Zion, Utah: January 15th, 2026
Zion National Park is often described as one of the great natural wonders of the American West. The best way for me to describe it is through a poem, inspired by an original western romance movie:
Striking, obstructed views so perfect that the only way to understand their beauty is to believe in a higher power. The cowboys are rugged, filled with silent strength built over long days of hard work. Their joy stems from partnering power with an untamed spirit, understanding that this spirit mirrors both him and the land itself. When the sun lies down and he unstraps from a day’s work, juicy stars fill the night sky, and the only carbon footprint is a whisper of glimmer, an evanescent candlelit glow. He sheds the dust of the day with a pen to write poetry, exploring the page while gaining a clearer look at himself and his heart, a reflection of all the beauty of a day well spent.
Lasso me in, cowboy! It’s romantic, breathtaking, and I had wonderful adventures. I urge you to visit Zion National Park. It’s so vast that you don’t even need to leave your car to experience its grandeur. I personally hiked Canyon Overlook Trail, which was mellow and beginner-friendly. Driving through the tunnel was surreal and trippy.
I physically felt a connection with nature. Horseback riding in Zion was one of my favorite experiences of my entire life. I strongly believe it’s because I went to Jacob’s Ranch and had the best teacher. No other horseback riding offers what Jacob’s Ranch does.
Being the Year of the Horse, I was ready for “horse therapy” to embody the energy, freedom, adventure, and movement the horse is known for. The horse I chose, Meredith, certainly embodied all of those things… with plenty of sass! I rode her bareback, even trotting through a little obstacle course. Meredith was the perfect horse for me. We fought like sisters, but the love ran deep.
Out in the open field, I went through all seven gates with little to no experience. This was no “ass-to-tail” riding, and no words can fully express the feeling, but I’ll try: it felt like a nostalgic kind of freedom, borrowed from the past - the kind of freedom people used to know.
After a long day of riding, I needed to soak my bones. Conveniently located less than 10 minutes away was Zion Hot Springs! I ended the night in one of their many hot spring pools, reminiscing and giving thanks for this miraculous day.
