John Moses Browning Got Almost No Credit For Gun Inventions

Why Did the Man Behind America's Most Iconic Firearms End Up With Almost None of the Credit video by Ivan Jackson.

Summary:

Why Did the Man Behind America's Most Iconic Firearms End Up With Almost None of the Credit

John Moses Browning designed over 75% of the repeating arms on the American market by 1900. The Winchester 1894. The Colt 1911. The BAR. His name appeared on almost none of them. The companies got the credit. The Belgian factory got the man. This is the story of how America's greatest gun designer ended up nearly invisible inside his own legacy.

 

American Film Icon Clint Eastwood Turns 96 Today!

Above, Clint Eastwood at the Reagan-Bush 1980 Election Night
Victory party at the Century Plaza Hotel. Photo by Paul Evans.

Wow! Clint Eastwood turned 96 today!

It is hard to believe that he has reached this milestone. Then again, it is also hard to believe that I am 24 years behind him in age! 

Well, growing old is not so bad when one considers the alternative, eh?

I was forunate enough to meet him and get his autograph at the Reagan-Bush Victory Party at the Century Plaza Hotel. I had him sign my ticket to the private reception (below).

Happy Birthday, Clint!

Report: Grand Canyon 9th Busiest National Park

Above, the Colorado River meanders in the Grand Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Summer vacation season kicked off last weekend when we observed Memorial Day. Memorial Day is traditionally considered as the start of summer vacation season. 

A new report is showing that Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is the ninth busiest national park for summer RV camping.

Above, my RV at Grand Canyon National Park in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to an article in AZ Free News:

As Summer RV travel peaks across the United States, new research highlights stark differences in crowding at America’s national parks. Arizona’s iconic Grand Canyon National Park stands as a major draw for RV enthusiasts, ranking ninth busiest overall despite a cooling trend in 2025.

According to data from Blue Capital Holdings, RV campers flocked to Glacier National Park in Montana more than any other over the past five years, logging more than 429,000 summer visits (June-August) from 2021 to 2025. Yosemite National Park in California followed closely in second place.

Top 5 Most Popular National Parks for Summer RV Camping (2021-2025):

• Glacier National Park, Montana – 429,693 visits
• Yosemite National Park, California – 423,672 visits
• Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Tennessee – 333,739 visits
• Olympic National Park, Washington – 280,272 visits
• Acadia National Park, Maine – 158,105 visits

The article also shows the least popular national parks.

To read the full article, go here.

Why National Park Gateway Towns Are Struggling

Above, the gateway town of West Yellowstone, Montana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

These are strange times.

One would think that national park gateway towns are going gangbusters with tourist travel dollars flowing in. Well, yes and no.

According to an article in RV Travel, national park gateway towns are struggling.

They begin with:

For decades, gateway towns near America’s national parks thrived. Travelers came to see the parks, and the towns provided everything else. Fuel. Groceries. Campgrounds. Restaurants. Laundry. RV repair shops. Ice cream. Souvenirs. Showers. Propane. You name it, they probably had it.

But this summer, many of those small towns are feeling squeezed, and RVers, if you haven’t already, you may start noticing the effects.

From Yellowstone to Zion to Glacier to the Smokies, gateway communities are dealing with a difficult mix of rising tourism pressure, staffing shortages, higher costs, housing problems, and aging infrastructure. In some places, local officials say they’re struggling just to keep up with the number of visitors arriving every day.

And for RVers, that can mean longer waits, fewer services, crowded roads, and significantly higher prices.

To read more, go here. 

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Spotlighted At The Federalist

Above, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna official portrait.

Yesterday's Saturday Sultress at The Federalist blog by longtime friend and fellow Clamper Gary Julian spotlights Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida. 

According to Wikipedia:

Anna Paulina Luna (née Mayerhofer; born May 6, 1989) is an American politician and Air Force veteran serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 13th congressional district since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, she is the first Mexican-American woman elected to Congress from Florida.

Luna served as airfield management specialist in the Air National Guard from age 19, serving from 2009 to 2014. For her service, she was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal.

With her Federalist spotlight, I can easily see why she was elected to Congress. It just fortifies the truth, "Hotter Women Are Republicans!" Wow!

To see her spotlight at The Federalist, go here.

American Rifleman: 18 New Shotguns For 2026

Above, an early Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny. Warner Bros. image.

In the market for a new shotgun?

Personally, I'm not as I already have four of varying ages. The oldest are my Manton 12 gauge made somewhere in the 1800s and my Winchester 1912 (or Model 12) that was made in 1919 along with a Mossberg 500E .410 pump and Remington 870 12 gauge Express. These are plenty for me.

American Rifleman (NRA) posted a list of 18 new shotguns for 2026. They vary in price and design. 

They begin with:

Among today's firearm platforms, the shotgun remains one of the most time-tested, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement. Today's new crop of shotguns runs the gamut, giving modern shotgunners new options in nearly every conceivable category. From break-action designs with a third barrel to modernized semi-automatics that provide more reliable operation than ever before, it's a good time to be a shotgun fan.

Check out 18 of the latest and greatest new shotguns on the market today.

To read more, go here. 

 

Don’t Buy a Lever Action Rifle… Until You Watch This Brutal Truth!

Don’t Buy a Lever Action Rifle… Until You Watch This Brutal Truth! video by The Armory.

Summary:

Thinking about buying a lever action rifle in 2026? You might be making a costly mistake.

In this no-BS breakdown, we rank the top 10 lever action rifles—from budget-friendly workhorses to high-end powerhouses—and expose what actually matters: reliability, real-world performance, recoil, and usability. From classic hunting rifles to modern tactical lever guns, this list cuts through the hype.

Whether you're into self-defense setups, hunting, or just want a dependable rifle that runs when it counts… this guide will save you time and money.

 

The Most and Least Expensive National Parks To Camp

Above, RV camping at Trailer Village at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Camping used to be an economically cheap way to vacation. Well, it is turning out to be even less so these days.

Granted, camping is still, on average, cheaper than hotel vacations. 

If one wants to plan a camping vacation (provided one can get a campsite) in a national park, expect to find some "sticker shock" costs involved. I last camped in a national park in 2017. It was in Grand Canyon National Park's Trailer Village at the South Rim.

Time Out has posted an article on the most and least expensive national parks to camp in this summer.

Above, my RV at Grand Teton National Park, which tops the list of priciest national parks. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

They begin it with:

Camping has long been sold as the affordable alternative to pricey hotels and resort fees. But if you've tried booking a campsite lately, bought a bundle of firewood at a national park camp store or filled up your gas tank for a road trip, you already know that roughing it doesn’t always come cheap.

A new study from Casino.org compared the costs of camping across America’s 15 most-visited national parks and found that a weekend under the stars can vary wildly depending on where you pitch your tent this summer. Researchers looked at average costs including campsite fees, park entry and permit charges, meals and drinks, gas, firewood, ice and popular outdoor activities to figure out which parks will drain your wallet fastest—and which still deliver a relatively budget-friendly escape.

Topping the list as the most expensive national park for campers is Grand Teton National Park, where a weekend camping trip now averages a hefty $439. Between campground fees, fuel costs and pricey activities, the Wyoming park proved significantly more expensive than many travelers might expect from a tent-based vacation.

To read more, go here. 

'Supergirl' Pre-release Tracking Looks Disastrously Bad

Above, the classic Supergirl by Jim Mooney.

When James Gunn's Superman was released, I was not impressed. The costume was horrible and the story was not interesting enough to me to head to the local theater.

It appears his Supergirl is underwhelming people as well and is on track to be a disappointing flop.

I enjoyed the previous Superman movies, you know, the Henry Cavill ones. I wasn't too thrilled over his costume either, but I liked the movies and his portrayal. DC Entertainment decided to jettison that series and do another reboot. 

Above, the first appearance of Supergirl by Curt Swan and Al Plastino.

Fox News has posted an article on how Supergirl is not looking too promising. 

They begin it with:

DC Studios, housed at Warner Bros. Pictures, has tried to revamp its film and release strategies under the direction of James Gunn. Gunn, who was responsible for the "Guardians of the Galaxy" series, joined DC in 2022. His first big movie, made to jump-start the new DC direction, was 2025's "Superman." While not exactly a flop, it was a box-office disappointment. And Gunn himself may have been partially to blame.

Though the film avoided politics almost entirely, for some inexplicable reason, Gunn himself brought it up in pre-release promotional interviews.

"Yes, it’s about politics," Gunn explained in a story from The Times of London. "But on another level, it’s about morality.

"I mean, ‘Superman’ is the story of America – an immigrant that came from other places and populated the country," he continued. "But for me, it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost."

"It’s about human kindness, and obviously, there will be jerks out there who are just not kind and will take it as offensive just because it is about kindness. But screw them," he concluded.

Sure enough, "Superman" brought in substantially less money, before and after adjusting for inflation, than "Man of Steel." And pre-release tracking for the latest entry in Gunn's new DC Studios series, "Supergirl," is tracking to do substantially worse.

To read the full article, go here. 

Best Leather Rifle Case

Above, the neighbor-made scabbard and Winchester 94. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Rifle cases come in many styles, sizes, materials. They are essential for protecting one's rifle or shotgun while it is being transported whether it is being by vehicle or carried at the range or out in the field.

I have a leather gun case (or scabbard) made by my next door neighbor for my Winchester 94. It was well made and serves me well.

Not everyone has a talented neighbor and they have to resort to buying one. American Gun Works posted the top 12 best leather rifle case that hunters swear by.

They begin with:

Having the right protection for your firearm is key when it comes to storage and transport. Finding a case that combines durability, style, and functionality can be challenging.

That’s where the best leather rifle case stands out. Designed for hunters, collectors, and shooting sports participants, a quality leather rifle case offers secure storage while maintaining a classic look. It provides sturdy protection without adding unnecessary bulk or weight.

This review will cover the main features to look for, including construction quality, ease of carrying, and storage options. You’ll also learn about some popular choices to help you make an informed decision on a leather rifle case that fits your needs.

To read more, go here. 

Practical Guide To Selling A Gun Collection

Sometimes people need the sell their guns, whether they sell their guns one at a time or the whole collection. There's a myriad of reasons why they need to do so.

GUNSweek posted an article on how to sell a gun collection. 

They begin it with:

Whether you have a collection that's outgrown your storage or inherited guns that don't fit your needs, you may want to know how to sell a gun collection.

The process definitely comes with questions that selling a single firearm doesn't.

How do you value dozens of guns at once? Is it better to sell everything together or piece it out? Which selling method gets you the best return without consuming your entire life?

And what if you don't know much about the guns you're trying to sell?

This guide walks through all of it – from valuation to selling methods to the logistics of actually getting it done.

To read the full article, go here. 

Las Cruces, An RV Destination

Above, at camp at the Las Cruces KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Five years ago, I went down to Las Cruces, New Mexico to attend the Southern New Mexico State Fair.

I drove to Las Cruces from Jamestown, New Mexico via Interstate 40 and took NM Highway 6, a shortcut route to Interstate 25 to avoid Albuquerque. Interstate 25 was taken to Las Cruces. Once I reached Las Cruces, I took Interstate 10 to the Las Cruces KOA Kampground, where I stayed. 

I enjoyed my visit to Las Cruces and the state fair. I attended the fair's rodeo at the Pete Domenici Rodeo Arena. The Mexican food in town was good, although not as spicy hot as what one finds in the northern half of New Mexico.

RV Travel posted an article on Las Cruces.

They begin it with:

Las Cruces, a true desert destination, is nestled in southern New Mexico’s scenic Mesilla Valley.

This Chihuahuan Desert city of about 117,000 is situated between the Rio Grande and the majestic Organ Mountains. What makes Las Cruces a great destination for RVers? Read on to find out.

To read more, go here. 

5 Calibers That Make Lever-Action Rifles Even Better

5 Calibers That Make Lever-Action Rifles Even Better video by Firearms Authority.

Summary:

Lever-action rifles are already legendary for their speed, reliability, and handling — but the right caliber can completely transform their performance. In this video, we break down 5 calibers that make lever-action rifles even better, improving everything from stopping power to range, accuracy, and versatility.

From classic hunting cartridges to modern upgraded options, these calibers enhance the lever gun experience in the field, whether you’re hunting deer in thick woods, taking on larger game, or using your rifle for ranch and survival purposes. Each option is chosen based on real-world effectiveness, ballistic performance, recoil control, and overall practicality.

We explain how each caliber performs in lever-action platforms, what it’s best suited for, and why some cartridges continue to dominate while others are making a strong comeback in 2026. If you want to get the most out of your lever gun, this guide will help you choose the right caliber for your needs.

 

Monument Valley: The Only "Worth It" U.S. Attraction In The World

Above, the West Mitten in Monument Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When one is traveling around the U.S. or even the world and stops are made at attractions. Following one's visit, one may ask themselves, "Was this worth it?"

That very question crossed my mind a few times. But there is one place that I never tire of visiting, and that is Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park that straddles the Utah-Arizona border.

Monument Valley has made number 20 of a global top 20 of "worth it" places.

TimeOut posted an article on Monument Valley's status.

It begins with:

When you're shelling out for admission tickets, battling crowds and spending hours getting somewhere, there's one question every traveler eventually asks (if they dare): was it worth it?

