beyond research

Zion & Grand Canyon

March 2026

A March loop through Utah and Arizona: red rock, cold rivers, and a lot of staring. In Zion we waded the river until our legs went numb and laughed the whole way. In Page, Lower Antelope Canyon turned out to be a sculpture that light re-carves every hour, and Horseshoe Bend showed us the river's slowest, grandest U-turn. Then the Grand Canyon itself — no photo prepares you for the moment the ground simply stops. Wild, enormous, and completely indifferent to us. I loved it.

Zion & Grand Canyon photo 1 southwest 1
Sunset duty in Zion. My friend swears this belongs in an outdoor-gear ad, lol.
Zion & Grand Canyon photo 2 southwest 2
The Zion river walk — freezing water, zero regrets.
Zion & Grand Canyon photo 3 southwest 3
A cup that says Zion. It came home with me, obviously.
Zion & Grand Canyon photo 4 southwest 4
A natural gate outside Page, Arizona — nature showing off its doorways.
Zion & Grand Canyon photo 5 southwest 5
Out in the wild and feeling strong. My favorite version of me.
Zion & Grand Canyon photo 6 southwest 6
Zion & Grand Canyon photo 7 southwest 7
Round two in the river. Still cold. Still fun.
Zion & Grand Canyon photo 8 southwest 8
Zion & Grand Canyon photo 9 southwest 9
Zion & Grand Canyon photo 10 southwest 10
Lower Antelope Canyon — light and sandstone carving art out of each other.
Zion & Grand Canyon photo 11 southwest 11
Zion & Grand Canyon photo 12 southwest 12
The Grand Canyon doesn't pose for photos. It just sits there, being magnificent.
Zion & Grand Canyon photo 13 southwest 13
Zion & Grand Canyon photo 14 southwest 14
Zion & Grand Canyon photo 15 southwest 15
Horseshoe Bend, where the river takes its grandest U-turn.

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