The Armchair Traveler Ritual
This isn't just one hike; it's a massive interactive menu to the world. Grab your favorite snack, put your feet up, and browse the options below. When a thumbnail captures your heart, pop on your headset and start planning your own real-world adventure to chase it down!
⚡ The Quick Scoop
The Vibe: Sometimes the hardest part of planning an adventure is simply answering the question, "Where to next?"
The Archive: These collections represent over four years of driving tens of thousands of miles, destroying three 360 cameras, and surviving epic bloopers to bring you the best VR escapes.
Shauna's Tip: This is a "living menu." Bookmark this page and use it whenever you need to find your next mountain, waterfall, or quirky town!
The beautiful, highly-produced collections you see below were actually born out of complete frustration. Over the last four years, I have driven tens of thousands of miles across the country with my 360 camera strapped to my backpack.
In the early days, I used to film by walking around like everyone else. But I quickly realized that watching someone walk in VR is a great way to get incredibly nauseous! So, I switched to using tripods. Let me tell you, running away from a tripod on an unstable, rocky cliff while the wind is trying to topple your expensive camera over is stressful!
👇 Choose Your Path
The Ultimate Blooper Reel
Creating this archive required sacrificing three different 360 cameras to the elements! But the lost gear was nothing compared to the crazy situations we found ourselves in while trying to get the shot.
🤦♀️ The Face-Palm Moose
There was the time Todd sunk his customized kayak in a freezing reservoir, and the terrifying morning we were trapped inside an old barn at Mormon Row by a massive herd of buffalo! But the most embarrassing blooper?
We were backpacking at Lake Blanche when a massive moose walked right up to my camera. It was a gold mine shot! I was terrified he would tip the rig over, so I hit the button quick and backed off. When he finally walked away, I checked the camera. My quick hit didn't actually start the recording. I missed the entire thing! Major face palm.
The Sequoia Starvation
Another classic: We were in Sequoia National Park when a massive fire knocked out all the power. There were strict signs everywhere: NO FIRES ALLOWED. Suddenly, we had no shower options, no Jetboil for hot dinners, and no way to cook anything! We lived purely off granola bars, sandwiches, dry cereal, and crackers for days. It was rough, but the footage was worth it!
The Danger of the Chase
Before you head out into these collections, I have to share my golden rules for safety. I didn't always follow them, and I learned the hard way.
⚠️ Essential Explorer Rules
1. Download Gaia Maps: Most of these locations have zero cell service. In my early days training in Escalante, I got off-trail and ended up stuck on a terrifyingly high ledge! Never hike the desert without an offline map.
2. Pack Extra Batteries: Having a phone die means you lose your map. I always carry two extra battery packs to keep my phone and cameras alive.
3. Keep Bear Spray Accessible: We literally ran into a bear on the trail at Glacier National Park. Trust me, burying your bear spray at the bottom of your backpack does you no good when you need it in three seconds!
Behind the Collections
Each of these collections carries a deeply personal message and some hilarious behind-the-scenes stories. Here are the spotlights on my absolute favorites.
💧 Waterfall Therapy: The Free Fall
Have you ever had those moments when you feel like your feet have been swept out from under you? When you are in a free fall emotionally, your heart struggles to let go of the hurt.
I created the Waterfall Collection as a tribute to my hero, Nelson Mandela. He faced 27 years of harsh prison conditions to oppose persecution, yet he refused to give up his kindness. This collection combines my favorite waterfall views with his wisdom to help you stand tall, let the hurt go, and move forward.
- "It always seems impossible until it is done."
- "I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it."
- "I never lose. I either win or I learn."
🏔️ Rocky Mountain High: Looking Up
Living at the base of the Rocky Mountains, the alpine air simply feels like home. There is a saying in many scriptures that calls people to get to the top of the mountain so they can gain clear direction. I feel that deeply.
When I am stressed by the rat race of life, hiking in the mountains clears my head. In fact, it was my "home mountain" (Grove Creek) that pulled me out of being overweight after pregnancy and gave me the confidence to take on massive adventures. The Rocky Mountains, stretching all the way from New Mexico to Canada, have a unique way of lifting us up when we are down—just like John Denver sang.
Behind the Scenes of the Video:
As you watch the Rocky Mountain collection below, look out for my funny, real-time reactions on the trail! You'll see me getting surprised by deep snow, finding a mountain with 7 hidden waterfalls, driving the 12,256 ft Continental Divide on Cottonwood Pass, and explaining why Utah's famous "Cecret Lake" was actually named by miners who couldn't spell!
