Experts: 2 Best National Parks For First-Time Visitors

Above, Lower Yellowstone Falls. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Many people have visited our national parks at one time or another. 

Some have preferences as to what park(s) are their favorite or what they consider the best. For those who haven't yet visited a national park, they're in luck.

Above, the Colorado River is still carving the Grand Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Travel + Leisure posted an article on the two best national parks for first-time visitors.  

They begin it with:

When it comes to choosing the “best” national park, Chris Zielinski, operations director for Wildland Trekking and a longtime trail leader, likens it to choosing a favorite trail. “There are countless great options, and the right fit depends on when someone is traveling and how they like to explore,” he says.

But when we pressed travel experts and industry insiders further, two parks came to the top for national park newbies: Grand Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Diane Eichler, senior vice president of marketing at Kampgrounds of America, agrees that both parks are fantastic choices for first-timers. “You can step out of your car and immediately be surrounded by views people dream about for years,“ she says. “But what really makes these parks special is slowing down and actually spending time in them.“

Here’s why these iconic destinations make the best introduction to the United States. national park system.

To read more, go here.

Winchester Collectors Show In Cody July 9 - 11, 2027

Above, the 2025 WACA show in Cody, Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who are enthusiasts of Winchester firearms or guns in general, the annual Winchester Arms Collectors Association (WACA) gun show in Cody, Wyoming is worth a trek.

I attended the 2025 show and enjoyed it. Next year's show will be held July 9-10-11, 2027 at the Riley Arena, 1400 Heart Mountain Street, Cody, WY.

Above, yours truly at the Winchester Arms Collectors Show
 in Cody, Wyoming last year. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

The show's website says they will have over 300 display and trade tables. 

While one is in Cody, they should also visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, particularly the firearms museum. There are several museums there and the admission ticket allows 2-day visits. 

Above, the main entrance to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For more information on the WACA show, go here.

For information on the Cody Firearms Museum, go here.

Flooding In New Mexico and Colorado

It is times like these that I am glad that I live on a hill. 

Severe flooding has hit the flatlands of Southwest Colorado (Durango was hit pretty hard from the Animas River and Pagosa Springs was also hit by the San Juan River) and Northeast New Mexico. We didn't get too much rain yesterday. The storm basically skirted around us and hit on the other side of the Continental Divide.

KOAT posted this video on the flooding:

 Wild WeatherUS posted this on Colorado:

The Durango Herald posted this video:

Japan Looks Into Evacuating If Mount Fuji Erupts

Above, a Shinkansen view of Mount Fuji. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Mount Fuji has been a major symbol of Japan. 

It has been a mecca for mountain climbing, tourism, photography and art. I have been to one of the Fifth Stations on the mountain (with G-Tour in 2004) and have photographed it from a Shinkansen. 

With all that being said, it is easy to forget that Mount Fuji is still an active volcano. Local municipalities are weighing on how to evacuate the areas surrounding it should it erupt.

The Japan Times reported:

Mount Fuji attracts thousands of foreign tourists each year, but many forget that Japan’s highest peak is an active volcano. With the risk of an eruption ever-present, a critical question looms: how could such visitors be evacuated safely in the event of a disaster?

On Thursday, around 150 participants from local governments, national ministries, transportation companies, airlines and foreign embassies convened in the gateway town of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, to examine this very question.

To read more, go here. 

Winchester Model 94 Restoration: How Deep Is That Rust?

Winchester Model 94 Restoration: How Deep Is That Rust? (1966 30-30) video from RGS Restorations Inc. 

Summary:

Rust and pitting everywhere on this water damaged 1966 Winchester Model 94. The question was how deep it really went.

Get a free restoration quote: https://www.rgsrestorations.com/conta...

This rifle came to us with a very specific concern from the owner; they did not want it to lose its character from when the original family member customized it to what they wanted. After working through the details of their wishes for this restoration we decided it was entirely possible to make the Winchester look perfect again and retain its altered charm.

This job required a lot of metal removal which brings the challenge of keeping all the lines crisp and sharp. Also, this era Winchester 94 is of the sintered metal production years. You’ll see how I correct all of that rust and pitting, and then apply the appropriate finish to the metal. I’ll also show how I get those post-‘64 Winchester Model 94 receivers to take a black finish.

