The Vibe: Budget-friendly, romantic, and breathtakingly golden.
Must See: The fearless Camp Robber Jay! In the VR video, you get to experience having a wild bird land directly on your head!
The Inspiration: The most vibrant colors aren't just in the turning of the leaves—they are in the journey we share and the lessons we learn together.
Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (5 out of 5 Diamonds!)
Sometimes the best adventures are the ones you almost don't take. We were feeling the pinch of high gas prices, but the call of Colorado's fall colors was too strong to ignore. So, we made a pact: we would chase this epic trip in my tiny Rav4.
We survived, we didn't kill each other, and we had one of the most delightful and breathtaking trips of our lives. This is the story of that adventure, of following hints from fellow creators, finding our own hidden gems, and capturing a truly priceless moment with a fearless bird.
👇 Choose Your Path
Chasing the Golden Hour
Our trip started with inspiration from photographer Ryan Smith's blog, and from there, we just explored. We poked around every road near Telluride, drove up to Ouray, and then took on the legendary Million Dollar Highway. The views were breathtaking.
To sleep in a Rav4, you have to take the front seats and slide them ALL the way forward, pack your clothes in the space behind the seat to bridge the gap, and then unfold the foam pad. Because Todd is 6'3", he has to sleep completely diagonal to fit. That means I am left curled up in a tiny ball in the remaining triangle! LOL.
Making it work! The views were worth the tight squeeze.
🛠️ Todd's Take
"I won't lie, I missed ORVilla—our usual rig that I keep 'Boy Scout ready' with tools for every contingency. I kept reaching for gadgets that were hidden back home. But crowded is better than not going any day!"
🗺️ Field Notes
- Our Route: Telluride, Ouray, Alta Lakes, Trout Lake, Dallas Divide, Owl Creek Pass, and Silver Jack Reservoir.
🐟 100 Lakes Challenge Update!
Fishing dictates our routes! On this trip, we were determined to add to our "100 Fish at 100 Lakes Challenge." We even made a spreadsheet to document the fish we caught, the lake, the number on the list, and the specific lures we used. It was so much fun documenting them all!
- Trout Lake
- Cimarron Lake
- Andrew's Lake (No luck, but the fog was spooky!)
- Alta Lakes (No luck, but stunning views!)
- Silver Jack Reservoir (No luck, but the drive was gorgeous!)
- Beaver Lake (No luck this time!)
35 Autumns & A Wild Encounter
The most amazing moment happened north of Telluride. We stopped to admire a view and a cute bird started hanging around. We fed him some bread, and he was so fearless that Todd decided to put a piece on his head to see if the bird would land there.
I got the camera rolling, and what happened next was pure magic. The bird flew down, but instead of landing on Todd, it landed directly on top of my 360 camera—twice! I was worried it would scratch the lens, but it survived! It eventually landed on Todd's head, but that shot of it on the camera means that when you watch in VR, you get to feel like a wild bird has just landed right on your head!
We thought he was just a fun, cute bird. But when we researched him later and found out his official name is the 'Camp Robber Jay', we couldn't stop laughing. It was just too fitting!
✨ The Myth of Box Canyon Falls
We explored Box Canyon Falls in Ouray. It's an incredibly narrow slot canyon where the water pours out making a massive Z-shape. The sound of the water pounding in that enclosed space was deafening—Todd estimated it was 140 feet tall!
Legend says that Box Canyon Falls isn't just a waterfall; it's the mountain's heartbeat. The deafening roar echoing through the ancient, Z-shaped walls is said to be the earth singing a protective spell, guarding a hidden vein of mountain gold from those who wander too close...
The spooky, magical morning fog rolling off Andrew's Lake at 10,500 feet elevation.
🌟 The Golden Nugget
As I end this VR getaway, I'd like to share a lesson I learned from nature. When I think about fall, I feel really lucky that I'm still falling in love with that man over there. 35 years together, helping him chase his dreams while he helps me chase mine. The greatest adventures are the shared journeys.
They call it Colorful Colorado.
A fleeting, beautiful blaze, a final, brilliant breath of summer,
painted across canyon and peak before the long, quiet rest.
We trace the million-dollar highway,
a tiny planet spinning through gold and green.
