Friday I waited nearly an hour at the entrance of Arches National Park, snacking on Ruffle chips and a banana and envying the Bronco next...

I'd caught the end of a geology talk, where the park ranger held up time-stamped photos of the bewitching tall spires.

Sunday I donned my red plastic sunglasses, snake-maus bandana and breezy long dress and missed sixth gear on Dad's Honda Accord. With the...

Now I wanted the red-rock-warmth, the open sky and land, the cacti and the sun. I wanted an inviting land, because I felt shaken and cold.