7 Legendary Hunting Rifles That Modern Designs Still Can't Beat

7 Legendary Hunting Rifles That Modern Designs Still Can't Beat video from Rifle Country.

Summary:

Some hunting rifles are more than just firearms — they are engineering legends that helped shape the history of hunting. From classic lever-action designs to legendary bolt-action systems, these seven rifles earned their reputations through innovative engineering, dependable field performance, and designs that continue to influence hunting rifles today.

In this episode of Rifle Country, we count down 7 legendary hunting rifles that modern designs still struggle to match. Discover the mechanical innovations, distinctive features, and historical significance that made each rifle stand out — and find out why the Mauser Model 98 claims the number one spot.

Now 16 Million!

 

Do You Think I Need More Ammo?

Above, I bought the Winchester .30-30 Power Point Tuesday in Albuquerque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Only 3 Lever-Action Calibers You Need to Hunt Every Animal in North America

Summary:

One of the hottest factory .30-30 loads clears the 2,000 foot-pound line by 46 foot-pounds — at the muzzle. So the most famous lever-action cartridge in America gets cut from a lever-gun list. Then it comes back.

Three lever-action cartridges, from a one-pound squirrel to a two-thousand-pound bison. Every candidate has to pass five gates: legal where people actually hunt (including Ohio’s straight-wall deer rule as updated in July 2026 and Michigan’s 2026 change), the 2,000-foot-pound line at the distance of the shot using the makers’ own published figures, recoil a normal hunter can practice with (2026 Backfire recoil table), ammunition you can actually find in deer season, and a fifth gate only lever guns ever face: the tube magazine.

Inside: why the tube magazine, not the lever, gave these rifles their short-range reputation; the lever gun behind the first American cartridge to reach 3,000 fps; why Winchester sold the .30-06 in a lever gun seventeen years before its Model 54 bolt rifle; the 293,816 lever-action rifles Russia took in World War I; Annie Oakley’s one-hole group with a lever-action .22; why the .360 Buckhammer’s case is exactly 1.8 inches long; and why a standard box of .45-70 makes less muzzle energy than a .30-30.

Every pick gets an honest problem, not just praise. And the twist at the end: the lever gun worth keeping for a lifetime is the one that failed the gates.

Yesterday's Storm and The Weekend

The McKinley County Office of Emergency Management posted this yesterday afternoon:

It was a good thing that Larry Lucier and I got back to Jamestown when we did from Gallup.

We had a little bit of rain while we were at Grandpa's Grill having breakfast with friends of Larry's. We got back to Jamestown at around 1:30.

Later that afternoon, a storm rolled in and we got a big light show of lightning. It lasted a few hours and pummeled the area with rain. There was a tornado watch in effect. We both thought that we may have a snowy winter this year if the precipitation continues like it has over the next few months. 

It is going to be relatively dry today, but we may be getting more rain this weekend starting tomorrow. 

According to the National Weather Service for Jamestown/Gallup:

 Today

Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph after midnight.

Saturday

Scattered showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night

Isolated showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Mia Asano and Deadgrace Videos

The following three videos I shot at the Mia Asano concert at Backstage At Revel in Albuquerque on October 20. I shot these from my table from the back of the room. 

The first one is of the group Deadgrace, who opened the show:

 

 The the next two are of Mia's performance:

 

Mia Asano Autograph Framed

Following lunch at Grandpa's Grill yesterday in Gallup, I picked up a 4" x 6" picture frame for the autographed photo of Mia Asano that was part of my "goodie bag" for V.I.P. attendees at her concert in Albuquerque.

It is now on my den's wall with other celebrity autographs in my collection. It is just below one from Caroline Munro.

Here it is:

Stop Trusting Your Lever Action in Bear Country

Stop Trusting Your Lever Action in Bear Country Until You Watch This video from Gunner Zone.

NOTE: This video caught my attention as we have bears in our area. Two were recently killed by vehicles on Interstate 40 near our community.

Summary:

When a 1,200-pound Alaskan bull moose charges at 35 MPH in -30°F weather, your sub-caliber AR-15 or frozen lever action will turn into an expensive liability. We run 10 popular big-game hunting setups through extreme glacial forensics to expose the dangers of intermediate rounds, hydraulic cushion freeze, and magnum flinch—and reveal the ultimate bolt-action workhorse for true backcountry survival.   

Mia Asano In Albuquerque October 20

Here's an additional video short of Mia Asano performing during the Meet & Greet session on October 20 in Albuquerque at Backstage At Revel.

