First Impressions of Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is infamous. From its raging heat to its barren landscape, its reputation shapes whatever you might think of this place. Some of those rumors and second-hand experiences might be true, but nothing can prepare you for your first visit.  

Driving from our home in North Hollywood, it was a four-and-a-half-hour drive to the park’s entrance. Hoping to escape the heat, we chose to visit in December. Even in late fall, the temperature still landed between 75 and 80 degrees.  

As you leave the coastal landscape of the Los Angeles basin and head northeast toward the park, which sits near the Nevada border, the view outside your window begins to change rapidly. Green lawns and palm trees slowly begin to fade. The landscape morphs into something more mountainous, arid, ominous, and sparsely populated. Driving toward the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, I was both excited and shocked by the change I witnessed through my windshield.  

Nothing can prepare you for the sheer size of Death Valley National Park. Coming in at 3,000 square miles (about twice the size of Rhode Island), the park is vast, open, and contains more to see and do than you can imagine.  

On this trip, we headed toward Golden Canyon, Gower Gulch, and the Badlands Loop. For some odd reason, I wanted to hike through a landscape that matched my preconceived notions of Death Valley. My choice did not disappoint.  

For hours, my partner and I hiked among the gold-colored hills. We explored narrow canyons and ridges opening to the vast expanse of the park. Beneath our feet, the Earth cracked and baked in the fall Sun. The ground felt like more than just a helpless victim of our star’s violence. It seemed like a painted canvas demanding to be explored. The hills and canyons offered privacy and seclusion. Among them, staying on course was often rewarded with views of impressive mountain ranges and open spaces of indescribable beauty.  

As we arrived back at my car, I found myself overjoyed and dismayed. I felt joy for the reward of such a special place. I felt dismayed, because I knew I had only scratched the surface of this place. As we began our journey back to Los Angeles, I made a promise. This would not be my final visit to this park. There is still so much to explore.  

 Be good to each other,  

Nathan  

First Impressions of Grand Canyon National Park

Jordan, Matt Patt, and I knew all the stops along the way. Rick, at his request, did not. As a graduation gift, we offered him this only clue, “God, Man, Godlessness.” Beyond those three words, we offered no other hints.  

With bags stuffed into the trunk of my yellow Mitsubishi Lancer, we drove west. The first hint of our destination revealed itself.  

For hours, we drove on I-40 from Oklahoma City toward Arizona. If you have ever had the fortune of driving this interstate, you know that things can quickly become monotonous. Oklahoma and Texas are flat for as far as the eye can see. New Mexico shines with the setting sun. It isn’t until you cross into Arizona that you get a sense of the possibilities before you.  

With each new state line, Rick’s mind attempted to piece the puzzle together. Thinking on “God, Man, and Godlessness,” I hoped he was readying himself for the awe of our first stop. Being fully aware of our destination, my excitement was difficult to contain. This journey to the Grand Canyon would be my first visit to the park. Beyond knowing the destination, the vastness and inspiration that define the park for so many people would be brand new to me. Like most people, I only knew of the Grand Canyon from photographs and books. I knew this brief trip would not be enough. A couple of hours in the park would be just the beginning. Nevertheless, I was thankful for the opportunity.  

After hours and hours of driving, we finally entered the park. As we did, Rick got his first sense of what we meant by “God.” Parked in an overcrowded lot near the Southern entrance, we walked toward the rim. Nothing in this world can prepare you for the first time you stare into the canyon. No picture does it justice. It is indescribable. Even today, almost two decades later, words fail me. It took my breath away and left me stunned.  

In every direction I looked, I found myself frozen in awe. I am not a religious man, but this was one of those rare instances where I felt some higher power.  

For a couple of hours, we explored the rim with dreams of what it might mean to traverse the canyon floor. Matt and I snapped photos. Jordan and Rick explored on their own. It was this trip that unlocked a deep love for photography. This hobby has taken me across the country and around the globe. It has opened doors and provided the foundation for friendships I will forever cherish. I love attempting to capture the beauty I see in this world in a frame.  

