Evening Drive

Last evening, I decided to take a little Jeep drive on Six Mile Canyon Road after going to the Flying J. I went as far as the corral at the entrance to Six Mile Canyon.

Naturally, I took a few pictures.

John Moses Browning: THE MAN WHO INVENTED MODERN WARFARE!

THE MAN WHO INVENTED MODERN WARFARE! THE GENIUS OF JOHN M. BROWNING video from Logan1851 | Old West History.

Summary:

Welcome to the channel! When you handle firearms out in the field, whether on a hunt, at the shooting range, or during military service, you quickly learn to recognize true mechanical reliability. And almost every time you hold a flawless, indestructible piece of gunsmithing, one name echoes through history: John Moses Browning.

Today, we are looking at the life and legacy of the greatest firearms inventor who ever lived. While we often focus on the guns of the Old West, Browning is the man who bridged the gap between 19th-century frontier lever-actions and the battle-proven, modern weapons of the 20th century.

In this video, we explore his humble beginnings in his father's Utah shop and his early single-shot masterpieces like the Winchester 1885. We will break down his legendary partnership with Winchester that gave us the iconic 1886, 1892, and 1894 lever-action rifles. We will also discuss how his brilliant mind visualized complex mechanics without blueprints, eventually leading to the invention of the slide-action, the modern semi-automatic pistol, and the heavy machine guns that changed global history forever.

Which of John Moses Browning's designs is your absolute favorite piece of engineering? Let me know in the comments!

Where To RV For 70-degree Weather All Year

Above, Ashurst Lake dispersed campground in Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Travel has posted an interesting article on where to RV for 70-degree weather every month of the year. 

Since we're almost in autumn (that arrives on September 22) and one's wanderlust is still spurring them along despite changing seasons, the article may be useful.  

It begins with:

Wouldn’t it be nice if every stop on your RV journey came with mild days, cool nights, and little need for the A/C or furnace? That’s the goal of chasing 70 degrees—a seasonal travel strategy to stay in the comfort zone year-round.

Traveling this way helps you avoid wild weather swings, reduce energy use, and enjoy nature at its best. Here’s how to follow the 70-degree sweet spot around the U.S.—with tips on beauty, weather quirks, and what to watch out for in each region.

To read more, go here. 

Starting RV Life As A Senior

Above, Ely, Nevada KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

People who are retiring and are entering "the golden years" who are interested in joining the RV lifestyle should check out an article and video posted in RV Travel with some useful tips.

The article is titled, "Starting RV Life As A Senior - What You Need To Know." 

While becoming an RVer during one's senior years may sound appealing, but there are things they should be prepared to face.

The article begins with:

Starting RV life as a senior can feel both thrilling and overwhelming. Many people imagine endless adventure, but the early days often bring unexpected aches, exhaustion, and sometimes even regret. Finding solutions to common problems quickly can turn things around, leading to a more enjoyable, sustainable lifestyle.

In the video at the end of this post, John, of Gone With John, offers some useful advice and perspectives.

 To see the video and read more, go here.

Survey: More Women and Minorities Own Guns Than Ever

With the following article, one can easily say, "welcome aboard."

More women and minorities are joining the ranks of gun owners. It seems more people are realizing that the Second Amendment is for everybody.

According to an article in The Reload, which begins with:

A new survey of nearly 17,000 gun owners has found AR-15 ownership now reaches the 40 million mark, and that women and people of color make up an ever-larger share of buyers.

The 2026 National Firearms Survey, published on Saturday, examined firearm ownership and use across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It determined 25 percent of gun owners report they currently have an AR-15, and an additional 12.9 percent said they own a similar semi-automatic rifle–putting the combined number of owners somewhere around 26.4 million. It also found that more people of color and women are choosing to own guns, a trend that picked up speed during the COVID-19 pandemic and persisted in the years since. Gun ownership among nearly every minority group increased from the last National Firearms Survey fielded in 2021.

“In sum, firearms ownership has continued to grow, and firearms owners are more diverse than ever,” Georgetown Professor William English, who conducted the survey, wrote.

To read more, go here. 

7 Shocking Facts About .30-30 Rifles

7 Shocking Facts About .30-30 Rifles They Don’t Want You to Know! video from The Armory Vault.

Summary:

Think you know everything about the .30-30 Winchester? Think again. While generations of hunters grew up carrying a Winchester Model 1894 or Marlin 336, decades of camp folklore and commercial marketing have obscured the true mechanical capabilities and history of America’s quintessential deer rifle. In this video, we break down 7 shocking, lesser-known facts about the .30-30, from debunking the legendary "brush-busting" deflection myth with hard ballistics data, to its overlooked military deployment across three Allied nations in World War I, and the bitter corporate feud that gave a groundbreaking smokeless cartridge a misleading black-powder name.