Mia Asano Video Shorts

Here's a couple of video shorts of Mia Asano performing during the V.I.P./Meet & Greet at Backstage At Revel in Albuquerque.

Albuquerque Sushi

Above, yesterday's lunch/dinner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before heading to the Mia Asano concert, I arrived in Albuquerque right at noon, also known as lunchtime.

I was craving sushi so I went to try out one off Coors Blvd. called Sakura.

Above, ah, Japanese beer. 

When I got there, I had a bottle of Sapporo beer (I haven't had Japanese beer since I moved out of California). It was good. I still do prefer Asahi Beer, by the way.

I had tuna, yellowtail and salmon cut rolls. They really hit the spot! They were quite good. 

After the meal, I headed nearby to Albuquerque Guns to browse around. I did buy some Winchester .30-30 cal. 150 grain ammo while there. Then, I headed over to Bass Pro Shops (formerly Cabela's) and did some more browsing. I did get a free Bass Pro cap and gear bag for signing up with their Visa card while there. I didn't stay long as the pre-concert Meet & Greet would be starting in a hour and a half. I had find the venue first. 

I did see a nice Winchester 9422 (the .22 cal. Winchester 94) rifle on the used rifle rack at Bass Pro. It was priced over $900. Nice though it was, it wasn't over $900 nice.

Mia Asano Concert

Above, yours truly with Mia Asano during the meet & greet.

Last night, I attended the concert in Albuquerque of Mia Asano at Backstage At Revel. 

It was an enjoyable evening which started with a "meet & greet" with Asano. There were about 50 of us at the meet & greet. She performed three songs before she greeted and posed for photos with the attendees. This was before the concert, which was attended by around 300 people. Attendees for the V.I.P./Meet & Greet were given a bag of Mia Asano promo goods, including a 3" x 5" autographed tour schedule/photo.

Here's three photos of Mia Asano I took during her meet & greet set:

For the concert, I shared my table with a nice couple from Bernalillo, New Mexico. They discovered Asano through Facebook as I did. 

The show began with a set by Deadgrace. The lead singer was also quite talented with a saxophone. 

Above, autographed tour schedule from the V.I.P./Meet & Greet bag.

After Deadgrace, Asano came out and performed for about an hour and a half (it could have been two hours, I lost track). Much of her song set focused on mythological subjects including dragons. The lead guitarist of her group is also her spouse. They were married earlier this year. 

Above, reproductions of classic rock posters adorned the room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I got better photos of her during the three-song set she performed as I was right up at the stage and with better lighting. During the concert, I sat at a table in the bar area which was further back. 

The crowd enjoyed her performance, although there were a couple of rowdies yelling at times. 

Above, yours truly having a highball before the concert started.

The venue itself is a nice place with a big central bar in the lobby and some eateries. The room we were in also had a bar. 

Some photos of the concert:

I was not disappointed in the concert or the event in total. If anything, Mia Asano can be called the "Jimi Hendrix of electric violins", she's that good! If she should return to Albuquerque for another concert, I'd go again.

After the concert, I headed to the Route 66 Hotel RV Park for some shut-eye. 

Backstage At Revel In Albuquerque

This evening, I'll be attending Mia Asano's concert in Albuquerque at Backstage At Revel.

I have never heard of this venue (or been there) until I bought a ticket to the show. It does look like a nice venue for concerts in an intimate setting. The seating capacity is 500.

Here's a photo from their website: 

 

From their website:

Backstage at Revel, is an intimate live music venue. Our distinctive space offers a full bar, and a unique fun atmosphere, here is the perfect spot for product launches, networking events, exclusive performances, corporate gatherings,  parties & more, 

To read more, go here. 

Which Airlines Have Oldest and Newest Fleets

Air Force One has garnered some interesting publicity in recent years. The Boeing 747s that presidents have used since 1990 are over 35 years old. A new fleet is currently under construction while President Trump has been using a Boeing 747 that was gifted by Qatar. It is a Boeing 747-8 (designated as the VC-25B Bridge), which entered service on July 1, 2026. This is serving as a temporary Air Force One until the new ones are ready, therefore it is why it is called a "bridge". The President of the United States isn't the only one who had been flying on old jets.

An interesting email came through from PR Newswire this morning. 

It is on which airlines has the oldest and newest planes in their fleets. I have never given much thought to this when boarding a jet. Maybe it is something we should all think about perhaps?

