October 04th, 2020

Days 389 - 391


Patience and the ability to be flexible are absolutely necessary in life. Especially in the life of a nomad.

Day 389 we decided to go back to Green River and use that as our base camp. Searching for a boondocking spot in Moab just didn't sound like something we wanted to do.

We discovered why on day 390.

The same thing happened with the truck when we tried to leave for Arches National Park. It turned over fine, but before I could put it in reverse to pull out of our spot... it turned off. Completely shutting the engine off. There's power, it'll crank, but there's no turn over.

Beyond frustrated because now we know we HAVE to get it to a mechanic, we are at least pleased that we are very close to the one that was recommended to us.

We actually walk down to the mechanics and Ken says "yep you get it here and I can take a look at it today." Little did he know, he was going to have an abnormally busy day. But,he still had time for it's.

I call insurance for the tow. After waiting over two hours, I give up and call a tow myself. Which arrived in two minutes (the owner is actually currently residing in our RV park until his apartment is ready... thank you Steele Towing). We cancel the roadside assistance with the insurance (although their system is mixed up and after the cancelation, I get a call that they found someone). Who I have to cancel. 🤦‍♀️

We get to Interstate America and Ken starts troubleshooting. Testing the fuel pressure in the lines, he thinks it might be the pump. The intake or the ignition pump. Hoping for intake because the other is a $3000+ fix.

Turns out though, even though the part came up in the list, my truck doesn't have an intake fuel pump. Chevy didn't put those in until 2017. So Ken chats with people who work on diesels all the time - they suggest replacing that 9 day old fuel filter.

I'm livid.

We took the truck back to that mechanic that put it in and said it was taking longer to turn over. They checked the batteries (which were fine) and said "it sounds normal." I assured him it wasn't, that it was taking longer to turn over, and he assured me it sounded normal to him.

It was slow to start the very first time Jordan picked it up from them.

Well, Ken calls us back down to show us how to replace the fuel filter. It's something we can do roadside if we had to.

He pulls it off and boom, problem found.

The O ring that should be on the top is missing.

Mechanic mistake.

Ken says "it can happen to anyone" when I say I'm ready to call and chew out the other mechanic. You see, I called them when we had the issue in Goblin Valley and the receptionist said "it's not fair you're blaming this on us, it could be something else."

Well, it wasn't. They screwed up. Jordan called them because I was too fired up. They refunded our money. Good.

New filter on, truck is running.

So, after a day of staying put, we went to Arches FINALLY on day 391.

Oh my goodness. Absolutely awesome place. Definitely a must see. We weren't super excited about going on a Saturday but it wasn't too horribly busy. The trail head to the Devil's Garden was VERY busy but we were doing the long, difficult hike so we knew most of the people would not be doing that. And we were right. It was quiet on the back side.

It was a lovely but long (10ish miles) and difficult hike - climbing and clambering over rocks. If you decide to take the primitive trail and do the whole loop, go right at the sign at the trailhead... it's much nicer to end on rocks than in sand... and all the crowds go left.

We completed it (it was quite hot towards the end, and I don't do well in the heat so I was slow ...BUT we still finished in 3 hours) and we drive up to the Delicate Arch trailhead which is not a technical path - labeled moderate - but it's 1.5 miles of very steep climb. And it was hot.

My heart rate was definitely in the red zone. We had to stop multiple times to get it to come down. But, we made it. Of course.

Neither one of us are quitters.

I took my shoes and socks off up there. We sat and relaxed for a bit but we were starving... and honestly annoyed by the screaming children and constant talking of everyone.

It seemed we were two of a very VERY small portion of people capable of just sitting and being in the moment in such an awesome space. People are so concerned about other things, they can't just BE.

I've never been much of a talker though. I'm perfectly happy sitting in silence. Or hiking in silence. Geeze, some women talked the entire hike in, the whole time they were there, and they were still talking on the way out.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

It's time to listen to nature. Listen to the universe. You'll find answers, you'll find peace. If you'll just stop yapping. 😁

I had a wonderful time. Today, if we aren't too sore after yesterday's 13 miles, we want to check out Canyonlands. We shall see what the day brings!

Much love and light to you all! Remember, every moment doesn't have to be filled with noise. It's ok to sit in silence.