It’s interesting that I struggled to write something about my experience with Zion throughout my stay. It wasn’t until the last day I started discovering what it was about - why I was here. Yes, its beauty is undeniable. You have to see it for yourself, as I don’t know if I have the right words in my vocabulary to do justice in describing it. Perhaps, effortless and harmonious. But it was the fourth day, 5 miles into The Narrows, that I understood why I was here and what my relationship with Zion to be.

Zion has a way of keeping you present while allowing you to drift into your thoughts and imagination at the same time. Narrows brought a more acute sense to that feeling. It is tough and challenging in parts, but yet warm, caring and gentle at the same time. You have to be in the moment as the rush of water and slippery rocks will ensure you remain so. But you are also mesmerized as you immerse yourself deeper into it. While you’re trying not to fall, it also makes you feel safe and protected because you know you will be ok, as it will make sure of it - it’s part of the journey. It motivates you to keep moving forward as your curiosity and desire will see no obstacle or boundary in your way that will prevent you from wanting to see where you will go together. What will you discover together? And how will you evolve and change the deeper you go? In that sense, it’s like love - with all its complexities, challenges and struggles; the rocky moments; the beauty, desires, enchanting moments, and the changes. You want to be there together. You want to keep moving forward against the stream together and see where it will take you.

My time with Zion was about love. The love that I once knew. It reminded me that love takes work; it takes commitment, and sometimes it is upstream. But in the end, it’s worth every moment as you look around and see nothing but beauty with all of its perfections and imperfections.

After I sat down for a while, thinking, reflecting about where I am in life, I got myself up and continued on some more, as I did not want to be stuck in this very moment. I did not want to rediscover what I had found to simply turn around from there, and to never see what’s beyond. Every moment getting there was beautiful and will always be in my heart and mind. But the story has to continue because life and love continues. It can’t be definition or feeling that simply remains. It must keep moving forward and discover.

-Troy

Public Service Announcement: if you’re an early riser with a bike, you can have this amazing place all to your self.

Day 11 - My time with Zion