With a constant tick of the clock in the back of our minds, we pulled away from the park. We began traveling toward our next destination. As we did, I made a quiet promise to return to this special place. While I have yet to fulfill that promise, the magnificence of the Grand Canyon still beckons me from America’s great southwest.  

For a few more hours, we drove toward the Hoover Dam. Here, we experienced the exceptional power of “Man.” From there, we drove toward Las Vegas. There, we experienced “Godlessness.” When all was said and done, I had cherished memories of a road trip I will never forget.  

 Be good to each other,  

Nathan  

Captured: The Devil's Tower National Monument

On a long road trip from Oklahoma to Washington, I plot a course that takes me to the Devil’s Tower, the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Park. For days, I am all alone with nothing to keep me company but books, music, and my camera. Without a doubt, this trip is one of those I will never forget.

Be good to each other,

Nathan

Captured: Grand Tetons

Normally, a long road trip by myself fills my soul in ways I struggle to describe. But when staring this sort of beauty in the face, I found myself longing to have someone by my side; someone sharing in the collective experience.

Be good to each other,

Nathan

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Potent Quotable (August 2021)

“Here is something I found to be true: you don’t start processing death until you turn thirty.” -Donald Miller

“Dallas blew in on the wings of a Gulf coast hurricane and rained glass and steel onto a field of bluebonnets.” -Donald Miller

“It’s interesting how you sometimes have to leave home before you ask difficult questions, how the questions never come up in the room you grew up in, in the town in which you were born.” -Donald Miller

“Oklahoma has no better show than evening.” -Donald Miller

Be good to each other,

Nathan

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Captured: California One

A road trip via California One from Los Angeles to San Francisco was my final journey with Tim. These photos are pretty special to me.

Be good to each other,

Nathan

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Captured: Las Vegas Arts District II

More photos collected while exploring the Las Vegas Arts District.

Be good to each other,

Nathan

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Captured: Las Vegas Arts District

These photos were taken exploring the other side of Las Vegas.

Be good to each other,

Nathan

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Box in Vegas

An archived post, written when we were free to move about the country without fear of spreading a deadly virus.

I have a weird fascination with Las Vegas. Actually, it might be more than a fascination. I may love Las Vegas. After nearly 20 different trips, I should be more comfortable with loving this place.

My hesitation stems from a realization. In many ways, Las Vegas is everything I am not. Las Vegas is loud, boisterous, and attention-seeking. It is sexism and objectivism. It is tempting with fate. It is risk and reward. It is built for tourists and supported by millions who call it home. It is a tale of two cities. For me, it is a paradox. That is why I love it so.

Yet, it is more than “the strip.” It is a burgeoning art scene that is on full display within its arts district. It is a Container Park where one can experience divine cocktails and deep conversations without the ring of slot machines in the background. It is a myriad of tiki bars offering relief from the desert sun. It is homes reaching out in every direction serving as a reminder that this place is something more. It is access to nature and grand adventures. It is a reminder of man’s daring and his ability to do impossible things. It is a city. It is supposed to be a lot of different things to a lot of different people. It serves many functions and is beginning to serve many different purposes for me.

On this trip, it is serving as a reminder that life’s experiences are meant to be shared. Traveling without the one I love by my side, I am making a promise to experience more of the world with him. This truth serves as a promise for all future joy.

Be good to each other,

Nathan 

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Captured: Joshua Tree III

Without hesitating, Joshua Tree National Park is one of my favorite places in the world to photograph. I love the drama, ruggedness, beauty, and splendor of it all. On this particular trip, I was surrounded by a group of friends. This would be our last road trip together before I left Los Angeles. For this and a thousand other reasons, I will never forget this journey or this special place.

Be good to each other,

Nathan

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