This healing travel story began in the middle of physical struggle and emotional fatigue. I didn’t know how much I needed a change of scenery—until it arrived in the form of red rocks, snowy peaks, and wild horses. That one unforgettable week reminded me how much beauty still exists in the world—even in the in-between spaces of recovery.
My Healing Travel Story: From Vegas to Zion
It was still a time of healing in January of 2023—and my sister’s family was kind enough to invite me on one of their adventures.
I was between relapses, still licking my wounds from the car wreck the year before. I was walking pretty well, but still having difficulty with anything physical.
I needed some hope—and that’s exactly what I got. A week of fun, lots of laughs, and picture-perfect scenery at every turn.
We flew into Vegas for a couple of days, and then made the four-hour trip to Page, Arizona—a tiny town in the middle of nowhere.
It’s a magical place, surrounded by stunning beauty: Marble Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon, Navajo Canyon—and then, there was Antelope Canyon.
WOW. It’s indescribably beautiful. Standing over Horseshoe Bend takes your breath away—and deep in the cave-like curves of Antelope Canyon, you see things beyond words. It’s so stunning, you almost can’t believe your eyes.
Next, we drove two hours to Zion National Park, where we were greeted by nine inches of fresh snow.
How do I describe it? I can’t. It would be impossible—a camera couldn’t possibly capture the true essence of that moment.
We entered Zion from Arizona and exited into Utah, then drove just over two hours back to Vegas for a couple of days of rest. The family slowly scattered, leaving just my sister and me.
On our final day, we explored places like Mouse’s Tank and Valley of Fire State Park. And as we drove back through the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, we were greeted by wild horses—ending the week with absolute perfection.
That’s what it was—a perfect week of healing.
If you’re in a season of recovery—or just feel stuck—maybe what you need isn’t something new to do, but somewhere new to be. Let the wild places remind you that beauty and breath still exist, even in your in-between.
(👆The Wild Horses——Lake Mead National Recreation Area)
