In 2012 I went on a road trip from southern Illinois to Las Vegas, NV with a group of dirtbag rock climbers. It was the first time, as a pretty green journalist, that I was able to really be immersed with a group of people and just learn what they were all about.
I could go on and on about witnessing the beef jerky/monster energy drink farts that filled the car the whole way there (never pick the car with 3 nineteen year old guys), or the triumphs of finally finishing a route that plagued a climbers’ mind for days. I took a lot away from that experience, and it has certainly influenced my journalistic practice over the last 10 years. Oh and I ended up dating, then marrying, one of the climbers.
We had the chance to go back to Red Rock Canyon for our 10 year anniversary this spring. It was fascinating to see what has changed in the area, and even more so what has stayed exactly the same. Taking photos there now almost felt like flashing back in time. Here is a collection of photos from the original trip in 2012 (LEFT), and photos taken from our recent trip in 2022 (RIGHT). I little piece of my heart will always be in that canyon.
