Often, the first question asked about a tattoo is whether there’s a story behind it. Sometimes, the story of getting the tattoo can be as interesting as the tattoo itself.

It takes a lot to get me to return to a place I’ve already traveled to, and to return a third time puts Utah in a very select group of places. Yet this state has some of the most incredible rock features I’ve yet to see finer examples of.

I am now back in the United States. I first left North Carolina on June 13, 2025 and returned on June 7, 2026. In one year I have: · Seen a volcano eruption · Bungee jumped · Backpacked all 11 Great Walks, plus five other world-class multi-day hikes · Visited all 13 national parks in New Zealand And so much more!