Little Bighorn Battlefield Nat. Monument To Get New Visitor Center

Above, The Custer fight (1903) by Charles Marion Russell.

One of my "bucket list" places to visit is the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana. I tried going there in 1985, but the tent trailer at the time got damaged during a windstorm in Sheridan, Wyoming and we had to change our route. Maybe I'll go there this coming year. I have been thinking about heading there, Cody and venturing east to the Black Hills of South Dakota.

The Little Bighorn Battlefield is where Col. George Armstrong Custer engaged in a battle that killed 268 7th cavalry soldiers, civilians, and Indian scouts along with an estimated 60-100 Lakota and Cheyenne.

The National Monument is breaking ground for a new visitor center.

From the National Park Service:

CROW AGENCY, Mont. – Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument recently awarded a construction contract to replace the park’s aging visitor center built in 1951. The National Park Service is coordinating with the park's associated Tribes and stakeholders to develop interpretive exhibits that better tell the complex stories surrounding the landscape, site, and people. Work is scheduled to begin on November 25, 2024.

The nearly $14 million project is funded by the Centennial Challenge program and donations through the National Park Foundation (NPF), including a lead grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

The new 9,000 square foot building will be constructed on the footprint of the old visitor center. Nomlaki Technologies LLC, based in West Sacramento, California, is a 100% tribally owned company of members of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians. The new building will provide prominent views of the battlefield and will feature a roof deck, an improved parking area, accessible walkways, and enhanced visitor amenities to accommodate increased visitor use.

To read more, go here. 

Republican Victory Reveals Gallup Bias Against Guns

It looks like the Gallup Poll has a bias against guns as their poll taken before the election is skewed towards gun control.

It is getting so that practically every poll is not to be trusted anymore.

The New American reported:

A month before the November presidential election, Gallup conducted a poll on Second Amendment and firearm issues. Predictably, the group reported that most Americans (56 percent) want more gun-control laws.

A month later, voters went to the polls and voted into office pro-gun, pro-Second Amendment candidates. This included the reelection of Donald Trump with his pro-gun, pro-Second Amendment agenda.

Gallup’s Bias

A close look at Gallup’s methodology of reveals the organization’s bias.

To read more, go here. 

12° Outside

The temperature in the Gallup/Jamestown area is currently 12° outside.

This is from the National Weather Service and The Weather Channel app from my phone.

It looks like I won't be going outside anytime soon.

 

Best Cruise Lines For 2025

Above, the Norwegian Sky docked at Nassau, Bahamas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

2025 is just around the corner (under two months away) and already people and the media are looking into what means of travel will be enticing to travelers.

KTLA-Channel 5 (in Los Angeles) has an article on the best cruise lines for 2025.

They looked at cruise lines that are best for families, for the money, Caribbean, Mediterranean, couples and luxury cruises. 

They begin with:

If you’re looking to spend a vacation at sea but haven’t decided which cruise line is best for your specific needs, a new online ranking shows the best options for every type of traveler, from families to luxury seekers.

U.S. News & World Report has released its 2025 Best Cruise Lines rankings, highlighting 18 of the most popular cruise lines across six categories ranging from couples and families, to which distinct parts of the globe you’re looking to experience.

From cruises that offer the best bang for your buck to experiences that spare no expense, the rankings aim to help travelers select the perfect cruise vacation based on expert evaluations, traveler ratings and other key factors.

To read more, go here. 

The Cats of Hemingway Home

Above, two of the Hemingway Home cats. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During the cruise to Havana, Cuba, our ship stopped at Key West, Florida for the day.

While there, I went to the Shipwreck Museum, a cigar shop, a outdoor patio bar and Hemingway Home.

At Hemingway Home, I saw several descendants of author Ernest Hemingway's cats. Some of the cats have six toes. They wandered around the property and mingles with visitors. There's also a cat cemetery on the property.

Garden & Gun has posted an article on the cats.