The world bends around us, a sphere of wonder,
as patchwork mountains reflect in lakes, serene.
Thirty-five autumns we've seen this world turn,
chasing the light, chasing the sun.
This year a smaller vessel, a tighter space,
A test of will, a lesson in grace.
You slept diagonal, I curled up small,
But our laughter was big enough to fill it all.
We found the cosmos through the moon roof's glass,
Vowing to let the little moments last.
A promise renewed as the autumn colors burned,
The greatest adventures are the lessons learned.
It’s a season of breathtaking change,
this slow cascade, a lesson in the grace of letting go.
We watch the leaves surrender in a vortex of light,
a golden fall, soft and slow.
We hear it in the crunch under our feet,
the whisper of grass as we pass,
a tangible peace in the sound, a feeling that lasts.
But this path wasnt always gold and bright,
We've known the valley's coldest night.
Stood at a crossroads, torn apart,
But learned to trust a stubborn heart.
And chose the climb, back to the start.
So the most vibrant colors, the ones that truly hold,
are not just in the turning of the leaves.
They are in the journey we share, a story to be told.
In a hand held tight against the mountain air,
a quiet cuddle on a cliffside high,
a tender moment reflected in your eye.
This is the view that outshines the sky.
In the canyons, water carves the stone...
a constant, steady tune.
A world of falling water, spinning on its own.
This love, like the aspens, only grows more golden with time.
A shared path, a steady, joyful climb.
And in the quiet moments, by a lake still as glass,
you find the reflections are what truly last.
Not just the mountain, perfect in the water below,
but a memory of shared wonder, a steady, gentle glow.
A final, brilliant color against the coming white,
A shared breath held in the fading light.
Thirty-five seasons of this beautiful blaze,
Reflected forever, in your loving gaze.
Tiny Planets & Kinetic Text
I love the Kinetic Text in this specific video, and the Driving Tiny Planets and Slot Canyon Waterfall shots are really something so fun and unique. If you give them a chance they have a big probability of winning your heart!
🎬 Creator's Corner & Studio Secrets
The Celebration: This video was created as a fun celebration of the 35 years that Todd and I have been together! Of course, we have been through tough times, and it hasn't been all roses, but the victory of making it through the rough times and having such a strong and happy marriage after that long is something I am really happy about.
Transport Yourself to Colorful Colorado
Are you missing fall already? Grab your VR headset and transport yourself on this fun new VR Getaway for a great boost from nature. Experience the Million Dollar Highway, the glow of aspen leaves, and the magic of the mountains.
🔍 VR Video Treasure Hunt!
- The Bird Landing: Find the incredible, unscripted moment where the Camp Robber Jay lands directly on the camera, making it feel like it's landing on you!
- The Leaf Shower: Can you find the magical, authentic moment where the fall leaves started raining down on me?
- Chimney Rock Drone Shot: Look for Todd's spectacular drone footage of the iconic Chimney Rock formation.
- Golden Hour Drive: Can you see the footage of us driving down a narrow dirt road while the golden hour sun makes the yellow aspen leaves glow?
The Ultimate Colorado Road Trip
If you want to plan your own golden adventure, I've got you covered! Here is the complete Google Map list of all the gems we found. We hit up as many spots as we could, though I admit, we didn't quite make it down to Mesa Verde this time around. That just means we have to go back!
Want to just leave the beauty running in the background? Check out my upcoming 4-Hour Slow TV Flat Screen video. It features a continuous, peaceful loop of the National Parks and gorgeous views we captured on this trip. Perfect for relaxing or working from home!
✨ Ask the Oracle Guide
Have a question about Box Canyon Falls, the Camp Robber Jay, or want an inspiring quote about fall and relationships? Ask our AI Guide!
Until Our Next Adventure...
This road trip was such a delight, filled with stunning colors and unexpected moments of magic. From squeezing into our tiny Rav4 to being visited by a fearless new friend, it was a powerful reminder that the best adventures often happen when you embrace spontaneity. I hope as you watch this journey on your VR headset, you feel like you've been transported on a mini-vacation that was not only stress-free but also filled with a positive boost from the beauty of nature.
Sending Love and Positive Vibes,
Shauna @ VRGetaway
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