"Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" (1974)

For the first time in years, I watched the 1974 Clint Eastwood movie, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot last night. It co-starred Jeff Bridges, George Kennedy and Geoffrey Lewis. Gary Busey, Catherine Bach, Dub Taylor and June Fairchild had smaller roles. Screenplay and direction was by Michael Cimino.

I had the movie on VHS (I may still have it but it maybe is somewhere in the garage) and is one of my favorite Eastwood movies. The locations used were in Montana and were nicely shot.

I watched the movie on Tubi/Pluto TV and it was a nice print and, surprisingly, uncut. There were no commercials either! Best of all, it was free!

I remember seeing Thunderbolt and Lightfoot at the Roadium Drive-In in Torrance, California in 1974. 

Winchester Model 12: A Slamfire Tank of a Shotgun

Winchester Model 12: A Slamfire Tank of a Shotgun video by Pinnacle Mountain Gunsmithing.

Summary:

Hello, Friends! Today, Joel takes you through the manual of arms, features, and basic disassembly for the Winchester Model 12 shotgun we recently did some woodwork on. This is a classic design in the vintage shotgun space that has a reputation for being "unkillable." Is it well-deserved? Does this old classic hold up to today's standards? Tune in to find out! 

If you found value in today's episode, please support us by going to our website at www.pinnaclemountaingunsmithing.com to fill out our contact form and schedule your appointment today. If you can't do that, we completely understand. Just do all the good Youtube stuff: like, comment and subscribe. Hope to see you next time!

 

The Jewish Community Is Embracing Our 2A Freedom

The Jewish community is embracing the Second Amendment. 

I am surprised that they haven't up until now. Or, maybe they had but nobody said anything and kept things to themselves. 

In any case, recent events have spurred the Jewish community into taking up arms.

American Rifleman (NRA) posted an article on this.

They begin it with:

In this episode of the NRA’s The Armed Citizen Podcast, we interview Gayle Pearlstein, COO and co-founder of Lox & Loaded, a Jewish-owned and -operated gun club that now—after being launched only a year ago—has 50 chapters around the United States.

Pearlstein is an NRA-certified instructor who calls the NRA a “fantastic partner. We are truly blessed to have them on our side and helping us.”

She helped start Lox & Loaded after the October 7, 2023, attack in Israel made her—and so many others—realize she needs to do even more to show the Jewish community how to utilize their Second Amendment-protected rights to defend their own lives and loved ones.  

To read more and see the interview video, go here. 

5 Classic Hunting Rifles That Refuse to Die

5 Classic Hunting Rifles That Refuse to Die video by Firearm Collector.

Summary: 

There’s this persistent myth in American hunting circles that if you aren’t carrying a space-age chassis rifle covered in Picatinny rails and polymer, you aren’t a real marksman. But out in the real world, hunters are walking away from the "plastic-tastic" trend and reaching for the iron their grandfathers trusted.  In this briefing, we are stripping it back to the essentials and breaking down five legendary rifles that simply refused to fade away. These are machines built back when American manufacturing was measured by how many generations it would last.  We examine the blistering speed of the Remington Model 760 Gamemaster pump-action , the genius rotary magazine of the 19th-century Savage Model 99 , and the "pure-blood" steel and walnut construction of the Ruger M77 Hawkeye. We also pay our respects to the absolute gold standard, the Winchester Model 70 , before revealing our number one pick: the highly accurate, working-class Remington Model 788.  These rifles prove you don't need a five-thousand-dollar custom rig to hit the X-ring.  

💥 If you found value in this breakdown, SMASH that LIKE button and SUBSCRIBE to the channel!  

 

Top 7 Best-Selling Hunting Rifles of 2026

Top 7 Best-Selling Hunting Rifles of 2026 – The Market Has Officially Spoken video by Alpha GunReview.

Summary:

Are you searching for the best hunting rifles 2026, the best budget rifle 2026, or the best deer hunting rifle 2026? This video breaks down the real market winners based on actual sales movement, retailer demand, and buying trends across the hunting industry.

The results may surprise you. Some rifles on this list are modern precision hunting platforms while others are classic hunting legends that still refuse to disappear.

Which rifle took the number one spot in 2026?

 

Schlitz Beer Production Ending

Schlitz Beer, the "beer that made Milwaukee famous", is to be discontinued.