It begins with:

When the Hemingway Home first opened its foliage-framed gates to the public sixty years ago, visitors got to enter the preserved Key West oasis that inspired one of America’s literary heroes. Today, the property looks much as it did when Ernest Hemingway lived there in the 1930s: typewriters are strewn about desks, vibrant mustard-colored art deco tiles line bathrooms, and of course, dozens upon dozens of six-toed cats roam. “We have fifty-nine cats at the moment, and about half of them have extra toes,” says Alexa Morgan, the director of public relations at the Hemingway Home and Museum. 

To read more, go here.

Hobbs To Ignore Proposition 314

It looks like Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-Arizona) is opening herself up to possible impeachment.

Katie Hobbs admits she will IGNORE the mandate from Arizona voters who overwhelmingly supported Prop 314.

President-elect Donald Trump's administration says they'll prioritize public safety and national security threats when it comes to deportation efforts, however, Katie Hobbs… pic.twitter.com/4K8QDIZgWs

— AZSenateRepublicans (@AZSenateGOP) November 18, 2024

RV City Boondocking

City boondocking in an RV. That's one thing I've never tried. 

Do It Yourself RV has posted an article with the dos and don't to city boondocking, including tips.  

It begins with:

Boondocking is one of the best ways to save money while RVing. Typically, it’s associated with remote, scenic locations where you can escape the hustle and bustle of urban life. But did you know there’s also a way to boondock in urban areas?

City boondocking is a fantastic option for saving money while staying close to the amenities and attractions a city offers. It allows you to explore the sights and sounds of an urban area while remaining close to gyms with showers, dump stations, and plenty of dining options.

That said, city boondocking does come with its own set of challenges. These include ensuring you stay safe, avoiding noise, and of course, making sure you are boondocking legally.  Want to give city boondocking a try but feel unsure about how to begin? Below, I’ll share all my tips and tricks!

To read more, go here. 

Nassau and Freeport Under Safety Warning

Above, shopping in Freeport with our cruise ship in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When Mitch Geriminsky and I took the Bahamas cruise back in August, two of our stops were at Freeport and Nassau.

We didn't know it then, and we weren't advised by Norwegian Cruise Line during the cruise, but both Nassau and Freeport were under a State Department Level 2 travel advisory. This is due to some violent crimes from gang activity. 

According to Yahoo!:

Both Nassau and Freeport are popular cruise destinations that are both under a travel advisory from the US Department of State. That has been the case since Jan. 26, 2024, but anyone visiting needs to be aware of exactly what the warning says in order to be safe if they decide to get off the ship in either destination.

A Level 2 warning is a little more serious and should be paid attention to, but it's not the US government telling you not to travel. In the case of The Bahamas, which is under a Level 2 travel advisory, you really have to read the warning.

"Exercise increased caution in The Bahamas due to crime," serves as essentially the headline for the Level 2 travel advisory which then gets much more specific.

"The majority of crime occurs on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) islands. In Nassau, practice increased vigilance in the 'Over the Hill' area (south of Shirley Street) where gang-on-gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate primarily affecting the local population. Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas. Be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental properties where private security companies do not have a presence," the State Department shared.

Although in a Level 2 safety warning, we saw nothing that would give us concern while we were in Freeport or Nassau. It would have been nice if Norwegian Cruise Line told us about the travel advisory.

To read more, go here.

CDC Employees Reportedly To Resign Over RFK Jr. Appointment

 

Win/win! https://t.co/GDCt4swZ1I

— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) November 17, 2024

Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist. 

To start off the week, we have Grand Funk Railroad, a band that I saw in concert at The Forum on October 21, 1971. It was with the original line-up of Mark Farner (lead guitar), Don Brewer (drums) and Mel Schacher (bass). They were quite a popular band despite not being a critics' favorite. Grand Funk Railroad began as a trio in 1969.

From Wikipedia:

Grand Funk Railroad (often shortened to Grand Funk) is an American rock band formed in Flint, Michigan, in 1969 by Mark Farner (vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica), Don Brewer (drums, vocals) and Mel Schacher (bass). The band achieved peak popularity and success during the 1970s with hit songs such as "We're an American Band", "I'm Your Captain (Closer to Home)", "Some Kind of Wonderful" (a cover of Soul Brothers Six), "Walk Like a Man", "The Loco-Motion" (a cover of Little Eva), "Bad Time" and "Inside Looking Out" (a cover of the Animals). Grand Funk released six platinum and seven gold-certified albums between their recording debut in 1969 and their first disbandment in 1976.

