Houston Trip Wrapping Up

Above, an Apollo Lunar Module on display at the Johnson Space Center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The trip to Houston, Texas will be wrapping up tomorrow.

The first full day, Thursday, was spent at the Johnson Space Center where we toured the facilities. It was an interesting place to visit and I highly recommend it.

On Friday, the day was spent at the NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center. I managed to see all of the exhibits, but I was worn out by the end of the day, particularly my lower back and legs. 

Saturday was spent in Galveston (around 50 from Houston). We managed to find a great bagel shop and went to nearby Buc-ee's. 

We have an early morning flight to Albuquerque tomorrow. I just hope we don't have problems getting through the TSA check.

A Day In Galveston

Above, the Galveston Bagel Company. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today was spent taking a drive down to Galveston, Texas for the day.

While there, we drove around and stopped for a snack at the Galveston Bagel Company. I had an onion bagel with lox and cream cheese. The lox was plentiful on two halves of the bagel. Mitch asked me how much did it cost. I told him it was $17. He about jumped out of his seat exclaiming, "What?! $17 for a bagel?!"

Above, enjoying the bagel. Note the amount of lox. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

I looked at the receipt and the lox was $16 according to it. I told Mitch this and he thought that made more sense. It was quite good. 

We then went to a cigar store to pick up a couple of things. I managed to leave my debit card there. I discovered this at Buc-ee's and we went back and got it. We were looking for the cigar store when we discovered the Galveston Bagel Company. 

Above, the front of Buc-ee's near Galveston. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Buc-ee's was huge and packed with people. There must have been close to 30 gasoline pumps there. This was the first time I have ever been to Buc-ee's. 

Above, the statue of the Buc-ee's beaver. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We got into a downpour as we were nearing Houston. It looks to be a rainy night tonight.

Valerie Perrine Buried

Actress Valerie Perrine was finally laid to rest Thursday at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.

As her finances were depleted due to her medical care over the years, a fundraising campaign was started at Go Fund Me and successfully raised enough for a proper service and burial. I donated to her burial fund.

The following was posted:

11 Million Page Views!

The ol' blog just hit 11 million page views!

I just updated the header to reflect this milestone. 

Here it is: 

NRA Annual Meeting Day One 2026!

NRA Annual Meeting Day One 2026! video by Outdoor News America.

Summary:

We tour the show and show you cool new products at the NRA Annual meeting in Houston TX! Day one show coverage! Let’s Go!

 

Reuters Photos of NRA Show

Above, yours truly at the registration area. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Reuters posted 26 photos from yesterday's opening day for the NRA Annual Meeting & Exhibits at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

These photos will give the viewer a great idea on what the event has to offer. It was a well-attended event and one I would recommend putting on one's "bucket list" of things to do at least once in their lives.

To access the photos, go here.

2026 NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits

Above, attendees waiting for the exhibit hall to open. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today was spent at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston for the NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits.

Mitch Geriminsky and I spent about five hours checking out the exhibit hall that is purported to be 14 acres big. It seems that way. By the time we were done, we were pretty much exhausted.

Above, Houston's mounted police outside of the convention hall. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

NRA members are admitted free. All they have to do is punch in their NRA membership number in the registration computers and a badge is immediately printed up. Badge holders were provided by Midway USA.

There were raffles in the hallway that were $20/entry for assorted firearms. 

Above, Springfield Armory's booth. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Inside the exhibit hall (that opened at 9:00) were display booths by gun manufacturers, knife dealers, accessories, outfitters for resorts and ranches along, campers and other outdoorsy items. There were two food courts at opposite ends of the hall.

Above, yours truly at the registration area. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

By the time I was done looking (I managed to go through all aisles), I was exhausted. This had to be the biggest gun show I've ever attended. 

Tomorrow, we'll probably go to Galveston to look around. It is about 50 miles from Houston. 

Airport Smoking Oddity

Here's an oddity we spotted at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas.

It was the smoking area at the airport's terminal. But it also had a no smoking sign. 

Here's Mitch with the two signs:

 

Car Rental Agency From Hell

Above, the car rental agency office from hell. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one should ever visit Houston, Texas and are in need of a rental car, one place they should never use is York Car Rental.

They are not included in the regular car rental companies that have bus service at the George Bush International Airport. They have their own shuttle van that is black.

