Why John Wayne's Winchester Is Smarter Than You Think

Why John Wayne's Winchester Is Smarter Than You Think video from GunRank.

Summary:

John Wayne's famous Winchester in Stagecoach (1939) was the wrong model for the movie's Old West setting. Hollywood knew it, and kept choosing the Model 1892 for half a century anyway.

And the National Firearms Museum's own catalog quietly breaks the most repeated story about Wayne's rifle.

Hank Mercer runs the Winchester Model 1892 through the Prop-Room Test, GunRank's five-question framework (Era, Supply, Blank, Hand, Frame), to show why the "wrong" rifle was the smart choice for a working film set. You'll learn how to tell a Model 1873 from a Model 1892 in a clear freeze-frame, what museum records say about Wayne's large-loop Winchesters from Stagecoach to True Grit, and where the famous stories run past the evidence.

Stay for the end: the federal registration detail the museum records on the Stagecoach rifle, and what a published two-rifle account adds to the story.

No load data, no prices, no sales, no modification instructions.

Inside: The anachronism collectors spot · The Prop-Room Test · Supply and the five-in-one blank · John Browning's thirty-day promise · 1873 vs. 1892 spotting guide · The large loop and its disputed origin · Wayne's Winchesters in museum records · The "one rifle" legend · The two-gun account · The Rifleman parallel · KEEP IT HONEST · Verdict

The famous John Wayne Stagecoach twirl:

Winchesters Lead In Idaho State Gun Vote

Above, the Winchester 1873 is top vote-getter in Idaho state gun vote. NRA photo.

There is one ballot advisory measure that caught my attention over the past few months. That is the advisory measure in Idaho on what the voters want for their official state gun.

The voters picked their choice yesterday. Winchesters were the top two according to vote totals (so far).

According to the Idaho Statesman:

The [Winchester] Model 1873 had received 31.2% of the vote as of 1:10 a.m. Wednesday. The Winchester Model 1894 was next with 25.4%. The vote, which was on a nonbinding advisory question, pit six firearms against each other for the possible honorific. The state Legislature would have to take action to make the designation official.

To read more, go here.

The Midterm Election

Above, New Mexico's new governor.

Stupid people should not be allowed to vote! - Common sense wisdom. 

Well, California did it again. They voted not in their best interests, but rather by sheer stupidity. Did the voters really think (if they thought at all) that electing Xavier Becerra governor will be saving the state from the disastrous eight years of Gavin Newsom? 

I am not really at all surprised. I thought that the race between Steve Hilton and Becerra would be a lot closer. With 59.2% of the vote counted, Becerra garnered 64% and Hilton 36% of the vote. Another example of why stupid people shouldn't be allowed to vote. 

My advice to anyone living in California is what a spooky voice said in a 1980s horror movie, "Get out!" You might as well flush the state down the toilet.

As for New Mexico, the outcome was much the same. A leftist loon, Deb Haaland, won the race. The percentages were better for the GOP's Gregg Hull, but not enough to for him to overcome the Democrat strongholds in the state's populated areas such as Albuquerque. 

With 98% of the votes reported, Haaland garnered 57.25% of the vote to Hull's 42.75%.

Nationally, the  GOP lost 25 House seats.and lost 7 U.S. Senate seats as of this writing. 

What's done is done, I suppose. It is going to be an interesting two years, to say the least. Stupid people won this one.

At least this week isn't a total loss. Godzilla Minus Zero opens Friday.

Just Done My Civic Dooty

Above, yours truly after casting my vote ballot.

Following this morning's breakfast gathering with the gang at Lil's Diner in nearby Thoreau, I went down to the community fire station to do my civic duty and vote in today's election.

While I was there, two other community members were voting. At our polling place, I was voter number 49 according to the machine.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to vote against the radical communists of the Democrat Party. 

10 Hunting Calibers That Still Rule American Hunting

10 Hunting Calibers That Still Rule American Hunting video from Covert Survival.

Summary:

Whitetails moving through thick timber in the fall. Pronghorn crossing the wide-open plains of Wyoming in the spring. Brown bears roaming the rugged Alaska coast in September.

Three completely different hunts. Three very different challenges. But which hunting caliber truly deserves the number-one spot in America?

Today, we're putting ten of the country's most popular hunting calibers to the test, ranking them against one simple question: which ones have truly earned their reputation? And let me tell you, the caliber at number one is more than a century old.  The internet has been calling it outdated for years, yet it remains one of the most deeply rooted choices in American hunting.

Closest KOA to Chiricahua National Park Adds New Amenities

Above, balanced rock in Chiricahua National Park. Photo by Pretzelpaws.

