A photo on a guidebook cover, like that of "The Wave," is not enough to standardize a first trip to the American Southwest.
It is an oversimplification that ignores hidden costs and the practical realities of such a journey.
For example, access to The Wave is often limited by a lottery, which can shift the initial inspiration if you don't win.
A successful trip mainly depends on detailed planning and the ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances, not on a static image.