Before I address the title question, let me continue the story of the trailer tire failure.

We needed to get the trailer to the tire store by 7:30 a.m. to secure a good place in line. We set an alarm for 6:00, and I woke up at 5:45. I do this all the time, but if I didn’t set the alarm, I’d sleep through. We got the trailer to the store by 7:00.

The tech determined there was a tiny bit of free play in the right wheel, but not enough to worry about. The axle can’t be adjusted. It’s a Dexter drop axle and it’s a monster. I’m told it’s a very high quality axle. The tire wear indicates either under inflation or a mis-aligned axle.

While we were waiting, Beth set up her computer and answered some inquiries. It’s hard to escape work when you are in Real Estate.

Since the store couldn’t do anything or add any new information, I called Time Out and talked to Blake, who has been at the company 35 years. He called Dexter, but that conversation didn’t go well. I needed to fill in a claim form, which I did. Now we wait until we hear back from Dexter.

Both the tire store guy and Blake told me they thought is was safe to continue and to just watch the tire wear and pressure.

Once we determined that we could continue our travels safely, we got a camp site at another campground in Moab. The one we stayed at last night was on a hill and the “streets” were all gravel. A lot of the gravel was pretty loose making it difficult to navigate. Tonight’s campground has gravel sites, but a paved perimeter road. I know, we are getting picky in our retirement.

Now for the crazy part. We had lunch in the shade at the campground then headed to Canyonlands National Park. The temperature was 100 degrees. We were wearing our cooling vests for sure.

We stopped at the park visitors’ center. A big truck was emptying the septic tanks. The people at the picnic tables in the photo didn’t stay long, and neither did we.

We hiked to Mesa Arch. There’s quite a drop-off on the other side of the arch.

We drove to another point and took pictures of the enormous canyon. A camera can’t capture such wide vistas, so I recommend you go and see for yourself.

Yes, it’s crazy to be out traveling in 100 degree heat and hiking at 6000 ft., but then you walk up to a fence and see such a magnificent sight, and it doesn’t seem crazy at all.

We stopped for a few groceries and a couple of beers. We set up camp and had dinner. Beth is at the laundry and quite annoyed that only 3 of 8 washing machines are working and they’re in use for now. So, hurry up and wait.