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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Great Salt Lake State Park
Avoiding I-15, I drove through empty stretches of rural Utah, followed signs for the Creekstone Energy project, and spent hours at Great Salt Lake State Park confronting the reality of a lake that was once hundreds of feet deep and now survives on the edge. Wind, industry, and shifting shorelines shaped the day—and changed my plans for the night.
Lone Rock to Gooseneck State Park Utah
I woke alone near Lone Rock in Glen Canyon and drove a looping route through Arizona to reach southern Utah. Along the way were unexpected stops: Glen Canyon Dam, the Navajo Nation’s solar fields near Kayenta, Monument Valley, Forrest Gump Point, and Mexican Hat. The day ended at Goosenecks State Park, camped on the rim above the San Juan River, surrounded by silence and fading light.
Dolly Sods
A light snow covered Dolly Sods as I woke to a dead Starlink switch and no internet deep in the Monongahela National Forest. What began as a plan for a winter hike became a lesson in adaptation—navigating forest roads, a Walmart run, and a warm latte before settling in for a quiet night on the road.
Spruce Knob & Seneca Rocks
I woke to fog and rain in the Monongahela National Forest and set out for Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia. After exploring the summit’s alpine forest, I continued to Seneca Rocks for a steep hike, sweeping mountain views, and unexpected conversations about shutdowns, miners, and the strength of small mountain towns.
Falls of Hills Creek & Cranberry Glades Botanical Area
From steep trails and roaring waterfalls to quiet bogs preserved since the Ice Age, this stretch of the Monongahela National Forest reveals a wilder side of West Virginia. I hiked the three falls at Hills Creek, wandered the boardwalk through Cranberry Glades, met a few unusual characters, and ended the day camped high on Route 150 under a glowing fall sky.
Twin Falls State Park & Mullens
A quiet morning in Beckley turned into a full day of mountain roads and waterfalls. After finding the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine closed for the season, I explored the hills near Mullens and ended the day at Twin Falls Resort State Park. The trails to Marsh Fork and Black Fork Falls were damp but peaceful, and by nightfall I was camped beneath a clear sky.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
The day started at the open Canyon Rim Visitor Center in New River Gorge, followed Fayette Station Road under the bridge, stopped at Babcock’s grist mill, and paused at Hawks Nest to confront the tunnel disaster. I grabbed ice cream in Ansted, explored historic Fayetteville, and ended the day at South Side Junction Tap House.
Cumberland and Yahoo Falls
A day exploring two of Kentucky’s most striking waterfalls—Cumberland Falls and Yahoo Falls—each surrounded by sandstone cliffs, quiet trails, and rich history. From the roar of the Cumberland River to the echoing amphitheater of Yahoo Falls, it was a day of light, water, and reflection.
Berea, KY
Berea, Kentucky, is built around its arts community and the spirit of Berea College. I spent the day exploring the artisan shops, learning about the town’s history, and hiking the East Pinnacles Trail. The views were worth every step, even if the rest of the day didn’t quite match the hype.
Mammoth Cave Railroad Trail Ride to Park CityI
A full day at Mammoth Cave National Park—chores at Land Between the Lakes, a quiet drive north, and an afternoon cycling the Mammoth Cave Railroad Trail through fall color, history, and small-town charm in Park City, Kentucky.