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.

It is hard to believe that 1996 was thirty years ago, but that's where we get this week's entry of Classic Rock Music Monday. Today, we spotlight OMC with their hit "How Bizarre" from that year.

From Wikipedia:

OMC, or Otara Millionaires Club, were a New Zealand music group, then duo, with vocalist Pauly Fuemana later becoming the sole member. OMC was best known for the 1996 hit "How Bizarre", named one of the greatest New Zealander songs of all time by the Australasian Performing Right Association. The full name of the band is a tongue-in-cheek reference to Ōtara's status as one of the poorest suburbs of Auckland.

Cruise Passengers Outraged Over Bahamas Booze Ban

Above, yours truly enjoying an adult beverage aboard the Norwegian Sky on a cruise to the Bahamas..

Cruise passengers who relish their alcoholic "adult beverages" are up in arms over a ban to be imposed on election day of the Bahamas. But, they can still booze up aboard their cruise ships.

The New York Post reported:

A temporary alcohol ban will roll out at a Caribbean destination next week — leaving cruise passengers high and dry on shore.

The Bahamas will suspend alcohol sales as the country holds elections on Tuesday, May 12.

A government notice obtained by Fox News Digital says the ban will take place that day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Parliamentary Commissioner is suspending sales of “intoxicating liquor” while polls remain open during that time.

“Any person selling or exposing or offering for sale any intoxicating liquor during such hours shall be deemed to be so doing while not holding a license under the provisions of the Business License Act,” the notice warns.

The restriction covers all Bahamian islands, including private islands operated by cruise companies.

Cruise giant Royal Caribbean confirmed to People magazine that the ban applies to its private island, CocoCay.

To read more, go here. 

Plinking Weather This Week?

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

It looks like this coming week will be a nice warm one.

With comfortable temperatures in the 70s, it looks like good plinking weather at the Jamestown/Cibola National Forest shooting area. The only issue may be wind, but it doesn't look like the winds will be much.

According to the National Weather Service, the weather in Jamestown looks like this:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 76. Light west wind becoming northwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Tonight

Clear, with a low around 44. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast after midnight.

Monday

Sunny, with a high near 81. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Monday Night

Clear, with a low around 46. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 48.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 77.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 48.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 77. 

Happy Mother's Day!

 

Top 10 Old-School Rifles That Refuse to Become Obsolete

Top 10 Old-School Rifles That Refuse to Become Obsolete video by Latest Gear. 

Summary:

Top 10 Old-School Rifles That Refuse to Become Obsolete

Before synthetic stocks and digital optics, hunting rifles were built with steel, wood, and pure craftsmanship. These old-school rifles earned their reputation through decades of reliability and real hunting success. In this video, we’re counting down 10 old-school hunting rifles that shaped generations of hunters and still hold their own today. If you appreciate classic design, proven performance, and timeless appeal, this list is a must-watch.

Not So Uneventful Day

Above, the Subaru's front end. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday would have been uneventful except for one little thing.

 We got into a car accident while exiting Grandpa's Grill after we had breakfast.

I was riding in the back seat in Greg Lucier's Subaru Tribeca with his brother Larry in the front passenger seat. We were exiting the parking lot when a pick up truck was driving in front of us in the street. Greg went to apply the brakes and his foot (he was wearing sandals) slipped off the brake pedal and we hit the truck.

Above, the pick-up truck. Photo by Armadn Vaquer.

There were no injuries to either party. The Subaru was drivable, although the plastic front end was knocked off. One part was rubbing on the driver's side front tire. I went to a nearby stationery store and bought a package of bungie cords to tie up some loose parts. After doing so, we were able to drive it back to Jamestown. We put the front end in back of the Subaru. It was basically one big piece and light in weight.

Before leaving, we filed a report with the Gallup Police Department and waited for Greg's wife Marlo to arrive. Larry's dog Niko and I rode back to Jamestown with her. 

Funny thing, a few things came back to me from my days as an insurance adjuster while we were talking to the police officer. 

Guns That Last Longer Than Expected

Above, a Smith and Wesson Model 686 revolver. Photo by Stephen Z - S&W 686+ 2.