We also explore how the 130-year-old .30-30 routinely outperforms modern tactical intermediate rounds like the .300 Blackout and 7.62x39mm in terminal hunting energy, investigate the 110-year aerodynamic magazine barrier that was finally cracked using bathroom caulk, and reveal its role in repelling wartime invasions as well as carrying out modern judicial executions. Which of these seven facts surprised you the most, and how many did you already know? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, hit that thumbs-up button if you learned something new, and subscribe to the channel for more deep-dive ballistics breakdowns and firearm history!

12 Cheap Guns People Laughed At — Until...

12 Cheap Guns People Laughed At — Until They Proved Everyone Wrong video from Arms Insider.

Summary:

Cheap guns are easy to dismiss—but some of them earned respect the hard way. In this video, we look at 12 affordable firearms that people mocked, underestimated, or ignored until they proved surprisingly reliable, accurate, durable, or popular. From budget pistols and carbines to working-man rifles and shotguns, these are the cheap guns that ended up proving everyone wrong.

Of the firearms listed, I have number 8 on the list.

6 Big Name Cruise Lines That Just Aren't Worth It Anymore

Above, the Majesty of the Seas in Havana Port in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since taking a cruise isn't my favorite mode of travel (RVing is), I've only been on three cruises. 

The first was with Celebrity to Alaska. The second was with Royal Caribbean to Havana, Cuba. The third was with Norwegian to the Bahamas. 

While I enjoyed each cruise, I noticed that the costs are accumulating and getting higher. 

AOL has also taken notice of this as they posted an article on six big name cruise lines that aren't worth it anymore.

They begin with:

Cruises have long been promoted as an affordable way to visit multiple destinations while bundling accommodations, meals, and entertainment into one fare. But that value is becoming harder to find.

Rising daily gratuities, expensive drink and Wi-Fi packages, and additional charges for dining or room service can push the final bill far beyond the advertised price. That doesn't mean every major cruise line is a bad choice. Many still offer impressive ships, convenient itineraries, and experiences that suit particular travelers.

However, passengers who want to save money on travel must look beyond promotional fares and calculate what their vacation will actually cost. For some former favorites, fewer inclusions and increasingly expensive extras have made the math less appealing than it once was. With that in mind, these big-name cruise lines may no longer provide enough value to justify the total price.

To read more, go here. 

Barbecue Day

As usual, I am sticking close to home on this Labor Day.

I am planning on barbecuing a steak this afternoon. The National Weather Service forecasts isolated showers and thunderstorms this afternoon after 3:00. That being the possible case, I will fire up the barbecue at around 2:00. 

The forecast:

 Labor Day

Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight

Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Trump Floats Renaming New Mexico

This is sure to drive the wacko liberals here in New Mexico bonkers.

President Trump is floating the idea of renaming New Mexico to New America. 

According to the Gateway Pundit:

President Trump posted a photo earlier, floating the idea of renaming another landmark, this time a US state. 

Trump posted the graphic on Truth Social on Sunday, showing a map of New Mexico, with “Mexico” crossed out and “America” taking its place.

It would appear that he is just trolling, but who knows?

Why should we have a state with a name that would appear to imply a connection to the neighboring cartel-infested slum nation?

To read more, go here. 

I can easily predict what Deb Haaland's responce would be: "Um."

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day!

The most memorable Labor Day for me was in 1984 when I attended the campaign kick-off for the Reagan-Bush campaign.

It is estimated that 50,000 people attended Ronald Reagan's formal Labor Day campaign kickoff rally at Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley. I remember the day being hot and some who were bused in couldn't get in as the venue was filled to capacity. Luckily, Mike Evans (a longtime friend) and I got there early enough to get in. 

Here's one of my photos of President Reagan addressing the crowd. Those I can identify are: Ed Rollins, Pete Wilson, Nancy Reagan, Charlton Heston, George Deukmejian, President Reagan, Maureen Reagan, Johnny Grant and Dennis Revell.

Above, President Reagan's Labor Day campaign kick-off
 in Fountain Valley, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

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.  

For this week's entry of Classic Rock Music Monday, we have Shelley Fabares, who passed away on August 22 at age 82 with her 1962 hit, "Johnny Angel". While I've always liked Shelley, I definitely am not a fan of her husband Mike Farrell. Oh, well. I never saw her on the Donna Reed Show (I started watching the show after she already left), but I first noticed her in the Elvis Presley movie, Girl Happy (1965).

