Sydney Lewis
On a Friday morning in April 2023, our research team, led by Dr. Elke Kellner, embarked on a 5-hour drive to Grand Canyon National Park. We set out to collect interview data from tourists at the park, with the goal of adding further qualitative data – and the unique perspective of tourists – to our projects. But as we learned soon after our departure, the trip would be defined not only by our research but also by a set of exciting and memorable experiences.
As we headed to the Canyon, we took a detour to visit the sites of our project case studies: Pinyon Plain Uranium Mine and Maverick Helicopter Agency. The first stop was Pinyon Plain Mine, which I was eager to visit as my research partner, Emmalyn, and I had chosen it for our case study. We had spent months prior researching the proposed mine and learning about its controversies and all those involved. Not to mention, we had seen countless photos of the mine on government websites and news articles. So, when we finally arrived at the navigation pinpoint, it was a great disappointment to see nothing but trees before us. However, Elke was determined to bring us to the mine site. We soon discovered a narrow dirt road, with gate signs dissuading visitors from proceeding. Rather than turning back, Elke drove through the gate and led us down miles of dirt road until we eventually pulled up to the mine’s entrance.
Seeing the mine in person was more thrilling than I had imagined. After seeing so many photos online, it seemed like a national landmark. But in a greater sense, it reinforced the importance of the research we were doing and served as a reminder of the negative impacts the local environment could soon face.
Visiting the Maverick Helicopter Agency was memorable, too, especially for Kyleigh and Jessie as it was their project case study. While they went off to conduct staff interviews, Emmalyn and I toured the gift shop. We eventually reconvened to watch helicopters take off and land within a few hundred feet of us, against the stunning backdrop of the Grand Canyon. It was a tremendous sight to see.
After arriving at the Grand Canyon’s south rim on Friday evening, we began our 3-day task of interviewing tourists. Emmalyn, Kyleigh, Jessie, and I split up into two groups, each taking on popular visitor areas (and often competing for the best spots). Using our list of questions, Emmalyn and I walked up to dozens of tourists and asked them to share their views on the proposed operations at Pinyon Plain Mine. We received a lot of interest in the interviews, with many participants coming from across the world and some barely speaking English. Interestingly, we found that many participants had strong perspectives about mining, and occasionally personal relationships to the matter. For example, one couple from a coal mining community in Germany told us stories about how mining had affected the health of their neighbors and friends who worked in the mines. When asked how they felt about Pinyon Plain Mine, they expressed a deep disapproval.
However, the picture that our interviews told was not clear-cut. We received varied responses when asking participants about their views toward the proposed mine only 9 miles from the south rim, indicating that public attitudes were perhaps more complex than we had anticipated.
The next few days were packed with a variety of activities. In the mornings, we spent our time birdwatching and comparing notes over breakfast at the campsite. We also strolled around the camping grounds and practiced yoga in the woods, taking in the crisp air and finding solace in the peaceful quiet of the forest.
When we weren’t conducting interviews, we spent time hiking through the Canyon. We embarked on several popular trails, walking for miles at a time as we enjoyed the breathtaking scenery around us.
We also made a few stops above the rim: browsing signs and centers to learn about the park’s history (and find cool gifts) and saying hello to our furry friends.
Back at the campsite, we spent our evenings gathered around the campfire. As we huddled together in our layers of jackets, we enjoyed smores, shared stories and laughter, and gazed up at the constellations. A great feature of the Grand Canyon is its relative lack of exposure to light pollution, giving it – and the campsites nearby – unparalleled views of the night sky.
As I reflect on the trip, it was certainly a high point of my college experience. I look back fondly on the memories of the places we visited and the experiences we shared as a team. It was also memorable because it gave us the opportunity to deepen our bonds and get to know each other in a more meaningful way, which strengthened our collaborations moving forward. I am grateful to Elke for organizing this trip. She went above and beyond expectations as the trip was not a requirement of the SURE program. Her dedication and resolve to organize this experience are a testament to her commitment to our team, as well as her investment in the success of each of our members. I hope to keep this experience in mind as I move forward in my career, building on the foundations of the work I conducted in Elke’s lab.
