A Perfect Post-Narrows Pit Stop:  My Delicious Experience at Zion Canyon Brew Pub

After a full day of splashing, stumbling, and borderline swimming through The Narrows at Zion National Park, I was tired, soaked, and hungry enough to consider chewing on my own trekking pole. My calves were negotiating a union strike. My feet looked like prunes. And my brain had one very specific request: beer and a burger, immediately.

Enter the hero of my story: Zion Canyon Brew Pub.

If you’re looking for the perfect way to wrap up a day of hiking Zion’s iconic slot canyon, this place practically calls out to you like a beacon of hope—and carbs.

The Service That Felt Like a Warm Hug

You know that moment when you sit down, completely exhausted, and your server just seems to get it? That was my experience. The staff at Zion Canyon Brew Pub deserve medals, or at least some kind of honorary park ranger badge for knowing exactly how to take care of road-weary, water-logged hikers.

Smiling, attentive, and somehow radiating “we’ve got you covered” energy, my server instantly made me feel like I’d made one of the better life decisions of my adult existence by walking through their doors. Water refilled, beer recommendations offered, and no judgment when I practically ordered my food mid-sit-down.

The Burger: A Post-Hike Masterpiece

Now, let’s talk about the burger.

After a day of hiking, it wasn’t just a burger—it was a full-blown spiritual experience. I went classic: burger with cheese, perfectly cooked, juicy enough to require extra napkins (which they provided like pros), topped with melty goodness and a fluffy bun that managed to hold its structural integrity like a champion.

Each bite felt like my body was whispering, “Yes, this is the fuel we needed. This is the moment we trained for.”

The fries? Golden. Crispy. Gone before I even realized I’d finished them. I don’t want to say I inhaled my plate, but the table next to me might’ve looked mildly concerned.

The Burnt Mountain Brown: Sweet, Smooth, and Exactly What I Needed

And now, the beer.

I chose the Burnt Mountain Brown, and honestly, I might start writing love songs about it. Smooth, slightly nutty, with just the right amount of sweetness—it was like my taste buds were getting a much-needed massage while my legs recovered from hours of navigating river rocks.

It paired with my burger like they were childhood best friends who’d grown up to open a pub together. I might be romanticizing, but after hiking The Narrows, you’ve earned the right to be a little dramatic.

The One Tiny Heartbreak: The Pint Glass That Got Away

Now, I’m a collector. And not just any collector—a collector of brewery pint glasses from around the world. They’re my trophies, my travel souvenirs, my highly breakable reminders of good times and good beers.

So naturally, after such an incredible meal and drink, I was ready to hand over my credit card for a Zion Canyon Brew Pub pint glass. Sadly, my server had to break the news: they were out of pint glasses for sale.

Cue the tiny violins.

I took the news well (externally). Internally, I was already mentally rearranging my collection shelf to make space for the glass that would never arrive. The dream lives on for my next visit.

Absolutely Worth It (Even Without the Pint Glass)

In every other way, Zion Canyon Brew Pub delivered exactly what my tired, hungry, canyon-soaked self needed: great service, great food, great beer, and the perfect atmosphere to relive the adventure I’d just conquered.

If you find yourself hiking in Zion and need a place to decompress, refuel, and toast your sore feet—this is your spot.

Just maybe call ahead and ask if the pint glasses are back in stock. 

 

  

🤲 Why You—and Your Relationship—Need “Touch Me: The Value of Touch in Your Relationships”

In a world buzzing with notifications, deadlines, and digital distractions, one of the most powerful forms of communication doesn’t come from words, screens, or emojis—it comes from touch.

That simple brush of a hand, the comforting hug after a long day, or the spark of connection in a lover’s embrace—all of it carries energy, emotion, and meaning far beyond what words can express.

Enter Touch Me: The Value of Touch in Your Relationships by Rob Alex, Ph.D., a deeply insightful and refreshingly human exploration of why touch isn’t just nice—it’s necessary.

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💞 Touch: The Universal Language of Love

Before we ever spoke our first word, we understood touch. Babies instinctively respond to warmth and gentle caresses. Friends hug to celebrate or console. Couples communicate through a thousand small gestures—a hand on the back, a kiss on the forehead, fingers intertwined.

