Cosmic Splendor in the Desert
When you look up at the stars, what do you see?
Who? You and 70 unique souls.
What? A retreat and desert soiree under the stars.
When? From the late afternoon of Friday October 4th until the morning light of Sunday October 8th.
Where? Southern Utah close to the town of Escalante. This often overlooked region is home to meandering creeks and a surreal checkerboard of red-rock geology. Our campsite is in the Grand Staircase National monument and hard to get to: a 5-hour drive from SLC or Vegas.
Why? To meet new friends. To explore breathtaking desert landscapes. To feel as though you escaped the monotony of your routines into an extravagant dream even if just for a weekend. To feel alive in the beauty of this world. To express gratitude.
How? Together. Juntos. With help from everyone in some way, shape, or form. Via hundreds of hours of planning, coordinating, building, and beyond.
I met Benny Freeland, the founder of Splendor, on a hike in Argentina in 2022. As we made our way up to Refugio Frey, we shared our passions, beliefs, and experiences, and I was immediately drawn to his spontaneity and the retreats he spoke of hosting. That very day—the first time we met—I told him I would help organize the next one.
What followed was a logistical challenge of immense scale, with the remote venue presenting its own set of obstacles. Yet, what could have been a nightmare became a life-changing experience that deepened my sense of wonder. Cooking for 70 souls in the backcountry, leading yoga and meditation under our shared tent, sparking meaningful conversations around the campfire with our weekend tribes, and guiding fellow adventurers to one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world was nothing short of extraordinary.
The Cosmic Ashtray – A sandstone amphitheater near our Escalante camp, where we guided 70 adventurous souls through the night, trekking beneath a starlit sky to witness the first light of dawn unfold in otherworldly beauty.
Benny Freeland – Founder of Splendor, but above all, a true friend and a passionate soul—devoted to connection, the rhythm of life, the beauty of movement, and the boundless embrace of nature.
The Viking Table – A gathering place where food, ideas, and love flowed as freely as the desert breeze that brushed our faces, weaving connection into every shared meal.
Our camp near the town of Escalante, Utah
Peekaboo Slot Canyon - We split up into smaller groups to various hikes near our campsite
Tattoo Tent – Under the vast desert sky, Norwegian tattoo artist Dana Melidoni brought ink to skin, etching stories, symbols, and spontaneity onto our adventurers.
My Desert Kitchen – Fueled by my passion for hospitality, I had the joy of cooking three beautiful meals for our 70 adventurous souls throughout the weekend. The first—but certainly not the last—time I cooked over an open flame beneath the brightest canopy of stars. Immensely grateful for my sous chefs Elise and Parker.
Desert Yoga - My first time leading yoga and breathwork in such a beautiful environment
DJ LATO – Straight from the Mayan Warrior main stage at Burning Man, LATO joined us for an unforgettable weekend. His electrifying set pulsed through the natural sandstone amphitheater, carrying us on a journey that crescendoed into a breathtaking sunrise.
Organizers Benny and Gaby (center), surrounded by the incredible friends whose energy, dedication, and spirit helped bring this weekend adventure to life.