Some guns are made better than others.

The ones that were designed and made well will last for decades with regular use and maintenance. 

The Avid Outdoorsman posted a list of rifles and pistols that will last longer than expected. 

They begin it with:

A gun does not have to be babied to last. Some firearms get bought as beaters, loaners, truck guns, camp guns, or budget picks, and nobody expects much from them at first. Then they keep working season after season, long after the finish wears thin and the owner stops treating them gently.

That is when a gun starts earning a different kind of respect. Not because it was expensive. Not because it had the loudest reputation. But because it kept feeding, firing, grouping, and holding together after years of use. These are the guns that often last longer than people expected when they first brought them home.

To read more, go here.

Winchester's New American Lever Range Ammo

The Winchester Facebook page posted an announcement of a new line of ammunition specifically for lever-action rifles. 

It is called American Lever Range.

Here's their posting:

Now Shipping: American Lever™ Range!

Fresh off the manufacturing line and heading out the door — our new American Lever Range ammunition is officially shipping!

Built specifically for lever-action enthusiasts, this purpose-designed ammunition delivers smooth feeding & fast cycling, cleaner burning, and tighter groups so your classic lever guns can keep winning on the range.

Available in: 

• .30-30 Win 

• .357 Mag 

• .44 Rem Mag 

• .45 Colt 

• .45-70 Gov

From the hands of our dedicated American workers straight to yours – proudly built in America with the best American manufacturing.

Guns.com: Remembering the Ruger P95

My main defense handgun is my Ruger P95 9mm (pictured above). I bought it in 2011. I had a prior Ruger P89 pistol, but due to tight money at the time, I sold it. 

The P95 is a fun semi-automatic handgun to shoot with a recoil that isn't too jarring. I never had any problems with it.

Guns.com posted an article on "remembering" the Ruger P95. It was produced from 1996 to 2013. 

The article begins with:

Like many of you, I have a special place in my heart for movie guns from my youth. One such gun is the Ruger P series. I was first introduced to the P series by its standout Hollywood roles in ’90s hits such as “Desperado,” “True Lies,” and “Grosse Pointe Blank.” It was often the hero’s gun, and I’ve wanted to try one ever since.

I’ve been asking to test a Ruger P for years, and Guns.com finally sent me a P95 so I could see if it lives up to my imagination.

Wonder Nine

Beyond the movie hype, there is a lot to this pistol. On the surface, it might not look like much, but the P95 and the entire series of Ruger P pistols helped usher in the era of Wonder Nines in the 1980s and ’90s.

The term “Wonder Nine” generally refers to high-capacity, double-stack 9mm pistols developed in that era using modern materials or production technologies. The Glock is most famous, but over 1 million Ruger P series pistol were also produced. This was because they were considered reliable and affordable. When the P85 was released in 1987, it sold for under $300. Today, used P series guns still sell for around the same price. 

 To read more and see a video, go here.

Lassen Volcanic National Park: Tribes, Trappers, Pioneers, And Eruptions

Above, a view of Lassen Peak from Devastated Area in 2017. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The first national park I visited was when I was at age 14 with my parents in 1968. It was Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California. 

That got me hooked on traveling to national parks over the succeeding years. I visited Lassen again in 2017 during my Great American Eclipse trip. I camped at the Manzanita Lake Campground in my motorhome. 

Above, my campsite at Manzanita Lake Campground in 2017. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

National Parks Traveler posted an article on how Lassen became a national park due to eruptions of Lassen Peak in the early 20th Century.

They start it with:

Native American tribes, fur trappers, pioneers, and prospectors have all wandered around and within the boundaries of what is now Lassen Volcanic National Park in California. Before it was a national park, though, the landscape consisted of two separate national monuments. It took a series of Lassen Peak eruptions between 1914 – 1917 to make national park establishment a “done deal.”

 To read more, go here.

Calibers That Never Got Trendy

Some ammunition calibers are more popular (trendy) than others. There are some that never got trendy but still do serious work.

At least that's the crux of an article posted in The Avid Outdoorsman.

