In a world where technology seems to dictate our everyday lives, it’s gratifying to experience an entire week without cell phone service deep in the canyons of Dinosaur National Monument. Not only is it the perfect opportunity to spend time with family and new friends, but it also allows one to tune into the natural splendors of a world people too-often take for granted.

Over the summer, my family and I road-tripped through several towns in Colorado snapping hundreds of photos in the snow-white Rocky Mountains (yes, there is snow in the summertime here)! After an exciting week of trail running in Estes Park, biking in Beaver Creek, and eating at various hole-in-the wall places in Vail, my family and I decided to put away our phones, leave our makeup and hair supplies behind, and strap on our life vests for an adventure of a lifetime.

After a seemingly endless drive to Vernal, Utah, we spent the night at a Marriott less than a mile from the O.A.R.S association that accompanied us on our river-rafting trip. The night before we left, however, we were required to attend a meeting with the river guides and the other families who came. We would leave at the crack of dawn the next day and take a two-hour bus ride up to the drop-off. There, auburn sedimentary rock glistened in the calm, reflective waters below it. The water wouldn’t remain calm for long, though.

After the meeting, we grabbed our packing lists, made a trip to a local camping store and stuffed all of our necessities into two small, waterproof backpacks, which were provided to each person by the trip advisors. We were instructed to pack light, and to omit the designer clothes and fresh Nike pick-ups. Ugly, hybrid, hiking water shoes would have to do.

After a detailed safety meeting along the river bend, we set off for our 5-day journey. We skimmed across the calm oases of the canyon, and took turns with the oars as our clan was introduced to several rapids like Upper and Lower “Disaster Falls.” This particular rapid surely earned its name; my sister and I fell out of our one-person ducky boats thanks to the same ginormous wave!

We set up camp around 4:30 pm each day after we trailed anywhere between six and 12 miles on the river. We operated by a system the river guides called, a “fire line,” in which everyone formed a line, from the rafts to the main part of camp, and tossed each other our waterproof backpacks, foldable chairs and tent supplies. Everyone chose the same partner to sleep with all week in the tents, and we were expected to learn how to set up our tents and likewise take them down. While some of the river guides cooked, my cousins and I went on many different hikes throughout the trip. We climbed to the highest peaks of the canyon, discovered ancient tribal petroglyphs and bathed in ice-cold waterfalls hidden behind the sandy beaches of the valley.

Each day, breakfast, lunch and dinner were home-cooked by the talented river guides… and oh did they pamper us with food. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, assorted fruit, breakfast salads and juices filled the plastic tables set up at each campsite. Savory sandwiches, veggie platters, trail mixes and other snacks were eaten at lunchtime after a long morning exercise on the river. At dusk, the guides took turns making gourmet chicken, steak, fish, steamed vegetables and delicious potatoes for our hungry hearts to consume. Dessert was always served and two of the river guides made a whole pineapple upside-down cake in a dutch oven! Who would have thought that all of this food could fit on just five small riverboats?

The last day of the trip was still exhilarating as we oared through the Yampa and spun our boats in the middle of “Hell’s half-mile.” However, there was definitely a sense of sadness amongst the group; we didn’t want to go back to our normal lives. I’d say that we didn’t want to go back to reality, but I believe reality actually existed between the walls of the canyon, under mini waterfalls at the end of hikes and in the midst of the cold rapids as I fell out and caught up to my boat. This trip proved I should never take nature for granted. Its surreal beauty can be discovered in the deepest places and in the wildest waters. Spending time with the people I love most, and learning to function in the natural environment was truly the greatest experience of my life. I encourage others to try it at least once in their lifetime because it is an unforgettable adventure that guarantees water in the nose and memories to be made.