Known for a crowd-pleasing arena rock style, the band toured extensively and played to packed arenas worldwide, and was well-regarded by audiences despite a relative lack of critical praise. The original trio reunited at various times later into the band's career; after Farner's final departure in 1998, Brewer and Schacher have continued touring as Grand Funk Railroad.

For this week's entry, we have two videos. 

The first is a live 1969 concert version of "Inside Looking Out":

 

The second is the studio version of "T.N.U.C." (spell it backwards):

Tips For Booking The Best Cruise Excursions

Above, yours truly on the Nassau tour boat. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

While booking our August cruise to the Bahamas earlier this year, Mitch Geriminsky and I also looked into what was being offered in shore excursions at the different ports-of-call. 

We chose two. One was boat and bus tours of Nassau. The other was for jet skiing at Great Stirrup Cay, a private island owned by our cruise line, Norwegian Cruse Line. Other shore excursions were offered such as swimming with pigs, dolphin swim or sitting on the beach, all of which weren't appealing to either of us. We enjoyed the excursions that we picked.

AOL has posted an article with 5 tips for booking the best cruise excursions. 

It begins with: 

You’ve booked your cruise, selecting the perfect destination, dates, cruise line and cabin. Now the fun begins – deciding how you’ll spend your time in each port of call. Shore excursions can range from walking tours to cultural activities to exhilarating adventures to relaxing beach days, and so much more, depending on where you’re cruising. With all of the options, it can be a bit overwhelming, to say the least. We checked with Gary Bembridge for advice on booking the best cruise shore excursions, regardless of where you’re sailing.

To read more, go here. 

Winter Weather Advisory Later Today

Above, the mesas after a snowstorm in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A winter weather advisory will take effect this afternoon as a winter storm is moving into New Mexico.

According to the Country Herald (based in Illinois, of all places):

Santa Fe, NM – A winter weather advisory will take effect Sunday afternoon, bringing snow to New Mexico’s higher elevations.

The advisory, valid from noon Sunday through 8 a.m. Monday, predicts 3 to 5 inches of snow above 7,500 feet. According to the National Weather Service, impacted areas include the Gila Region Highlands, Black Range, and Sacramento Mountains.

Officials warn of icy, snow-packed roads that could make driving hazardous. They encourage motorists to use caution and prepare for changing weather conditions. The advisory urges residents to monitor updated forecasts and avoid unnecessary travel in affected areas.

To read more, go here. 

Are You Required To Carry RV Insurance?

Above, at Blackstone North RV Park in Fresno, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Life has posted an article titled, "Are You Required To Carry RV Insurance?" 

After having been an insurance adjuster, I find the question kind of silly. As an RV is a big investment, one would be stupid not to. A friend recently had his new-to-him fifth-wheel trailer totaled by a tree branch. Luckily, he had insurance on it.

But there's more to it than that, according to the article.

It begins with:

If you just bought an RV for the very first time, you likely have plenty of questions. You may wonder how to operate everything in the rig, or where to find the best campsites. Or even how to properly maintain your new trailer or motorhome. Another common question: Are you required to have RV insurance on a camper?

The answer to this is a little more complicated than you might imagine. There are a few different factors to consider. And, the answer will not be the same for all RVers. Lucky for you, we have all the information you need right here!

Let’s jump right in.

To read more, go here. 

Charlie Kirk On Ex-CIA Director John Brennan

Former Obama CIA director John Brennan says Tulsi Gabbard "doesn't have the right perspective" to be Director of National Intelligence.

So let's remind people:

-John Brennan voted for the Communist presidential candidate when in college.
-John Brennan lied under oath to the… pic.twitter.com/xKHfeVIMUq

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) November 14, 2024

RV Travel: CARB Pollution Rule Portends Disaster

Above, San Diego's Campland On The Bay. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Two blog posts on the California "ban" on Class A, Class B and Class C RVs have already been posted here.