They start off with:

Some calibers get all the attention because they are new, fast, flat-shooting, or attached to whatever rifle or handgun everyone is talking about that year. Then there are the cartridges that never really become fashionable. They do not dominate social media arguments, they do not get constant factory rifle launches, and they rarely show up in the latest “must-have” conversations.

But serious work is not always loud. Some calibers keep showing up because hunters, shooters, farmers, guides, and practical gun owners know what they do. They put meat in the freezer, handle pests, ride in trucks, protect property, and keep working long after trendier cartridges come and go. These are the calibers that never needed to be trendy to prove they mattered.

To read more, go here. 

Yellowstone Bear Attack Near Old Faithful Geyser

Above, a mother bear and cub in Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that spring has sprung, bears in our national parks are out and about. As evidence of this, two hikers were attacked on a trail near Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park.

According to an article in RV Travel:

A bear attack that injured two hikers in Yellowstone National Park this week didn’t happen deep in the backcountry. It happened near one of the most visited parts of the park—close to Old Faithful—on a trail many visitors walk every day.

What happened

According to the National Park Service, two hikers were injured May 4 on the Mystic Falls Trail, not far from Old Faithful. Rangers responded quickly, and both visitors were treated and removed from the area. Officials have not yet released details about the severity of the injuries or exactly what led to the encounter.

To read more, go here. 

Brain-Eating Amoeba Found In Some Recreational Waters

Above, Grand Teton National Park was named in a new study. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who enjoy swimming and water sports in lakes and streams, this should give them some pause.

A new federal study has found that brain-eating amoeba has been found in some recreational waters. 

RV Travel reported:

A new federal study has found traces of the rare but deadly “brain-eating amoeba” Naegleria fowleri in warm recreational waters at several Western national park sites, including Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Olympic National Park, and Newberry National Volcanic Monument.

Researchers analyzed 185 water samples from 40 thermally influenced national park recreation sites between 2016 and 2024 and detected the amoeba in 34% of samples. The organism thrives in warm freshwater, especially hot springs and shallow geothermal waters, and can cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare brain infection with a 98% fatality rate.

To read more, go here. 

Why You Want A Lever-Action Rifle

Above, friend Nandoh Munoz shooting with his Henry lever-action rifle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Eight or nine years ago, I was on the lookout for a Winchester 94 that was in .30-30 and a pre-1964. 

In April 2019, the opportunity just fell into my lap when I was browsing in Ron Peterson Firearms in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I saw one on a rack. It looked to be in great shape. I verified that it was a pre-64 rifle online with my phone (it was made in 1962). It was priced just under $500. I decided to buy it.

As I was going to fly to Fort Lauderdale the next day for a cruise, I put it on layaway and picked it up upon my return. It is fun to shoot and is my favorite rifle. 

Silencer Central posted an article on why one would want a lever-action rifle.

It begins with:

Lever Action rifles are one of those special kinds of firearms that have timeless roots in society and modern demand. Many people started with hunting using a lever gun. Growing up in Michigan, I was the odd one out because I started hunting with a Winchester Model 70, while all my buddies were using a Marlin .30/30. Interest fell off a little with some company buyouts and closures. But now lever guns are back in their rightful place as one of the coolest firearms you can own. If you don’t own at least one, chances are good that you want one. Why do you want a lever-action rifle? Because they are cool! 

Why you want a lever-action rifle 

While we can all admit they are cool, there are some practical reasons why you want one. They are often compact, making them easy to maneuver when you’re hunting. They are reliable, too. Unlike a semi-auto rifle that can jam, it is rare for a lever-action rifle to hang up and cause an issue. 

One of the other features of the design that makes them popular is that lever-action rifles are fast. Once you get practiced using one, you can make follow-up shots in pretty rapid succession. With some of the accessory options now being offered both direct from the factories and from aftermarket specialists like MAGPUL and WOOX, you can trick one out just the same as an AR-platform rifle. And unlike ARs, there are no legality concerns with a lever action.  

Also, many lever-action rifles now come with threaded barrels, making it a piece of cake to mount a suppressor and tame the sound output.  

To read more, go here. 

