The Grandest of Canyons

"You know I never dream about it?  It's because it's on my mind all day long everyday.  I don't need to dream about it, I think about it all the time."
                                                                     -Katie Lee (Activist/Author) Damnation

It's hard to describe or really even understand something that touched you so deeply that  you didn't even know that part of you existed.  Six boats and sixteen people living on the Colorado river for twenty-two days: an experience that transcends experiences.  
Our days consisted of meaty white-water, ruins of old civilizations, morning anxiety beers, canyoneering, hiking to rock thrones behind amazonian oasises,  and music filled side-canyons. Our evenings smelled like crackling driftwood, felt like sand between your toes, and sounded like old folk songs and howling human coyotes.  Our boats, like little mobile homes, served as daily transportation and nightly beds.  The canyon walls and milky way tucked us in and offered us protection from the outside world.  
The river became the grand teacher.  She taught humility as she tossed and turned her powerful arms- insisting I learned her mighty strength from within the rapids.  She showed off with her hydraulic nature- whirling whole trees into disappearance until hundreds of yards down river.  She held herself high with 15ft standing waves- reminding us how much fun she can be (if we play by her rules).  What a woman.
For a moment life became so simple, so wholesome, so free- so free to just be. I was free to just exist and survive among a crew of adventuring souls searching for ancient ruins as well as purpose in life.  It was a retreat from outside influence and distractions; an insight into your most authentic self.  
It was an adventure that I didn't just experience; it was an adventure that became apart of who I am and how I see the world.