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Justin Shannon, Ph.D.
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Tired-Soul Whisperer for Bigfoot's Favorite Spot
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Join date: Jan 31, 2026
About
Welcome to Deer Creek Retreat, my secluded haven for tired souls. I'm the owner, blogger, and Bigfoot-loving steward—a Moab native, ex-Army chaplain, with a Ph.D., family man (51, married, four kids), and raised in Moab. From Old Lasal's rugged history and off-grid tips to Moab's scenic gems (hometown insider), my blog writing ties into Lasal's history and local access, and I explore mountain myths like Bigfoot and UFOs under star-packed skies, and our mountain well water—the Fountain of Youth reborn. Your Tired-Soul Whisperer for Bigfoot's Favorite Spot invites you to escape, stargaze, and rediscover grit.
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First Name
Justin
Last Name
Shannon, Ph. D.
Posts (34)
May 9, 2026 ∙ 10 min
Grandstaff Canyon Grit Hike: The Long Obedience That Builds Morning Glory
The Grandstaff Canyon grit hike is the final trail in the Moab Grit Hikes series — and the most quietly powerful. Four and a half miles through a lush desert canyon, ten stream crossings, and one of the most breathtaking natural formations in the Southwest: Morning Glory Natural Bridge, carved by water that never stopped showing up. Angela Duckworth calls it deliberate practice. The canyon calls it Tuesday. Come find out what patient, persistent effort can build — and stay at Deer Creek Retreat
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May 8, 2026 ∙ 11 min
Portal Overlook Grit Hike: Grow Your Grit Above the Colorado River
The Portal Overlook connects Deer Creek Retreat's mountain calm to the raw drama of the Colorado River canyon — 5 miles, 1,200 feet of elevation, and a 360-degree view that stretches from Arches to the La Sal peaks. But the real climb here is interior. Angela Duckworth says grit is not a fixed trait — it is a muscle you build. This Portal Overlook grit hike guide weaves trail survival, desert hacks, and Duckworth's research into one challenge: grow your grit above the river.
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May 4, 2026 ∙ 12 min
Mount Tukuhnikivatz Grit Hike: How Gritty Are You on Moab's Iconic Skyline Peak?
Every morning at Deer Creek Retreat, Mount Tukuhnikivatz watches from the horizon. Most visitors see it from thirty miles away. You can stand on it. The Mount Tukuhnikivatz grit hike — 5.9 miles, 2,358 feet of elevation, and an unrefined scree scramble to the top — is the La Sal Mountains' honest answer to Angela Duckworth's question: how gritty are you? Trail guide, dual-climate survival tips, and the grit research to fuel every step inside.
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