Grand Canyon National Park

My first view of the Grand Canyon.

My first view of the Grand Canyon.

I sat on this point for almost three hours and only saw three other couples the entire time.

I sat on this point for almost three hours and only saw three other couples the entire time.

Sunset from the south rim. It looked like there wouldn’t be any light, but it broke through and lit up the bottoms of the clouds for a moment before it dipped below the horizon

Sunset from the south rim. It looked like there wouldn’t be any light, but it broke through and lit up the bottoms of the clouds for a moment before it dipped below the horizon

I’d scouted out this spot during the day, and stood there for over 2 hours watching the sunset. When I came back after dark, my legs were trembling with every step as I neared the ledge. Once I got there my hands were shaking as I set up my tripod f…

I’d scouted out this spot during the day, and stood there for over 2 hours watching the sunset. When I came back after dark, my legs were trembling with every step as I neared the ledge. Once I got there my hands were shaking as I set up my tripod for fear and cold. Then later because of the wind, I had to hold the legs of the tripod during each 30 second exposure for fear my equipment go flying off the edge. Intellectual, I knew I was safe, but my mind kept tricking me. Only after 30 minutes alone on the ledge did my fears finally subside. That was when I was finally be present to the experience. Once there, I found unexpected reservoirs of joy and wonder, which had been completely inaccessible when I was consumed by fear.