Touch is the most primal and profound way we remind each other, “You matter to me.”

In Touch Me, Dr. Rob Alex dives deep into this universal language, exploring how physical contact strengthens emotional bonds, builds trust, and even boosts mental and physical health.

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🧠 Beyond the Physical: The Metaphysical Power of Touch

This isn’t just about hugs and hand-holding (though there’s plenty of that too). Dr. Alex takes readers beyond the surface to explore the energetic and metaphysical side of touch—how the

Click here to

Download your Copy of Touch Me on Amazon Kindle

 

     

Cozy, Cozy, Spark Spark: Fun Ways Couples Can Light Up Their Intimacy During the Holidays

  

Cozy, Cozy, Spark Spark: Fun Ways Couples Can Light Up Their Intimacy During the Holidays

The holidays are supposed to be the season of joy, wonder, and connection.
But let’s be honest: sometimes they feel more like the season of stress, schedules, and spending way too much money on wrapping paper that gets torn off in five seconds.

Between the shopping, cooking, traveling, and pretending not to notice that your partner hung the lights crooked (again), intimacy can slide lower on the priority list than it should.

But good news: the holidays are actually one of the best times to heat up your connection.
Here’s how you and your partner can spark intimacy, deepen your bond, and keep the season feeling merry, bright, and maybe even a little spicy.

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1. Have a Candlelit Night-In (Holiday Edition)

Turn off every light except the Christmas tree, menorah candles, or decorative winter lights.
There’s something magical about soft glow + cozy blankets + the two of you.

Bonus: The glow makes everyone look extra attractive.
It’s like real-life Instagram lighting.

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2. Share a “Naughty or Nice” Hot Chocolate Bar

Build your own hot cocoa station with marshmallows, whipped cream, peppermint sticks, and a grown-up add-in like Baileys or bourbon.

Then sit together, sip slowly, and whisper your real answers to the question:
“So… were you naughty or nice this year?”

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3. Take a Winter Walk, Hand in Hand

Hold hands.
Bundle up.
Walk through decorated streets or quiet snowy trails.

Cold air + warm closeness = romance you can’t manufacture indoors.

Plus, it creates the perfect opportunity for slow kisses and those lingering looks no one else gets to see.

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4. Give Each Other Holiday-Themed Massages

Spicy cinnamon lotion.
Warm vanilla oil.
Peppermint-scented foot rubs.

The holidays smell amazing—use that to your advantage.

Set the mood with soft music and warm blankets, and make it playful by taking turns gifting each other relaxation.

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5. Start a Cozy Holiday Tradition for Just the Two of You

Something small, intimate, and meaningful like:

• Exchanging handwritten love notes

• Watching the same holiday movie snuggled under one blanket

• Baking a dessert together

• Choosing one ornament that symbolizes your year

Traditions create emotional intimacy that lasts long after the season ends.

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6. Slow Dance to Holiday Music

Clear a small space.
Turn on your favorite romantic holiday song.
Pull each other close and sway slowly.

No fancy steps required.
Just presence, warmth, and whispered “I love yous” in the dark.

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7. Sneak in Some Secret Surprises

Hide little notes in stockings.
Slip a treat into their coat pocket.
Send a flirty text while you're in opposite aisles of the store.

A little mystery adds a LOT of spark.

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8. Wrap Each Other Up—Literally

There’s nothing wrong with a little silly fun.

Wrap a bow around your wrist and say, “I brought you a gift.”
Wrap your partner in a blanket like a holiday burrito.
Or exchange kisses under the mistletoe every time you walk past it.

Playfulness is intimacy’s best friend.

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9. Have a No-Phones Holiday Date

Just one night.
No scrolling.
No notifications.
No, “Hang on, I just need to reply to this.”

Your attention is the most intimate gift you can give.

Sit down to:

• Share dreams for the next year

• Reminisce about your favorite memories

• Talk without distraction

Connection deepens when the world goes quiet.

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10. Give Each Other One Intimacy-Focused Gift

Not necessarily physical—though it can be.
It could be:

• A love letter

• A scrapbook of your year

• A playlist

• A promise or intention for the new year

• A “coupon” for quality time or acts of love

Thoughtfulness = closeness.
Always.