After waiting a considerable amount of time for the van, we were taken to their business that is several miles from the airport. Upon arrival, customers have to wait in line as they have only three booths for arranging for a rental. One does not talk to a live person, but to someone in a television monitor. Frankly, I think their whole business model is a scam to force people to take their insurance.

Here's what I posted at Yelp (be sure to read all of the posted reviews):

Horrible business. They try to gouge people to take their insurance if you don't have your car insurance declaration page. Who keep their policy declaration pages with them? Their cars in shoddy condition. One tire had a cut in the sidewall an another tire had a bubble/blister forming. 

We ended up canceling and headed to a name-brand car rental agency at the airport with Uber. 

Besides the above, the representatives are unprofessional and are televised from some unknown location. Also, they are so bad that most from our van group ended up going ballistic on them and walking out. The average time people are in the booths were around an hour. 

Posted by Brian D. at Yelp:

This is an absolutely terrible business model for an airport rental car company. The amount of time it takes for someone to get a rental car at this location exceeds an hour. It is worth it to pay the extra price for an Avis or Hertz or some kind of a reputable car company rather than deal with the object incompetence of this system. The people may be very nice, but when it takes this long to rent a car the weight is not worth the decrease in price. They lure you in with a cheap price and then double the price of the car rental insisting you take their insurance. This is a bait and switch scam that the FBI and local law-enforcement should look into.

Customers are made to jump through so many hoops that it is a wonder that they didn't ask for a pint of blood to get a car. Maybe I shouldn't give them any ideas.  

Johnson Space Center Houston

Above, yours truly at the Saturn 5 rocket. 

Our first full day in Houston was spent at the Johnson Space Center where mission control is located for manned space flight missions.

We met with our driver in downtown Houston and took their bus to the space center, which was about 13 miles from downtown Houston.

Above, Mitch Geriminsky and I at the Saturn 5 engine on display.

After arriving, we toured exhibits in the visitor center complex and signed up for the Astronaut Training Facility Tour. The tour was around an hour or so and different buildings and their functions were pointed out by the tour guide. 

It was interesting to see the facility for various missions including the Artemis program. 

Above, inside the astronaut training facility. A Soyuz mock-up is at left. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following the tour, we were taken to the space park where a building housing one of three Saturn 5 rockets still in existence. The one we saw was from one of several moon missions that were cancelled in the 1970s. 

Above, an Apollo Lunar Module on display in the main visitor center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After returning to the main visitor center, we did look at more exhibits, had coffee and a snack. We also did some shopping in the visitor center's shop. I also got a t-shirt for Greg Lucier for taking care of Sierra at home. 

Above, the main visitor center building. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I took many photographs with my Canon camera. I will post those when I return home in New Mexico. These are from my phone camera.

All in all, it was a fun, enjoyable and educational day. 

"Godzilla Minus Zero" First Look Teaser Trailer

The "First Look Teaser" trailer for the upcoming Godzilla Minus Zero has been released. It looks interesting.

It is a sequel to and takes place two years after Godzilla Minus One.

Snow This Morning

Above, a little dusting on the deck and furniture. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As J. R. Ewing used to say on Dallas, "If that don't tear the rag off the bush!"

I just opened the window shades and saw that we got a little dusting of snow overnight. I heard that Jack Rabbit Trading Post had some snow a couple of days ago, but didn't think that we'd get any here in Jamestown, New Mexico.

Above, the front yard. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This may make my drive today to Albuquerque interesting. I have to meet up with Mitch Geriminsky at the Albuquerque Sunport early tomorrow morning for our flight to Houston, Texas for the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits. 

I have a cat sitter for Sierra. 

I got some good news yesterday. My state tax refund had already been received in my checking account. I'll have plenty of moolah for the Houston trip. 

TOP 5 DEADLIEST RIFLES THAT ACTUALLY WON THE WILD WEST

TOP 5 DEADLIEST RIFLES THAT ACTUALLY WON THE WILD WEST video by American Old West Tales.

Summary:

1.THE SHARPS 1874 — THE RIFLE THAT DEMANDED EVERYTHING

2. THE HENRY 1860 — THE RIFLE THAT OUTRAN ITS OWN SUPPLY CHAIN

3. THE WINCHESTER 1873 — THE ONE EVERYONE WANTED AND MANY COULD NOT PROPERLY USE

4. THE SPRINGFIELD TRAPDOOR 1873 — THE RIFLE THE ARMY CHOSE AND THE SOLDIERS PAID FOR

5. THE WINCHESTER 1886 — THE RIFLE THAT ARRIVED ALMOST TOO LATE

 

The 7 Best Rifles Chambered for the 30-30

What is the oldest smokeless cartridge? 