- "If you can look up, you can get up... and don't ever give up." — Eric Thomas & Michael Irvin
- "Avoid looking forward or backward and try to keep looking upward." — Charlotte Brontë
- "Once you've tasted the sky you'll forever look up." — Leonardo da Vinci
🛣️ Righteous Roads: The Detour
What is it about the two little words "road trip" that instantly sparks excitement? For me, it means adventure is up ahead, and I finally get to relax and get out of my head.
When I put this collection together, I wanted to capture that feeling of being a bird—alive, carefree, and giggling with glee at the wonders out the window. The wind in my hair heals my soul; it is nature's way to love and console.
The Scary Cliff Drive
But it wasn't all just relaxing cruising! There is a part in this video where a massive cliff lays before us, and up we go, zigzagging along the edge. I explicitly remember gripping the wheel, looking out the window, and thinking, "This narrow cliff road is a scary drive... please let us come out of here alive! Don't look below!" But reaching the top of the world with those epic, snow-tipped peaks made every moment of panic completely worth it.
A loose plan is all that we need,
For a random road detour is guaranteed.
With a fork like these, a diverging road says a choice must be made,
The small pretty road is always a good trade.
A dirt road is calling out to me,
"I have wonders down me, come and see!"
With sadness the road journey ends,
So I grow the joy in my heart and let it transcend.
🏰 Quaint Towns: The Swiss & The Wild West
There is something incredibly healing about stepping out of the chaos and into a small, charming town. My "Quaint Towns" collection features five of my absolute favorites from this year, and the vibes are fantastic.
- 🍕 Crested Butte, CO: A colorful, perky old mining town entirely surrounded by stunning mountains. The vibe just puts a smile on your face. You must try the "Secret Stash" pizza here—order "The Hampton" (olive oil base with arugula)!
- 🍬 Vail, CO: It feels exactly like a rich, car-free slice of Switzerland! Live performers fill the streets. We actually stumbled upon an entertainer playing a game called "Throw Money At Me," where kids won cash to buy candy with strict rules: "No saltwater taffy! We want gummy bears and Sour Patch Kids!"
- 🤠 Winthrop, WA: Found right after driving the Washington Pass, this town transported us straight into the Old Wild West. The shops and ice cream are fantastic.
- 🕰️ Midway, UT: Settled by Swiss immigrants, this town boasts a massive working Swiss clock with dancers that appear! They host a brilliant Swiss Day art festival, winter ice castles, and actual sheepdog competitions.
- 🥏 Redstone & Marble, CO: Hidden in the forest, Marble is famous for its summer marble symposiums and incredible sculptors. The coolest part? You can play Frisbee Golf that winds directly through the ancient marble ruins! After your game, hit up "Slow Groovin'" BBQ for the best homey food in town.
The Grand Collections Menu
This project took months! After a superfan suggested grouping my videos, I dug through 4 hard drives and 4 years of footage to find the absolute best shots. I paired them with relaxing music and profound quotes to create these ultimate sampler platters.
1. A Tour of the Rocky Mountains
This collection features some of my favorite epic views from Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana. Prepare for spectacular mountain highs!
2. A Hunt for Waterfalls
If you're a lover of waterfalls, this is the perfect collection to help you find your next one to chase. (Locations are labeled at the bottom!)
3. A Journey on Righteous Roads
There's nothing better than a scenic drive with epic views. This collection has a bounty of those roads to give you some amazing places to discover.
4. A Kaleidoscope of Color
Want to be dazzled by views that have breathtaking color? This is a fantastic collection of vibrant landscapes that will fill you with awe.
5. A Collection of Calming Canyons
Do you love that feeling of sitting on the edge of an epic canyon, or walking between two huge cliff walls? This collection will knock your socks off.
6. A Stroll Through Quaint Towns
There is something magical about finding a town that is so homey and inviting you just want to wander around for hours. Here are my favorites!
7. A Gallery of Artistic Arches
When you stumble upon an arch that is such a beautiful piece of art, it is priceless! This collection has some of the most amazing arches I have found.
8. A Wonderland of Hoodoos
Hoodoos are such incredible pieces of nature! The more of them I find, the more I want to chase them. Enjoy these whimsical formations.
✨ Ask the Creator Guide
Curious about how I edited these collections, the moose facepalm story, or why the mountains are my ultimate therapy? Ask our AI Guide!
Your Journey Awaits
These collections have taken over four years to create, and hopefully, they will give you a bounty of places to chase and keep you smiling for a very long time! Remember to pack your extra batteries, bring your bear spray, and always look for direction on the mountain tops. Which adventure will you choose first?
Sending Love and Positive Vibes,
Shauna @ VRGetaway
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