Photography has always been a passion of mine. It was a way to celebrate beauty, moments, and the simple joys of life. Through my lens, I loved capturing moments of connection, warmth, and artistry. It was a creative outlet that brought me happiness, purpose, and income.

As we drive out of Zion, heading back to Las Vegas to catch our flight home, it's impossible not to reflect on the whirlwind of the past few days.

When we first started planning our trip, I casually picked Zion National Park as the perfect spot to celebrate our 30th anniversary. Thirty years! Honestly, I didn’t see that coming; mainly because I didn’t see myself still standing after all those hikes and questionable life choices. But I wouldn’t change a thing, especially not the person standing beside me through the good, the bad, and the “where did I put my glasses?” moments.

All in all, we had a fantastic visit. Both of us agree you should skip the crowded Grand Canyon and make Canyonlands your next destination. It’s a hidden gem that promises adventure, stunning views, and a good dose of humor along the way.

A quick review on my iPhone app the night before showed sunrise at 6:20 a.m. Perfect, I thought, just enough time to catch the dawn without feeling like I’d need to set an alarm that sounds like a foghorn. We planned a 15-minute drive into the park to snag parking near Sunset Point, Thors Hammer, and Inspiration Point. Parking is limited, which means it’s basically a race against the sunrise or at least a race against the early risers a.k.a. professional photographers.

After a short, sleep-deprived night, because who requires more than four hours of shut-eye when there's adventure to be had? Now signal for the dreaded 5:00 a.m. alarm which rudely jolts us awake. The early wake-up call is met with a brisk Arizona morning, temperatures sitting comfortably in the low 30s.

In this world, you never quite know what will happen when traveling by air. Unfortunately, our flight decided to make its grand entrance right after a late winter east coast storm.

Your Work Isn’t About the Outcome — It’s About the Joy of Creation

Create for You, and Let Go of the Pressure