deserts. In this article, we will give you a list of some of the best Nevada hot springs. So, read on.

List of 5 Best Hot Springs in Nevada

  • Arizona
  • Ruby Valley
  • Gold Strike
  • Spencer
  • Trego

5 Best Hot Springs in Nevada

1. Arizona Hot Springs

Arizona Hot SpringsIf you’re eager to give yourself a break from the Las Vegas nightlife and relax, this could be perfect. This thermal pool has 3 tiers and resides in a dark slot canyon bordering Lake Mohave. It is also very close to the famous Hoover Dam. The geothermal pools are situated about 1,000 feet from the river. Here, the canyon walls are almost fully vertical. The water comes out of the fissures in the ancient volcanic rocks close to the intersection of the two faults. The waters here are very clear and have healing properties as a result of being mineral-rich. The water temperature stays around 43°C all year long.

White Rock Canyon is a stunningly splendid volcanic region. Plus, there is a wide variety of desert plants here as well. These include rabbitbrush, rock daisy, desert fir, and many more. Due to the popularity of this place, the pools mostly remain crowded. So, it’s best to take a bath late at night and go camping beside the Colorado River below.

Remember that the ladder to reach the pools suffered flood damage. Thus, it’s not possible to access them from the river now. The only way to access the pools is via the Rock Canyon Trail. Reaching this place requires a hike, and the weather remains hot there. So the best time to visit it is during late October-April when the temperature is a bit cooler.

2. Ruby Valley Hot Springs

Another amazing geothermal wonder is situated on the border of the well-known Ruby Wildlife Refuge. As we all know, this wildlife refuge is among the remotest wildlife refuges in the Lower 48. The pools reside in the middle of the big marsh. Thus, migrating birds, antelope, and many other species live in this area. So, you’d be dazzled by the natural beauty here. Plus, the limestone ledges and a metal ladder make it super easy for visitors to access the pools.

The main pool is known for being huge, deep, and having a nice emerald color. Besides that, it maintains comfortable warmth of 35°C-37°C throughout the year. The main pool has a wooden platform next to it for people to chill, tan, or simply keep their stuff.

Apart from the main big geothermal pools, there are several smaller ones. These smaller pools become too hot to soak sometimes. Hence, it’s best to perform a touch test before entering them.

If you have a pet and don’t want to leave your little furry friend behind while you soak, don’t worry. This area is known for being pet-friendly. However, you got to keep them away from the waters as no pets are allowed to enter the pools. Keeping all factors in mind, it’s best to visit these pools in the late spring and early fall.

3. Gold Strike

Nevada Hot Springs to Visit Gold StrikeLocated along the Colorado River, Gold Strike is a famous geyser. One could easily reach the place by driving about 45 minutes from Downtown Las Vegas. However, the real struggle begins when you try to reach the pools. They are not easy to access. For that, you have to engage in a 4-mile hike via a narrow vertical canyon. Needless to say, this requires some careful scrambling. So, you got to put in work. Plus, there are plenty of rattlesnakes in the area. Also, remember that sometimes the trail could face flash floods as some parts are narrow. So, it is best to reschedule your hike for a later day if you feel that it might rain.

But once you reach the natural spa, it would be worth it. Here, you can relax in the water that oozes out of the stony canyon wall cracks. There are 3 chief geothermal pools in the area. The first among them remains dry some times of the year. The second is known as the Cave of Wonders. And the third is the most popular among all and resides just beyond a few small waterfalls. The water temperature stays around 38°C. So, it is pretty comfy and relaxing.

There is also a river nearby. Thus, you can take a cool refreshing dip if you want after a warm soaking session. Gold Strike is located near the scenic Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City. As it’s best to hike through the trail during October-May, it is also the best time to visit the pools.

4. Spencer Hot Springs

SpencerSpencer is one of those Nevada hot springs that offer you some of the best views possible. These geothermal pools are maintained by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Here, you will find 3 (sometimes 4) bathing spots, filled with water coming from natural geysers through water pipes. Two of these spots are artificial pools made from metal cattle troughs or cowboy tubs. While the third pool contains a natural soft base. The fourth cowboy tub that visitors could access sometimes is comparatively cooler than the rest. While soaking in these pools, you will get to see the huge desert. Among its several surrounding attractions is the famous Toquima Cave – one of the finest pictograph instances in North America. You can visit it by taking a quick 30-minute drive from the geothermal pools. Also, you will see the Toiyabe Range and its rough peaks. Located just off U.S. Route 50, these thermal pools are very easy to access. It is because of the 0.1-mile lightly trafficked trail. The geysers comprise a steamy metal tub and feature an in-ground thermal pool.

