Monument Valley Tours Run Half-Empty

Above, the tour bus stopped at The Thumb during a
 sunrise tour I took in 2022. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In recent years, I have taken two guided tours of Monument Valley. Both were by open air bus originating from Goulding's Lodge. I also took a tour by horseback.

The Navajo Nation, in which Monument Valley is their tribal park, offers Jeep tours. It used to be necessary to make advance reservations as the tours were popular.

According to an article in Travelers Today, those tours have been running half-empty. The Goulding's Lodge tour I went on in 2022 was also half empty.

The article begins with: 

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is in the middle of its peak summer season, and something unusual is happening in the valley: the guided jeep tours that once required advance reservations are running at dramatically reduced capacity. The global drop in international travel to the United States has hit Navajo-owned tour operators at Monument Valley harder than almost anywhere else in the Southwest — and for a traveler arriving this summer, that creates a rare window of access, even as the park's fees are higher than ever and the Navajo Nation holds a presidential primary today that will shape its tourism policies through 2027.

Above, yours truly at a viewpoint during a sunrise tour in 2022.
The East Mitten and Merrick Butte are in the background.

To read more, go here. 

Do You Have One Mug You Favor Over All Others?

Above, my custom coffee mug I use at home. 

Are humans creatures of habit? 

This comes to mind after reading and participating in a new poll at RV Travel on coffee mugs. They ask if you have one mug you favor over others. 

At home, I usually use a custom-made mug featuring my book, The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan or one from Folgers Coffee. Both fit my hand perfectly and are of the right size.

Above, with one of the John Wayne coffee mugs in my RV.

While in my motorhome, I use two (not at the same time) mugs I bought from the John Wayne Stock & Supply. 

RV Travel begins their poll with:

If you’re a coffee or tea drinker, chances are you own more than one mug. Maybe you have an entire cabinet full of them—souvenirs from road trips, funny gifts from friends, campground treasures, or that one oversized mug that somehow holds juuuuust the right amount of coffee.

So, even with all those choices, do you always reach for the same one? You know the mug. It’s the one that just feels right in your hand. Maybe it’s chipped, maybe the handle fits your fingers perfectly, or maybe the coffee simply tastes better out of it. (Science has yet to confirm this, but plenty of us believe it.)

And, in most households, certain mugs seem to develop “ownership” without anyone officially claiming them. Everyone knows whose mug is whose. Use the wrong one, and you’ll probably hear about it. It’s funny how attached we can become to something as simple as a coffee mug, right?

So what about you? Are you loyal to one favorite mug, or do you happily grab whatever’s clean?

Vote in the poll below, and then tell us the story behind your favorite mug in the comments. We have a feeling there are some great ones out there.

To read more and participate in the poll, go here. 

Break In The Monsoon Rains

Above, the yard yesterday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like we're getting a break today with the monsoon-generated thunderstorms.

According to the National Weather Service, today will be sunny in Jamestown, New Mexico. I am sure Gallup will definitely be grateful for the break since the town got flooded twice this week.

My yard looked a bit swampy during yesterday's rain (photo above).

The forecast:

 Today

Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.

Friday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Sunny, with a high near 88. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.

Saturday

Showers and thunderstorms likely after noon. Increasing clouds, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Sunday

Showers and thunderstorms likely after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Monday

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.

Monday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Tuesday

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.

Tuesday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Wednesday

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.

20 Lever Guns Proving The Old-Timers Knew Exactly What They Were Doing

Above, the Winchester 94 made number one on the list. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Sometimes products manufactured during bygone years cannot be improved on because they were made right the first time. 

Such is the case of some firearms. Some were so good they proved that the "oldtimers" got it right.

The Avid Outdoorsman posted an article on 20 lever-action guns that proved that those oldtimers knew what they were doing.

They begin with:

Every few years somebody rediscovers the lever gun and acts like they unearthed a lost technology. Meanwhile, the guys who grew up with them just shrug. A good lever action is still one of the handiest tools you can carry in the woods, in a truck, or around a farm—especially when you want something slim, quick, and reliable without a bunch of drama.

