“Love her, but leave her wild.” -Atticus, To Kill a Mockingbird

There is a fire deep within my Mid-Western soul that longs for the beauty of Earth’s mystifying elevations. Having stood looking up at a myriad of mountain tops, canyons, and cliffs,  throughout various trips, during my life; I am reminded of the significance these stone monuments have played in my journey.

During my early twenties, I participated in a project trip to Ecuador. This was my first experience in seeing the Andes Mountains.  Never will I forget the impact those looming mountains had on my inner being.  The stillness of each curved rock as it created a barrier between earth and sky still remain fresh in my mind. The insignificance I felt, standing before these great thrones. I remembering contemplating my hopes, dreams, and fears in those moments. The mountains have always been intrinsic to my spiritual being.

Fast forward to my late twenties, the unforgettable days of being in Utah’s Zion National Park. The sun was slightly hidden beneath the Navajo Sandstone that make up the stone features of Zion Canyon. A canyon created from the flow of the Virgin River; the river’s flow continues to frolic beneath its carved creation. My journal was in hand diligently writing the soft words of my soul, seeking to preserve my keen memories of those days. God’s presence was known to me in that canyon. 

I knew peace in those days. Lush green landscapes beneath the colors of goldenrod kept within Zion’s kingly rocks. A calmness that can only be prescribed by the natural world. A natural world only created by a higher power. Like all trips, it ended. I prepared to return to my daily routine of being ruled by clocks and bills. I vowed silently before the Zion throne to return again. 

Many years have passed since those days in Zion National Park. My heart still yearning for one more adventure in Utah’s recreational sanctuary. 

Go visit the wondrous scenery of Utah’s Zion National Park!

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine