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it" crossed my mind a few times, but I was determined to spend more time getting a feel for the place. I had no doubt in its spatial or geological magnitude it was more a question of what to do with it besides take essentially the same picture over and over.

Following parental advice, I embarked on a hike down into the canyon to get a better sense of its true magnificence. I was a bit too conservative in my time management and should have trekked further down into its depths, but didn't in fear that I would become a face and story on one of the many signs warning against biting off more than one can chew and subsequently getting lost, air-lifted to safety, or dying. Nevertheless, it was amazing to see how little of the descent I seemed to cover despite plunging consistently downward for over an hour straight. The Colorado River at the bottom really is a LONG way down.

I did get redemption for my morning mishap by staying for the sunset, which was quite spectacular. Permeating rays of purple and orange illuminated the canyon, giving the viewer a sense of depth and distinction between separate sub-canyons and ridges that was not visible during full daylight.

I spent the night around a campfire with some college mates who I quite randomly ran into on one of my hikes, and had an opportunity to shed the introspection and lack of social contact that typified the majority of my voyage, before returning to my warm and comfortable hostel bed. It was a full and productive day, even if I did miss the sunrise.

Day 3: Williams, AZ to Bryce Canyon, UT

I had thought about going back to the canyon in the morning to drive along Desert View Drive, but this plan was aborted when I slept in until 11 (the room had no windows, how was I to awake?!). I drove north through Flagstaff and on to Lake Powell, which I was familiar with through a show on Court TV about mysterious deaths on houseboats from carbon monoxide poisoning. I also knew it was a gorgeous natural wonder. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to see it except from the highway's scenic viewpoints, but the contrast of the blue lake against the surrounding red rock cliffs was quite outstanding.

I motored across the border into Utah, where beautiful yellow fall leaves began to dot the landscape. I made it to Bryce Canyon just before sunset, and was completely oblivious to and unprepared for the temperature dropping below freezing. I threw together my best warm outfit and shivered out onto the observation point until my fingers

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