top of page
  • Youtube
  • TikTok
  • Grey Instagram Icon

Low Dopamine Vacation: Off da Ma'at - Grand Canyon/Sedona Edition

Writer's picture: Stephanie JordanStephanie Jordan

By S.L. Jordan


There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature—the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter. —Rachel Carson

You might have noticed a theme or three, if you have been reading my posts this year.


Surrendering

Letting Go

Self-Reflection


I've also referred to this year as my palette cleanser year. When I made the decision to be celibate this year, and to derive all my joy and happiness from myself, my hobbies, and my loved ones - I could not foresee all of the things that would happen this year that would call for me to have this time. The one time I had hindsight and used it wisely!!


I called my best friend, from college, earlier this year and planned a trip to Arizona to visit the Grand Canyon. I previously mentioned in a past post, it pays to read my posts as they are often related, that we have been talking about going on more outdoorsy trips. This trip had been in the works for months, not knowing that the time we would go would be a time I needed to be in quiet solitude.


At the beginning of the summer, one of my uncles was diagnosed with lung cancer. It was aggressive and in a mere 3 months - we lost him. He passed away the DAY before I left to go to Arizona. This loss feels so different.


So, I surrendered.


I told myself; this would be a healing trip for me. And it was. Honestly, from an aesthetic POV Arizona is a beautiful state. The color palette is soothing to the spirit. The sandy colored buildings, the beautiful red rock mountains, and listen - I LOVE heat. Even the dry heat of the dessert was relaxing to me.


I semi used this trip as an escape, and all it did was bring me back to me.


Usually, a trip with my bestie is a FULL ON TURN UP TRIP! However, we both were on a more chill and restorative vibe. I dubbed the trip "A Low Dopamine Vacation". We spent Friday chilling at our hotel. Saturday, we woke up and drove from Phoenix to Flagstaff to visit the Grand Canyon.


This was my best friends first trip to The Grand Canyon; I had been once with my family when I was younger, but it looked so modern compared to how I remembered it. Similar to Crater Lake, there are different entry points and trails you can take. We took the South End trail.


Things that stood out to me:

  1. The trail was paved - like concrete paved. While I thought that was nice to allow everyone of different abilities to enjoy the view, I was a bit sad that it took away from being out in NATURE.

  2. It was PACKED out there. There were so many people it was hard to take pictures! LOL

  3. I heard about 10 different languages just walking around. I was impressed by that.

  4. They added gates/guards around the edges. I'm like, have people fallen down into the Canyon before?


    " Most of the millions of visitors to Grand Canyon National Park each year enjoy a safe and harmless trip, but between 2007 and 2023, 185 died at the park according to mortality data from the National Park Service. There are, on average, 11 deaths per year inside the park."

Read more about that here.


I was able to get my second stamp in my National Parks Passport! does happy dance

Close up of me holding my National Parks Passport book. It's blue with good font on the front.
National Parks Passport
Me sitting on a ledge looking out at the Grand Canyon
The splendor that is the Grand Canyon


Just looking back over these pictures takes me back to what I felt standing before a Wonder of the World.


The next day we drove to Sedona, which let me tell you ... stole my damn heart! Y'all know I love a cute, quaint, little walkable town!! We didn't stop in town, but the drive through it to Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness located inside the Coconino National Forest had me in awe, and we didn't even see the more scenic views!


Also, the name of this park gave "Witch Mountain". Just in case you are unfamiliar with that franchise, here is a reminder.


True to US - we had no trail marked out and literally was just twisting and turning all over the place. They have creeks/small bodies of water scattered throughout and we wanted to stop and dip in one for real - but we didn't see the swimming hole until we were leaving.


This was a much-needed trip for so many reasons, and I am glad I got to share it with one of my besties.


I will say this about Arizona as a State:

  1. it is beautiful

  2. I didn't see a lot of Black people and I was in Phoenix! I would think a major city like Phoenix would have a mixed demographic.

  3. Everyone was super nice and helpful, but on our last night a Caucasian Man from Ohio tried to mansplain to me about racism in America.

    I was so proud of myself, because I didn't take the bait and engage in conversation. I let him have it with my bestie until his mama had to tell him he was bothering us. LOL.



Meet Me on the Ma'at



8 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet

Add a rating
CONTACT

Houston, TX 77009

Tel: 248-843-3244 

 info@aumyogawithsljordan.com

STAY IN THE ZONE

Thanks for submitting!

© 2022 by Aum: Yoga with S.L. Jordan.

bottom of page