Memoir: Grand Canyon, Havasupai Falls, Angels, God, & the Western Desert_Joanne Z. Tan_Season 3, Episode 5

What does it take to reach a hidden Shangri-La deep in the Grand Canyon, and what unexpected discoveries can move us beyond the beauty of waterfalls into questions about humanity, nature, God, and mortality?

In this poetic memoir, Joanne Z. Tan recounts her September 2026 journey 10 miles deep into the Grand Canyon to the blue water of the Havasupai Reservation, home of the Havasupai Tribe, followed by her long solitary drive through the vast Western desert.

The journey began with the extraordinary turquoise-blue water of Havasu Creek and Havasupai Falls, including Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, Beaver Falls, 50 Foot Falls, and Little Navajo Falls. But the waterfalls were only part of what she found there.

- To read Part 1 as a blog, with photos

- To watch Part 1 as a 13-minute video, with more photos

A Memoir of Angels and Humanity

Descending the horror-inspiring vertical height to the bottom of Mooney Falls confronted Joanne with the limit of what she thought she could do alone.

Then strangers became angels.

Their encouragement, presence, and helping hands transformed a physically demanding wilderness adventure into something more humbling: an encounter with human kindness, vulnerability, courage, dependence, and the mysterious bonds that can form among strangers.

The waterfalls were magical. What moved her even more was the kindest and purest of humanity.

In nature, in the wilderness, random human connections and unforgettable experiences became a soaring melody created in the background of infinity.

God sent angels to each other.