Day 9 – Arches and a Toilet Story

Before I discuss Arches National Park I want to say something about the RV. Compared to the caravans I remember from holidays in Wales as a teenager, this is luxury. Things have certainly moved on for the better. Full Hook-Up means you are permanently on electricity, water and cable TV. But one thing remains the same – the toilet situation! So to develop the toilet theme I should describe how it works in these modern times.

Firstly, there are different types of water. This was news to me. There’s Grey water. This is the waste from the sink and the shower. Then there’s Black water. Yes, you’ve guessed it – this is the toilet water (and contents). Both these types of water are collected under the RV in tanks so you can go on the move, if you get my meaning. The tanks will get full eventually and have to be emptied. This is the event I’ve just had to endure for the first time. Apparently it’s a man’s job, according to Rachel! Even the cooking is a man’s job and very often the washing up too. And after 25 years, Man doesn’t argue! (I’m joking, of course- honest!)

Anyway, Man goes ouside and locates the gadgets he needs to complete his task. There’s the long flexible tubing (like a slinky from the 70’s), a bucket and a pair of rubber gloves. He locates the drain cap in the floor next to the RV and unscrews it, removing it completely. He inserts the slinky into the drain hole at least 6 inches if he wants to retain his dignity once the tanks discharge. Woman is waiting patiently in the RV, waiting to shower before applying make-up and doing all the nice things Woman does. Meanwhile Man must attach the other end of slinky to the RV waste outlet and make sure it’s secure. Then Man is confronted with two handles, which he must pulled outwards in the right order. Man can’t quite remember which order it is but will certainly not admit it to Woman and will take his chances. How risky can it be? Handle one is pulled and the expected gushing sound is heard. So far so good. The sound goes on for quite some time, which gets Man wondering which tank this could be. When the sound stops Man is ready for handle number two but notices the slinky is still heavy with fluid, and stuff, so has to maneuver its contents towards the drain like trying to get the last bit of toothpaste out…you get the picture. The second handle is pulled and another gush is heard – much louder and stronger than the last time. Man congratulates himself for thinking that this must be the Grey Water. Man’s feet then feel distinctly wet! The force of the water has caused the slinky to detach from the outlet and is gushing out onto the floor. Man remains calm and pushes the handle back in. Woman is blissfully unaware of Man’s strivings. Man sees that the metal ring should have been tighter on the slinky and is vindicated as this was not of his doing. His dignity is intact! Man can smell the contents of the tank and is thankfull that he was indeed correct – this WAS Grey Water -thanks goodness. Woman will soon find out that, next time, Man will be doing the showering (minus the make-up of course!)

Today was our first day in the National Parks of Utah. First up was Arches: so-called due to the strange arched rock formations. When we arrived in Moab we hired a car to avoid having to drive the RV every day. This turned out to be a good move. We basically drove through the whole National Park, stopping off at view points along the way. We chose one or two locations to stop and walk. The main attraction is Delicate Arch. We parked up and walked the trail to find it. It was a 3 hour round trip and we climbed only approx 500 feet. But it was very hot (in the 90’s) and there was virtually no shade to be found. We loved the different rock formations seen along the way and walked across ‘slickrock’: a smooth sandstone-coloured rock that appears to have been extruded from the earth like children’s play-dough.

That’s Rachel in the distance.

Rounding the final bend brought us into a great natural amphitheatre and there, centre stage, was Delicate Arch.

It was hard to believe is was natural as the scene was so perfect to show the arch at its best. It was very humbling to see. This rock had been made over unimaginable timescales by forces greater than anything we could ever bring to bear. Yet, it’s erosion was rapidly (in geological terms) disintegrating it to form what’s left. Basically, it won’t be here forever. How privileged we should feel to see it now. That’s exactly how we felt.

Our next walk took us to Landscape Arch – an impossibly thin and wide arch, which is now too dangerous to approach, after a sliver of rock fell from it in the 1990’s. The next time this happens it may bring the whole thing down. That’s the amazing thing about this place -it’sconstantly changing. The evidence is all around. Boulders lay strewn at the foot of each mountain of rock and slivers of rock balance on incredibly thin towers. It’s amazing to think that the time will come when it’s all gone, clumbled to dust.

In the evening we went to a rodeo in Moab. Quite a spectacle. However, within literally two minutes of being there we both began to feel the effects of the horses as we are both allergic to them. We lasted as liong as we could before leaving early, sneezing, wheezing with eyes streaming. Not the greatest end to an amazing day.

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