Old-school doesn’t automatically mean better, but the lever gun era produced some designs that were flat-out right. They balance well, they feed well, and they solve real problems: fast follow-up shots on moving game, easy carry in thick brush, and a rifle that doesn’t snag on every cedar limb. Here are 20 models that prove the earlier generations weren’t guessing.

To read more, go here. 

10 Firearms Brands That Lost Their Way

Above, the Remington 870 Express shotgun.Few American firearms companies
fell harder than Remington according to the article Photo by Armand Vaquer. 

Gun manufacturers are not immune to making bad decisions, be subjected to changing economic conditions or even taken over by bean counters.

Over the years, some manufacturers have produced once proud and quality products only to have them be victimized by cost-cutting and poor quality control. 

The Avid Outdoorsman took a look at ten firearms brands that have lost their way.

They begin with:

A respected firearms name can survive a surprising number of bad decisions. Shooters often remain loyal because they remember what the brand once produced, even when its current catalog barely resembles the one that built its reputation.

Some companies were weakened by bankruptcy or ownership changes. Others abandoned popular models, allowed quality control to slip, or chased crowded sections of the market while ignoring the firearms customers actually wanted. A few have started correcting course, but each of these brands went through a period when shooters had good reason to wonder what happened.

To read more, go here. 

Mossberg 500E .410 Shotgun

Above, the Mossberg 500E .410 shotgun. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, I was going through my gun cabinet and pulled out my Mossberg 500E .410 shotgun that I inherited from my dad. 

I didn't know I had it at first until I was going through some gun cases in the garage and found the gun inside one. 

I later bought some .410 shells to try it out. It shot real good with hardly any recoil. 

Here's a video of a Mossberg 500 being shot by Buffalo's Outdoors:

8 Best Ruger 10/22 Models [Plinking, Hunting, Competition]

Above, the Ruger 10/22 I bought around 1983. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There are different rifle models and makes that are offered. 

The Ruger 10/22 .22 rifle is one great example. Over the years, the rifle has been offered in different styles. Mine is the original carbine that I bought around 1983 for under $90. 

Pew Pew Tactical took a look at the 8 best Ruger 10/22 models for plinking, hunting and competition.

They start with:

The Ruger 10/22 is an iconic rifle and one of the most popular starter platforms for beginner shooters. It’s high-quality but affordable, and the .22 Long Rifle chambering makes it easy (and cheap) for everyone to shoot. 

The 10/22 also enjoys endless aftermarket support, so it’s easy to customize this little rifle to fit your needs and wants. 

We'll talk about that, too! After we break down the best Ruger 10/22 models, let's explore the history of this venerable rifle to see how it went from the new kid on the block to a revered and beloved rifle platform. 

To read more, go here. 

Your GPS Could Be Leading You Into Trouble

Above, on the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever I am on an RV road trip, I take routes that are easily mapped.

I keep a RV road atlas in my motorhome and check routes with it before even leaving the driveway. After doing that, I use the free Google Maps app on my phone. I have never encountered any problems of any major consequence. One gitch was that a friend and I were using Google Maps to go to a restaurant but the directions were goofed up and we ended up circling around a Houston airport parking lot. We never found the restaurant.

There are some people who have encountered major glitch errors with the GPS system they're using. 

That is the topic of an article in RV Travel. 

They begin with:

Most RVers trust their RV GPS navigation. They also have at least one story about it being spectacularly wrong. Maybe it routed you toward a low bridge, down a dead-end road or to the back gate of a campground instead of the office. Chances are you caught the mistake before it became an expensive lesson. Not everyone does.

A recent highway closure involving a commercial truck that apparently followed GPS directions onto an unsuitable route is another reminder that navigation apps are remarkably helpful—but they aren’t perfect. While truck drivers have wrestled with bad GPS routing for years, RVers face many of the same challenges.

To read more, go here. 

Floods Hit Gallup

Yesterday's monsoon storm caused massive flooding in Gallup. The area hasn't seen such a storm in years.

We got about a half inch of rain in a short period according to a friend with a rain gauge. Luckily, we're on a hill and no flooding occurred. 

Here's a couple of videos on yesterday's flood.

