here’s a thread about how i very impulsively ventured into the desert southwest alone for four nights and saw a lot of amazing and beautiful things that i am very much still trying to fully absorb and process:

oops meant to post this here https://twitter.com/veryspooky_/status/1308974757841428482

drove up to key’s view to gaze upon the beautiful coachella valley — my great-grandparents lived here and worked in the cotton fields after migrating from mexico. this is where my grandmother and mother were raised.
i made it to one other trail before it was time to head east.

night two: set up camp south of saguaro national park. fell asleep listening to the calls of a great horned owl.

another early morning hike.
easily one of the most magical places i’ve ever been.

from saguaro, i pivoted north and found myself in a more familiar landscape. set up camp beneath the pines. it smelled just like home. families of elk passing by.

i recall only one other time in my life where a landscape has immediately moved me to tears... when i saw the mississippi river for the first time, and this moment: seeing the grand canyon at sunset.

i found a spot to watch the sunset and facetime my husband; i was telling him about my day when i heard something chirping at me... it was a baby bighorn sheep (and its mama who seemed very annoyed at how close the baby was getting to me)...

got really into the self-timer function on this trip.

the next day: zion.

four national parks in four days is not even remotely close to enough time to fully take in the beauty and magic of these special places ... but i was still moved by every second.
also, driving thru northern arizona and SW utah was an absolute dream.