AKA The Lady In The Pink Jumpsuit

Arches have been around since the dawn of time. The Gateway Arch in Saint Louis upon completion became the tallest man-made arch in the world. This modern masterpiece is built using engineering principles that are centuries old. As beautiful and magnificent as this engineering marvel is, it doesn’t compare to the arches found in nature. Built according to the design of the Creator and hewn with the tools of His trade, they stand as a testament to His handiwork. There are thousands of them the world over, but most fade in comparison to the one that is arguably the world’s most famous arch.

A little history to set up my story. (Stick with me, I’ll make it worth your while.) Arches National Park, outside Moab, Utah, is home to over 2000 sandstone arches. Most famous of these arches is Delicate Arch. Some years ago, Moab was a dying remnant of what used to be a vibrant uranium mining town. With what was left of their economy in tatters, the local Chamber of Commerce took the initiative to advertise Delicate Arch, the crown jewel of Arches National Park, across Europe in an effort to spark interest in tourism. It worked. Today Moab, Utah is the mountain biking capital of the world and Delicate Arch is the most iconic natural arch in the world. Its beauty is the subject of photographs by amateurs and professionals alike…which brings me to my story.

Any time we are in the vicinity of Arches we make it a point to hike to Delicate Arch. It’s a nice, moderate hike with an incredibly rewarding view at the end. It’s beautiful at any time of day, but it is exceptional when the brilliant light of sunset reflects off of the sandstone. The shadow of the arch lengthens as the arch itself perfectly frames the snow-capped mountains in the distance. Then comes the sweet spot of light when the colors are at their peak. Photographers wait for hours on the rim opposite the arch for just this moment.

The last time we were there we had arrived at the arch about an hour before sunset. We wandered around the arch and took some snapshots from various angles. The lighting was mediocre because there was a good bit of cloud cover. So, we settled in with the hundred or so other people on the west rim to wait for the sunset and pray for better light. With the sun behind us and the arch framing those distant mountains, we waited. Then it happened…the clouds parted and the sandstone burst into a spectacular array of color as the rays of sunset bathed the arch in glorious light. Cameras were raised simultaneously by all and then she stepped out…the lady in the pink jumpsuit!

I am talking head-to-toe, pink-as-pink-can-be jumpsuit. She pranced right out in front of the arch like this moment was made for her and posed for her wannabe photographer husband to take a glamour shot. Then she proceeded to the other leg of the arch and struck another pose. She was undeterred by the jeers and slurs being lofted at her from the gallery. This was her moment…this was her time. She moved to the center of the arch, planted her feet in a wide stance, and thrust her arms proudly in the air for one final victorious photo burst.

Then she waved as if to thank us for our patience which was non-existent at this point. She pranced out of the frame, took the camera hand-off from her husband and they repeated the process in reverse. I kid you not, her husband proceeded to pose for his shots with the arch. I found out at this moment the crowd had been kind to the woman. Her husband not so much. It is only by the grace of God that they didn’t get a beat down on the way back to the parking lot. Come to think of it, I didn’t see them on the way back to the parking lot.

Well, the good news is they were only there for a couple minutes. The bad news is the break in the clouds was only a couple of minutes. In that moment, they had managed to destroy the opportunity to capture that moment that might possibly have been a once-in-a-lifetime event for some people in an effort to create their once-in-a-lifetime moment. Here are a couple of things I’ve thought about since that encounter with the lady in pink jumpsuit.

Be Considerate

What you do has an effect on those around you. Observe what is going on outside of you and your group. Think before you act. And whatever you do, don’t steal the light!

Be Patient

I hate to admit this, but we’ve all been the lady in the pink jumpsuit. At some point, we’ve been the moron. I’m not saying we shouldn’t tell someone they’re an idiot when they’re standing under an iconic formation in the perfect light of sunset. I’m just saying give them a few seconds to figure it out on their own and then, by all means, tell them they’re being a jackwagon!

My only regret in this whole situation is not the words I may or may not have said. My only regret is that I didn’t take the picture. Yes, the picture of the moron in the pink jumpsuit standing so proudly under the most famous arch in the world.

Have a good week.

Mike