Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Red Cliffs National Conservation Area Utah
The day after Christmas started quietly in southern Utah, with an early shuttle run to St. George and a stop for pastries in Hurricane. A plan to hike to Babylon Arch near Leeds took an unexpected turn when soft sand and washed-out roads left us stuck—briefly—before search and rescue rolled through and pulled us out minutes later.