The email came with this:

They wrote:

Average age tells only part of the story. The share of an airline's fleet that is at least 25 years old offers another way to compare how many veteran aircraft each airline operates.

United has the largest share of planes at least 25 years old, followed by Delta and American. United and Delta are the only airlines in the study with planes aged 30 or older, representing 4.9% and 3.6% of their fleets, respectively. Southwest has no planes aged 25 or older among its 798 aircraft. Nearly one-quarter of Frontier's fleet is less than two years old.

• United Airlines: 30.7% (share of fleet 25+ years old)
• Delta Air Lines: 27.6%
• American Airlines: 24.3%
• Hawaiian Airlines: 15.3%
• JetBlue: 5.7%
• Allegiant Air: 4.8%
• Alaska Airlines: 3.7%
• Frontier Airlines: 0.0%
• Southwest Airlines: 0.0%

These 7 Rifles That Will Be Worth 3x More by 2028

These 7 Rifles That Will Be Worth 3x More by 2028 — Collectors Are Already Buying video from Guns Reloaded.

Summary:

These 7 rifles could become some of the most sought-after collector firearms by 2028! From forgotten .22 rifles to legendary military classics, discover why collectors are paying attention to these discontinued and historically significant rifles.

In this episode of GUNS RELOADED, we explore 7 collectible rifles, their history, rarity, original manufacturing quality, and the factors that could influence their future value.

🔫 7 Rifles Featured:

#7 Remington Nylon 66

#6 Marlin 39A

#5 Remington Model 600

#4 Winchester 9422

#3 Winchester Model 94 (Pre-1964)

#2 Winchester Model 70 (Pre-1964)

#1 M1 Garand

Are these classic rifles becoming increasingly valuable collectibles? Discover why original condition, limited supply, historical significance, and collector demand matter.

Stop Buying Winchester 94s Until You See This .30-30 Rifle

Stop Buying Winchester 94s Until You See This .30-30 Rifle video from Gun Insight.

Summary:

Paying $1,500 for a heritage .30-30 lever action rifle no longer guarantees the best deer hunting gun. We rank the 5 best .30-30 lever guns in 2026—comparing the Winchester 94, Marlin 336 Dark, Marlin 30AS, Mossberg 464, and Henry Steel Side Gate H009 on real field utility and value.   

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 JoJo with her 2006 hit, "Too Little, Too Late" from her album The High Road. 

Her career got off to a bumpy start as she had major disputes with her then-record label, Blackground Records. She eventually settled with them and finally her career progressed. 

From Wikipedia:

Joanna Noëlle "JoJo" Levesque (la-VEK; born December 20, 1990) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She began performing in singing competitions and local talent shows as a child. In 2003, record producer Vincent Herbert noticed her after she competed on the television show America's Most Talented Kids and asked her to audition for his record label Blackground Records. After signing with the label, JoJo released her debut album JoJo in 2004. It peaked at number four on the U.S. Billboard 200 and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), selling over four million copies worldwide to date.

With her debut single "Leave (Get Out)" peaking atop the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Top 40 chart, JoJo, aged just 13 at release, became the youngest solo artist in history to top the chart. The song peaked at 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold by the RIAA along with its follow-up single "Baby It's You". Her second studio album The High Road (2006) spawned her first top-five Hot 100 hit "Too Little Too Late".

For this spotlight, we have her original version of "Too Little, Too Late" and a re-recording of it after the record company disputes ended and she got her song rights back.

The Most Famous Lever-Action: The Winchester Model M94

The Most Famous Lever-Action: The Winchester Model M94 video from Ron Spomer Outdoors.

Summary:

Welcome to Ron Spomer Outdoors! Today we get the wonderful chance to shoot the absolutely beautiful rifle!

NOTE: The original owner of the rifle had it custom-made at Winchester in 1902.

Rangers Give 12 Tips For Best Grand Teton Experience

Above, a view of the Grand Tetons from Jenny Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. I have been there a few times, the last time being in 2019 following a visit with a friend in Buhl, Idaho. Since we were in "the neighborhood," Mitch Geriminsky and I headed to Wyoming to visit it and do some whitewater rafting near Jackson.

Islands posted an article with 12 tips from park rangers for having the best Grand Teton National Park experience. 