For more in-depth information on the coming CARB (California Air Resources Board) emissions standards has been posted at RV Travel. It is by RV lemon law attorney Ron Burge.

It begins with:

The new California Air Resources Board (CARB) rule that becomes effective in 2025 will cause major changes to the RV industry and that means motorhome buyers, too. Originally aimed at the tailpipe pollution levels of fossil fuel emission engines — gas and diesel — of big rig trucks, the new emissions level mandate will hit the RV industry hard, too, with an industry-wide and nationwide impact.

To read the article, go here. 

RFK Jr. On Chronic Disease and Food

 

America, your new HHS Secretary RFK Jr. has a message for you about our food

This is the single most important video on the internet right now

We must stop poisoning ourselves & our children. Soon this will be illegal. Can’t happen fast enough

Thank Godpic.twitter.com/Y7lroE5T2y

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 14, 2024

Trump Names RFK Jr. HHS Secretary

President-Elect Donald Trump posted the following on X (formerly Twitter) of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his pick to be the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services:

I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health. The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country. Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!

One poster said this:

DEI employees threatening to quit over Sec Def Hegseth appointment

FDA employees threatening to quit over RFK Jr HHS appointment

DOJ employees threatening to quit over AG Gaetz appointment

At this rate Elon & Vivek won't have to fire hardly anybody.

California: Buying A New Large Motorhome May Soon Be Impossible

Thanks to non-elected regulators, California's "ban" on new motorhome sales will be taking effect next year, which is only weeks away.

The pretext is due to emissions regulations that were revised by the California Air Resources Board. 

According to The Autopian:

The RV industry may soon be delivered a gut punch, and weirdly it’s not going to be from demand swings. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has amended its regulations and will require the manufacturers of motorhomes with a gross weight of over 8,500 pounds to sell an increasing number of EVs. There’s just one problem: No RV manufacturer currently sells a heavy electric motorhome. In effect, California and five other states may inadvertently ban the sale of new motorhomes in only a few weeks’ time.

This news comes to us from SFGate and paints a dark picture for the battered but recovering RV market. RV sales hit all-time records during the COVID-19 pandemic, then fell off a cliff after people stopped buying RVs for numerous reasons. The RV Industry Association expects America’s RV builders to ship 324,100 units this year, far down from 2021’s all-time record of 600,240 shipments. To illustrate the change in demand, RV sales have plummeted to a level not seen since 2013.

This is all brought to you by the tyrannical Democrat state government. No wonder people are fleeing the state.

To read more, go here. 

Evening Drive

Since we're probably going to be getting some snow showers starting Sunday, I figured I'd take a Jeep drive over to the old corral that is at the entrance to Six Mile Canyon. 

I found Six Mile Canyon Road to be little smoother than usual. It was probably due to other vehicles driving on the still damp ground following last week's snow. 

I took the drive after dinner last evening and it was around 60° outside. 

Above, at the corral last evening. 

 

10 Things To Do Before Buying An RV

Above, dry camping near Ash Fork, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With California (and five other states) enacting emissions regulations that will effectively "ban" motorhomes (Class A, Class B and Class C), now is perhaps the time to consider buying one. Manufacturers of motorhome say they cannot met these emissions regulations. Some are already leaving the California marketplace.

Travel trailers, not being motorized, are not subject to these regulations. 

But what type of RV should one get? There are 10 things to do before one buys an RV and RV Life lays them out.

They begin with:

There are a lot of great reasons to get an RV. Perhaps the biggest reason is that having an RV makes camping incredibly convenient. That’s because there’s hardly anything to pack. As a matter of fact, packing for an RV camping trip is often just a case of loading up food, beverages, and propane. After that, you simply hitch up or drive, depending on whether you have a towable or a motorized RV. Aside from convenience, there are a lot of other reasons that you might want to buy an RV.

However, there are two common pitfalls you’ll want to avoid whether you’re an RV newbie, or you’re an experienced RVer looking to upgrade your rig. These are buying an RV that doesn’t suit your camping style and paying too much or more than you can afford for your RV. To avoid these mistakes, let’s walk through 10 things you should always do before you buy an RV so that you can avoid both of these all to common mistakes.

