That one time I dropped offline, only to reemerge with approximately 1 million desert landscape photos…

But seriously. Who could resist these views.

We embarked on The Hunt for Petroglyphs: Day 1. Limited success, though Day 2 was much more rewarding. Turns out asking locals for advice actually is super helpful, whodathought.

I wonder why it’s named “Red Mountain?”

Meanwhile, hiking the Zion Narrows…

A fork in the road/stream.

The point of no return. Do these waterfalls looks terribly intimidating? Because they are very intense when you’re trying to climb up them, directly into the torrent.

Did I stubbornly refuse to turn around when I should have bagged it? Why yes, yes I did.

Was I soaked and exhausted by the time I reached the top? Why yes, yes I was.

Back on familiar ground. This was about .5 seconds after we heard the first rumble of thunder in the distance. Though really, what’s a little slot canyon exploration without the danger of a flash flood?

We got out of there just in time, with these rain clouds rolling in on the horizon.

The Hunt for Petroglyphs continued on Day 2, aka “the multitude.”

Looks like the normal collection of desert rocks, right?

Cross over one little section of boulders and OH WAIT, NOW I SEE THEM.

Why even stop the car when you could snap photos like this casually from the passenger seat?

Racing the rain on our drive from Zion to Escalante.

Hiking to Calf Creek Falls. Heard conflicting reports — was it named for baby cows, or for hikers’ calves burning by the end of the day? My vote is on the cows, since it seems like ye olde name pickers probably had more pressing things (like cows) to worry about rather than their sore legs.

The cutest coffee shop, with kinda the most spectacular view ever.

And one last shot of dramatic desert scenery and late summer rain clouds before bidding the desert adieu.

Desert trip complete — check.

California up next — check.

Germany after that — check.

Here. We. Go.