My trip to The Red Rock

I recently took a trip out West—Arizona and Utah—and I didn’t expect it to hit me the way it did. I really just went for the views, but I came back with a lot more than just photos.

One of our stops was Monument Valley. I’d seen pictures before, but being there in person is something else. Those massive buttes rising from the desert floor look like they’ve been standing watch forever. Turns out, the base of them is ancient—around 30 million years old. It’s wild to think about. You stand there and everything seemed slower and bigger, I learned that at one time that area was covered in water.

What really stuck with me, though, wasn’t just the landscape—it was learning that there are still Native American families living out behind the valley, in homes without running water or electricity. I had no idea. In the evening we saw small fires popping up all over and It hit me hard. It’s easy to take things like that for granted when you’ve always had them. Hearing their stories, about the history of displacement and what they still go through today—it made everything feel more real. Not just a history lesson. Actual people, still living with the impact.

The Grand Canyon was another stop and it was just as massive and overwhelming as you’d expect. But again, it was the story behind it that surprised me. I didn’t know a tribe actually lives within the canyon today. There's a whole life happening below the rim that most people never think about. It’s one thing to admire the views—it’s another to understand who’s lived there long before it became a national park.

Zion National Park was a different kind of surprise. driving through It had snow—a lot of it. Coming. from Charlotte, we don’t really get snow like that. It was really unexpcted—me and my sister had our first snowball fight We acted like kids again. I won’t say who won, but let’s just say I held my own.

And then there was the sky. Out in Arizona, away from all the city lights, the millions and millions of stars come out in full force. It’s something you don’t realize you’re missing until you see it. Standing there at night, under all that space—it puts things into perspective.

This trip was more than just a family vacation. It made me think about where I come from, what I take for granted, and how much I still have to learn. The landscapes were incredible, sure—but it was the people, the stories, and even the snowball fight that made it unforgettable.

If you’re thinking about going—do it. .

Monument Valley - Arizona - Utah Border