 From KRQE News:

Here's a dash cam of flooding near the El Rancho Hotel (on the right) by Flowers BG:

"Godzilla vs. Kong" Actress Kaylee Hottle Killed In Car Accident

Sad and shocking news in the world of Godzilla hit this morning.

Actress Kaylee Hottle was killed this morning due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Maryland.

According to TMZ:

Kaylee Hottle was riding in a 1995 Honda Accord when the driver veered off a Maryland road and slammed into a roadside ditch early Tuesday ... with excessive speed believed to be a factor ... TMZ has learned.

Authorities in Maryland say Kaylee -- the "Godzilla vs. Kong" actress -- was rushed to a trauma center, where she was later pronounced dead.

She was 18.

She played the deaf Skull Island native girl Jia who communicated with Kong by sign language in "Godzilla vs. Kong" and its follow-up. 

Condolences go out to her family and friends.

To read more, go here.

Storm Destroys Jack Rabbit Trading Post Sign

Above, the sign a few years ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A very heavy monsoon storm hit the St. Joseph, Arizona area last night. St. Joseph is the home of the Jack Rabbit Trading Post.

The intense storm destroyed the trading post's famous "Here It Is" sign that sat across Route 66 from the trading post.

Here's the sign after it was hit by the storm:

A Go Fund Me page has been set up to raise money to replace the sign. To go there and make a donation, go here. I already made a donation.

Vice President J. D. Vance: Baby Makes Four

For the first time in 150 years, a sitting Vice President has become a father. 

20 Guns That Were Called Obsolete and Kept Outlasting Their Replacements

Above, my Winchester 94 and Ruger 10/22. Both made the list. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some guns were made and perform so well that they never became obsolete. Ones that were discontinued even outlasted their replacements.

Such is the topic of an article in The Avid Outdoorsman. They list 20 guns that were called obsolete and  kept outlasting theri replacements.

They begin with:

Every few years the gun world decides something is “done.” Too heavy. Too slow. Too old-school. Then hunting season rolls around, the weather turns nasty, and the so-called outdated gun is the one that still gets grabbed on the way out the door.

I’m not saying new designs are bad. A lot of them are genuinely better. But “better on paper” doesn’t always beat “works every time, even when you’re cold, tired, and wearing gloves.” Here are 20 firearms that have been dismissed more than once, and somehow keep hanging around long after the shiny replacement gets traded off.

To read more, go here. 

Guns That Got More Respect With Time

Above, the Ruger P95 is described as, "the trigger is nothing fancy, and
 the styling is pure utility, but the gun works." Photo by Armand Vaquer. 

Some guns got passed over or just overlooked. But over the years, those same guns gained more respect with the passage of time.

That is the topic of a slideshow article in MSN (courtesy of The Avid Outdoorsman).  

I have two guns that made the list and they're both Rugers: the Ruger 10/22 rifle and the Ruger P95 pistol. Both have been reliable over the years. I've never had problems with either one.

The slideshow begins with:

Some guns earn respect right away. Others have to sit through years of jokes, low prices, bad timing, or plain old indifference before people finally understand what they were looking at. That kind of respect usually means more because it was not handed out by ads or internet noise.

The guns on this list did not all start out as legends. Some were considered ordinary. Some were too cheap to impress anybody. Some were misunderstood because they looked different, felt different, or arrived before the market knew what to do with them. Over time, real use has a way of cleaning up the conversation.

To see more, go here. 

Guns.com Launches The Vault, A Premier Auction Experience

For those who are collectors of premium quality firearms, Guns.com is launching a new section. It is called The Vault. It was through Guns.com that I purchased my Winchester Model 12 shotgun.

The beginning date is August 3.

Here is the beginning of their announcement:

[Burnsville, MN] — Guns.com today announced the upcoming launch of The Vault within its innovative Guns.com Auctions platform. As a premium auction category, The Vault will showcase rare, historic, and highly collectible firearms, with its first auction debuting on August 3. 

Designed for collectors and enthusiasts, The Vault showcases a unique mix of firearms with historical significance, remarkable craftsmanship, and investment-grade collectability. Every firearm is carefully curated by Guns.com's team of experts and trusted nationwide dealer network, bringing gun owners access to firearms rarely offered through traditional online marketplaces. 

"We’re excited to elevate the Guns.com auction experience for gun owners and collectors,” says Cregg Burns, Senior Ecommerce Manager at Guns.com. “Our goal is to deliver the best online shopping experience for millions of gun owners, and The Vault does just that by showcasing beautiful firearms and the stories they tell.” 

To read more, go here. 

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 Iron Butterfly with their 1968 hit, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" which was second album of the same name. The song was actually supposed to be "In The Garden of Eden." According to Wikipedia, "Drummer Ron Bushy, organist-vocalist Doug Ingle wrote the song one evening while drinking an entire gallon of Red Mountain wine. When the inebriated Ingle then played the song for Bushy, who wrote down the lyrics for him, he was slurring his words so badly that what was supposed to be "in the Garden of Eden" was interpreted by Bushy as "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida."

From Wikipedia:

Iron Butterfly is an American rock band formed in San Diego, California, in 1966. They are best known for the 1968 hit "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", providing a dramatic sound that led the way towards the development of hard rock and heavy metal music. Although their heyday was the late 1960s, the band has been reformed with various members with varying levels of success with no new recordings since 1975. Their second album, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (1968), remains a best-seller, and Iron Butterfly was the first group to receive an in-house platinum album award from Atlantic Records.

Shooting the 30 30 Winchester Model 94

Shooting the 30 30 Winchester model 94 video by Spirit of the Outdoors.

Summary:

I am target shooting with the Winchester Model 94, 30-30. This was my Dads old gun and im determined to get some meat with it this year.

This is a post-64 rifle. I spotted it immediately. Although not collectible as pre-64 rifles, this Winchester 94 is still a good shooter. 

The 7 Best Rifles Chambered For the 30-30

Above, the .30-30 cartridge. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The .30-30 Winchester cartridge may not be the most powerful cartridge out there, but it has been putting venison on dinner tables for over 100 years. It gets the job done!

It is a round designed for the lever-action rifle, starting with the Winchester 1894 in 1895.

Field & Stream posted an article on the best rifles chambered in .30-30 Winchester.

They begin it with:

As America’s first smokeless cartridge, introduced in 1895, the 30-30 is not just old—it’s the oldest, as modern American cartridges go. And yet it remains as effective as ever. In fact, with today’s loads, the 30-30 is a better coast-to-coast big-game cartridge than at any other time in its history. I’ve even used it on African plains game. So why not get a rifle in 30-30? Its only real limitation would be reach, as the cartridge is best used inside 200 yards. But if you know how to hunt—and shoot—getting inside 200 yards is rarely a problem. The 30-30’s combination of lethality, low recoil, and the fact that it is usually chambered in fast-handling guns is what has made it one of the most popular and trusted big-game cartridges of all time.

When most people think of the 30-30 Winchester, lever-action rifles pop to mind. The cartridge did, after all, get its start with the Winchester 1894. But the 30-30 has also occasionally been offered in bolt-action and single-shot rifles. With Marlin back in business under Ruger management and with Henry and Winchester cranking them out, you’ll have no problems finding a brand-new 30-30. However, there are also thousands and thousands of great used 30-30 rifles out there. It’s almost impossible to look on the Internet or visit a gun shop and not see several for sale. But before you buy, take a close look at our list of the best of the best 30-30 rifles.

Above, the .30-30 cartridge started with the Winchester 1894. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

RV Travel Guide To Petrified Forest National Park

Above, a couple of petrified logs in the park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Petrified Forest National Park in northern Arizona is the closest national park to my home in New Mexico. It is around 90 miles from home off Interstate 40.

It have visited it several times, mainly for a coffee or snack stop at the visitor center. The first extensive tour was just to the Painted Desert section of the park. The second extensiver tour was to the Petrified Forest. 

Above, the Painted Desert of Petrified Forest National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Travel posted a guide to visiting Petrified Forest National Park. In their posting, they mentioned a couple of campgrounds in nearby Holbrook. There's a third one to consider: the Holbrook KOA Kampground. I have stayed there twice and have enjoyed it both times. There are no campground in the national park.

