Exploring Cathedral in the Desert

The following is a weekly 60 Minutes Wednesday commentary by columnist Steve Hartman.

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Every year, my dad and I like to go on a little vacation together, and this year, we decided to make it a real adventure.

We wanted to try and see this legendary place called Cathedral in the Desert.

The Cathedral is a natural wonder that some say is even more beautiful than the Grand Canyon. It's in Utah. And if you've never seen it, or even heard of it, that's because 40 years ago, it disappeared under hundreds of feet of water after they built the Glen Canyon dam.

But just recently, because of a long draught, the Cathedral has literally re-emerged. There are no roads to it. So to get there, Dad and I would have to rough it on a rented houseboat.

We'd also have to give up all the luxuries of home – like cable TV and ...
actually, just cable TV.

Lewis and Clark, we're not.

This would be a two-day journey, past countless picture postcards, and gigantic caverns. We saw places that have been underwater my entire lifetime.

But the most amazing sight, whenever I go anywhere with my dad, is what I see in him. Things I never noticed growing up, like all the sacrifices he made for our family…

Hartman: What's one thing you bought for yourself in 42 years?

Hartman's father: I can't think of anything offhand.

Hartman: I can't, either.

If anybody deserves to see the Cathedral in the Desert, it's him. We switched to a smaller boat for the final leg.

The Cathedral was now just around the bend, and it was just amazing. I had never seen such wonder on my father's face

With the water rising again, by the time we arrived there, there was just a small corner of beach left where you could still get out and look. It was enough. The place was everything we'd dreamed of, almost.

Immediately after we arrived, a poodle came ashore , followed by a kayaker and couple Skidoos. It sure would be a lot easier to get away from it all, if everyone else would just stay where they are.

Miami Beach would have been more private. But Dad and I didn't mind much. All we cared was that we made it, and we made it together.

Today, the floor of the Cathedral is underwater once again. It really reminds you to appreciate what's precious before it disappears. Be it the wonders of Mother Earth or just the wonders of your Dad.