New Motorhome Toilet

Above, the new RV toilet. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Like anything else, repairs to a vehicle are inevitable. Only I was lucky that the inevitable took eleven years to happen.

During the Lost Dutchman clampout last month, the toilet in my motorhome wasn't acting right. Flushing water didn't come out as strong as it had. 

Then, a few days after the clampout, I stayed one night at a KOA Kampground in Albuquerque. I hooked up the motorhome to city water. I didn't notice any problem at first until I flushed the toilet. The water came out at strong as ever. Later, I went back into the bathroom and noticed that the toilet bowl was almost half full and the water did not stop filling it. I went outside and unhooked the city water. 

It was my guess that it was either the water pump or the toilet was causing the problems. 

Last week, I brought the motorhome to the RV dealer to see what the problem was. After a few days, they told me that it was the flush valve and other things that went bad. A new toilet was needed. It was ready for pick up yesterday.

Yesterday, I rode into Albuquerque with Greg and Larry Lucier as they had medical appointments in town. They dropped me off at the RV dealer and, sure enough, the motorhome was ready. I tested the toilet before leaving the premises and it worked fine. I drove back the 100 miles back to Jamestown. 

As I first mentioned when I began this blog post, it took 11 years for something in the RV to go bad. I feel lucky. I've always said that the motorhome was the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned. I still stick by that. 

Sadie's of New Mexico Now At The Albuquerque Sunport

During my trip to Houston, Texas last month, I took flights to and from the Albuquerque Sunport.

The airport terminal was remodeled over the past few years and appears to have been completed.

I noticed one thing new in the terminal: a Sadie's of New Mexico Mexican restaurant. Sadie's is my favorite Mexican restaurant when I am in Albuquerque. 

Should I have need for food while at the Albuquerque Sunport in the future, I'll be sure to go to Sadie's in the terminal.

For more information, go here.

20 of the Most-Trusted Hunting Rifles

Above, the venerable Winchester 94 made the list as a top deer rifle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I am not a hunter, nor do I play one on TV. But I do have several friends who hunt in New Mexico.

While I am not a hunter, I do understand the need for it. Also, I am not versed on what makes a good hunting rifle. Fortunately, there are those whose expertise in hunting can recommend what constitutes the most-trusted hunting rifles.

AOL has posted a list of 20 of the most-trusted hunting rifles. 

They begin it with:

When it comes to hunting, trust in your rifle matters just as much as skill in the field. These are the rifles American hunters rely on when the shot counts, from proven classics like the Remington Model 700 to modern platforms built for precision and durability. What sets them apart is not just performance on paper, but years of real-world use in tough conditions. These are the rifles that have earned their reputation the hard way.

To determine the most trusted hunting rifles in America, History Computer reviewed various historical and military sources. We included supplemental information for each rifle regarding the type, common calibers, primary game use, accuracy reputation, price tier, and ultimately why hunters trust it.

To read more, go here. 

DOJ Sues Denver Over Unconstitutional Weapons Bans

Colorado was once a red state (i.e., Republican), but Democrat liberals have moved into this state and now are inflicting their ideology on the people there.

The Second Amendment rights of Colorado's citizens are under attack. Now, the Denver city council is trying to ban so-called assault weapons and now are being sued by the Trump Department of Justice.

From Justice.gov:

Today, the Justice Department filed suit against the City of Denver, Colorado alleging that the City unconstitutionally bans certain constitutionally protected semi-automatic rifles. These laws unconstitutionally infringe on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms in common use for lawful purposes.

As the complaint explains, the City enforces an ordinance that makes it a crime to possess so-called “assault weapons.” But that the City’s ban includes AR-15-style rifles, which are the most popular rifles in America. Law-abiding Americans own tens of millions of rifles like those banned by the City.  

“The Constitution is not a suggestion and the Second Amendment is not a second-class right,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Denver's ban on commonly owned semi-automatic rifles directly violates the right to bear arms. This Department of Justice will vigorously defend the liberties of law-abiding citizens nationwide.”

To read more, go here. 

The Searchers | Texas Rangers Hold Off a Charge

After a massacre at the Aaron Edwards ranch, a group of fellow settlers deputized as Texas Rangers head out to rescue the nieces of Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) led by Captain Samuel Clayon (Ward Bond). 

