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| Above, a snowy bunny in the side yard in 2018. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
As my late dad would say, "It's colder than a witch's tit!"
Well, I wouldn't go that far, but it is cold (roughly 40 degrees) outside. I just got back from the Flying J and it was windy, rainy and cold out.
According to the National Weather Service, the forecast for Jamestown, New Mexico this afternoon and night is:
This Afternoon
Old Marlin vs New Marlin 30/30 — Did Ruger Get It Right? video from Old Man Life: Thoughts and Opinions.
Summary:
Forty-one years separate these two Marlin 336 lever-action rifles chambered in .30-30 Winchester.
Today I’m comparing my brother’s 1985 JM-stamped Marlin 336 CS, built by the original Marlin company, with my Ruger-made Marlin 336 Classic that shipped in early 2026.
Marlin has experienced some significant changes over the years, including the Remington ownership period and the return of Marlin production under Ruger.
But how does today’s Ruger-made Marlin compare with one built by the original Marlin company?
We’ll take a close look at the wood and stock designs, barrel lengths, sights, receiver differences, serial-number locations, loading gates, magazine capacity, lever actions, triggers, and how these two rifles feel when shooting.
One important detail: the older Marlin appears to have had its barrel shortened from its original factory configuration. Because of that, we’re not conducting an accuracy comparison. Instead, we’re focusing on handling, recoil, action smoothness, trigger feel, and the overall shooting experience.
This isn’t a claim that every rifle manufactured during one era is better than another. It’s a firsthand comparison of two particular Marlin 336 rifles manufactured 41 years apart.
And after spending some time with my brother’s old Marlin, I’ve developed a little problem of my own!
Do you prefer the original Marlin-made rifles or the newer Ruger-made Marlins? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.
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| Above, a herd of elk at Grand Teton National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Let's see. I have seen elk at three national parks that I can immediately recall.
At Grand Canyon National Park's Trailer Village (at the South Rim), one elk buck wandered through the trailer park. At Yellowstone National Park, we saw some relaxing near some buildings. And, at Grand Teton National Park, we saw a huge group of them in a big meadow for mutual protection from a nearby bear (photo at top).
Speaking of Grand Teton, there is an elk preserve outside of the park near Jackson, Wyoming. Apparently, that may not be enough to control them as there is an annual elk hunt in the national park.
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| Above, the top photo was zoomed in from this one. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Critics are questioning the hunt as it takes place with tourists put into jeopardy.
Cowboy State Daily posted an article on this and they begin it with:
An annual elk hunt in Grand Teton National Park has been conducted almost every year since 1950, when Congress authorized a controlled reduction of elk in the park when necessary to manage the herd. The provision was included in legislation expanding the park.
This year’s hunt is set to open Saturday and run until Dec. 6.
Local wildlife photographer Jeffery Soulliere told Cowboy State Daily he was out getting pictures of bison during the opening day of the 2014 hunt. And though he thought he was well clear of the hunt area, “a bullet flew right by me,” producing a distinctive cracking sound in the frigid air.
He said he’s been opposed to the hunt ever since and doesn’t see the sense in having hunters shooting at elk in clear view of tourists.
If what Soulliere says is true, an accident is just waiting to happen.
To read more, go here.
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| Above, camping at Manzanita Lake Campground in Lassen Volcanic National Park in 2017. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Do you think that national parks have become too crowded to enjoy? That is the question of a new poll at RV Travel.
I have been to many national parks over the years since my teens. Lassen Volcanic National Park was the first one. I went there with my parents in 1968 and we had no problem in getting a campsite. We figured it was due to the park's distance from major California cities. I camped there again in 2017 and had no problem in getting a campsite. It must be the exception.
We even were able to easily get a campsite at the Watchman Campground at Zion National Park in 1969. We just drove there and got the spot. One can't do that anymore.
Other national parks made reservations necessary. I reserved a spot at Yosemite National Park and at Trailer Village at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
As I don't like crowds, I avoid them by going in the off-season or before schools are closed for summer.
They begin their poll with.