According to a new analysis of nearly 3 million online travel reviews, there is only one American destination that received an affirmative answer: Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

The iconic tribal park, known for its towering sandstone buttes rising from the desert along the Arizona-Utah border, was the only U.S. attraction to crack the global top 20 in a new ranking from InsureandGo. Researchers analyzed review language for some of the world's most famous, expensive and difficult-to-reach destinations, tracking how often travelers explicitly described their visit as "worth it."

To read more, go here. 

How To Properly Clean RV Toilets To Prevent Damage

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

After owning my 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R for eleven years, something in it finally gave out. I still consider myself blessed as this was the first thing to go bad since I bought it new in 2015. 

The flush valve went bad and along with other related problems, I had to replace the toilet. 

The following article with a video by RV Travel posted two days ago seems rather timely. It is how to properly clean RV toilets to prevent damage.

It begins with:

Let’s face it. RV toilets aren’t the most glamorous part of RVing. There are tons of videos about black tank maintenance, but what about the basics? Many people buy a used RV and never get a walkthrough, leaving them clueless about how to properly use and clean their RV toilet.

In today’s video, Jason Epperson of RV Miles covers everything from how to use an RV toilet to cleaning it without causing damage.

To read more and see the video, go here. 

Heart Attack: RV Trips Don’t Always Go As Planned

Above, yours truly being loaded onto an air ambulance helicopter. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky

The following article in RV Travel I definitely can relate to.

Eight years ago this coming July I experienced a heart attack while at a car show and rally in Wells, Nevada. We were in a restaurant in town having lunch when it struck. Thankfully, a friend I was with, along with the restaurant's staff, jumped into action and got the paramedics there within minutes. 

I ended up being flown to Twin Falls, Idaho to have two stents placed in a coronary artery. I am now on medication and am currently doing fine. Along with the meds I take daily, I also shed pounds. 

RV Travel posted the following article by Gail Marsh two years ago, but it is well worth a review. It is on having a heart attack while on an RV trip (as I was when I had mine). 

It begins with:

I’ve learned so much over the past couple of weeks. We were only four hours into our long trek to Florida when my worst nightmare unexpectedly became a reality. While parked at the fueling lanes at a Love’s Truck Stop, my husband, Keith, began to experience pain in his left arm. The pain quickly escalated and persisted, so we called 911. After a quick trip to the local emergency room, where they determined he had a heart attack, Keith was transferred to a larger hospital nearby, where doctors inserted a stent into his heart. Thankfully, he’s doing very well, and the doctors expect a full and speedy recovery. Experiencing a heart attack while RVing on the road taught me several things. Here’s what I learned.

To read the full article, go here. 

Blue States Defy SCOTUS With Extreme Gun Bans

Above, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger. 

Leftist/liberal states such as Colorado, Virginia and others are passing laws that are already in violation of the U.S. Supreme Court's District of Columbia vs. Heller decision. They are flouting the Heller ruling.

They are passing laws banning firearms that are commonly used for hunting and other shooting sports. 

This defiance of the Supreme Court is a major concern.

AMAC (The Association of Mature American Citizens) posted an article on this. They begin it with:

Earlier this month, Virginia Democrat Governor Abigail Spanberger added the Old Dominion to the list of states taking square aim at the Second Amendment by signing a so-called “assault weapons” ban into law. The move was met with immediate legal challenges from pro-Second Amendment groups and even a promise from the assistant attorney general for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Justice, Harmeet Dhillon, that she will “see you in court!”

Days later, Spanberger herself unintentionally aided those challenges by admitting that the law she just signed bans guns “frequently used for hunting.” In fact, the law applies to vast swaths of firearms that can hardly be considered “weapons of war” as Democrats claim, including many pistols commonly owned for home defense.

But given the state of play in other Democrat-controlled states throughout the country, one can forgive Spanberger for thinking that she can get away with such a blatantly unconstitutional gun grab. Despite the Supreme Court ruling that such bans, like the one Spanberger just signed, violate the Second Amendment in the landmark District of Columbia v. Heller decision in 2008, liberal states continue to flout that ruling and unlawfully infringe on Americans’ constitutional rights.

To read more, go here.