In this clip, the group is surrounded by Chief Scar's (Henry Brandon) braves. 

This is my favorite John Ford (director) and John Wayne movie. I met three of the actors in this movie: Henry Brandon, Hank Worden and Patrick Wayne. 

The movie takes place three years after the Civil War. Although a classic movie, there are some anachronistic firearms in the movie. See the Internet Movie Firearms Database.

Happy Sinko De Mayo!

 

15 Little-Known Facts About the Ruger 10/22

Above, my 1983 Ruger 10/22. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the most successful guns ever made is the Ruger 10/22.

I bought one around 1984 after trying out a friend's and liked it. It is still being made, although some changes were made (some say "cheapened") with different versions.

MSN has posted a slideshow article of 15 little-known facts about the Ruger 10/22.

It begins with:

The Ruger 10/22 is one of those rifles that gets treated like it was always just “that handy little .22 everybody has.” That sells it short. The 10/22 was introduced in 1964, and over the decades it turned into one of the most successful rimfire rifles ever built. Ruger said in 2003 that more than 4 million had been produced by the rifle’s 40th anniversary, and later NRA coverage said sales had passed 6 million.

What makes the 10/22 interesting is that its success was not just about being cheap or familiar. The rifle won because several design ideas came together in a way that was unusually smart for a mass-market rimfire: the rotary magazine, the barrel attachment system, and the bolt setup all helped make it compact, reliable, and easy to build. American Rifleman flat-out says the “magic” of the 10/22 comes from three creative innovations: the barrel block, the rotary magazine, and the anti-bounce bolt.

To read more, go here. 

Firearms That Proved They Could Last

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

Some firearms come and go. The ones that stay over decades are the ones that were well designed and proven themselves reliable.  

The Avid Outdoorsman posted an article on firearms that proved they could last. I definitely two on the list and one that is a different version.

The article begins with:

Some guns earn attention because they are new, loud, expensive, or covered in features. Others earn it the slower way. They get carried, hunted with, left in trucks, passed through families, rebuilt, refinished, and kept working long after the next big thing has come and gone.

That kind of staying power is hard to fake. A firearm can look good in a catalog and still fall apart under real use. The ones below proved themselves by sticking around, showing up in the field, and giving owners fewer reasons to replace them than the market expected.

To read more, go here. 

Durango Train Summer Season Has Started

Above, with the Animas River below, the Durango train is at High Line. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Although we just entered into the month of May, it is summer train season for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad of southwestern Colorado.

According to the official website, the season this year runs May 2 – November 1st, 2026.

I last rode the train to Silverton in 2022. I am thinking of either doing so again or ride aboard the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. I haven't ridden on that one yet. Both are within a day's drive from home.]

Above, Jessica and I at the Bar D Chuckwagon show in 2022.

There are other things to do in Durango, such as taking in a barbecue show at the Bar D Chuckwagon. The food is good and there is much to see and do there.

Above, the Bar D Chuckwagon dinner show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For more information on riding the Silverton train, go here.

What Your Winchester Rifle Says About You!

What Your Winchester Rifle Says About You! video by Rifle Ready.

Summary:

The Winchester rifle you choose reveals more about your personality than you'd probably like to admit. From the Model 1866 Yellow Boy collector who owns white gloves and a magnifying glass, to the Model 1894 hunter who shows up to deer camp before dawn and shoots iron sights out of respect for the person who taught them — each Winchester tells a story about its owner. The Model 1892 crowd is living out a cowboy movie thanks to John Wayne and Hollywood, the pre-1964 Model 70 owners genuinely believe they're superior (and Carlos Hathcock's Vietnam service might prove them right), while post-64 Model 70 shooters are tired of the nostalgia and let their filled tags do the talking. The Model 1873 faithful are time travelers who'd trade Wi-Fi for a campfire, and the modern XPR buyer walked past every lever action in the store because they care about results, not romance. This video roasts every Winchester owner on the spectrum — and by the end, you're going to see yourself in one of them whether you want to or not.

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 begin the week (and being the first for May), we have the pop group Mercy with their 1969 hit, "Love (Can Make You Happy)", which peaked at number two on the Billboard chart.

From Wikipedia:

Mercy is an American pop group from Florida. The group's 1969 single "Love (Can Make You Happy)", written by Jack Sigler, Jr., soared to No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, and also peaked at No. 2 on the Adult Contemporary chart."Love (Can Make You Happy)" was released in April and had sold over one million copies by July 15, earning a gold record from the R.I.A.A., although the group did not receive the award until October 2009.

The track was originally released on the small Tampa, Florida-based Sundi record label, at which time it was also included in the movie, Fireball Jungle. The B-side of the Sundi single was entitled "Fire Ball".

During the single's rapid rise in the charts, an album was released by a group calling themselves "The Mercy" (with a cover showing three female models, that included the Sundi recording, as well as several other songs that were not recorded by any of the original Mercy members.

The song was re-recorded on the Warner Brothers label, with the addition of new band members, and included on the Warner Brothers album, Love Can Make You Happy, which peaked at No. 38 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. Mercy had one other Billboard Hot 100 hit, the song "Forever", which reached No. 79 in June 1969.

The band is still touring with Sigler, the original lead vocalist and founder of the group. Mercy released their latest EP on iTunes in 2009.

 

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Gives Spirit Airlines Update

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy gives update after Spirit Airlines ceased operations.

We can thank the Biden Administration, then-Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Elizabeth "Pocahontas" Warren for this debacle by blocking of the merger of Spirit Airlines with Jet Blue Airlines.

Why Lever Action Rifles Still Win Hearts

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

Lever-action rifles have seen a surge in popularity. 

This has been more pronounced following the COVID pandemic of six years ago. Ever since I bought my Winchester 94 in 2019, I have noticed not only the surge in popularity of lever-actions, but prices for them as well. 

MSN posted an article on why lever-action rifles are still winning hearts.

They begin with:

Lever action rifles blend history, practicality, and pure shooting joy. From the iconic Winchester 1894 to modern Henrys, they remain beloved for their speed, handling, and personal connection. Whether for hunting, collecting, or range fun, their charm endures beyond pure performance specs.

The enduring magic of lever guns

Lever action rifles have been trusted companions for well over a century, offering a fast, intuitive shooting experience that connects shooters to a rich history. Whether it’s the Winchester 1873’s role in taming the West or the Marlin 336’s place in countless deer camps, these rifles carry stories in every scratch and worn grip. Modern versions keep the tradition alive while adding refinements for today’s shooters.

To read more, go here. 

Wacky, Weird UFO Sites To Visit In the U.S.

Above, yours truly at the Roswell International UFO Museum in 2018.

Before he passed away last October, Russell Azbill and I regularly discussed all kinds of topics of the paranormal. Subjects ranged from ghosts, bigfoot and Unidentified Flying Objects. He personally saw the "Phoenix Lights" back in the 1990s.

I have been interested in UFOs since about high school. Eight years ago, my former roommate Jessica and I went down to Roswell, New Mexico for the annual Roswell UFO Festival. We both had a fun time.

Above, the 2018 Roswell UFO Festival. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Travel, in today's newsletter, posted an article on weird, wacky UFO sites to visit. 

They begin it with:

As of November 2024, the Pentagon has analyzed 1,652 reports of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs). Of those, 757 were recorded between May 2023 and June 2024, with 21 still classified as unexplained. Even if you’re not a UFO enthusiast, this is certainly intriguing. It reminds me of the fascinating places you can visit and learn more about UFOs right here in the USA.

What is a UFO?

Unidentified flying objects (UFOs) are not new. The first alleged UFO sighting in the United States dates back to the 1890s! Since that time, there have been many, many reported sightings from Washington to Maine and New Mexico to Indiana, with places in between, as well.

A Gallup poll taken in 2021 found that four out of ten Americans believe that UFOs are alien spacecraft from other planets. Recent sentiment seems to indicate that the number is rising—especially given the latest news. No matter what your position may be, there are UFO sighting locations throughout the USA. Here are just two places to consider adding to your next RV trip.

To read more, go here.