A Moment for Reflection

12 weeks ago, I pulled into a dark parking lot. Exhausted, and almost delirious from the cross-country adventure that just occurred, I stumbled into an unfamiliar apartment not knowing what to expect from my stay at this strange, new place.

Now, I can say without hesitation, that Bryce Canyon National Park is one of my favorite places in the world and will always have a special place in my heart.

The perspectives and lessons that I acquired through this experience have truly changed me.

I’ve grown more since graduation than I have in my entire life. Taking on the awesome responsibility of freedom and true choice has been the greatest challenge I’ve ever faced. I’ve constantly looked to others to gain new perspectives, to learn from their “I-wish-I-had’s” and “what-if’s.”

In the end, it seems, we all get out of life what we want. I’ve always said, “if you want something bad enough, make it happen.” I want everything out of life, and I’m going to make it happen. I just don’t how yet. Part of me feels as though I should step into a career and start earning a real salary so that I can support a family and do fun things later. But then the other part of me says, “Who says there will be a later?” If I can support myself while seeing, doing, and meeting as many different places, activities, and people, isn’t that all that matters? I don’t have the answers, and I guess that’s what makes life so exciting.

Experiencing exposure has become more than just a piece of advice from my grandfather or a blog title…it’s become a lifestyle.

“Experiencing exposure and exposure to experience. That’s everything.” B.B.W.

A Surprise Plane Ride

During one of my last weeks at the park, my supervisor threw a little going-away party for one of our seasonal law-enforcement rangers. It was great; cold drinks, good food, and better company. As the night went on, I was chatting with a buddy of mine about life and goals and such, and out of nowhere he mentions that he has an airplane. I won’t lie, I kinda freaked out; “What!? Are you serious!?....” Before I could even ask he said, “yeah, I’ll have to take you up one day.” Little did I know, that day would come sooner than I thought.

The very next day, he poked his head into my office and said “Hey, wanna go up today?” “HELL YES I WANNA GO UP TODAY!!!” I replied. hahaha Unfortunately though, it was only 1pm and now I had turned into a total clock-watcher. It seemed like the slowest 4 hours of my life. Hahah

Well, the end of the day finally came and that afternoon, myself and 2 buddies were treated to a private airplane ride over Bryce Canyon. What more could I ask for after seeing this park from EVERY possible angle??? This was like the cherry on top of my summer. Enjoy the pictures ☺


Above: The Bridge Fire's massive affect on the environment


Above: From bottom to top (or near to far), Boat Mesa, Sunken Ship, and the Sagittarius PlateauAbove: The 1964 Cessna


Above: The Amphitheater from above