Nature Rocks
We’ve gotten to know Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park over the last few days. We were immersed in nature – camping and hiking – and loving it.
Here’s a picture from our latest hike in Bryce Canyon.
Now, we’re back in the modern world for a few hours in order to have a proper shower and to catch up on work. Soon, we head back out for another big dose of the outdoors. Here’s why we love it (complete with photos from the last few days).
Because it’s simply spectacular.
The planet we inhabit is fascinating. The most enriching and mind expanding things aren’t man made. They’re in nature.
Because it right sizes our significance.
The mind likes to keep its owner riled up and in a near constant state of dis-ease, regretting the past and/or worrying about the future. Nature reminds us that we’re each powerful as individuals but, ultimately, very small.
Because it brings clarity.
Being in nature frees the mind of the mental constructs that we fall prey to in our everyday worlds. It’s not linear, it’s not organized and it’s not concerned about our preoccupations. It’s where we’ve made all of our most profound life decisions.
Love it
This summer I really (and I do mean REALLY) want to see Antelope Canyon and get some awesome photos!
I am increasingly obsessed with you guys. Your words and photos are always gorgeous– so light-filled, literally and figuratively! This post is no exception.
Look at those legs!
We don’t run and do that stair master for nothing
It looks beautiful! I’m definitely hoping to visit both of these parks next summer!
So you didn’t hit them on your road trip last year? Yes, you must visit – they are among our favorites.
Great hike, guys! What a great reminder of how small we actually are. I’m with you, the most spectacular sites in the world are in nature. Our favorite spot is New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest. Hope to make it to Bryce one of these days!
Yes, you get to Bryce (and we’ll get to White Mountain).
When I was younger, places like this never interested me but now as I am getting older, I am actually seeking them out. My dream is to have a wooden house in the middle of no where, no stress, no hustle and bustle. Just peace and quiet.
Same here. We can’t get enough. Every time we’re deep in the outdoors, we’re always saying: “Why don’t we do this MORE?”
I remember loving Zion National Park as a kid. It’s been so long since I was there, though. Definitely will need to see it again.
Adam
Go back! We’ll watch for your hipster tips
You guys photography is definitely improving. I guess the backdrop helped too
Thanks, Roy! And, yes…. it’s easy to get decent shots with these surroundings.
Fantastic, guys! These are astounding places – far more amazing than any photographs can deliver! Liane and I are looking forward to our trip to these spots later this summer. Thanks for the teaser!
Oh, man…I’ve got to get out of town! Thanks for the reminder.
Beautiful!! Bryce Canyon in particular is one of our favorites — those hoodoos are so neat! We didn’t get the chance to hike while we were there, though, so we need to head back sometime when the weather is nice.
We remember your photos well. They served as inspiration for this adventure. Thanks!
Looks gorgeous! I tried to go to Bryce Canyon a few years ago while I was visiting my friend in Vegas, but my directions were wrong and sent me through Zion Park instead of around it. As a result, I ended up staying at Zion, except that I couldn’t find a place to stay overnight that was reasonably priced, so I drove around for a couple hours and then went back to Vegas. I’ll go back for a re-do one of these days!
You’ve gotta go back. Maybe you can make it way up to Arches (near Colorado) too.
I’m much more into forests for my nature experience, but I like the hike in similar ways to you. Trees seem to give me the similar feelings as you see in the rocks.
Pretty amazing scenery
Don’t let the pictures mislead you. This is beautiful, but we’ll take green forests over this any day.
Amazing. Sedona and Zion were the ones on my list when I moved back here. Just did Sedona — must do Zion next!
It’s a close trip for you. No excuses!
Your current nature kick is making me feel rather unhealthy right now. Going to have to check out your “keeping fit” post again haha! (I tend to avoid exercise altogether during Korea’s humid, humid, hot, humid summer…I simply melt).
Loving the photos, especially the ones of the flowers and the red canyon face with the sun shining on it – the colours are gorgeous
Humidity is awful. In Zion and Bryce Canyon it’s the opposite – very dry. But still hotter than an oven.
Stunning landscape and great shots!
Thanks, Angela!
Wonderful photos, guys, and of course we dig the nature-loving sentiments! It’s a sad fact that we have an easier time getting press trips to remote developing nations than we do to U.S. locales, so there’s a vast portion of America (particularly the Southwest) we’ve never seen. We’re hoping to rectify that next year, as we’re planning a trip to the Four Corners area to visit Mary’s aunt and explore Native American history and culture in-depth. Thanks for the inspiration!
It’s a Bucket List item for sure. Glad you’ll be able to get down to that area next year. Prepare for heat!
Aren’t the National Parks in Utah breathtaking? I went to Zion and Bryce Canyon back in college and have wanted to return ever since.
Wow, nice pics!
Yes! You’ve described perfectly why I feel so much better after spending time in nature – especially nature like this. (You’re not far from Arches, my FAVORITE national park.)
You know by now that we made it to Arches – which we loved as well.
Amazing, hiking in gorgeous places just blows my mind as well. I’ve done some hiking in Arizona, but I would love to go to Utah to visit Bryce someday. No man made creations can compete with the fascinating sites the outdoors world has to offer!
Being surrounded by nature and totally disconnected is always so grounding for me. I am not big on camping, but I love being able to go for day hikes. El Chalten, Argentina is my favorite place for that. I need to explore the national parks of the US next
El Chalten is on our list.
Nature does rock. The world is so spectacular and diverse, I can’t wait to go back and explore it.
how gorgeous!
I love hilly terrain and the mountains… So I naturally loved this post, amazing captures. Have a happy weekend:)
Wow. Really loved this. Both the stunning photos and your profound words. I don’t travel much in the U.S., but you make me want to grab my backpack and get out there.
It’s a must-see part of the country, no doubt. But, it looks like you live in a part of the country that’s tough to want to leave