Moab, Utah

Moab or more accurately, our time on a Mars like planet. As my dad and I were driving through Moab, Utah over these past few days we were struck by the beautiful red rocky landscape. Other than my time in Iceland, I feel that this is the closest to Mars I will ever get. Moab is unlike any place I've ever been and I've loved my time here. I think Edward Abbey said it best when he was recounting his time spent here in Desert Solitaire, "But the desert is a vast world, an oceanic world, as deep in its way and complex and various as the sea."

We first went to Arches National Park which is probably one of the coolest National Park's I've been to yet. Driving around was nothing short of incredible and seeing these arches that are bit of magic, nature style, was a special experience that I'll never forget.  As my dad and I were hiking up to see Delicate Arch which is the most popular spot in the park, we came face to face with a thunderstorm on all sides. Now we were on a rock face, at one of the highest points, where there wasn't much protection and we were too far from my car to make it back in time. Luckily my dad found an overhang for us to find shelter in and we saw the greatest thunderstorm lightening show. From the girl who at a young age, wanted to become a meteorologist, this was pretty cool. Once the storm passed we made our way to Delicate Arch and it was worth all the thunder and lightening. I can see why this part of the country is a photographer's dream, with all the staggering beauty, varying colors and light differences, I would be happy taking pictures here for a lifetime.

Brave?

I've had many friends and family and complete strangers tell me how brave I am to be doing my cross country road trip mostly, by myself. I see what they mean and I do think there is some kind of bravery in doing this but a different kind of bravery. When I think of bravery I think of the millions of girls around the world who risk their life every day to go to school and get an education, to those who are battling with illness and disease, to those who are trying to take down ISIS, to the aid workers all over the world who are helping and healing others, to those in Nepal who have to wake up every day knowing that their nightmare is real and that their lives are forever changed by the most recent earthquakes. These and countless other examples are what I think of when I hear the word brave. Me having the lucky ability to leave my job, move out of my apartment and travel for 4 months while driving across the country and back with my 2003 Corolla? I'd like to think of it as being incredibly fortunate and adventurous, maybe adventurously brave. How does that sound?

My dad and I ended our great weekend in Boulder with some nice hikes, a fun stroll around the local farmers market eating delicious food, seeing downtown Boulder and peeking in the Shambhala Center, and a trip to The Farm. We stayed with a lovely couple in Boulder (https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1215585), which I would highly recommend to anyone staying in the area! Our drive from Boulder to Moab, Utah was incredible. Our highest peak was 11,500 feet up and we went through the Rockies and into beautiful canyons, driving through the clouds, snow, and then reached the 70's in the desert. If you are looking for another beautiful drive through the southwest, Colorado and Utah will have you covered!

                     

Boulder

"It's fucking beautiful here, man." My dad and I were hiking in Boulder this morning and this guy stopped to ask us a question about the trail and my Dad then asked him some questions about what the weather is like here year round. Our fellow hiker smiled and said "It's fucking beautiful here, man. All the time." and after being here just shy of a day, I see exactly what he means. Boulder is an incredibly stunning part of Colorado, which is a very stunning state. Our hike today was just what we needed and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. Sunny, blue skies, low 60's, gorgeous.

My drive through Colorado is hands down my most awe inspiring drive in the US yet. Once I left New Mexico I was greeted by the Rockies, which were as beautifully blue as ever with clouds hiding some of the top peaks, which made them all the more atmospheric. I was taken by all the beauty surrounding me, from the sky, to the green and snow covered rolling mountains near by and far, to costing down from 9,000 feet elevation and reaching the bottom of deep red canyons. At one point, it hit 36 degrees and it was snowing! I'm in love with you already Colorado!  (Click on photos for better quality!)

Wow

Wow. Wow. Wow. I've been saying WOW a lot since I've been staying in Los Alamos with my New Mexico family friends. Los Alamos sits at 7, 320 feet and it's breathtaking up here. I've been doing a lot of hiking over the past few days and the views are incredible where you can see deep canyons and the snow capped Rockies. I've also walked through Bandelier National Monument, an outdoor museum of ancient Pueblo dwellings dating back from 1150 CE which is nothing short of amazing. I mean, think about that for a minute. 1150 CE! The native Pueblo's carved their homes in the volcanic rock and you can also see their cave paintings, which is pretty damn phenomenal. Since I'm a bit at a loss for words right now, I'll just end with photos from my last few days! Thank you over and over again to my fantastic tour guides and for your immense beauty and wildness New Mexico.