15 Rifles Quietly Becoming FORTUNES… And Owners Don’t Realize It

15 Rifles Quietly Becoming FORTUNES… And Owners Don’t Realize It video by GunZone.

Summary:

15 Rifles Quietly Becoming FORTUNES… And Owners Don’t Realize It

What if the rifle sitting quietly in your safe is actually becoming a collector goldmine? In this video, we break down 15 Rifles Quietly Becoming FORTUNES that many owners still underestimate. From historic military classics to legendary hunting rifles and ultra desirable collector pieces, these valuable rifles continue climbing in demand among enthusiasts, historians, investors, and serious collectors.

You'll see iconic names like the Colt AR-15 SP1, Springfield Model 1903, M1 Garand, Winchester Model 70, Winchester Model 1886, Original Henry Rifle, Sharps Model 1874, Ruger No.1 Early Production, and more. Some of these rare rifles were once affordable working guns. Today, many have become highly sought-after collector rifles with values that keep moving upward.

Whether you're into gun collecting, historical firearms, military surplus rifles, lever actions, classic hunting rifles, or hidden collector investments, this countdown may completely change how you look at the guns in your collection.

 

Big Texan Roadshow Route 66 Tour

Above, the Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery in Amarillo, Texas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last December, my ex-roommate Jessica and I stopped in Amarillo, Texas to visit the Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery. We were en route from the Des Moines, Iowa area to Orange County, California. We made the stop along the way.

The Big Texan is famous for their big 72 ounce steak challenge. If someone takes the challenge, and completely eats the entire steak, it is free. We didn't take the challenge, but browsed around for about an hour and a half before hitting the road again.

Well, as things turn out, in celebration of the centennial of Route 66, the Big Texan will be hitting the road along the Mother Road. They will be in Gallup on June 11.

From KOAT:

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Big Texan Steak Ranch will take its 72 ounce steak challenge to the Mother Road for its centennial celebration.

The Big Texan will make appearances in Gallup, Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Santa Rosa.

The Big Texan posted this on Facebook:

 

I hope to be at the Gallup McKinley County Courthouse to watch. It should be fun!

Arizona Gov. Hobbs Vetoes Legislation Protecting 2nd Amendment Rights

Which is worse? Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico or Governor Katie Hobbs of Arizona?

As far as I am concerned, they are both Democrat birds of a radical leftist feather.

Hobbs recently vetoed a bill to protect the privacy of gun buyers from credit card companies. This has a history.

The Biden Administration "encouraged the credit card companies to create a new merchant category code to encourage a reduction in the purchase of firearms and ammunition." The bill in Arizona would have prevented this practice.

According to KAWC:

PHOENIX -- Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed legislation that supporters said would protect the Second Amendment rights of Arizonans by limiting the kind of information that credit card companies can collect, saying it would impair legitimate police work.

The proposal by Sen. Wendy Rogers addresses the fact that companies that process credit and debit card transactions uses "merchant codes'' to show the kind of retailer who made the sale. That's the process that allows credit card users when they get their bills to identify that a sale was made at a department store, a supermarket, a fast food restaurant or at a health care provider.

Where the Flagstaff Republican said that can lead to problems is when these companies create and use a special code to identify transactions made at a firearms retailer versus, say, listed as they can be now as sales occurring at a sporting goods store.

"If you purchase a firearm, they can track you,'' Rogers told colleagues. "So this bill seeks to avert that.''

To read more, go here. 

SCOTUS Rules Against Cruise Lines Over Havana Docks

Above, Royal Caribbean ship Majesty of the Seas docked at Havana Port in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against cruise line companies over a lawsuit over usage of confiscated Havana Port docks by the Cuban government. 

Back in April 2019, I took a cruise with Royal Caribbean (one of the defendants in the case) to Havana before President Trump ended Cuban cruises by Americans shortly after.

According to The Hill:

The Supreme Court on Thursday sided 8-1 against four major cruise lines in their bid to stave off a $440 million judgment for using docks at the Port of Havana. 

The case concerns voyages that Carnival, MSC, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian operated to Havana from 2016-19. The decision reinstates the $400 million judgment, but it leaves the door open for the companies to advance alternate arguments to still win as the dispute returns to a lower court. 

The case revolves around the Helms-Burton Act, which allows Americans to seek damages against anyone who “traffics in” property seized by Fidel Castro’s regime in the Cuban Revolution.  

Havana Docks had a 99-year legal right to operate the Port of Havana before it was confiscated. It used the law to sue the cruise lines over their voyages. The docks company secured a $440 million sum, but an appeals court wiped it because its property rights expired before the voyages.

Above, the Havana terminal after docking in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Shooting A Mossberg 500E .410 Gauge Shotgun

Three years ago, I went to the garage to get a gun case for a rifle to do some target shooting at the shooting range near our community.