To read more and participate in the poll, go here.Remember when visiting a national park meant enjoying peaceful trails, breathtaking scenery, and maybe spotting a few animals along the way? These days, depending on where and when you visit, you might spend more time sitting in traffic, circling parking lots, or waiting in line for a shuttle than actually enjoying the great outdoors.
In today’s news, we reported that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is expecting several heavily congested days through the end of the year, even after the busy fall foliage season. And it’s certainly not the only park where crowds can put a damper on an otherwise wonderful visit.
For RVers, the crowds can be especially frustrating. Finding a campsite near a popular park can require reservations months in advance, and navigating narrow, crowded park roads in a large vehicle isn’t exactly relaxing. Even getting a photo of a famous landmark without dozens of strangers in the background can be a challenge!
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| Above, yours truly in the motorhome a few years ago. |
Ever since I can remember, both of my grandfathers and father carried handguns while camping. I also "pack heat" whenever I go camping in my motorhome.
Laws on carrying firearms in vehicles, particularly RVs, vary state-by-state. If one is going to another state, whether is is just driving through to get to another state or not, check that state's laws.
Accurate Shooter posted some helpful tips for traveling with firearms in cars, trucks or RVs.
There is an old saying: "It is better to be judged by twelve rather than be carried out by six."
They begin with:
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has prepared tips for gun owners transporting firearms in their vehicles. Whenever you are driving with guns (of any kind), the firearms should be transported securely. In some states, the firearms must be in locked cases inside the vehicle. And, with the rise of break-ins on parked vehicles, it’s important to keep gun cases out of sight if possible. This article has tips on safe and secure gun transport.
To read more, go here.
Back in 2020, RV.com posted an article on firearms compliance for RVers.
They began it with:
To some people, traveling with firearms is just as normal as traveling with pets. Many motorhome owners enjoy the sporting aspects of firearms and therefore want to travel with their competition or hunting firearms. Others want to have a personal protection weapon while on the road to feel safe from either animal or criminal attacks. We don’t want to be political and we want to make it clear that we are not offering legal advice because we are not lawyers. Also, our explanations of firearms laws are not intended to be legal interpretations or restatements of the law.
Even though we are not lawyers, we will help you decide the best way to travel with firearms in your motorhome, should you choose to do so. Due to the complexity of this topic we will not be able to tell you exactly how or where you can travel in your motorhome, or with which weapons you can take with you. It’s just not that easy, but we will point you toward some credible sources that will help you along the way. For this article we are only focusing on travel in the USA. If you plan on hunting in Canada or driving to Alaska and going through Canada, this presents additional challenges that are outside the scope of this article. Mexico is yet another complicated topic we will not be covering.
To read more, go here.
Winchester Model 94 Review: Why Hunters Still Trust This Classic Lever Action Rifle video from American Sightline.
Summary:
Can a rifle introduced in 1894 still prove its worth in a modern deer-hunting expedition? We took the legendary Winchester Model 94 chambered in .30-30 Winchester into the wilderness to explore its history, engineering, performance, and enduring reputation among American hunters.
In this cinematic hunting documentary, we examine one of America's most iconic lever-action rifles, originally designed by legendary firearms inventor John Moses Browning. From its traditional walnut stock and distinctive lever-action mechanism to its tubular magazine and classic iron sights, discover what made the Winchester Model 94 a favorite across generations.
But this expedition becomes much more than a rifle review.
After nearly three days of searching, our team encounters a magnificent 12-point buck with an impressive rack. As the final morning approaches, an unexpected situation forces our experienced guide to make a difficult decision. With the animal finally in sight, the question becomes whether taking a shot is the right choice.
Sometimes, the greatest hunting story comes from the shot you decide not to take.
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| Above, the Godzilla head and claw at the Hotel Gracery in Shinjuku section of Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The last time I went to Japan was in 2015. That was the same year that the Godzilla head and claw were unveiled in Shinjuku.
