About
Awe-inspiring places have a way of transforming us — especially when approached with intention.
Research into awe suggests that environments inspiring wonder can expand our frame of reference, opening space for receptivity and insight. A growing body of psychological and physiological studies has begun documenting measurable effects, including increased creativity, emotional regulation, and a stronger sense of connection to others and the world.
But awe alone is not the whole story. How we approach a place shapes what we experience. Bringing intention to an encounter — slowing down, noticing details, and arriving with a sense of what you're seeking —can deepen what unfolds.
For me, this didn’t come from theory. It came from years of being changed by these places—first in Sedona, and then across the Southwest through years of regular solo travel.
About Laurel
I discovered Sedona in the early 90s and it changed my life. I knew I had found my home and have been based here since 2002. For years now, I’ve averaged more than five miles a day on the trail, moving through the landscape in all seasons and conditions.
What began as exploring around Sedona gradually evolved into regular hiking trips throughout the Southwest. People are often surprised that I travel on my own, but it’s become one of the most meaningful ways I experience these places. Going alone has taught me how to trust my judgment, move at my own pace, and settle more fully into the landscape. It didn’t start that way—but over time, it became something steady and deeply rewarding.
When I’m not out on the trail, I coordinate and implement Community Health Education programs. I’ve worked in Public Health since 2007, including more than a decade planning and leading hikes for our weekly hiking group, Trekabout—where the experience became as much about connection as the places themselves.
I hold a Master’s degree in Jungian Depth Psychology and have worked as a counselor and group facilitator. I’ve also taught and practiced yoga since 1999. I’ve long been drawn to traditions that treat time in wild places as something more than recreation—rites of passage, vision quests, medicine walks—which have shaped how I approach hiking and travel.
Many of my own moments of insight and transformation have unfolded in these landscapes. They’ve helped me return to myself—offering perspective, grounding, and the kind of clarity that gives you the courage to change, shaping how I live, what I prioritize, and the choices I make.
I hope to inspire others through this site to explore new places, even ones that feel just beyond your comfort zone, to trust yourself enough to go, even alone, and to discover what can open when you do.
You don’t have to be extreme or fearless. You just have to start where you are, pay attention, and let the experience unfold.
All photos and videos were taken during my own explorations of the American Southwest.