The RV Travel post begins with:

For RVers rolling through Northeastern Arizona, Petrified Forest National Park is one of those easy-to-reach, big-payoff stops.

Getting there

Petrified Forest National Park sits off Interstate 40 near Holbrook. The north entrance is at Exit 311, and the south entrance is reached from Highway 180.

Eastbound I-40 travelers should take Exit 285 into Holbrook and then follow Highway 180 South to the south entrance.

There is no public transportation to or within the park, so driving your own rig is the normal way in.

To read more, go here. 

How RVers Can Avoid Surprise Campground Electric Charges

Above, Route 66 RV Resort in Albuquerque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's something that I haven't run into (yet!) while camping at an RV park.

It is (surprise) campground electric charges on top of the nightly camping fee.

According to RV Life:

Booking a full-hookup campsite used to guarantee unlimited power, water, and sewer for a single, flat nightly rate. But that guarantee is quickly fading. As more campgrounds quietly transition to smart meters for short-term reservations, the way we calculate the cost of a road trip is fundamentally changing.

But you don’t have to wait until a surprise bill busts your travel budget to take action. Taking control of your rig’s energy consumption and knowing exactly what to look for on booking pages can help offset these new fees. A few simple adjustments will keep your next vacation predictable and wallet-friendly.

To read more, go here. 

RFK, Jr. Visits Famous Yellowstone Bison

 

RFK Jr visits Yellowstone to meet the famous bison 🦬 👀😂 pic.twitter.com/pLo3nIrJqN

— Politi_Rican 🇵🇷 𝕏 🇺🇸 (@TheRicanMemes) July 18, 2026

New Kitty

Yesterday, another kitty took up residence here.

Her name is Meow-Meow (age 3) and a gray tiger. The original owner is a girl about to go off to college and couldn't keep the cat. They are fellow residents of our subdivision.

They posted on our community Facebook page of her availability and I responded that I could take her in. 

So far, she and Sierra are keeping their distances. 

This is the first time I've had two cats since I had Buttons and Siren.

Above, Sierra and Meow-Meow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

20 Guns Considered Workhorses and Are Now Worth A Fortune

Above, the Winchester 94 (pre-64) made the list. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is funny how things were once considered ordinary workhorses but are now worth a fortune.

That is the case of 20 guns that weren't extraordinary but are now commanding king's ransom prices.That is the topic of a slideshow article in MSN (courtesy of The Avid Outdoorsman).

The venerable Winchester 94 (pre-64) made the list as the first gun spotlighted.

They begin it with:

Most of the “expensive” guns I see these days were never meant to be safe queens. They were meant to ride behind a truck seat, get rained on during duck season, and lean in a corner of a barn without anybody making a fuss. And that’s exactly why it stings when you look up one of those old workhorses you used to see everywhere and realize it’s now bringing collector money.

This isn’t about hyping anything or pretending every old gun is magic. Plenty of them are heavy, plain, and they kick like a mule. But there are a handful that went from everyday tool to “you should’ve kept it,” and it happened fast. Here are 20 models that fit that bill.

To read more, go here. 

How To Buy a Used Gun at a Fair Price

Above, used rifles at Ron Peterson's Firearms in Albuquerque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I moved to New Mexico eight and a half years ago, I have purchased three guns. Two of the three of them I bought used.

I bought my Winchester Model 12 shotgun online. It was made in 1919 and was priced reasonably. The pre-64 Winchester 94 I bought at Ron Peterson's Firearms in Albuquerque. I was in town to catch an early morning flight and was browsing around the gun store for something to do. I spotted the rifle on a rack, checked it over and found it in great shape (I verified that it was made in 1962), and at a good price. I bought it (I had been looking for one anyway). Those are the only two times I bought a used gun. I have no regrets on either of them.

Outdoor Life posted an article on how to buy a used gun. It is titled, "Use the ‘Rule of Why’ to Help You Buy a Used Gun at a Fair Price."

