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Jo↟ Southwest Travel & Adventure

@average.jo.adventures

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Utah + New Mexico 🏜️⛰️
📍Currently: SLC, UT
Southwest adventure, travel, & nature 🌵

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Utah has needed a via ferrata route like this for so long and it’s finally here thanks to @uintahcountyut! 🥾The Ashley Gorge Via Ferrata is located just 10 mins north of the town of Vernal, UT. Here’s the details:⛓️‍💥 What is a via ferrata? It’s a climbing route with fixed steel cables, ladders, and metal rungs anchored into the rock. Climbers wear a harness and stay clipped in with safety lines, allowing them to ascend steep terrain more securely without needing advanced climbing skills or technical gear.🎟️ Cost/access: FREE and open to the public during open season as long as you have the right equipment and experience.🧗🏼‍♀️ Gear: You must have a helmet, harness, gloves, and a certified via ferrata leash (no homemade kits). Gear can be rented from @dynooutfitters. Bring plenty of water, food, and sun protection. ⏱️ Time: The longest route took us 5 hours, but the beta says to give yourself 6-8 hours. 30 minute hike in and out. You can rest between the 4 main routes (A-D) or skip sections entirely to make it shorter/easier. 📈 Difficulty: routes range from 2B (intermediate) to 3C (advanced). Beginners should hire a guide from @dynooutfitters.⚠️ Exposure: This via ferrata is airy and has some high exposure spots. I wouldn’t recommend it for people afraid of heights. 🏜️ Management: Built and managed by @uintahcountyut with more routes being built this year. 💻 Website and waiver: www.ashleygorgeviaferrata.com (you must sign a waiver on the website before entering the via ferrata) 🌎 PLEASE protect Ashley Gorge by leaving no trace. Pack out what you pack in, be prepared, know your limits, and respect the land and the local area. I’ve done dozens of via ferratas across Europe and the US and this route is hands down one of the best, publicly accessible ones in the states. We are SO lucky- enjoy it and take care of it! 🧡 by @average.jo.adventures

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3 months ago

*And the built-in igniter was broken* My Mr. Darcy haha. Came to the rescue so we could have our lakeside dinner in Austria. Good memories from when we lived in Vienna 🇦🇹 by @average.jo.adventures

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5 hours ago

The most whimsical use of free will this summer? Booking that bucket list hot air balloon ride! 🎈We had the most beautiful morning with @rainbowryders in Heber, Utah! 🌅 Neither of us had ever flown in a hot air balloon before and can confidently say it wasn’t scary at all, just pure magic ✨ Our pilot @yourfavoritepilot_275 was amazing. #hosted Rainbow Ryders fly in Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado, so you can find them in multiple cities for your bucket list ride! Would you do it? 🙌 by @average.jo.adventures

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a day ago

My parents recently moved to the area so we’re out here exploring Heber Valley, Utah! ⛰️ Here’s some ideas for your summer getaway to Heber & Midway, just 45 minutes from Salt Lake City:🚤 Have a lake day and go boating at Deer Creek Reservoir to beat the summer heat! We rented a surf boat and wave runners from @deercreek_islandresort. 🎣 Try fly fishing on the Provo River. Hire a guide or grab your gear from @fishheadsflyshop in Heber. 🎈 Check “hot air balloon ride” off the bucket list with a sunrise excursion with @rainbowryders! We had such a beautiful ride with them in the Heber area. 🛍️ Window shop around Main Street and 200 W in cute downtown Midway. They have great gift shops and galleries + the famous @ballerinafarmstore. I loved @folkloremidway and @cactusandpine93. 🍦Snag some gelato from @dandeliongelato in Midway or a famous milkshake from @dairykeen in Heber. 🛞 Rent UTVs from @wasatchexcursions and explore the surrounding off-road trails. You can also hire a guide with them. 🥾 Go for a hike! Explore Wasatch Mountain State Park or Uintah-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Cascade Springs is a short and family friendly stroll. 🐟 Take a fishing day trip to Strawberry Reservoir, just 45 mins from Heber! We caught some huge rainbow trout there. Have you been to the Heber Valley area? Let me know your summer favorites! ☀️ by @average.jo.adventures

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Expecting my husband to send me my own reel btw 🌼🌸 The Wasatch Mountains are putting on a show rn🪻All clips taken this week in Little Cottonwood Canyon but HURRY they won’t last long in this heat 🥵 by @average.jo.adventures