From Wikipedia:

Michele Ann Marie Fabares (/ˌfæˈbreɪ/; January 19, 1944 – August 22, 2026) was an American actress and singer. She was known for her television roles as Francine Webster on One Day at a Time, as Mary on sitcom The Donna Reed Show (1958–1963), and as Christine Armstrong on sitcom Coach (1989–1997), the last of which earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards nominations. Her film roles included playing leading lady to Elvis Presley in Girl Happy (1965), Spinout (1966), and Clambake (1967). In 1962, her recording of "Johnny Angel" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Anti-Gunners Won't Like The 2026 National Firearms Survey Findings

Over the years, anti-gun advocates have made numerous arguments to support their campaign to ban guns. 

Thankfully, those arguments can be easily debunked and that the Second Amendment has been bolstered by recent Supreme Court decisions. 

Townhall has posted an article that the anti-gunners won't like from the 2026 National Firearms Survey.

They begin with:

The anti-gunner lobby isn’t going to be happy about the findings of the 2026 National Firearms Survey, which destroys some of the most common arguments they make in favor of gun control.

The survey was conducted by Dr. William English of Georgetown University.

Researchers found that gun ownership in the United States has increased significantly over recent years — especially among racial minorities. It also found that defensive gun uses happen far more often than anti-gunner advocates suggest. The study also showed that a large chunk of the U.S. population owns firearms that anti-gunners want the government to ban.

Let’s dive into the numbers.

To read more, go here. 

5 Classic Hunting Rifles Hunters Refuse to Sell

5 Classic Hunting Rifles Hunters Refuse to Sell (Pre 64 Winchester Model 70 and More) video from Gunsmith 360.

Summary:

Every hunter has one rifle they'll never sell, and these five classic hunting rifles explain why. From the pre 64 Winchester Model 70's legendary claw extractor to the Savage 99's forgotten rotary magazine, this video breaks down the real engineering behind the vintage hunting rifles that still outperform their modern replacements in the field.

 

NSSF Member Alert: New Mexico's 7-Day Waiting Period

This morning, I receive an email from the NSSF, the firearm trade association on the status of the 7-day waiting period for gun purchases in New Mexico.

It reads as follows:

New Mexico 7-Day Waiting Period Update

Last year, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit ruled in an NSSF^®-supported challenge Ortega v. Grisham that New Mexico’s seven-day waiting period for firearm purchases infringes on the Second Amendment by preventing the lawful acquisition of firearms by those who had already passed a NICS check. The case was remanded to the district court, which entered a preliminary injunction as to the named plaintiffs. On August 27, the district court determined that it was bound by the Tenth Circuit’s decision that the law is unconstitutional and granted summary judgment for the plaintiffs.

It is NSSF’s position that the Tenth Circuit was clear that the law is unconstitutional as to individuals who receive a “proceed” from NICS. However, the New Mexico Governor’s office has advised lawyers handling the Ortega case that the state fully intends to enforce the statute against FFLs who are not a party to the case. While NSSF strongly disagrees with the state’s threat to enforce this unconstitutional law, we recommend that FFLs for the time being refrain from transferring firearms to customers who have passed a NICS before the seven day waiting period expires. Lawyers handling the Ortega case are exploring all available legal options in response to the state’s position, including filing additional legal challenges. NSSF will provide further updates as matters develop.

This is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. You are encouraged to consult with your own attorney before making any decisions.

Cruise Tipping Etiquette

Above, the Celebrity Mercury docked at Juneau, Alaska in 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When my family took a cruise to Alaska back in 2001, my mom left a cash tip for the steward for our room.

Since then, I've noticed that gratuities are added to the cost of the cruise before one even steps on board. But, if one still wants to, an extra cash gratuity may be left in the room just before vacating it.

Southern Living posted an article on whether you should tip on a cruise. 

They begin it with:

Stepping aboard a cruise ship often feels like entering a floating city, complete with endless buffets, poolside cocktails, and attentive staff ready to cater to your every possible need. Amid the excitement of planning shore excursions and lounging under the sun, one question remains: should you tip on a cruise?

Unlike dining at a restaurant or ordering an Uber, the etiquette of tipping at sea can be confusing, with varying policies and pre-set service charges. What’s included and what’s not?

To read more, go here. 

What Is WACA?