It begins with:

A few months ago I dropped in at a local gun shop and browsed through the racks of used guns, shouldering shotguns, peering through rifle barrels and flipping price tags in search of the occasional hidden treasure. One price tag stopped me in my tracks — it was only about half what is usually asked for a “pre-owned” rifle in that model, caliber and condition, and it even had a scope! Suspecting something fishy, I cautiously slipped the bolt out and peeped into what I expected to be a rust-clogged bore. Nothing. The lands and grooves were as bright and clean as a hound’s tooth.

To read more, go here. 

Lever-Action Rifle Tips and Shooting Techniques

Above, yours truly with my Winchester 94 lever-action. Photo by Larry Lucier.

For those of us who are lever-action rifle enthusiasts, the following article by Dave Emary in Outdoor Life will provide some tips and shooting techniques.

The article was posted in February (wow, it's amazing we're in July already) and the contents are just as valid now as they were a few months ago.

It begins with:

My love affair with lever guns started with a plastic Winchester M94 —— my first toy gun —— and was cemented by my first real rifle, a Winchester 9422 Magnum that was a graduation present. Like me, countless other hunters have fallen under the lever-gun spell. But as we know, fine accuracy isn’t the forte of the platform. That said, there are ways to improve groups and increase the range of your beloved .30/30.

To read more, go here. 

"Godzilla Minus Zero Night" At Dodger Stadium Announced

Baseball and Godzilla have had an odd relationship over the years.

In Japan, where baseball is a popular sporting pastime, Godzilla has appeared in Japanese baseball stadiums over the years for different promotions.

Now, Godzilla is being feted at Dodger Stadium.

According to MLB.com:

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers will host Godzilla Minus Zero Night, presented by TOHO, for the team’s regular-season home finale on Thursday, September 24 against the San Diego Padres.

The first 40,000 fans at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium for the 7:10 p.m. contest will receive a special Godzilla Minus Zero bobblehead (one giveaway item, per person, per valid ticket upon entering the stadium), and all fans will be treated to a Godzilla-themed drone show after the game. In the days leading up to Godzilla Minus Zero night, several in-stadium activations will promote the event. The themed activities are in celebration of the upcoming highly anticipated new Godzilla feature, Godzilla Minus Zero, the thrilling follow up to the critically-acclaimed winner for Best Visual Effects at the 96th Academy Awards® Godzilla Minus One.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Sees 2% Drop In Foreign Visitors

Above, Godzilla peers over buildings in Shinjuku. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Foreign visitors to Japan slowed during the first half of the year. This is seen as the first drop in foreign tourism in five years.

According to The Japan Times:

Japan welcomed around 21.1 million foreign visitors in the first six months of 2026, a 2.0% drop from last year and down for the first time in five years, the Japan National Tourism Organization said Wednesday.

While the first-half visitor tally topped 20 million for the second straight year, Japan saw a 56.4% drop in visitors from China as Beijing continues to call on its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan.

Of the 21.1 million visitors in the January-June period, 2.06 million visitors came from mainland China. Visitors from South Korea increased by 18.6% to 5.7 million, while those from Taiwan numbered around 4 million, up 20.9%.

To read more, go here. 

Kaiser Willys Jeep 2026 Photo Contest is now Open!

Above, yours truly with my 1952 Willys Jeep M38A1. Photo by Nandoh Munoz.

An email has popped into my mailbox from Kaiser Willys Jeep, one of my sources for Jeep parts.

Their 2026 Photo Contest is now open to vintage Jeeps generally from 1941 to 1971 (check their website for rules). I submitted my photos several minutes ago.

The email said:

The 2026 Photo Contest is now Open!

​

Submit Your Photo for a Chance to Win Big!

If your photo is selected, you could win one of these amazing prizes:

🏆 Grand Prize - Featured on the front cover of the 2027 Kaiser Willys Catalog, $1000 gift certificate.

🥈 2nd Place Prize - Featured on the back cover of the 2027 Catalog, $500 gift certificate

📅 Calendar Winners - Featured in a month or on the front/back cover of the 2027 Kaiser Willys Calendar, $100 gift certificate

Generally, all participants have one photo posted in next year's catalog.

To access the photo contest, go here.