Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
Antelope Canyon - Page, AZ
I woke at Walmart in Page, Arizona and headed to my Deluxe Tour of Lower Antelope Canyon. With only one lens allowed, I chose the 14–24mm and stepped into sculpted Navajo sandstone shaped over thousands of years. The tour covered Navajo culture, flash flood history, and the famous images that made the canyon iconic. By afternoon, I was driving south toward Sedona and editing photos by evening.
Horseshoe Bend
Leaving Hurricane, Utah, I headed south into Arizona, driving through the charred remains of the 2020 Mangum Fire in Kaibab National Forest before stopping at the historic Cliff Dwellers Stone House. The day ended at Horseshoe Bend, where the Colorado River curves 1,000 feet below the rim near Page, Arizona.
Escalante to Capitol Reef
A reluctant departure from Deer Creek Campground turns into an unhurried drive toward Capitol Reef National Park. Along the way, quiet roads, frequent photo stops, and a chance ranger discussion about geology, glaciers, and early settlement slow the day to exactly the pace it needed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Wizard of Oz at Sphere
From a quiet morning coffee to walking the perimeter of Allegiant Stadium, the day unfolded at a measured pace. Sphere delivered one of the most immersive entertainment experiences I’ve seen, pushing spectacle into something physical and unforgettable. Dinner at Nora’s grounded the evening with familiar flavors before a final walk through the hotel revealed a strange, perfectly Vegas detail overhead.