To read more, go here. 

RVers Are Fed Up With Rising Park Prices Says Jellystone Park Campgrounds

Above, Tucson / Lazydays KOA Resort only charged me $36/night last year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The national campground chain, Jellystone Park, is concerned over high campsite prices that many RVers are refusing to pay.

The Jellystone Park chain is the nation's second largest campground chain. I have not stayed at one. The largest chain is KOA Kampgrounds, of which I am a member. 

So far, campground rates for me have been mixed. The highest I paid per night was $90 at Monument Valley KOA in September. The lowest was $30 at Valley View Mobile Home & RV Park in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Others this year were averaging around $50 per night. Tucson / Lazydays KOA Resort charged me only $36/night last year after my KOA membership discounts were applied.

RV Travel has posted an article on Jellystone Park's concern over rising prices leading RVers to be "fed up". 

They begin with:

If you’re finding the rates at RV parks are too much to stomach, you’re not alone. “Inflation” has hit nearly every corner of the American economy, including prices demanded for staying in your RV. When will the rate increases stop? Evidently, RV park franchise chain Jellystone is recognizing that “enough” may be too much already. High RV campsite prices are taking their toll.

Still, campground prices are much cheaper than nightly hotel/motel room rates.

To read more, go here.  

8 Best Places To Visit In The Bahamas

Above, a view of Nassau from our cruise ship. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After having been to the Bahamas last summer, I can easily see why Sean Connery chose to live (and eventually pass away) there. 

A friend and I took a cruise there with Norwegian Cruise Line and had a great time visiting Freeport, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay (where we jet skied). It would have been nice to stay longer at each port-of-call in order to take more in what the island have to offer. 

Lonely Planet has posted an article on the 8 best places to visit in the Bahamas. 

It begins with:

If you're looking for beach-vacation bliss, few destinations beat the Bahamas.

Strewn like emeralds between Florida and the Caribbean, more than 3000 islands and cays – most uninhabited – compose this Atlantic archipelago. Lushly subtropical and fringed with teeming coral reefs and glorious beaches, these stunning islands offer as much to divers and hikers as they do to sunseekers in search of banging beachside bars.

Here’s our roundup of the best places to visit in the Bahamas.

To read more, go here. 

"McLintock!" 61st Anniversary

Above, the poster I bought at the John Wayne Birthplace Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One has to marvel at how life can pass so quickly, especially when one reaches retirement age and older.

Such is the case with the John Wayne/Maureen O'Hara movie, McLintock! (1963). I still remember seeing it with my parents during its initial release.

According to the John Wayne official Facebook page, today marks the 61st anniversary of its release. 

They wrote:

Today marks the 61st Anniversary of the release of McLintock! (1963).⁣​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

"I don't give jobs, I hire men." —John Wayne as George Washington "G.W." McLintock in McLintock!

Although often seen as simply a knockabout comedy, John Wayne also intended the film to be a statement on his disapproval of the negative representation of Native Americans in previous westerns he had no creative-control over, and his disapproval of wife-beating and marital abuse from either spouse.

The costume John Wayne wore to portray G.W. McLintock in this film is on display at John Wayne: An American Experience  in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, Texas. 

We are open 7 days per week, from 9am to 6pm. Please visit the link in our bio to purchase tickets or to gift a ticket to someone else.

This film and a selection of other John Wayne movies are now available to stream on the official John Wayne YouTube Channel. Please visit the link in our bio to watch. t

Last month, I picked up a McLintock! movie poster reproduction at the John Wayne Birthplace Museum in Winterset, Iowa. I will eventually have it framed and hung.

G-FAN #145 Arrives

Above, the cover of G-FAN #145.

Today, I headed down to the Flying J to check my mailbox at the post office.

A welcome item was in the mailbox: G-FAN #145.

After returning home, I took a preliminary look-see of the issue's contents. Included was my article on the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I had completely forgotten that I submitted it back in July, for it was a busy summer with trips to Fort Sumner, G-FEST, the Bahamas, Colorado, Iowa and Utah. 