It is the Winchester .30-30 cartridge. It is over 100 years old and, according to an article in Field & Stream, it is still as effective today as it was back when it was introduced.

If one is wondering what are the best .30-30 rifles, Field & Stream provides the straight skinny on that.

They begin 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.

To read more, go here. 

Speedy's Truck Stop and Fort Courage Tower

Above, Fort Courage's lookout tower. Will it be incorporated
 in the new Speedy's truck stop? Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I posted the blog about the demolition of the late Fort Courage, I and the fine folks at Jack Rabbit Trading Post (of St. Joseph, Arizona) learned that the site is a planned Speedy's truck stop. There's a Speedy's truck stop next door to Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona. I got gasoline there yesterday.

If this is the case, I welcome such an establishment. Having driven along the Hauck, Arizona on Interstate 40 vicinity several times over the years, another place to fill the gas tank would be a good use of the site. 

As the "lookout tower" of Fort Courage seems to have been spared demolition, it would be nice to see it incorporated with the truck stop. At least that would be a great nod to roadside kitsch history. How they do it (if so) would be interesting to see. 

Roadside America has a page dedicated to Fort Courage. To see it, go here.

10 Most Reliable Lever Action Rifles for 2026

10 Most Reliable Lever Action Rifles for 2026o by Rogue Armory.

Summary:

When your rifle jams in the worst possible moment – charging hog, surprised grizzly, or that trophy buck vanishing into the brush – reliability isn't optional. In this video, we break down the 10 most dependable lever action rifles that have proven themselves in dirt, mud, freezing temps, heavy recoil, and real hunting pressure.

 

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 "Walk Don't Run" an instrumental by The Ventures from 1960. The video is from American Bandstand.

From Wikipedia:

The Ventures are an American instrumental rock band formed in Tacoma, Washington, in 1958, by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle. The band, which was a quartet for most of its existence, helped to popularize the electric guitar across the world during the 1960s. While their popularity in the United States waned in the 1970s, the group remains especially revered in Japan, where they have toured regularly. The classic lineup of the band consisted of Wilson (rhythm guitar), Bogle (initially lead guitar, later bass), Nokie Edwards (initially bass, later lead guitar), and Mel Taylor (drums).

Their first wide-release single, "Walk, Don't Run" (1960), brought international fame to the group, and is often cited as one of the top songs ever recorded for guitar. In the 1960s and early 1970s, 38 of the band's albums charted in the US, ranking them as the 6th best album chart performer during the 1960s, and the band had 14 singles in the Billboard Hot 100. With over 100 million records sold, the Ventures are the best-selling instrumental band of all time.

 

Arizona's Fort Courage Ruins Bulldozed

Above, a vintage post card of Fort Courage from the 1970s.

Drivers on Interstate 40 in eastern Arizona would see the ruins of Fort Courage, a one-time tourist trading post in Houck. It was built in 1967 and closed around 2014. It was sort of a salute to the television comedy, F Troop.

I imagine it was a popular stop during the 1960s and 1970s, but it went out of business.  

As I mentioned at the start, I would pass by Fort Courage whenever I was heading on Interstate 40 in Arizona. This time, while en route to the clamp-out in Prescott, I saw that Fort Courage was bulldozed into oblivion. The only remaining structures are the lookout tower and sign. It looks like the tower may be saved and incorporated into whatever is going to be built there. 

While on my way home today, I stopped and took some photos of the site.

Here's some photos I took today:

To read more about Fort Courage, go here.

I read that Speedy's will be building a truck stop at the site. 

Lost Dutchman Spring Clamp-out

Above, the chapter's store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Spring Clamp-out of Lost Dutchman Chapter No. 5917 + 4 is now history. It was held at Watson Lake Park in Prescott, Arizona. 

Going to and from the clampout wasn't too bad, roughly 305 miles from home. Along the way, I did take a couple of photos at Jack Rabbit Trading Post. I also stopped at Twin Arrows Casino Hotel's gasoline station to pick up come coffee and snacks. 

Above, yours truly with Larry Bach. 

Friend Larry Bach and his wife stopped by on Thursday (before the official start of the clamp-out) and we had a nice visit. He graduated in my high school class (Hawthorne High School Class of 1972). They moved to Prescott, Arizona a few years ago and like it there. 