Pabst Brewing Company, which owns Schlitz, is dropping the beer. Schlitz beer had been brewed for over 175 years.

Above, is Schlitz beer "Once Around Life" 1972 radio music. 

According to USA Today:

Schlitz, the beer that made Milwaukee famous, is no more.

Pabst Brewing Co. is ending production of Schlitz, which began as a Milwaukee tavern brewery and was once America's largest brewer. The company, founded in 1849, was bought by Pabst in 1999.

To send the Milwaukee icon off, Kirby Nelson with Wisconsin Brewing Co. will brew a final 80-barrel batch of Schlitz on Saturday, May 23 at its Verona brewery. Nelson will then give a talk about the brand at 1 p.m.

Nelson said Schlitz deserves to go out with "dignity and respect." So, he'll be brewing with the company's specifications from 1948, when it was on top of the U.S. brewing industry.

To read more, go here. 

Willys Spring Reunion 2026

The Willys Spring Reunion was held last weekend in North Canton, Ohio. This is an annual car show of Willys Jeeps. People from around the country bring their Jeeps to show them off and have a lot of fun.

If it were closer, or if I had a trailer (it would have to be enclosed as the wind during a tow would probably shred my Jeep's vinyl top), I wouldn't mind attending. Their Fall 2025 show was held in Fulton, Missouri. 

Here's a video produced by Kaiser Willys Jeep. They are one of the vintage Jeep vendors that I buy my Jeep parts from.

For more information on the Willys Reunion, go here.

G-FAN #150 At The Printers

Above, G-FAN #36, the first issue I saw.

Mrs. Ruth Lees reported on Facebook that the last issue of G-FAN is currently at the printers and should be done by the May 27.

It is issue number 150 and she said that it will be "extra long & extra good."

While it is sad that this is the final issue, but it is still remarkable that it lasted for so many years. I first discovered it in 1998 with issue number 36 at Tower Records in Sherman Oaks, California. It was started in 1992 by J. D. Lees. I don't think any other fan magazine has lasted so long with so many issues. I checked, but I didn't see anything in the website of Guinness World Records for longest-running fan magazine (or fanzine). 

However, the AI feature of Google posted this:

• G-FAN: Deemed the world's longest-running fanzine (fan magazine) dedicated specifically to a film subculture, this quarterly publication began covering Godzilla and Japanese monsters in 1993.

G-FAN started out "as a four-page photocopied newsletter for distribution to three recent acquaintances who were also Godzilla fans." (Source: G-FAN.com history.)  It began its run as a professionally printed magazine with issue number 8.

So we should be seeing G-FAN #150 arriving in our mailboxes in early June. 

15 Guns That Got More Respected After The Market Moved On

Above, the Winchester Model 12 shotgun. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The firearms market can be fickle. What was a hot item at any given time can fall out of vogue for something else. But, eventually, they come back into favor with shooters for various reasons. 

The Avid Outdoorsman took a look at 15 guns that got more respect after the market moved on.

They begin with:

Some guns don’t get their full credit while they’re still easy to find. They sit on racks, get passed over for newer models, and spend years being treated like plain working guns. Then production changes, prices climb, parts of the market shift, and shooters start realizing those old “regular” guns had more going for them than anyone wanted to admit.

That’s how a lot of respected firearms earn their second life. Not through marketing, not through internet noise, but because owners finally compare them against what replaced them. These are the guns that got more respected after the market moved on.

To read more, go here. 

15 Reasons The Winchester 94 Became So Famous

Above, the Winchester 94 I bought in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Winchester 94 (known originally as the Winchester 1894) has been around since the 19th Century. Over seven million have been made over the years. I was lucky to find one seven years ago that was produced in 1962, making it a highly sought after pre-64. Without hesitation, I bought it.

It is currently made by the Miroku company of Japan. But it is still a popular deer hunting rifle.

The Avid Outdoorsman posted an article yesterday on 15 reasons why the Winchester 94 became so famous. 

They begin with:

The Winchester 94 did not become famous because it was rare, delicate, or expensive. It became famous because it was the rifle people actually carried. It rode in saddle scabbards, pickups, cabins, deer camps, barns, closets, and behind kitchen doors for generations. It was light, handy, fast, and chambered for cartridges that made sense for the kind of hunting most people were actually doing.