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7 days ago

Wildflower season in Utah 🌼⛰️🪻🌾🌸 While SLC is breaking high temp records, the mountains look like this ✨Albion Basin in Little Cottonwood Canyon near Salt Lake City is one of the most popular spots for seeing wildflowers in July. A few things to keep in mind:🎟️ Parking at Albion Basin (the Catherine Pass Trailhead or Cecret Lake Trailhead) costs $12 per car and is paid at a toll booth on the way up. Carpool when possible. There’s a free park & ride at the bottom of the canyon. 🚗 Parking is very limited so there might be a wait at the toll booth during peak times. When we went for sunset around 7 pm, we waited in line for 30 minutes. When I went for sunrise at 6:30 am, I didn’t wait at all. ⏰ Arrive early! Early morning is the best time to ditch the crowds. If the toll both isn’t staffed yet, you will have to pay the parking fee with exact cash or you can scan a QR code to pay online (but I’ve heard it can be iffy so cash is safest). 🌼 Most importantly, leave no trace and help protect the wildflowers for years to come. This means staying on the trail and not picking the flowers, no matter how tempting. There’s signage everywhere, but still I saw people ignoring it. Apparently engagement photos are an excuse to trample wildflowers 🙄🥾 There’s multiple hikes with great views and wildflowers ranging from the easy Albion Meadows Trail and Cecret Lake to the longer Catherine Pass Loop and Sugarloaf Peak. Plan ahead and be prepared! 📸 Photos were taken this week, 7/13 and 7/14. by @average.jo.adventures

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8 days ago

There’s so many beautiful things worth protecting in this world, just a reminder that you’re one of them 🌼🌾🫶✨📍Utah by @average.jo.adventures

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11 days ago

Spent an entire month in my favorite U.S. city and you better believe I made it my entire personality 🌶️✨🏜️ by @average.jo.adventures

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25 days ago

Week 6 of whimsy in Santa Fe, New Mexico! 🏜️Some favorites this week: ⛰️ Beautiful hike in the Sangre de Cristo mountains of Taos with @samlarsen8 💦 Pool day at @hotelglorietasantafe with @createwithkimmy 🚂 Shooting content onboard the scenic @skyrailway 💪 Final bootcamp class at @sfhealth.fitness 🍦 Ice cream flight from @lalecheria 🌷Exploring the whimsical @origamiinthegarden 🍑 Peach chai from @chaine_santafe 🥥 Trying the @churro_bar_ 📸 Wandering @cityofsantafe with my camera Sad to leave but will be back soon, I can never stay away from the Land of Enchantment for too long ✨ Thanks for following this series and please let me know if you enjoyed it and would like to see more content like this! by @average.jo.adventures

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a month ago

New Mexico edition 🏜️⛰️ Pretty places + snacks? I’m in 🤝Locations:🏺Salinas Pueblo Mission National Monument🥾Tent Rocks National Monument (reservation required)🏊🏼‍♀️ Santa Rosa Blue Hole⛰️ Sangre de Cristo Mountains🌷 @origamiinthegarden by @average.jo.adventures

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a month ago

The Santa Rosa Blue Hole is a MUCH welcomed escape from the NM summer heat and well worth the trip this summer ☀️💦The Blue Hole is a unique 81 ft deep natural spring with crystal clear waters. It’s an oasis for swimmers and even scuba divers (permits required). There’s a diving platform that’s fun to jump off, too! It costs $15 per car to park and swim for the day. There was an on-site food truck with refreshing agua frescas and other treats. IMO it’s well worth the stop if you’re driving Route 66 or a fun day trip from ABQ!Have you been to the Blue Hole yet? 📌 Save and send to your roadtrip buddy! by @average.jo.adventures

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a month ago

Week 5 of whimsy in Santa Fe, New Mexico! ✨Some favorites this week: 🚗 Solo roadtrip to Tucumcari for some Route 66 exploring 💦 Taking a dip at the Santa Rosa Blue Hole🚂 Flamenco dancing and sunset warching onboard @skyrailway 🍵 Peach matcha from Chaine 🛍️ Santa Fe shopping, got some goodies from @lospoblanos and @todaschicassf 📸 Adding to my NM churches photo collection Hope you have a whimsical weekend! by @average.jo.adventures

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a month ago