Of all the beautiful and amazing places we experienced in Southern Utah, I think Canyonlands National Park was the most meaningful for me. I’m not sure if I can even define why, but I think it’s because it felt like such an ancient and spiritual place.
Or maybe it was because there were fewer tourists, or maybe because we had a good night sleep in our new campsite in Green River, or just because it was our last park before heading home, but whatever it was, I am grateful for my time there. Standing on the edge of the canyon, I experienced such reverence for all I could see, hear and feel and the beautiful spirit of the place.
After the first mind blowing overlook, Ginny, Kristin and I headed to the visitor’s center. Once again we watched the movie and scored more merchandise before Kristin and I headed to the Grand View Point Overlook trail, in the Island in the Sky region of the park.
To me, this park feels the most like the Grand Canyon, with the same sense of awe you experience around every corner of the trail. We arrived at the park early enough to get a good hike in before it became too hot (just in time because of the heat, Kristin and I were dragging the last 30 minutes or so). Seriously, as I experienced each new view, I could not believe that I was actually there, and that someplace so amazing exists so casually in Utah.
What I learned about the park:
The canyons that make up Canyonlands National Park are created by the Green and Colorado rivers. There are roads that can take you down to the bottom of the canyons for more intense hiking and camping. I was not brave enough to take my Subaru down the narrow, gravel road that precariously hug the sides of the canyon, but the idea of it is fun.
What I learned about myself:
The red rocks of Utah continue to speak to me. I’m sure that I am an “earth” element person (in Feng Shui) who is drawn to the shapes and colors of the canyons and cliffs of Southern Utah. You can look at the colors I choose in both the clothing I wear and the paint for the walls in my house to know this for sure. I keep wondering how to work it so I could somehow live near here, but damn it’s hot! So maybe I’ll just visit more often.
Another great thing about this trip was that we had very limited cell reception. It was a well needed break from the craziness of our “plugged in lives”. We created a challenge each day for each of us to come up with a question to ask around the campfire each night.
The questions actually became a good way to develop a greater understanding of each other. One of my favorite questions was something like “what was one of your life’s “aha” moments and how did it change you?” Working through the questions each evening and the opportunity to learn more about each other became one of the highlights of the trip for me.
Some thoughts for you:
What elements speak to you? Spend time in the environments that feed your spirit and renew your energy. Also, find a way to spend time “unplugged”. You might find it helps develop deeper relationships with the people who are important to you.
Remember — Get out there!!!
Just one more picture from our drive back to Salt Lake City. It was beautiful!
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Grandma Rocks the Park (GRP) 