Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
Page, AZ to Escalante, UT
A quiet Walmart night in Page turns into a long, winding drive through Kanab, Bryce Canyon country, Henrieville, and Grand Staircase–Escalante. Familiar places, unexpected history, small-town pauses, exposed roads, and a calm evening at Deer Creek Campground bring the day to a thoughtful close.
Valley of the Gods to Page, AZ
A quiet morning in Valley of the Gods turns into a long, unhurried drive past Mexican Hat, Monument Valley, and fading desert light. Failed star trails, empty roads, grazing horses, and a last-minute stop in Page, Arizona shape a day that never quite goes as planned, but feels exactly right.
Puebloan Ruins, Dino Tracks, and Valley of the Gods
A quiet morning in Blanding, UT led to a full day across deep time—Ancestral Puebloan ruins at Butler Wash, dinosaur tracks preserved in ancient stone, and a slow drive into the Valley of the Gods. I photographed cliffs, towers, and stars, and spent the night alone among formations that asked nothing and offered everything.
Leaving Canyonlands NP
I set out expecting a straightforward drive toward Cedar Mesa and instead spent the day arguing with Google Maps, second-guessing ChatGPT, and rerouting around roads I refused to drive. Somewhere in the middle was an excellent Thai meal in Monticello and a quiet night in Blanding, Utah.
Canyonlands National Park
I spent two winter days and nights in Canyonlands National Park, camping at Green River Overlook as snow, fog, and shifting light reshaped the landscape. With few visitors and long stretches of silence, I photographed the canyons, attempted detailed macro focus stacks of yucca and cacti filled with snow, and returned to Grand View Point Overlook for a brief, intense sunset.
Arches National Park - Day 2
A calm winter morning at Devils Garden Campground leads to an unhurried hike to Landscape Arch, conversations with other photographers, a slow afternoon in Moab, and a silent overnight stay on BLM land near Canyonlands National Park.
Arches National Park - Day 1
A quiet day exploring Arches National Park, from the visitor center geology exhibits to driving the park road and stopping at formations like petrified dunes, Balanced Rock, the Three Gossips, and Double Arch, ending with a sunset hike to Delicate Arch and a late campsite at Devils Garden.
Drive To Arches
A day spent mostly driving from Heber City toward Arches National Park, stopping at Tie Fork Rest Area, reading the landscape of Carbon County, and noticing what remains along the old rail and mining corridor. With fewer photos than usual, the day unfolded through observation, history, and a quiet BLM stop as the sun dropped.
Driving South from Ogden
Most of the day was spent driving, choosing quieter roads over interstates, and taking in parts of Utah that don’t demand attention but reward it. From Ogden and Pineview Reservoir to Rockport, Coalville, Park City, and finally a quiet stop along the Provo River, it was a day defined by movement, observation, and finding calm at the edges of the map.
Spiral Jetty, Rails, and a Night in Ogden
After waking to a fleeting blue dawn at Spiral Jetty, I spent the day moving slowly through northern Utah—photographing the exposed lakebed, learning the deeper story behind the Golden Spike, walking the massive Big Fill, and ending the night in Ogden with a conversation that reminded me why travel is never just about places.
Golden Spike / Spiral Jetty
A sluggish morning at the Sun Tunnels turned into a long, careful drive across Utah’s back roads—past sheep herders on horseback, trailers arranged like small inward-facing communities, and miles of washboard dirt—ending with quiet reflection at Golden Spike and a solitary sunset arrival at Spiral Jetty.
Sun Tunnels Day 2
I spent an unhurried day alone at the Sun Tunnels, reviewing star trail images, wrestling with technical mistakes, and watching the desert light change from afternoon through blue hour. Between small human moments, failed attempts, and quiet successes, the day became less about getting the shot and more about learning, patience, and knowing when to stop.
Salt Lake City to the Sun Tunnels
An early morning escape from Salt Lake City led me west through fog, improvised roadside art, the Bonneville Salt Flats, and long, empty highways. What should have been a short drive stretched into a full day of watching the landscape change before I finally reached the Sun Tunnels—alone, unhurried, and ready to photograph light, darkness, and everything in between.
Library Day
After an incredible day on the slopes, a heater failure in the middle of the night forced an unexpected pause. A fuel scare, a system lockout, and very little sleep led to a slower day at the library, quiet reflection, and a reset before heading back into the Utah desert.
Brighton Ski Resort
An early morning arrival at Brighton Resort turned into a day where everything clicked: good snow, easy lift conversations, steep runs, and a growing sense of comfort at altitude. Between skiing, reflections on the Great Salt Lake, and a final evening in Salt Lake City, the day felt both grounded and forward-looking, setting the stage for the road ahead toward the Sun Tunnels and the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Solitude Ski Resort
An early morning drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon led to a calm, midweek ski day at Solitude Mountain Resort. From empty parking lots and smooth, rhythmic turns to dehydration lessons, forgotten boot buckles, ski lodge fries, and a quiet return to the city, the day unfolded without spectacle—just solid skiing and a mountain that doesn’t try too hard.
Red Butte Garden and Arboretum
Today was one of those get-ready-for-what’s-ahead days. After a workout, coffee, and lunch, I spent the afternoon hiking the muddy winter trails at Red Butte Garden, photographing snow-covered plants and lingering color, before turning in early for a ski day at Solitude.
Snow Bird and Alta Ski Resorts
My first two ski days in Utah delivered everything I hoped for—fresh snow at Snowbird, deeper powder and longer runs at Alta, and the kind of mountain moments that remind you why skiing never gets old. Back near the Utah State Capitol that night, the UConn–Providence rivalry game turned into a late-night classic, draining whatever energy I had left in the best possible way.
Salt Lake Museums
I spent a full day moving between the Utah Museum of Fine Arts and the Natural History Museum of Utah, drifting from modern abstraction to deep time. From Sol LeWitt wall drawings and recycled-tire sculpture to human evolution, dinosaurs, and the rock cycle, the day unfolded as a quiet conversation between art, science, and place—ending downtown over dinner with a friend visiting Salt Lake City on business.
Utah State Capitol
A detailed visit to the Utah State Capitol, exploring its history, architecture, materials, and symbolism, followed by time photographing the interior, grounds, and downtown Salt Lake City after dark. From neoclassical design choices and Chief Washakie’s statue to trams, winter lights, and quiet streets, the city revealed itself slowly, unevenly, and without spectacle.