Once you’re done bathing, you can camp here if you want. Or, you can visit Austin – a nearby town with several cafés, lodges, and antique shops. It will boost your overall experience. The water temperature stays about 55°C all year long. So, winter would be the best time to visit Spencer to take a nice, warm bath and rejuvenate.

5. Trego

The Black Rock Desert gains its popularity mainly from the 8-day festival of Burning Man. But besides that, it is also the home to some picturesque geothermal pools that provide an awesome experience. Trego is one such pool. It is basically a stretched ditch with a soft mud base. This pool can help you take a relaxing mineral-rich mud bath. The water temperature is known to fluctuate from time to time. It varies between 32°C and 38°C depending on the season and the entry point you pick. So, it’s important to perform a touch test before you enter the waters.

It is quite easy to access as well. You just have to drive along Route 49 towards Sulphur. After driving 30 miles up the gravel washboard, you will reach Trego Crossing. From there, the pools are only a short distance away. For your info, the pools are at the north end by the railway track.

One great advantage of Trego is that not many people know about this place. Therefore, the geothermal pools here are not as crowded as some other popular Nevada hot springs. That means you can enjoy a refreshing warm mud bath in a calm atmosphere here. You can visit Trego anytime you want. But we recommend you visit it and take a hot bath when the weather is less warm.

Conclusion

As you can see, the Battle Born State has a lot of natural thermal pools that you can visit. In this article, we gave you a list of some of the best Nevada hot springs. So, what are you waiting for? Visit them today, take a warm bath, and revitalize your body and mind.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Are there any natural Nevada hot springs?

Yes, there are many natural geothermal pools in Nevada. These include Spencer, Gold Strike, and many more.

  • Are there thermal pools close to Las Vegas?

Yes, Gold Strike is one such thermal pool. Located along the Colorado River, Gold Strike is only a 45-minute drive. So, if you wish to leave the bustle of Las Vegas behind and relax, this could a great option.

  • How many natural geysers are in The Silver State?

When it comes to natural geysers, The Silver State has plenty, and we mean plenty of them. Today, there are over 300 such Nevada hot springs. No other US state has this many natural thermal pools.

 

Continue Reading

Having a Blast with Galapagos Vacation

South America - Ross French - April 10, 2018

Galapagos vacations

There is something thrilling about Galapagos vacation. This is an island area with the best things to do and see. The island is strikingly different and special. Among all the features you would love to see the active volcanoes. The trip here is going to be challenging. For the reason, it is best to avail of the travel packing tips.

galapagos

It is lovely going for Galapagos vacation. The experience of being at the place is just fabulous. If you are a wildlife watcher you can make your way to the small town of Puerto Ayora. The Charles Darwin Research Station is one more attraction of the destination so special out of the rest.

  • Leon Dormido

It is great to go for Galapagos vacation and be at Leon Dormido. The name of the place signifies a sleeping lion. The shape of the island is unique. It looks like a complete cone that has been eroded in the halfway.

Galapagos vacations

The place is a major attraction and it makes a better part of Galapagos vacation. Here you can see small boats sailing through the rocks. This is an island specifically accessed by the snorkelers and the small boats. Here you can go for a day trip and make the arrangements in advance.

  • El Chato Tortoise Reserve

Galapagos vacation is really exhilarating with a trip to El Chato Tortoise Reserve. The sight of the small creatures is really going to make you love the show. This is the place to see the giant tortoise moving in the wild. This is where you can watch for some of the prehistoric beasts.

Galapagos vacations

The trip to the reserve is indeed going to make Galapagos vacation really interesting. This is the best place to watch for the short-eared owls, Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers, Galápagos rails and paint-billed crakes. There are more things you would prefer to see at the place with the best of thrill and enthusiasm.

  • A specialty of Coco Surf

When on a Galapagos vacation it is time to go for Coco Surf. This is the special sidewalk café where you are served with some of the scrumptious cuisines. The taste of the food is lovely, and you feel like go on munching.

Galapagos vacations

Coco Surf is one of the real attractions of Galapagos vacation. You can be here to taste from the serving of tuna tartare and patanachos mar y terra. There is even the appetizer platter with the collection of the seafood and the fresh meat.

  • Charles Darwin Research Station

To make Galapagos vacations memorable you can at best visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. This lies to the northeast of Puerto Ayora. Here you can visit the iconic National Park. More to your interest you get to know about the 200 scientists involved in various research at the place.

Galapagos vacations

The Charles Darwin Research Station is one of the major attractions of Galapagos vacation. Here is the arrangement of the captive breeding program for the giant tortoise. There are paths to lead you to the arid zone vegetation. The area is just fantastic to make you feel entertained for hours.

Continue Reading