WACA is short for the Winchester Arms Collectors Association. It is based in Montana and has over 3,000 members. 

They put on the annual WACA Show in Cody, Wyoming. Mitch Geriminsky and I attended the 2025 show. 

Above, the 2025 WACA Show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

From their website:

The Winchester Arms Collectors Association (WACA) is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt corporation with a worldwide membership of over 3,000 individuals. WACA was organized in July 1977, incorporated February 21, 1978, in the State of Montana and has been NRA affiliated (#G8143) since 1978.

Our members are devoted to the preservation, understanding and collecting of Winchester firearms and related products as well as the role these products had in forging America’s heritage.

The Winchester Collector, a quarterly publication, is dedicated to the collecting of Winchester Firearms and related Memorabilia. It includes Winchester related articles, highlights from our shows and events, as well as calendar updates and classified ads. We encourage our members to contribute to our publications, as we showcase our members’ favorite Winchesters.

We currently produce the WACA Show in Cody, WY, and as an association attend shows in Wellington, OH, and Las Vegas, NV.  Members receive free admission to the Cody Show during public show hours.  Cody Show awards include specially sculpted bronze plaques, winners’ names added to the highly-coveted George Madis Best Educational and Glenn Hockett Best of Show trophies, and cash awards.  We encourage our members to participate in all Winchester shows.

 

Above, yours truly with the official 2025 WACA Show t-shirt. Photo by Mitch Germinsky,

To read more, go here.

36" Winchester Model 1894 Made In 1905

36" Winchester Model 1894 video from The Cinnabar.

Summary:

Join us as we take a first look at a rare and interesting Winchester 1894 with a 36" barrel.

 

Back At Jerry's Cafe

Above, some water with lemon slices for me. 

After a two-week hiatus, "Uncle Bob" Weekes and I made it for dinner at Jerry's Cafe in Gallup last evening.

Bob got there at 2:00 and I arrived fifteen minutes later. He put his name with the cashier and waited... and waited. We ended up getting seated at about 2:30. This had to be the longest wait ever for us. But, thankfully, we were in no hurry. 

Apparently, the locals were also "going through withdrawals" while the restaurant was closed for vacation for two weeks as it was packed. 

We had our usual meals (mine with the No. 3 combination of chile relleno and enchilada). 

It was good to be back.

We'll be in Gallup this morning for our usual Saturday breakfast gathering at Grandpa's Grill.

10 Hunting Rifles That Helped Keep Frontier Families Alive

10 Hunting Rifles That Helped Keep Frontier Families Alive video from Forgotten Frontier Explained.

Summary:

When we picture frontier survival, we usually think about blizzards, outlaws, and long journeys through hostile country. But for most families, survival came down to something much simpler: could the rifle leaning beside the cabin door reliably put meat on the table before winter arrived?

In this video, we rank ten hunting rifles and long guns that helped keep frontier families alive, from worst to best. We break down the versatile but inaccurate fowling piece, the small Stevens “boy’s rifle,” Pennsylvania long rifle, Springfield Trapdoor, Remington Rolling Block, legendary Sharps, Winchester Models 1873 and 1876, the underrated Marlin 1893, and finally the Winchester Model 1894—the rifle that helped define American deer hunting and is still being carried into the woods more than a century later.

Along the way, we explain why accuracy, stopping power, reload speed, ammunition availability, weight, and reliability mattered far more than reputation alone. We also look at the complicated legacy of the Sharps buffalo rifle, why repeating rifles gradually overtook single-shots, and how the .30-30 Winchester became one of the most enduring hunting cartridges in American history.

 

The Morning In Gallup

Above, Jerry's Cafe is back open after a two-week hiatus. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, I had some business to take care of in Gallup, including the bank. I also got a badly-needed haircut. 

Following that, I went to Blake's Lotaburger and had a breakfast sausage burrito. They rival the breakfast burritos at Grandpa's Grill in my opinion. 

Above, the sausage burrito at Blake's Lotaburger. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In the afternoon, the Blu-ray of EPIC: Elvis Presley In Concert arrived, so I watched that during dinner. 

After a two-week hiatus, I'll be meeting up with "Uncle Bob" Weekes at Jerry's Cafe in Gallup this afternoon for dinner. They were closed for two weeks for vacation, etc. It'll be great to be back at Jerry's.

I've noticed that it is getting cooler at night and the sun is setting earlier. Before we know it, it will be autumn. Before long, we'll be shoveling snow here. 

Deb Haaland: Two DWI Convictions

Democrat candidate for New Mexico governor Deb Haaland did not exactly have a stellar life when it came to the law in her early years.

