From Michigan to "Misery" to the Mountains: My First Seasonal Job at Lake Powell

If you had asked me a few years ago what my life would look like, I would have told you I was going to work on a cruise ship. But then COVID happened, the world shut down, and the cruise line industry was completely off the table.

I still had this massive itch to travel and live somewhere new, which is exactly how I stumbled into the world of seasonal work.

My first destination? Page, Arizona

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The Big, Scary Leap

To say I was terrified is an understatement. I almost backed out several times. Prior to this, I had never really been further west than Kentucky or Wisconsin (which, let’s be honest, isn't west at all). I was moving to a place I had never been, to do a job I had never done.

I packed everything I thought I could possibly need into my little Jeep Compass. No furniture, just clothes and basic necessities. It was just me, a packed car, and a whole lot of nerves, driving out of Michigan and hoping for the best.

The Road Trip Reality Check

The drive across the country was an adventure in itself, though not always a thrilling one.

My first major stop was Kansas City, and man, that place had some unexpected charm. But the absolute worst part of the drive? Missouri. Or, as I now exclusively call it, Misery. It was the most boring, flat, and anticlimactic part of the trip. Nothing but straight roads for miles.

Then came Denver, Colorado. The minute I crossed into Colorado, I was mesmerized. The landscapes, the massive trees, the mountains, I couldn't believe I had never been out this way before. I didn't make a ton of stops to explore on the drive, but just seeing the topography change from the driver's seat of my Jeep was incredible.

Arrival: Desert Does Not Always Mean Hot

When you think of Arizona, you immediately think of a scorching hot desert, right? Well, I arrived in early spring, and I was absolutely shocked by how freezing cold it was.

But the chill didn't matter the second I saw the water. I took a job working at the Lake Powell Resort in Page, Arizona. It sits right in the center of the Grand Circle and is only eight minutes from Horseshoe Bend. The lake was unbelievable. I was completely blown away by the contrasting colors of the deep blue water against the massive red rock formations.

The Job and the Perks

For five months, I got to live and work right on the resort. The job was great, but the real magic of seasonal work is what happens when you clock out.

They tried to give us two days off in a row per week, and I took advantage of every single one of them. My days off consisted of fishing for striper bass or taking a boat out to explore the endless canyons of Lake Powell. I was suddenly surrounded by new faces and a whole new world of adventures.

Becoming a Weekend Warrior

Because Page is so centrally located, it was the perfect launchpad for exploring.

One of my very first trips was a car-camping adventure in Sedona. To this day, Sedona holds my heart. The rocks, the colors, the energy, it's unmatched. Thanks to that job, I also got to explore Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Scottsdale, and even took my very first trip to Las Vegas.

This job opened my eyes to a world of possibilities. Even though taking the leap and driving across the country was terrifying at first, it became a way of living. It taught me how to meet new people, explore new worlds, and appreciate how beautifully different every single state is.