We did go to Shinjuku after taking a train back from Toho Studios in Setagaya. We ate lunch at a sushi restaurant about a block or so from the Shinjuku Hotel Gracery. We didn't go inside the hotel. But we did stuff ourselves with some great sushi.
The Traveling Mayo posted a recent video of their trip to Japan with footage of Hotel Gracery and Shinjuku. It is making me get the urge to return to Japan before I get too old to be able to do so.
Here's the video:
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| Above, the Godzilla slide in Kurihama Flower Park in Kanagawa Prefecture. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Japan is an amazing country to visit. I have been there eight times since 2001. Besides the scenery, architecture and attractions, I also enjoy the food.
If one is a big Godzilla fan, Japan has many Godzilla-related attractions to visit. I assembled them in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan 16 years ago (copies still available). Many attractions have been added since I published the travel guide including Godzilla's head and claw at the Hotel Gracery in Shinjuku.
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| Above, the travel guide I published 16 years ago. |
Besides my travel guide, if one wants to go to Japan to find Godzilla, GajinPot Travel posted a list of 12 Godzilla-related things to see.
They begin with:
Oh, no. There goes Tokyo.
Everyone has their favorite Godzilla. Whether it’s the prolific and heroic Showa Godzilla, the heel-era Heisei Godzilla, the latest bro-Godzilla from Legendary, or the 1954 OG, you really can’t go wrong. Excluding the 1998 Jurassic Park-knockoff Godzilla from TriStar. He doesn’t count. Regardless, if you’re in Japan, you owe it to yourself to meet the big guy himself.
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| Above, Godzilla's head and claw at the Hotel Gracery in Shinjuku. This was added in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
To see that they are, go here.
Why Nobody Wants to Go to Cabela's Anymore video from Ivan's Journal.
Summary:
There was a time I would drive three hours out of my way just to walk into a Cabela's. Last month I drove right past one on a clear day and did not even slow down. Same building. Same mounted elk. Same long glass gun counter. So why does it feel like a different store?
The easy answer is that Bass Pro bought Cabela's and ruined it. I used to say that myself. Then I dug into what actually happened, and that answer turned out to be about half right. The other half involves a Nebraska town that went from more than two thousand jobs to about five hundred, a store that closed because its new owner had another one two and a half miles away, and a competitor people camped out overnight to get into.
And there is the question I care about most: is the Cabela's Gun Library still worth checking?
So nobody writes in about it, here is where I stand. I am not here to tell you every Cabela's is dead, and I am not here to tell you it is fine. Your local store might be great. This is what I found, what is rumor, and what I would actually do before I made the drive.
What we go through:
A fishing fly business that started on a kitchen table in 1961 with forty-five dollars and one answer to a classified ad. How a catalog written by hunters grew into a pilgrimage stop, and what the Gun Library really was. Why Cabela's was already wobbling in 2015, before Bass Pro ever made an offer. The 2017 deal, the credit card business, and the price cut. Sidney, Nebraska, the buyouts, and office space offered for one dollar a year. What customers say changed: the inventory, the clothing, the Bargain Cave, the floor staff. The Gun Library today, and why it has become a store by store thing. The Fort Oglethorpe and Bristol closings, and the signs that came down in Winnipeg and Albuquerque. The failed Sportsman's Warehouse deal and the Federal Trade Commission. The gun market cooling off after the 2020 boom. Scheels, and the crowd that camped out for a store opening in Cedar Park, Texas. What the old Cabela's really sold, and why that is the hardest thing to keep through a buyout.
Said plainly on buying and selling: inspect a used gun before you take it home and ask about the return terms. If something seems off, have a qualified gunsmith look at it before you shoot it. Transfers go through a licensed dealer and the normal background check, and state rules and waiting periods are not the same everywhere, so check what yours require. If you sell or trade, bring it in unloaded and cased, follow the store's check in process, and shop it around, because a big store has to make a profit on what it takes in.
There is no villain in all of this. A struggling company, a merger, and a cooling market stacked on top of each other. Most of what you hear about the stores themselves comes from customers and former employees on forums, not company data, and I say so in the video.
Next time you walk into your local Cabela's or Bass Pro, go to the gun counter and talk to whoever is working it. If that person knows their stuff, the store is still worth your time.
If you want the lessons I have learned about knowing what a gun is really worth and when you are paying too much, I put a lot of them in my book at ivansjournal.com.
Tell me in the comments which store you shop at and where it is. And tell me this: is your local Cabela's Gun Library still worth the stop, or did it go the way of the Bargain Cave?
Note: The Albuquerque Cabela's changed over to Bass Pro Shops. It gets a good mention in the video. I last visited it in October and the used gun rack was somewhat sparse.
The Only 3 Cheap Rifles You Actually Need video from RangeReady.
Summary:
I compare the Ruger 10/22, Rossi R95 in .30-30, and Ruger American Gen 2 by their out-of-box performance, published group sizes, and factory and store prices. I explain which rifle fits practice, thick woods, or open country, then test the three-rifle setup against a full hunting year and show why the money saved can go toward practice. I also mention The RangeReady Gun Owner's Handbook for buying and safe storage.
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| Above, the Wako Department Store (left) at Ginza Crossing. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
It has been over 16 years since I published The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan (with much help from J. D. Lees of G-FAN fame). It is a travel guide featuring locations and attractions of our favorite kaiju movies.
I saw Godzilla Minus Zero last weekend and re-watched Godzilla Minus One today. Ginza in Tokyo was prominently featured in both movies. In Godzilla Minus One, Ginza was destroyed by Godzilla with much of the Wako Department Store still standing, but in a ruined state, and again in Godzilla Minus Zero.
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| Above, the Yurakucho Mullion Building is where the Nichigeki Theater once stood. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Back when the movie takes place following the end of World War II, the Nichigeki Theater was re-created in the movie. Where it once stood in Hibya, the Yurakucho Mullion Building (featured in Return of Godzilla (1984)) now stands. This is where Godzilla Minus One deserved the Academy Award in my view. I was mostly impressed how the Ginza and Hibiya districts of the past were re-created.
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| Above, the front cover of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. |
Ginza and Hibiya are covered in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan on pages 28 and 29. So, if one has a hankering to go to Japan to visit these locations (and others), the travel guide will direct visitors to these places.
I have plenty of copies of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan available. As it is a 16 year old publication with some information outdated (but not the locations and attractions, mind you), it can be ordered for $9.95 each (discounted from its cover price of $15.00) plus $2.00 shipping & handling.
For more information and ordering, go here.
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| Above, snow at Barking Spider Acre in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The temperature in the Gallup/Jamestown this week will be in the upper 50s to the low 60s.
However, there is a chance that we may get some snow showers Saturday night mixed with rain. If so, this will be the first snow of any kind for this season.
In past years we have received some snow.
Here's the Saturday night forecast from the National Weather Service:
Why the .30-30 Is Hard to Beat Inside 150 Yards video from Gun Myths.
Summary:
Why is the .30-30 Winchester still one of the best deer hunting calibers inside 150 yards? Despite modern hunting cartridges like the .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .270 Winchester, the legendary .30-30 remains a trusted choice for traditional deer hunting.
Discover why the .30-30 Winchester continues to impress hunters with its manageable recoil, practical hunting performance, and legendary connection to lever-action rifles like the Winchester Model 94 and Marlin 336.
We explore .30-30 Winchester ballistics, effective hunting range, bullet performance, trajectory, and how this classic cartridge compares with modern rifle calibers at typical woodland hunting distances.
Is the .30-30 still worth using in 2026? Find out why this historic American hunting caliber remains hard to beat inside 150 yards, where its strengths shine and where its limitations begin.
The .410 Shotgun That Out-Engineered the 12 Gauge. Then Vanished. video from Gun Verdict.
Summary:
The .410 Shotgun That Out-Engineered the 12 Gauge. Then Vanished.
The 12 gauge is the most famous shotgun shell in America. And for half a century, one pump gun owned it. The Winchester Model 12. Nearly two million were built. Winchester called it the Perfect Repeater, and most hunters agreed.