Designed by John Browning and introduced in 1894, the Winchester Model 1894 became one of the most important lever-action rifles ever made. It was later chambered for the .30 WCF, better known now as the .30-30 Winchester, and became the first commercial sporting rifle to sell more than 7 million units. Winchester still offers Model 94 lever-action rifles today in versions like the Sporter, Deluxe Sporting, and Trails End Takedown.

To read more, go here. 

USA Today: Cheapest Way To Buy Silver

Above, 2023 silver King Charles III Britannias. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Silver has been getting a lot of attention in recent months. There's a good reason why. 

The spot price for silver hit over $100/toz (troy ounce) since the beginning of the year. It is now around $74/toz.

When I was buying a lot of silver, the spot price was below $40/toz. 

USA Today posted an article on the cheapest ways to buy silver, a guide for beginners.

They begin it with:

Silver is where many precious metals investors begin. The price is a fraction of gold’s, and record highs in early 2026 have only sharpened the interest — and in many cases, pushed premiums higher. 

That’s why a lower price per ounce doesn’t always mean a better deal.

The cheapest way to buy silver comes down to minimizing the amount you pay above the spot price, which is the raw market price of silver on any given day. Premiums vary depending on the form of silver you buy, how much you purchase and where you shop. Here’s what to know before you spend a dollar.

To read more, go here.

When The Police Can Search Your RV Without A Warrant

You're driving your motorhome on an Interstate highway and the police pull you over. Can they search inside your motorhome without a warrant? 

That is a question that basically has one answer: it depends. 

I have never been stopped by the police in my motorhome, but the following article in RV Travel is a good one to read so that one knows their rights.

It begins with:

Ever wondered what your rights are when you’re on the road in your RV and encounter law enforcement? It’s a unique situation because an RV is both your vehicle and, potentially, your home. This dual nature brings up some interesting legal questions, especially when it comes to police searches.

In the video near the bottom of this article, the team from The Camping Loop outlines five scenarios where police can search your RV without a warrant.

Can they really search your RV without a warrant? There’s a lot of misinformation out there, and understanding the law can keep you out of trouble. Let’s break down the key things you need to know about RV searches and your rights.

To read more and see a video, go here. 

15 Things Most Shooters Don’t Know About Ruger

Above, my Ruger P95 on the gun cleaning mat. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Sturm, Ruger & Co. is one of the biggest names in firearm manufacturing. 

I personally own two of their products: a Ruger 10/22 .22 caliber rifle and a Ruger P85 semi-automatic pistol 9 mm. Neither one has ever given me any problems over the years. 

The Avid Outdoorsman posted an acticle on 15 things most shooters don't know about Ruger. It is an interesting read.

They begin it with:

Ruger is one of those brands almost every shooter knows, but a lot of people only know the surface version. They know the 10/22. They know the Mark pistols. They know the GP100, the American Rifle, the Mini-14, and the fact that Ruger usually builds guns with a practical, working-man reputation. But the company’s story is a lot more interesting than “they make affordable guns that work.”

Ruger has been around since 1949, and it grew from a small startup built around a $37.50 rimfire pistol into one of the biggest American firearm manufacturers. The company still manufactures firearms in the United States, with major facilities tied to places like Newport, New Hampshire; Prescott, Arizona; and Mayodan, North Carolina. Ruger also owns Marlin now, which pulled one of America’s most loved lever-gun names under the Ruger roof.

To read more, go here. 

10 Rifles That Will Be Worth a Fortune (Never Sell These!)

10 Rifles That Will Be Worth a Fortune (Never Sell These!) video by Arms Insider.

Summary:

We rank 10 rifles that are quietly sitting in safes and closets, often with owners unaware of their true worth. This video highlights their real auction prices and historical context, showcasing why these firearms hold enduring value for any gun collector. From vintage firearms to military history pieces, we explore the legacy of these collectibles and provide reasons never to let them go.

 

NRA Sues Virginia's Assault Weapons and Magazine Bans

Above, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger.

When Abigail Spanberger ran for Virginia governor last year, she hid her radical left policy positions and tricked people into voting for her.

After she won, her true colors came out and she recently signed into law some anti-gun bills, some of which bans firearms that are commonly owned and used defying U.S. Supreme Court rulings.

The National Rifle Association has filed suit against the gun laws that ban so-called "assault weapons" (there's no such thing, by the way) and magazines.

American Hunter posted an article on the lawsuits.

They begin it with:

The National Rifle Association (NRA) has announced the filing of lawsuits in both Virginia state court and federal court challenging the so-called "assault weapons" ban and magazine ban signed into law by Governor Abigail Spanberger.

"As promised, we are taking Abigail Spanberger to court," said John Commerford, NRA-ILA Executive Director. "Throughout the legislative session, the NRA and our members fought Richmond's radical gun control package tooth and nail. We made it clear that this extreme anti-gun proposal, which bans the new purchase of commonly owned firearms and standard capacity magazines in the Commonwealth, is a blatant violation of Second Amendment rights and an affront to landmark Supreme Court cases. Instead of listening to these factual concerns from their constituents, progressive politicians sided with Michael Bloomberg and his gun-grabbing groups. The NRA will not sit idly by while progressive politicians strip the rights of law-abiding citizens, and our world-class legal team is locked, loaded, and ready to shoot down this outrageous gun-control law."

There is a petition campaign to recall Spanberger from office. To sign the petition, go here. (Virginia voters only.)

To read more, go here. 

The Second Amendment is Not Up For Debate

The Democrat Party is hell-bent on trying to strip away our Second Amendment rights state-by-state.

The Republican Party is trying to protect those rights. 

Congressman Jason Smith has an opinion piece posted in the Wayne County Journal Banner on this subject.

He begins it with:

The Second Amendment is not a suggestion. It is a constitutional right enshrined into law by our Founding Fathers, but Democrats across the nation have made it their mission to strip that right away.

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger just signed legislation making it illegal to sell, purchase, or manufacture certain types of firearms in her state — without question infringing on citizens’ constitutional rights. If Democrats had their way, Missouri and the rest of the country would follow suit. This is not just a Virginia problem. This is the Democrat agenda: strip law-abiding Americans of their right to defend themselves, one state at a time.

To read the full article, go here. Pass it on, too! 

Worst Guns for Beginners (And Some Good Ones)

Above, Clint Eastwood with his .44 Magnum Smith & Wesson Model 29 in Dirty Harry. Warner Bros. photo.

Anything in life always has a beginning. This is also true for guns. 

Anyone thinking about taking up target shooting or hunting as a beginner should read a post by Pew Pew Tactical on the worst guns for beginners (and some good ones).  

They start it with:

So, you decided to buy your first gun. Congrats and welcome!

We're lucky to live in a time when there are more genuinely good, affordable firearms available than we know what to do with.

But there are some you should avoid.

Some are objectively lousy; some just aren't suitable for new shooters. Don't worry, though; we've got your back. I'll point out the worst guns for beginners and then recommend a few that are great guns for new shooters.

Let the learning begin!

To read more, go here.

Too Windy

Above, the Ruger 10/22 and scope. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today was a planned shoot at the shooting area to zero (adjust) the mounted scope on my Ruger 10/22. But, it is very windy out (which woke me up) right now. It looks like I'll have to wait a few days.

According to the National Weather Service forecast for Jamestown, New Mexico:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 64. Windy, with a west wind 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Southwest wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

Winchester Model 94

Winchester Model 94 video by Jack of All Trades.

Summary:

Today we discuss the legendary Winchester Model 94 lever action rifle.

 

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, Los Angeles is the focus of a hit from 2009, "We Run L.A." by Ya Boy featuring Doc Hollywood.

From Wikipedia:

William Joseph Crawford (born January 28, 1984), known by his stage name Ya Boy (also known as Rich Rocka), is an American rapper from Fillmore District, California. He is best known for his 2011 single "Lock Down" (with DJ Drama featuring Akon). The year prior, he signed with the latter's record label, Konvict Muzik, having first signed with San Quinn's Done Deal Entertainment to release his debut studio album, Rookie of the Year (2005). The following year, he signed with the Game's Black Wall Street Records, and later Mack 10's Hoo-Bangin' Records in 2009, although he released no albums with both labels.

From A.I.

"We Run L.A." is a 2009 West Coast hip-hop track by rapper Ya Boy (now known as Rich Rocka) featuring the pop/rock duo Doc Hollywood. The song gained wide popularity for its high-energy lifestyle lyrics and became highly recognizable for sampling the iconic chorus of Randy Newman's "I Love L.A.".

We have two versions of "We Run L.A." The first is the single version most familiar for its airplay and the second is one with some different lyrics.

Travel + Leisure: Complete Guide To The Big Island of Hawaii

Above, lava inside a Kilauea volcano crater. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ten years ago this month, I took a vacation trip to Hawaii. It was a package trip by the Automobile Club of Southern California. It was a great deal that included air travel and hotels.

The trip comprised a few days in Waikiki and a few days on the Big Island of Hawaii. While on the Big Island, we took a helicopter tour with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, waterfalls and the coast near Hilo. 

Travel + Leisure posted a "complete guide" to Hawaii's Big Island.

It begins with:

It’s no secret that the Island of Hawaii is a tropical paradise filled with beautiful beaches, thoughtfully designed resorts, important cultural landmarks, impressive national parks, and some of the most delicious food in the Pacific. That's why Hawaii, commonly known as the Big Island, has long remained one of the top vacation destinations in the world.

Whether it’s a trip to one of the island’s main events—the Kona Brewers Festival in March, the Big Island Chocolate Festival in April, or the Ironman World Championship in October—or you're looking to relax in a location packed with views of swaying palm trees, cerulean seas, and volcanic outcrops, the Big Island is a destination that cannot be missed.

To read more, go here. 

Wind Red Flag Warning

A wind red flag warning has been issued in areas of New Mexico starting at 10:00 AM, including the Gallup/Jamestown area, by the National Weather Service:

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Albuquerque NM

215 AM MDT Sun May 17 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 9 PM MDT TODAY

DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR PARTS OF WESTERN,

MUCH OF CENTRAL, AND ALL EASTERN NEW MEXICO...

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH

MONDAY EVENING DUE TO STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR

SOUTHWESTERN, MUCH OF CENTRAL, AND ALL OF EASTERN NEW MEXICO...

.Extremely poor humidity recovery observed this morning with many

areas only reaching 15 to 25 percent come dawn. More widespread and

stronger southwesterly winds alongside another round of 6 to 18

hours of single-digit humidity will yield critical to extremely

critical fire weather conditions for most of west-central, central,

and all of eastern New Mexico Sunday. Another round of critical fire

weather conditions is expected across southwest, central and eastern

New Mexico Monday with even stronger wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph

across eastern New Mexico. Around 6 to 10 hours of single digit

humidity values are expected across east central and southeast New

Mexico on Monday.

NMZ105-172200-

/O.CON.KABQ.FW.W.0037.260517T1600Z-260518T0300Z/

West Central Mountains-

215 AM MDT Sun May 17 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 9

PM MDT THIS EVENING...

* AFFECTED AREA...West Central Mountains (Zone 105).

* TIMING...From 10 AM this morning to 9 PM MDT this evening.

* 20 FOOT WINDS...Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40

  mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Relative Humidity between 6 to 12 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor

  burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in the field

of this Red Flag Warning.

 

12 MILLION PAGE VIEWS!

It was not long ago that this blog hit 11 million page views. In fact, it was only a month ago!

Well, it has now reached over 12 million page views. I have accordingly updated the header to reflect this milestone!

Rifles That Fail When Conditions Get Rough

Above, the Ruger American Predator. Photo by Sturm, Ruger & Co.

There are those who hunt for sport or even necessity. They will go out hunting with their rifle in all kinds of weather conditions.

But there are some rifles that have a tendency to fail when conditions get rough. That is the topic of an article in The Avid Outdoorsman with a list of rifles that do fail in rough conditions.

They begin it with:

Bad weather has a way of exposing rifles fast. A gun that looks great from a bench can start feeling a lot less impressive once it gets dragged through rain, dust, cold mornings, truck beds, muddy rests, wet packs, and rushed field positions.

Some rifles are not total junk. A few shoot fine when they are clean, dry, and handled carefully. The trouble starts when the conditions get rough and little problems show up all at once: sticky magazines, wandering zeroes, weak extraction, rough bolts, swelling stocks, gritty triggers, and actions that don’t like dirt nearly as much as the ads suggest.

To read more, go here. 

The Guns That Made America’s Most Notorious Outlaws So Dangerous

Above, the Billy the Kid Museum in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For some reason, Americans have been fascinated by outlaws such as Billy the Kid, Bonnie & Clyde, John Dillinger, Jesse James and others. There's even a Billy the Kid museum in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. I visited it two years ago.

There is also a fascination over the weapons they used, be it a rifle, shotgun or pistol. 