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Final Thought: Let the Season Bring You Closer

The holidays don’t have to be hectic, draining, or distant.
With a little intention, a bit of creativity, and lots of cozy closeness, this season can warm your hearts and ignite your intimacy.

Let the lights glow.
Let the cocoa steam.
Let the snow fall outside while the sparks fly inside.

Because the best part of the holidays?

Sharing them with someone you love. 

🥾 Hiking The Narrows in Zion National Park: A Slot Canyon Adventure Like No Other

 

🥾 Hiking The Narrows in Zion National Park:

A Slot Canyon Adventure Like No Other

If you’ve ever wanted to hike through a river, stare up at towering canyon walls that look like something out of an Indiana Jones movie, and feel like an absolute wilderness badass—then The Narrows in Zion National Park, Utah, should be on your bucket list.

It's not just a hike. It’s an immersive, splashy, awe-inspiring adventure that proves nature is the original architect of jaw-dropping drama.

What Is The Narrows, Anyway?

The Narrows is exactly what it sounds like: the narrowest section of Zion Canyon. The Virgin River has carved its way through massive sandstone cliffs, leaving hikers with one epic pathway—in the river itself.

That’s right. This isn’t your average dirt trail. You're hiking in water, often ankle- to waist-deep (and sometimes chest-deep depending on water levels and your height), with sheer canyon walls soaring over 1,000 feet above you.

And the best part? You don’t need to be a professional mountaineer to do it. You just need decent balance, some dry socks, and a sense of adventure.

Two Ways to Hike It

1. Bottom-Up (Most Common Option):
No permit needed. Start from the Temple of Sinawava, hike upstream as far as you’d like (up to Big Springs), and then return the same way. Most hikers aim for Wall Street, the most iconic section, about 3–4 miles in round trip.

2. Top-Down (The Hardcore Route):
This 16-mile route requires a permit and can be done as a very long day hike or an overnight trip (backcountry permit required). It’s stunning, but for experienced hikers only.

What to Bring (Trust Me on This)

• Sturdy footwear with grip: No flip-flops. This is river hiking, not pool lounging. Many people rent canyoneering boots and neoprene socks in nearby Springdale.

• A walking stick or trekking poles: Not for style. For not falling on your face.

• Dry bag or waterproof backpack: You will get wet. Protect your snacks and electronics like they’re precious cargo (because they are).

• Layers: The canyon is shaded and cool, even in summer. Wear quick-drying clothes and bring a light jacket.

• Snacks and water: You’re still hiking—just wetter. Bring fuel. The Narrows is sneaky-exhausting.

• Permit (for Top-Down): Don’t be that person.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Narrows Hike

Start Early.
Not only do you beat the crowds, but morning light filtering through the canyon walls is pure magic. Like, “Why haven’t I proposed to someone yet?” kind of romantic.

Check the Weather.
This is not optional. The Narrows is prone to flash floods—which are dangerous and can occur even if it’s sunny where you are. Always check conditions at the Zion Visitor Center or online before you go.

Don’t Be a Hero.
You don’t need to make it 10 miles in to have a good time. Some of the most stunning views are just a couple of miles in. Hike at your pace. Turn around when you’re ready.

Pack Out Your Trash (and Pee Responsibly).
Nature gives you a spectacular day. You give it respect in return. It's a simple trade.

Take Your Time.
This isn’t a race. Stop. Gawk. Touch the canyon walls. Splash your partner. Watch the way the light dances on the water. You don’t get views like this every day.

Why This Hike Is So Special

There’s something primal about walking between these massive canyon walls, feeling the current push against your legs, and being reminded that nature is really good at what it does.

It’s not just a hike—it’s an experience. A photo op. A workout. A spiritual awakening. A chance to pretend you're in a National Geographic special.

And when you're finished and your feet are soaked, your calves are sore, and your memory card is full, you’ll find yourself wondering how soon you can come back and do it all over again.

So lace up those water boots, grab your hiking stick, and channel your inner adventurer.

The Narrows are calling. And trust me—you want to answer. 

Some of my Personal Pictures form the Trip -