I found one case which had something in it. I looked inside and there was a Mossberg 500E .410 shotgun that apparently my dad bought. I didn't know I had it.

As soon as I got some .410 shells, I tried it out at the range.  

Here's a couple of videos of shooting a Mossberg 500E .410 shotgun and what it can do and a Q & A video on it:

 

  

15 Things Ruger Did That Changed The Gun World

Above, the Ruger P95 9 mm semi-auto pistol. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have two firearms made by Sturm, Ruger and Company.

They are the iconic Ruger 10/22 .22 rifle and the Ruger P95 9 mm pistol. Both have been very reliable over the years. I have never had any problem with either of them. 

It has been my experience that Ruger firearms are of high quality and at affordable prices. 

Ruger has been an innovator since the company's beginning and MSN (via The Avid Outdoorsman) posted a slideshow of 15 things that Ruger did that changed the gun world.

They begin with:

Ruger is not the kind of company that changed the gun world by building only one legendary firearm and riding that name forever. It changed the market by doing something more practical: making useful guns regular shooters could actually afford, then repeating that formula across rimfire pistols, rimfire rifles, revolvers, semi-auto rifles, bolt guns, and eventually Marlin lever actions.

That is the real Ruger story. The company started in 1949 with a .22 pistol, then kept finding ways to build firearms that were rugged, approachable, and smartly manufactured. Ruger’s own product history shows the 10/22 beginning production in 1964, and the company’s 2020 acquisition of Marlin pulled one of America’s most beloved lever-gun names into Ruger’s modern manufacturing world.

To read more, go here

Memorial Day Rain

Well, it did rain yesterday, which we needed. 

I ended up grilling hamburgers inside instead of barbecuing. I used one of my mom's cast iron frying pans that she had ever since I could remember. They came out good (with some original Stubb's barbecue sauce).

Since Denny's at the Flying J has been closed for two weeks due to a fire, out coffee group will be heading to Lil's Cafe in Thoreau today. I haven't seen any activity at Denny's to get it reopened yet. Wonder what's keeping them?

As for yesterday's rain, we did have some evening lightning and thunder. I guess the monsoon season is starting early this year. That would be nice. 

There may be some more rain coming today.

Memorial Day Thunderstorms?

Above, outside this morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today's weather may put a damper on this year's Memorial Day.

I am planning on staying home today and barbecue hamburgers. But, there is a chance of thundershowers today, about 70%. We can use the rain.

I could still barbecue rain or not, I've done it before. 

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

 Memorial Day

A chance of rain before 9am, then a chance of showers between 9am and noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 68. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a chance of showers between 9pm and midnight. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of showers after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Cowboy Cooking Steak Trick

Above, grillin' a steak in Yosemite National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As today is Memorial Day, many people will be barbecuing their meals, whether they do it at home or camping in a national or state park. Personally, I will be barbecuing hamburgers today.

RV Travel posted an interesting article on a "cowboy cook trick" to make a tasty barbecued steak.

It begins with:

A cheap steak doesn’t have to eat like one. In the video at the end of this post, Cowboy Kent Rollins [3.52M subscribers, 425.7M views] takes a thick sirloin, one of the leaner and tougher cuts at the meat counter, and turns it into something far closer to a steakhouse plate with one simple move, a cold coffee marinade.

The trick isn’t fancy, but the details matter. Once the coffee, seasoning, and fire all line up, that budget cut gets tender, smoky, and full of beef flavor.

To read more, go here. 

G-Fandom Loses Doug Pelton

G-fandom has lost a good fan and friend.

Doug Pelton, who was a regular fixture at G-FEST conventions has passed away. He was a nice guy and I enjoyed talking kaiju movies with him at the conventions over the years. 

J. D. Lees posted: 

I'm very sad to report that our good friend and indefatigable G-fan Doug Pelton has passed on after brief hospital stay following a fall. Cause of death was cardiac arrest. Doug was a fixture at G-FEST every year until recently, when mobility issues got the better of him, and he was an active participant in Godzilla fandom for many years before G-FAN and G-FEST began. My family was very fond of him and he and Ruth kept up a regular correspondence via Facebook. We and many other G-fans and his friends will miss him greatly. Rest in Peace, Doug. (Picture is Doug with Masaaki Tezuka at G-FEST in 2015.) - J.D.

Rest in peace, Doug! 

Remembering Those Who Have Fallen

Have a safe Memorial Day.

Above, the USS Missouri and the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Photo by Armand Vaquer.