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| Above, at the Las Cruces KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
It was during the summer, so I cannot advise on how the weather will be during the winter months.
But, RV Life posted an article on winter camping in Las Cruces if one is in the vicinity during one's snowbirding.
They start with:
If your winter route takes you through southern New Mexico, Las Cruces could earn more space on the itinerary than you first expected.
Las Cruces KOA Holiday can fit whatever pace suits your trip. Stop for a night on the way to another destination, spend a few weeks seeing the sights, or make it your winter home base and get to know the area beyond its main attractions.
To read more, go here.
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| Above, the rifle for sale. Seller's photo. |
Normally, I usually don't post about firearms for sale, but I decided to make an exception on this one.
I spotted a 1962 Winchester 94 for sale at Guns International this morning. It is a .30-30 and it was made the same year as mine. It looks to be in great shape for its age.
The description:
WINCHESTER 94 30-30, MADE IN 1962. 98% BARREL AND MAG. 90% RECEIVER AND NICE WOOD.
The asking price is $795, which is not bad for a pre-1964 these days.
For more information, go here.
UPDATE (11/11/26):
The rifle has been sold. According to Guns International, the sale is pending.
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| Above, attendees at this year's NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Before they are even sworn into office, Democrats are already going after Second Amendment rights in the Lone Star State.
Texas Scorecard reported that the Democrats are introducing bills that would confiscate firearms, commonly known as "red flag laws." It's getting so bad there that I am starting to wonder if the NRA will still hold their NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston next year or move it elsewhere.
They wrote:
Texas Democrats are wasting no time pushing new gun restrictions following last week’s election sweep, filing legislation that would allow judges to order firearms confiscated without a prior hearing.
House Bill 218, filed Monday by Democrat State Rep. Ann Johnson of Houston, would repeal Texas’ prohibition on red flag laws and establish a process for courts to issue extreme risk protective orders.
Under the proposal, family members, household members, and law enforcement officers could petition a court to restrict an individual’s firearm rights if they believe the person poses an immediate danger because of alleged mental illness and access to firearms.
A judge could issue a temporary order without notifying the gun owner or holding a hearing, requiring the individual to surrender their firearms to law enforcement within 24 hours.
A hearing would be required within 14 days, after which a judge could impose a prohibition lasting one year, subject to renewal.
To read more, go here.
My "honorary sister" sent me the following YouTube video.
Lawyer Matt Murphy gives a powerful message on California Gov. Gavin Newsom's commutation of death row prisoners.
If people think that the Democrats will allow life imprisonment without the possibility of parole to continue, they are sadly mistaken. Murphy said in the video that there are bills before the legislature to end it. This means that former death row prisoners can be released from prison if a bill passes.
After viewing the video, please pass it on to family and friends, especially those who live in California.
Winchester Model 12: The Shotgun the Army Kept for 50 Years video from Gunroom Ledger.
Summary:
Winchester Model 12 history: the shotgun the Army kept for 50 years, from the Winchester Model 12 trench gun of World War I to the riot gun of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The Winchester Model 1912, sold as the Perfect Repeater, was designed by Thomas Crossley Johnson after the older Model 1897, and the trench gun with its slam fire made Germany protest in 1918. The WW1 trench gun, the WW2 trench gun and the Winchester Model 12 riot gun served the Marine Corps, the Navy and the Army, until the Remington 870 and the cheaper Model 1200 ended the pre 64 Winchester era. US military shotgun history and gun history: the Model 12 trench gun, the Ithaca 37 and American guns in four wars.
The Model 1912 trench gun and riot gun were made in New Haven, Connecticut, by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, with a hammerless takedown action, a tube magazine, a heat shield and a bayonet lug. Winchester Model 12 slam fire, the Hague convention protest of 1918, the trench guns of the Marine Corps in the Pacific and Korea, and the pre 64 Model 12 that collectors hunt today: this is the US military shotgun history of the Model 12 trench gun.
If your father or grandfather left a Model 12 in the gun cabinet, this is the story of that shotgun too.