We did get a rainstorm early Saturday morning that woke me up around 3:00.

Some photos from the weekend:

Above, the Jack Rabbit Trading Post sign. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, my campsite. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the chapter's store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Saturday breakfast chow line. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, another chow line. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, my campsite. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A Lever Action .30-30 Winchester Is Still One of the Best Deer Hunting Rifles

I have not been a hunter. However, I do understand the necessity of hunting to keep animal populations under control do that they don't overrun their food supply.

I have several friends in New Mexico who do hunt deer, elk and other game. Hunting season in New Mexico for deer, for example, is generally from late October through early November. 

In my area, we do have deer and elk populations. Several does got into my inner yard last year. They

tend to go after an apple tree that's in front of my garage. 

I don't know what rifles and calibers are used in New Mexico deer hunting. But, apparently, the .30-30 Winchester in Winchester 94 lever-action rifles are still popular over the years. A 2022 article from Outdoor Life is currently making the rounds online. 

It starts off with:

Over its more than 125-year lifetime, the lever-action .30-30 rifle has arguably killed more whitetail deer than any other single cartridge. And with the cartridge’s popularity still quite high, it’s doubtful it will be unseated in that category any time soon.

Released in 1895, just a year after the popular Model 1894 Winchester lever gun was introduced, the .30-30 Winchester was the first sporting cartridge loaded exclusively with smokeless powder. The original .30-30 Winchester load had a 160-grain round-nosed bullet leaving the muzzle at 1,970 feet per second, a substantial step up from other popular cartridges of the time like the .32-40 Win. (165-grain bullet at 1,450 fps) and .38-55 Win. (255-grain bullet at 1,320 fps).

The cartridge’s speed and power, combined with the lever-action’s capacity and quickness, made it an instant hit as a deer cartridge. Before long, it became a go-to choice for deer hunters.

As major ammunition companies caught on to the .30-30’s popularity, they began manufacturing loads specifically for lever guns—the two most popular were topped with 150-grain and 170-grain round-nosed slugs. The reason for the round nose was obvious—since the gun’s tube magazine held ammunition stacked tip-to-primer, a pointed-nosed bullet denting a primer could lead to an accidental discharge in the magazine. Ironically, that round-tipped ammo led to the cartridge’s fall from grace when longer-range cartridges with pointed tips and superior ballistics hit the market years later.

Yet despite competition from the .308, .30-06, and .270—all fine deer cartridges in their own right—the .30-30 has continued to be popular with many hunters over several generations.

To read more, go here. 

Number 1 Lever Action Rifle for 2026! Best Of Them All

Number 1 Lever Action Rifle for 2026! Best Of Them All video by Weapons Vault.

Summary:

A classic just made an unexpected comeback—and it’s stronger than ever. Lever action rifles, once seen as relics of the past, are now dominating shelves again with modern engineering, new calibers, and serious performance upgrades.

In this video, you’ll discover 8 of the most talked-about lever action rifles redefining the market today—from timeless classics like the Winchester Model 94 to cutting-edge designs like the POF Tombstone and the powerful .458 SOCOM lever platform. You’ll learn how innovations like detachable magazines, tactical furniture, and modern optics compatibility are transforming these rifles into versatile tools for hunting, defense, and beyond.

This shift isn’t just about nostalgia—it reflects a deeper change in firearm design trends. As shooters look for reliability, simplicity, and adaptability, lever guns are proving they can compete in a modern world once dominated by semi-automatic platforms. Whether you're drawn to tradition or innovation, understanding this evolution gives you a clear picture of where the industry is heading next.

 

New Lost Dutchman ECV Cook Shack

The Lost Dutchman Chapter of E Clampus Vitus will have the inaugural clampout this week with the new cook shack.

According to XNGH Tom Garland, it is  24 feet by 8.5 wide.

It is also the right color!

Hickok45: The Last Lever Gun I'd Ever Give Up!

The Last Lever Gun I'd Ever Give Up! video by Hickok45.

Summary: 

Making the difficult decision about which of my lever guns would be the last to give up. Tough choice to make with all these wonderful Winchesters, Marlins, etc.

Remember,  value, rarity, ammo expense, beauty, history,  etc. are not part of the criteria in these videos. It's just what do I think would be the best all-around choice for all the types of shooting I might WANT to do or NEED to do now and in the future.