Unless J. D. Lees changes his mind ("Is there something wrong with the one I have?" - Captain Spock in Star Trek IV) it looks like issue number 150 will be the last G-FAN. He mentions that he's been producing the magazine for around 30 years. I sometimes have a hard time grasping 30 years, often thinking 1970s instead of the 1990s. I think he's done his bit for king and country by producing G-FAN for 30 years. 

Interestingly, not too many fans were impressed with Legendary's Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, but loved Toho's Godzilla Minus One. Although both movies were entertaining, Godzilla Minus One is a far superior movie in my opinion.

Since we're to get some more snow this coming weekend, at least I have something to read while taking refuge indoors.

Congratulations Les On Your Retirement!

Above, Les and I at his Hawthorne home for Independence Day 2013.

Congratulations to Les Geriminsky on his retirement! 

His brother Mitch and I have been nagging him for years to retire, but those paychecks were too good to pass up.

Above, Les's Jeep.

I've been also bugging him to come out here with his Jeep to do some off-roading in Six Mile Canyon. Now that he has the time, he can finally do so. 

RV Lifestyle On The California RV "Ban" (Video)

 

Video description:

There’s more bad news about the 2025 California Motorhome Ban, which even includes Class Bs, as well as some Heavy Duty Trucks. The fallout from these California clean air regulations threatens to have a major impact in the RV industry. We detail the latest. Also in the podcast, news of RV recalls, off-season suggestions and a warning about traveling toll roads in an RV.

You can read the companion article to this video on the RV Lifestyle blog at https://rvlifestyle.com/2025-california-motorhome-ban-even-includes-class-bs/

Industrial Demand For Silver To Set New Record High In 2024

Above, 2024 American Silver Eagles. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While gold has dropped some in value, silver is on the rise this year. For those of us who invested in it while its spot price was in the 20s, this is good news. Currently, COMEX silver spot price is around $30/toz.

The reason for silver's rise in its spot price: industry.

According to Kitco News:

(Kitco News) – The global silver market is on pace to record a physical deficit in 2024 for the fourth consecutive year, with the growth of demand from industry the main driver, according to the latest Interim Silver Market Review from the Silver Institute released Tuesday evening. 

“Record industrial demand and a recovery in jewelry and silverware will lift demand to 1.21 billion ounces in 2024, while mine supply will rise by just 1%,” they said. “Exchange-traded products are on track for their first annual inflows in three years as expectations of Fed rate cuts, periods of dollar weakness and falling yields have raised silver’s investment appeal.” 

The report was authored by Philip Newman, Managing Director at Metals Focus, and Sarah Tomlinson, Director of Mine Supply at the Silver Institute, and it features the latest price, supply and demand data for the current year. 

“The silver price has posted a remarkable rally during 2024-to-date, nearly touching $35 for the first time since 2012,” they wrote. “Through to November 7, prices have surged by 34% since the beginning of this year. Leaving aside a brief drop to a three-year low of 73, the gold:silver ratio has largely held between 80 and 90 so far in 2024.”

To read more, go here.  

Revisiting "Godzilla vs. Destoroyah"

Above, a Destoroyah prop with a Godzilla figure in Koichi
Kawakita's office at Toho Studios in 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In the first time in years (at least since I first moved to New Mexico), I decided to watch Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995). I was in the mood for it and popped my DVD of it into the player.

The movie itself holds up pretty well story-wise. The special effects by the late Koichi Kawakita were a mixed bag. Some shots were good, while others (like the Destoroyah miniatures that looked like Bandai toys) were clunky. Toho has come a long way from those analog effects to win last year's Academy Award for special effects for Godzilla Minus One. Still, it was fun to see the miniatures getting trashed.

The first time I saw it was around 1998 or 1999 at my parents' house. It was on cable and I went over to watch it with them. We all enjoyed it. 

In 2001, I visited Toho Studios in Setagaya with Richard Pusateri and we saw a miniature Destoroyah prop on the floor of Kawakita's office. It was larger than a Bandai toy. 

I will probably re-visit the Heisei (or second series) of Godzilla movies as winter moves in and I am confined (more or less) indoors. It's been a while since I viewed them.