They begin it with: 

With well over three million visitors annually, Grand Teton National Park is one of the most-visited national parks in the country. Its namesake mountain is the tallest peak in the Teton Range, which crests above the gorgeous, year-round tourist destination of Jackson Hole. Its rarefied air, remarkable wildlife, stunning views, and historic places make it a bucket list national park destination. But if you're visiting for the first time — especially if you've never been to this part of the world — there are some things rangers would love for you to know about making the most of your visit.

Above, about to have lunch at Signal Mountain Lodge at Grand Teton National Park.

To read more, go here.

Camping In A Winterized RV

Above, camping in a snow-covered Red Rock Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I will be using my motorhome this week while in Albuquerque for the Mia Asano concert, I haven't yet winterized it.

Do It Yourself RV posted an article with a great topic asking if one can still go camping in an RV after winterizing it. I have done so a couple of times. I just don't use the water system and use instead the campground/RV park restroom facilities. 

The article begins with:

You’ve winterized the RV, put away the water hose, and figured the next trip would wait until spring. Then a mild weekend appears in the forecast, friends invite you along, or you realize you aren’t quite ready to give up camping for the season.

The RV doesn’t have to stay parked. You can camp with its plumbing still winterized, using portable water and separate bathroom arrangements. Or you can restore running water if the trip warrants it. The choice comes down to the conveniences you want and the conditions you’ll encounter.

To read more, go here.

Mia Asano In Albuquerque

This week, I'll be in Albuquerque to attend a concert by Mia Asano. 

Asano is an up-and-coming musician who plays an electric violin. Normally, I wouldn't be impressed with violins, but her artistry on the instrument is eye and ear catching. 

I will be attending a "meet and greet" event before the concert. 

Here's her cover of "Go Go Power Rangers" from two years ago.

Summary:

Hi everyone! It's about time I made a video for my cover of Go Go Power Rangers from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. This song is very special to me and has been a dedication to Jason David Frank at live shows and online. I'm linking mental health resources below if you or someone you love are struggling, and a portion of streaming and ad revenue is donated to the AFSP. Love you all very much 

Fuel Discounts and Rewards Programs

Above, getting gasoline at the Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ever since I bought my motorhome back in 2015, I have been a member of the Good Sam Club. 

Along with campground discounts and other perks that come with membership, discounted gasoline at Pilot/Flying J Travel Centers is also included. I happen to live up the hill from the Jamestown, New Mexico Flying J. My Good Sam discount there is ten cents per gallon. It used to be five cents. 

Sometimes though, I have found gasoline prices cheaper in Gallup (18 miles west) than the Flying J even with the discount.

RV Travel posted an article on breaking down the best discounts and fuel rewards programs. Oddly, they don't mention Pilot/Flying J, even though it is tied to the largest RV club in the nation. Go figure. 

They start their article with:

Fuel is one of the biggest expenses RVers face, especially on long trips. Fortunately, fuel loyalty programs, grocery rewards, and truck stop discounts can help reduce the cost of gasoline and diesel. That leaves more money for campgrounds and attractions.

Finding the best

The best fuel rewards program depends on where you travel, how often you fuel up, and whether you drive a gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicle.

I’ve looked at several fuel discount programs, and while one may be best for the way we RV, you may find that a different card works best for you. So, how do you choose the best program? Read the basic tenets of each program as a first step. Then, check out the website for more details.

To read more, go here. 

Silver Around $57.00 Per Troy Ounce

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

Currently, silver's spot price at COMEX is at around $57/toz. 

This is quite a fall since the beginning of the year.

From Numismatic News: 

But the price of silver has not traded normally over the past three years.  Its price jumped +460.1 percent from the COMEX close on Oct. 5, 2023, at $20.84 to settle at $116.73 on Jan. 28, 2026.

If silver falls into the $40 range, I may start buying again. (Remember, buy low, sell high.)  

Numismatic News posted an article on the future of 90% silver coins. To read it, go here.

The Amelia Earhart Search In South Pacific

Above, Amelia Earhart and her Lockheed Electra.

The mystery of aviator Amelia Earhart has fascinated people for nearly 80 years. She was on a world flight in July 1937 when she and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared somewhere in the South Pacific. 

An expedition by is currently undergoing a search for her plane, a Lockheed Electra, or artifacts that can be directly traced to her. 

According to a YouTube post by CBS News:

A team of researchers has honed in on a specific piece of potential evidence that could crack open the mystery of Amelia Earhart's disappearance. CBS News' Lana Zak breaks down the latest.