Moab and Arches National Park

Aarchway Inn, Moab

Two nights in the same hotel are a very welcome change. It allows mundane needs such as washing clothes, but also takes the time pressure during the reconnaissance. What we use instantly and irresponsibly.

The entrance to Arches National Park ( www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm ) is located a few kilometers from the hotel and we try to escape the car columns by going directly to the big rock arch "Skyline Arch" at the end of the park . On the way the family shows - to put it positively - some familiarity with the red sandstone formations.

The big rock arch, however, reminds us all to the scene with Gandalf and the Balrog from the Lord of the Rings, what motivates us to move on the "primitive trail" to two other arches. The sun is friendly, the temperature climbs steadily presumably against the 40-degree mark, and we climb up steadily the "primitive trail".

It gradually dawns on us that no sign will comply with the U.S. philosophy of natural national parks. As Austrians, we retrieve our genetic heritage and instinctively find our way - at least until we stand directly in front of a minimum of 30 meters deep. Instead of the promised itinerary it will be a way back, what has no directly positive impact on the mood of our children. Later we learned that small stones piled on each other in some cases highlight the way - something like futuristic tables and color markings is for Americans obviously neither in their minds nor in their parks.

After about two and half hours of climbing and walking in the blazing sun, the children are at their performance and our skin in places beyond the sunburn line. For the rest of the national park, the children give therefore the rule: Do not remove more than 10 minutes from the car. We adhere to it and the internal circulation applaudes quietly in the background. The most beautiful arc - the "Delicate Arch" is therefore watched only from a distance. At 3:30 p.m. we treat ourselves the second highlight of the day: A shower in the hotel and "a nice cup of tea". According to Dr. Who the latter heals allegedly almost everything - let's see if it helps against sunburn.

The children say they are too tired for anything other than stupid zapping through U.S. TV channels, but at 7.00 p.m. we can motivate them to search for a diner.

In fact - we find Moab Diner on the main road and there are almost only the uniforms (here they have T-shirts), to act as the diner in Twin Peaks. We eat as cleverly titled dishes called "Chicken Fried Chicken" or "Chicken Fried Steak" and fight our way through the question list: Soup or salad / Which dressing / Do you want gravy / White or brown gravy / What kinda potatoes? Since Starbucks is even easier in comparison.

For the salad I make the mistake to order "French dressing" without further asking. Sounds to me like a little vinaigrette and garlic, but it is in fact mainly (or entirely?) Tomato ketchup! If Sarkozy finds out, he sends the Foreign Legion, and quite rightly. And any judge for international law, whose taste buds are still intact, will put him in resale rights. But we are delighted with the atmosphere, I hope to survive the air conditioning without lung inflammation and in the end we all agree, it tasted quite well.

The bill in good American style is already at the table, when two of us were still eating. The next one please, because it must be made in sales in God's own country. Just not with alcohol, because the beer we try to order in vain.