It can happen at anytime to anyone. Long term travelers succumb most easily because of the sheer intensity they experience regularly, but anyone can experience burnout. Whether it be cathedral/museum burnout on a two-week marathon through Europe, or, in my case, red rock burnout in Moab.
It can become easy to become jaded. The more you travel, the more you see, the easier it is to start to feel the “been there, done that” mentality that is so pervasive on the road. In spite of our extensive travel resume, I like to think I still mostly view the world around me with wonder.
That feeling came to a crashing halt in Moab. Up until our final day before heading home I was totally enthralled with it all; Death Valley, Monument Valley, Arches National Park. Even simply driving through the region is a visual treat with massive rock walls, millions of years worth of layers, and brilliant sandstone reflecting in the harsh desert sun.
The amount of life able to exist, and even thrive in such an arid climate, was fascinating. What would appear as a totally bare field revealed cactus, wildflowers and the occasional tree. And yet, by the time the day arrived to take in Dead Horse State Park and Canyonlands National Park, that dreaded illness had occured….. RED ROCK BURNOUT!!!!!
Rather grudgingly, I packed up for the day. Water. Check. Lunch. Check. Sunscreen. Check. We piled into the truck for points north, intent on doing a bit of hiking in Dead Horse SP (where dogs are allowed on the trails) before the heat of the day became dangerous.
We walked the rim path, taking photos and admiring the view, all while I was dreaming of gin & tonics and a book in the shade. By the time the rocks were becoming detrimental for paw pads we were back in the car and on our way to Canyonlands NP. I didn’t want to go, although I never voiced this opinion out loud. Speaking the words would somehow make me a lesser person right? I mean, we had driven thousands of miles to be in a place we would very likely never be again. How could I even consider NOT visiting the park.
“We don’t do the things we want to, do we? We do the think we should do and pretend it’s what we want to do. ” ~ Shirley Valentine
Canyonlands is gorgeous. Although the rock formations are not the dramatic balancing rocks of Arches or Monument Valley, it was, nonetheless, impressive. And yet, I struggled. Jim handled photography duties while I drove, not saying much of anything for fear it would come out negative. I thought back on other trips, dragging ourselves from one “must see” highlight to the next, feeling pathetically pouty.
In the end, I am glad I, uncomplainingly, drove every mile to every viewpoint in the park. Jim had a fantastic day and even I was drawn in by the vast canyons. Sometimes you do need to do the thing you really don’t want to do. With a bit of an open mind, you can still enjoy the ride.