AOL posted an article on guns that made notorious outlaws so dangerous. 

It begins with:

America’s outlaw era has always carried a strange mix of history, violence, folklore, and fascination. While the crimes themselves were brutal and often devastating, figures like Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Bonnie Parker, Clyde Barrow, John Dillinger, and Machine Gun Kelly became closely linked to the weapons they carried. Their guns were not just tools used during robberies, shootouts, and escapes. They became part of the larger mythology that turned criminals into notorious names in American history.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the most infamous outlaws in U.S. history and the firearms most associated with them. From revolvers and lever-action rifles of the Old West to the Tommy guns and automatic weapons of the Prohibition era, these firearms help explain how each outlaw operated, why they became so feared, and how changing weapons technology shaped crime and law enforcement across different eras.

To read more, go here. 

Adventurous Monument Valley Tours Expands Access

Above, the Mittens and Merrick Butte during a sunrise tour of Monument Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I moved to New Mexico eight years ago, one of my favorite trips within the Four Corners region of the U.S. is to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

It is less than a half day's drive from home and the tribal park area has campgrounds available (Goulding's Lodge Campground and Monument Valley KOA Kampground). 

The tribal park also has guided tours available and Adventurous Monument Valley Tours has expanded Navajo-guided backcountry and air experiences.

According to Journals & Courier:

OLJATO-MONUMENT VALLEY, UT, UNITED STATES, April 1, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Adventurous Monument Valley Tours, part of The Adventurous Group, is expanding its Navajo-led tour experiences, offering travelers enhanced access to Monument Valley’s iconic red rock landscapes through guided backcountry and aerial tours. The expansion strengthens the company’s mission to provide immersive, culturally respectful, and unforgettable experiences across one of the most recognized landscapes in the American Southwest.

Located within the Navajo Nation along the Utah–Arizona border, Monument Valley is both a world-renowned travel destination and a protected tribal park with deep cultural, historical, and environmental significance. While millions of visitors are drawn to its towering sandstone buttes and expansive desert views, access to much of the region is restricted without a certified Navajo guide.

Adventurous Monument Valley Tours addresses this limitation by providing structured, guided backcountry experiences that allow visitors to explore beyond the standard scenic Monument Valley drive. Through its offerings, guests gain access to areas of the valley that would otherwise remain inaccessible, along with expert interpretation that brings meaning and context to the landscape.

Above, the Three Sisters rock formation. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.  

Senior Citizens Can Get a Discounted National Park Pass

Above, one of the gateways into Yosemite National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ten years ago, I turned 62 which qualified me to get a national park lifetime senior pass. At the time, the pass was only $10. It is currently $80, but it is still a bargain if the holder makes use of it. The standard entrance fees for U.S. National Parks range from $15 to $35 per private vehicle.

Conde Nast Traveler has posted an article on the lifetime senior pass and what benefits it gives to the holder. 

They begin it with:

From the jagged red sandstone of the Grand Canyon to the moss-cloaked forests of the Pacific Northwest, the allure of America’s iconic landscapes defies generational divides. Whether you’re a lifelong lover of public lands or a national park newbie, US citizens and residents aged 62 years or older can nab a discounted lifetime pass to travel to over 1,000 federal recreation sites.

Yes, the pass famously covers entrance fees to all 63 national parks, but its true value is in its other great perks and discounts. The pass allows for free entry into all national forests, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service sites, Bureau of Land Management areas, national monuments, and offers discounts on popular campgrounds and more. In short, it’s a one-way ticket to adventure, at a bargain price. Here’s what to know, whether you’re applying for yourself or a loved one.

 

Above, the South Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.

Rafting The Snake River

Above, yours truly rafting the Snake River in 2019. Photo by Floatographs.

If Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are in your summer vacation itinerary this year, you may want to make a visit to nearby Jackson Hole, Wyoming to take a rafting trip on the Snake River.

I did this in 2019 and had a great time. I went with Dave Hansen Whitewater. We were staying at the then-Snake River KOA and were picked up by the rafting company from the campground. Amazingly, I did this a year after I had a heart attack. 

Above, a gift shop in Jackson, Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was about a three hour rafting trip and about eight miles in length on the Snake River. 

The staff were friendly and professional and took care of their guests very well. 

Besides taking a rafting trip, wandering around the town of Jackson is also a great activity with plenty of shops to explore.