 

One Of These Are The Best Lever Action Ever | My Lever Action Collection

One Of These Are The Best Lever Action Ever | My Lever Action Collection video by RegularPewPewGuy.

Summary:

I wanted to show you guys my experience so far with Lever actions! I have so far gotten 2 Henry branded ones and a smith and wesson and as sad as it is to say the first Henry Big Boy X completely ruined how I want a Lever action to be. 

 

Guns Called Outdated Now Are Being Hunted

Above, yours truly with the Winchester 94 bought in 2019.

Since about the start of the COVID pandemic, gun sales and their prices have soared. 

A rifle that sold for about $500 before the pandemic now commands prices double, and in some cases, tripled. 

When I bought my pre-64 Winchester 94 in 2019, it only cost me $495. Now, it is priced at double that amount at least.

The Avid Outdoorsman posted an article list guns people once called outdated but are now hunted down like they missed their chance.

It begins with:

Some rifles spent years getting overlooked because they didn’t fit into the “next big thing” category. They were seen as outdated, old-fashioned, or just not as exciting as newer, flashier options. But over time, things change. The same rifles that once sat on gun racks, gathering dust or quietly trading hands at bargain prices, have become sought-after treasures. Collectors, hunters, and shooters who missed their chance to grab one when it was readily available now find themselves hunting down these classic firearms at a premium.

The market shifts, tastes evolve, and what was once considered obsolete suddenly starts to look like a missed opportunity. These are the rifles people once called outdated, and now they hunt down like they missed their chance.

To read more, go here. 

Moon Fly-By Today

Above, Artemis I approaches the moon in December. NASA photo.

The much-anticipated fly-by of the moon will take place today as Artemis II will set a new record for distance from Earth. It will surpass the record set by Apollo 13.

According to NPR:

The crew of NASA's Artemis II will make its closest approach to the moon Monday afternoon after launching from Kennedy Space Center last week.

It marks a critical milestone of the agency's Orion space capsule, sending humans on a mission to the moon for the first time in more than 50 years. As the capsule loops around the moon, the astronauts will reach farther into space than humans have ever ventured.

The Orion spacecraft is now in the lunar sphere of influence, meaning the moon's gravity has more pull on the vehicle than the Earth. At 1:46 p.m. ET, the crew will surpass the record for the farthest distance traveled from Earth by humans, which was set by the Apollo 13 mission at 248,655 statute miles from Earth. At 2:45 p.m., the crew will begin making observations of the surface of the moon during the flyby.

To read more, go here. 

New Injection Could Help Reverse Damage

Above, yours truly in a Twin Falls, Idaho hospital after two stents were installed.

Eight years ago, when I had my heart attack (or something very close to it) in Wells, Nevada. It was due to fast action by a friend that got paramedics to me that prevented any heart muscle damage. All I needed were two stents to remedy a coronary artery blockage in Twin Falls, Idaho.

I recovered so well that I was able to go on a cruise to Cuba and do some river rafting in Jackson, Wyoming the following year. I also shed some weight as well.

Above, river rafting the Snake River near Jackson, Wyoming in 2019. Photo by Floatographs

My Lexiscan (and other exams) last summer showed no new blockages. Whew!

Meantime, Fox News posted a story on a new therapy that may repair cardiac muscle damage following a heart attack. I was sent the article by my "honorary sister" Diane.

The article starts with:

Scientists have developed a new therapy designed to repair cardiac damage after a heart attack.

The study, led by researchers at Columbia University and published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering, explored a two-step strategy that uses skeletal muscle to produce a healing molecule that activates when it reaches an injured heart.

Unlike many organs, the adult human heart has a limited ability to repair itself after a heart attack, the researchers noted.

 To read more, go here.

Don’t Buy a Lever Gun Before Watching This

Don’t Buy a Lever Gun Before Watching This – Best Lever Action Rifles 2026! video from The Armory.

Summary:

Best lever action rifles 2026 are hotter than ever, and in this video we break down the top 10 lever guns you can actually buy right now. From classic icons like Winchester and Marlin to modern tactical builds with rails, suppressor-ready barrels, and M-LOK systems, this is your ultimate buying guide.

Whether you're a first-time buyer, hunter, or seasoned shooter, we cover performance, reliability, pricing, and real-world pros & cons for each rifle. Discover which lever action delivers the best balance of power, craftsmanship, and modern upgrades in 2026.