According to KJZZ:

A member of the Laguna Pueblo, Haaland was born in Winslow, Arizona, but describes herself as a 35th generation New Mexican. She spent her youngest years on the move as part of a military family, eventually settling in Albuquerque when she was 14.

Personal and professional difficulties followed. Within the next decade, she became a single mom living on public assistance. A drinking problem resulted in two DWI convictions.

To read more, go here. 

Haaland's Out-of-State Contributions At 58%

According to campaign-finance disclosures filed with the New Mexico Secretary of State, a majority of Democrat Governor-candidate Deb Haaland’s latest campaign contributions came from outside New Mexico—roughly 58% in the most recent reporting period. Earlier reports showed the out-of-state share approaching 80%. - Ant Thornton for NM.

"EPIC: Elvis Presley In Concert" Blu-ray

This year is sure flying by. It was only in March that I went to the Red Rock 10 Theaters in Gallup to see Baz Luhrmann's Epic: Elvis Presley In Concert. 

After returning home, I wrote and posted my review. To see it, go here.

The Blu-ray of the movie arrived today and I just got done watching it. This is my second viewing of the movie and it reinforced my review's grade of A+. It garnered a 97% favorable rating at Rotten Tomatoes.

The Blu-ray package contains two discs. One is for 4K Ultra HD players and the other is the Blu-ray. The images on my player looked quite good and the sound quality is excellent (don't be afraid to crank up the sound).

The movie covers Presley's Las Vegas residency at the International Hotel in 1969 and his early arena tours. The film purportedly contains "rumored" lost footage that was found while Luhrmann's was producing Elvis in 2022 

If one is an Elvis fan or just are a fan of rock 'n roll music documentaries, I recommend adding this to your collection.

WINCHESTER MODEL 94 OLD AND NEW RANGE REVIEW

WINCHESTER MODEL 94 OLD AND NEW RANGE REVIEW video from The Walk With Al.

Summary:

A complete Review of the old model 94 Winchester we show some of the differences between the two and how to recognize the difference Between the old model 94 And the newer model 94 and show You how The two different Rifles Perform Out at the range.

 

What Kills More People?

 

When Was Your Winchester Made? Part 2

Above, yours truly at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in
Cody, Wyoming last summer. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

To correctly date one's Winchester rifle can be a daunting task. 

When I checked my Winchester 94's serial number, I went with the Winchester Arms Collector's Association date data site. That site put it at being made in 1962. I referred to it when I was at the gun store about to buy the Winchester 94 using my phone. 

According to some Winchester collectors, data provided by some sites may not be totally accurate. That's why I called dating one's rifle can be a daunting task.

Many Winchester collectors request letters (for a fee) from the Cody Firearms Records Office at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West that states the year of manufacture and configuration data. They have the Winchester records. 

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

According to their website:

The Cody Firearms Records Office currently provides manufacturing dates and configuration data on Winchester, Marlin, L.C. Smith, Ithaca, Savage, and A.H. Fox firearms using the original factory records held by the Center.

Factory letters are available to all individuals for a fee based on membership status and are typically mailed four to six weeks from payment receipt. Quick serial number searches are a Center Firearms Member benefit and are typically e-mailed within 2 to 5 business days of request.

There is another source for finding the year of manufacture of Winchester 94 rifles. It is the GunSerials website. They can be reached here.

To see Part One, go here.

Scouting America and NRA Gun Safety

Above, Boy Scouts at a shooting range. Photo from NRA Blog.

Now that the Boy Scouts of America has gone woke and became Scouting America, I was wondering if gun safety courses put on by the National Rifle Association are still being offered. 

Back when I was in the Boy Scouts in the 1960s, our troop took the NRA Gun Safety course held at the TRW Inc. (or Thompson Ramo Wooldridge Inc.) Space Park in Redondo Beach, California. I think we took the course in 1966 or 1967.

It turns out that Scouting America still partners with the NRA to offer firearms safety programs. I am pleased to see this.

From the Scouting America website:

Scouting America and the National Rifle Association (NRA) have worked together for more than 100 years to develop a strong shooting sports program. Many NRA trained men and women in Scouting America local councils are willing and available to work with units and youth. Too often, individual units want to go shooting with whatever guns they have at whatever location they think is safe. However, the Range and Target Activities program is both age-appropriate and structured with specific types of firearms and the appropriate places to shoot. Leaders and chartered organizations need to know and follow the program.

Here's a video on YouTube posted by the Boy Scouts eight years ago: