TO THE MOUNTAINS WE GO
Wandering around the Wasatch.
Ever had that moment where everything around you becomes still? Completely still. Like there could be a million and one things moving around you. Angry drivers, loud engines, changing stoplights - yet time has stopped. Stopped dead in its tracks, and it’s just you.
When I was a kid, it seemed that everything was exciting. Everything. A true kid in a candy story wherever I went. The simple pleasures of climbing a tree, making mud concoctions in the garden, or playing man-hunt with Kevin and Justin next-door. All I needed was nature and a bit of imagination.
Everyone grows up. Physically, I guess. The pressures of becoming an adult. The responsibility. The big kid jobs, the rent, the taxes. Blah, blah, blah. I think back to the days where Gramps would tell me, “No matter what you do, never grow up.”
But that’s hard. So hard. I wish I could hear his advise today.
And yes, growing up can also be great. You know - the mobility to go where you’d like and explore what you want. No more begging mom to stop at McDonalds on the way home from practice, only to hear that there’s food at home. Now I can buy a damn McFlurry whenever I want. However I want. Mobile pick-up, drive through, DoorDash, UberEats - there seem to be a million ways to get the same thing, in the blink of an eye. Life has become so instantaneous, so fast, so overwhelming. Sometimes I think about how special it would be when mom would finally pull into that fast food parking lot on the way home from softball. It was the element of surprise that was so exciting. This element that just seems rare now. Sometimes I just wish time would slow down, or that I could reverse it. Go back to the days where simple pleasures were all I knew.
I’ve always had some sort of obsession with nature. Its simplicity, its consistency. The flora, the fauna, and the changing of the seasons. The way the rivers cut through the land. How the sun sets across a mountain range. Feelings of peace, rushing through your body the minute you breathe in that fresh air. These are moments I crave. The ones that take be back to my days as a child, basking in the simplicity of nature.
So Utah, the Beehive state. Canned the slogan ‘Life elevated’ back in 2006. My trip began and ended in February 2022, starting at Denver International Airport. Myself, my 34 lb snowboard bag, and a backpack full of camera gear. My boyfriend Justin picked me up, and we spent some time in the Colorado Rockies with friends. The 16th in Winter Park. The 17th in Steamboat Springs with 10 inches of champagne powder under my feet. But something truly special was yet to come. A view that I believe changed my perception of the world I know. On February 19th at 5:48 am, Justin and I hopped on Delta flight 2513 nonstop to Utah. I leaned over Justin while he slept in the window seat, just to get a view of the Rockies. And let me tell you, it was worth the neck pain. Because watching the sunrise over the Wasatch mountain range turned back my clock. Way back. I watched as the peaks molded with the shoulders, to the ledges and the ridges of the mountains. How could this place exist? It felt like a dream. Suddenly I was 7 again. And I was excited.
We landed in Salt Lake City airport at 7am. Walked what felt like 300 miles from the terminal to the rental car lot, which is certainly not easy to do with a collective 48 lbs on your back. However, we made it. As soon as we pulled out of the airport and merged onto I-80, I knew this place was special.
Living in rural Hunterdon County, New Jersey, I was always used to rolling hills, horse farms, and reservoirs. Used to spending my winters in the Green Mountain National forest of Vermont, and my summers in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. So in all realness, I couldn’t fathom what was before my eyes.
We drove along the range, all the way down to the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon. I don't think I blinked once the whole ride. As we ascended up the canyon, I stopped. Mentally speaking. I stopped thinking. About everything. Like there I was again, enjoying those simple pleasures I had lost along the way. All I could do was sit in silence, taking in the peace and tranquility of my surroundings. I must’ve looked like an idiot gazing at mountains that many consider their backyards. But I didn't care. Nobody cared. And that right there, was where I fell in love.
You would think after waking up at 3am to catch a 5:48am flight, I’d be drained. Maybe, yeah. But in that moment, not at all. I was buzzed. We pulled into Snowbird’s parking lot and began to gear up. I sifted through all my tops, jeans, and sweatshirts to find my hidden snowboarding gear. Oh, and let’s not forget the mountain of underwear and socks I had stuffed into my helmet to clear up space in the bag. After much sifting, we headed over to the lodge, and got in the tram line. If you aren’t familiar with trams, don’t worry, neither was I. It’s like a trolly car suspended from an overhead moving cable bar that transports about one-hundred skiers to the top of the mountain.
📍Mineral Basin, Snowbird
We reached the top of the mountain, stepping out of the tram to the most bluebird day I had ever seen. I looked out onto Mineral Basin, to see miles and miles of gnarly snowcapped mountains and trees peppered across the landscape. Was I in heaven? The answer is yes.
We descended down the basin and reached the lift. There was a long line, split amongst both sides of the lift to quicken traffic. A liftie began pacing up and down the lines, spreading positive words amongst the riders.
“Have a blessed day.”
“Thanks for coming out today guys.”
“Enjoy this beautiful day.”
“How lucky are we!”
An odd man for sure, with long brown hair past his shoulders, tanned skin and sea green eyes. Probably high too. In that moment all I could do was watch his interactions with the line, cheering on absolute strangers and sharing his love for the sport. In that moment I came to a realization. I realized that you don’t need fancy clothes or lots of money to be fulfilled, nor a big expensive or even modest house to keep you warm. All you really need to be happy is a positive mindset, a passion, and a few people to share it with.
On that beautiful sunny day, we rode all day long. Justin, myself, and some liquid encouragement I had shoved into my coat pocket. From first to last tram. Bell to bell. We had nothing short of an amazing day.
We made our way back to the car, and began unstrapping our boards, pulling off our boots and peeling off our thick dense layers. We jumped in the rental and began to make our way down the canyon to our AirBnB in Sandy, UT. A cute little apartment it was, with a kitchen, a full-sized living room, bedroom, and a porch. We unloaded our belongings, and hit the road again. This time to Saratoga Hot Springs on Utah Lake.
📍Saratoga Hot Springs
We parked about half a mile away from the hot spring, and walked along a small paved path that curved around the lake. To our surprise, there was not a soul there. It felt pretty amazing to have an entire natural hot-tub all to ourselves. As the sun began to set, people began to flood in, so I dried off and began to explore the area.
About 100 feet from the hot spring was a small shoreline resting on the edge of the lake. I sat down and began to take in the picturesque landscape in front of me. The feel of cool breeze blowing through my hair. The sound of water moving closer to my bare feet, and drawing itself back into the lake. Pure peace. Once again, all I could do was sit in silence, appreciating the unbelievable scenery before my eyes. And I thought to myself, growing up can’t be so bad. Just look at where I am.
The next day we ventured back to Snowbird. Then spent a day at Brighton and Solitude where we ventured over to Highway to Heaven for a pow-line hike. Through it all, the best part was that I could explore this beautiful place with my best friend. A boy who truly guards my heart and makes me feel safe. Feel loved and valued. But more than that, a boy who spreads positivity and shares my passions. And that’s all I can ask for in this world - people that stick by you and make you feel seen. A love that is reciprocated both ways.
And just like that, we were back on a plane, and vacation had come to a close. But the memory is locked away, as it always will be. Until next time, Utah.
So I challenge anyone reading this to find your adventure, take time away from your reality, and use your power of growing up to lead you to exciting experiences. Find your nostalgia, and the moments that once brought you such pleasure. Such simplicity and peace. If you seek it out, you will find it. I can promise that.
xx