My “Trick” on Halloween, Oct. 31, 2009

Well, at 4 am this morning, while I was up for a quick bathroom run, did I get a “Trick”.  When I walked in the bathroom the rug was soppy wet…where did that come from??   Then I proceeded to ‘go’ to the bathroom and certain parts of my anatomy made contact with water, the toilet was full of ‘water’…where did that come from??  I then turned on the light and confirmed the toilet was, yes, full of water and now…what to do?  There were many thoughts going through my fuzzy 4 am brain, but I eventually slowly stepped on the  base peddle and it drained out. Thank goodness, that was not what I thought would happen.  Then I could see the toilet was slowly filling again, evidently the water valve was stuck in a partially open position.  I felt around and finally found a shut off valve and thought I turned it off.  Then I placed the soaked rugs in the sink and dried up the floor.

Come to find out when Bob got up at 6:30, he was confronted by a ‘full of water’ toilet and he then completely shut off the valve.

Bob knew he needed to see if he could fix the toilet.  He first wanted to remove the valve and see if he could rinse it out and maybe that would fix it.  He tried to take off the valve with the toilet in place…well just not enough room to work, so the toilet came out and ended up in the living room.

He took the water valve off and did rinse out several sand grains and grit.  We then reassembled the valve and tested it, it did not leak so we put it all back together and so far so good, no leaking water.

 

Here it is all back together and every nook and cranny has been cleaned, just like new. I know, I know,  TMI.

 

How were you tricked this Halloween!!??

Happy Halloween!!, Oct 31, 2009

Here is a link to the History.com's website, it tells you everything about Halloween you ever wanted to know. http://www.history.com/content/halloween/real-story-of-halloween

Arches, Moab UT, Post 5, Oct 30, 2009

We were lazy this morning and did not head out until about 1:30.  Our destination was to find dinosaur tracks.  The road,  Willow Springs Trail, that led to the tracks was not traveled by many for sure.

To access  Willow Springs Road, drive into Arches NP, turn left at the Balanced Rock and drive about 4 miles west.  After driving about 3.25 miles we decided to park the Explorer and walk as we were faced with this.

The road actually got worse than this the further we walked.  Soon we were outside the park boundary and then about .4 of a miles further, we found the information sign about the tracks and the dinosaur tracks.

These were Therapod tracks.

On our way back from seeing the tracks I found this broken knife or spear point laying in the center of the road.  We could tell this piece of quartz had been shaped, thinned and worked by native Americans by what we had learned while at the Petrified Forest. 

Bob then continued to look around to see if we could find more pieces or flakes and he did (the smaller ones).

Even though we wanted to bring these home with us, we put them back near where we found them.

Also saw these small dark bumps in patches on the slickrock.  They looked like warts and could not break them off.

Arches, Moab UT, Part 4, Oct. 29, 2009

This morning it was down right cold outside and inside the coach.  The sun finally came out, but did not get over 42 degrees even in the afternoon.  It is forecast it get warmer, let’s hope.  We had a issue with our steps the day we traveled to here in Moab, they would not extend or retract when the door was opened or closed.

Today Bob decided to check out the step motor and found out that even though it sounded like it was working, the gear slipped on the shaft and did not do its job of extending or retracting the steps. 

Here is the culprit.

We were able to find where to order a new retractable step motor from Lippert, and it should arrive here at the Moab Rim Campark on Wednesday. Today I did extend our stay until next Friday (Nov 6th).

 

At dusk, Bob took this photo right out in front of our RV.

Arches, Moab UT, Post 3, Oct 28, 2009

Yes, we had snow last night!  So pretty!!!

 

Bob measured it, just about 4” and still snowing some.  We are heading into Arches NP to get some snow photos.  Bob just took a flexible cutting board outside to clean off the snow from the Explorer.  The roads look fine, only 35 degrees right now.

Arches NP-Fiery Furnace, Post 2, Oct. 27, 2009

By 9 am we were heading out the door to a windy cool day with rain forecast for the afternoon.  We were heading towards the Fiery Furnace trail head for the 10 am ranger led walk.  Everyone was dressed warmly and ready for adventure.  Rob our guide was a young ranger in his 30’s, by the way he did a great job during our 3 hour walk. (I am wearing the white cap)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below on the left is a natural bridge among the fins of formations. On the right is one of the paths though the fins.

Here is shot of Twin Arches, hidden within the fins.

Loved the touch of fall leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

On the right is one of the trails over the rocks we walked on, at one point it was only about 12” wide and it wasn’t level.  At least they put rocks in the crevasse so you could not see down!

  This bush was protected by rocks so no one would step near it.  It is a Canyonlands Biscuitroot plant.It is a protected and endangered species.  It is only found growing in the Entrada Sandstone in just a few locations—one being the Fiery Furnace.  It was about 20” across, and doing nicely.

Here are some hiking or rock scrambling photos.

Below Rob, our guide, was talking me through this very steep V crevasse, he has warned us about not getting hour foot caught in the bottom (and I did not), but just was not sure what to move next.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before the hike I was not sure if I would be able to complete this hike, it was not easy, both physically as well as mentally.  I just kept saying to myself, you can do it, just try, and I did.  I guess you just have to believe in yourself.

On our way back we stopped at Balanced Rock and has some fun taking trick photos.

I think Bob’s photo was better than mine.

 

Here I am in north Window Arch.

There are not many trees in the park, but a few sure color the scenery.

It might snow tonight and tomorrow, but is to be in the 60’s on Thursday… and more exploring.

Arches National Park, Oct. 26, 2009

We arrived in Moab yesterday, (Sunday) and went for a visit to the NP. 

First stopped at the visitor center, got my cancellation stamp done for my Passport Book.  We also signed up for the ranger led hike of the Fiery Furnace area for Tues morning at 10 am.  Should be fun and challenging for me.  High paths and some rock scrambling.  Time will tell how I do.

We then took a drive through the park.  The photo below shows the area called the Fiery Furnace.   Wow, I had forgot just how beautiful the park is.  We visited the park in 2002 while on vacation.

Today, Monday, we drove to the Devils Garden area to do probably the hardest and longest hike we will do while we are here.  In 2002 I had not been able to complete this trail to the Double O Arch because the trail just freaked me out—way too high and way too narrow with drop offs on both sides.  Well, seven years later, I DID IT!!  The total hike was over 6.5 miles, up and over places I thought I could never go.  Here are some photos. 

Here I am about half way up what we called the “Whale Back”, yes there are drop offs of both sides, but just wait.

These drop offs on both sides are forever.  I found I could walk across this fin top and not look out or side to side, just down.  Evidently my arms kept me balanced, looks funny now, but it wasn’t then.

Then had to walk over this steep and narrow fin to get to Double O Arch.  As you can see I am stepping down an uneven area.  This area doesn’t look so bad in this photo, but I had the sensation it was!

Here is a photo of Bob walking up this same area. Here I am celebrating, trying to stand on one foot, hard enough on level ground.   I think you can see air below my foot!!

Here is Double O Arch.

That’s Bob standing in the smaller arch.  On the right is a 150’ monolith named Dark Angel.  Bob thought that Dark Angel would be a good nickname for me!!

One side trail was the hike to Navajo Arch.  It was on this trail in 2002 we found this sight.  Look at all the cairns.

Now, where have they all gone?

We couldn’t help ourselves, we left two more cairns, here is mine.

Landscape Arch with Bob.

Bob sitting on the edge…

Just one more photo, more of our tax money at work, or should I say standing around, one fellow was digging a post hole and one was carrying a fence post.

Tomorrow, the Fiery Furnace hike…