A new national park has been created in the state of Arizona. It is Chiricahua National Park in the southern part of the state. 

According to Wikipedia: 

Chiricahua National Park is a national park of the United States located in the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona. Originally established as Chiricahua National Monument on April 18, 1924, the park was created to protect the area's extensive hoodoos and balancing rocks.

RV Pro has posted an article on the nearest KOA Kampground to Chiricahua National Park. It is the Willcox Wine Country KOA Holiday in Willcox, Arizona. The article states that the KOA has added new amenities.

RV Pro wrote:

Kampgrounds of America (KOA), a leader in outdoor hospitality, announced new amenities at the Willcox Wine Country KOA Holiday in Willcox, Arizona. The campground has added a pickleball court and three fenced Paw Pen Sites, KOA said in a recent release.

Willcox Wine Country KOA is the closest KOA campground to Chiricahua National Park. Located just 39 miles from the park’s Visitor Center, making it an easy destination for national park goers.

Chiricahua became the nation’s 64th national park on Oct. 20; it is the first new national park in six years. Known as the “Wonderland of Rocks,” the 12,000-acre park is famous for towering volcanic rock spires and trails such as the 3.3-mile Echo Canyon Loop. KOA Holidays provide the perfect basecamp for exploring the surrounding area, offering campers a comfortable place to unwind and enjoy campground amenities after a day of adventure, KOA said.

To read more, go here. 

NRA Members Mad About Magazine Frequency

Above, the May 2026 issue of American Rifleman.

Last spring, the National Rifle Association (NRA) announced that its magazines, American Rifleman and American Hunter, will become quarterlies. I wasn't at all thrilled by this announcement.

Apparently, other NRA members were equally not thrilled either. 

The latest issue arrived and in the President's Column, NRA President Bill Bachenberg discussed the many emails on various topics he received. One topic of interest to members was the frequency of the print magazines. He apparently was flooded with irate emails over the magazine frequencies.

His response was that he heard the complaints "loud and clear" and that the NRA board's Finance and Media committee will be "examining options" to increasing the magazine issues for 2027. This is good. Hopefully, this will lead to something that members will be happy with.

I should mention that this issue (dated November 2026) is the second issue to come out since the changeover to quarterly issues. One would think that enough material would be sufficient to make the issues thicker. But the issue was a disappointing 76 pages. I guess one could classify this as a symptom of "shrinkflation" where products are shrunken in volume by weight, size and quantity but the corresponding prices of items aren't lowered, but are staying the same or increased. I don't see any lowering of NRA membership prices following this.

We shall see what the NRA does to rectify the matter to keep its membership happy.

Vote Tomorrow!

Elect Gregg Hull for governor and David Gallegos for Lt. Governor in New Mexico.

One of the most important midterm elections in history takes place tomorrow. 

The importance of this election cannot be understated. I am keeping an eye on two gubernatorial races

In New Mexico, the choice for governor is between Gregg Hull and Deb Haaland. Haaland has to be the most underqualified for the office if there ever was one. She's a total moronic loon. 

The same goes for Xavier Becerra in Commiefornia. He is up against Steve Hilton. If Becerra wins tomorrow, you might as well just flush California down the toilet. If you thought Gov. Gavin Newsom was bad, Becerra would be 100 times worse. 

One can't also stress the importance of keeping Congress out of Democrat control. The Democrat Party is not the party of the past. It has been taken over by communists. 

Remember, Republicans who don't vote elect Democrats!

8 Most Reliable Shotguns Ever Made

8 Most Reliable Shotguns Ever Made – These Models Stand the Test of Time! video from Iron Legacy Media.

Summary:

Discover 8 of the most reliable shotguns ever made! From legendary classics to modern hunting favorites, we're exploring the shotgun designs that built their reputations through engineering, history, and years of use.

In this video, we'll take a closer look at the Savage 220, Browning BPS, Ithaca Model 37, Stoeger M3000, Franchi Affinity 3, Browning Auto-5, Winchester Model 12, and Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag.

What makes these shotguns stand out? Their unique operating systems, distinctive designs, long production histories, and specialized hunting roles.

Whether you're interested in classic firearm engineering or modern shotgun designs, this countdown highlights eight notable models worth knowing about.

Which shotgun surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments!

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 the month of November, we have Sammy Johns with his 1973 hit, which was a bit of an anthem of the times, "Chevy Van." Baby boomers were in their 20s and 30s at the time and many had vans of all makes. It was released in 1975 as a single but it was from his 1973 album Sammy Johns. 

As I lived in the South Bay section of Los Angeles County not far from the beaches, I saw a lot of vans sporting wild paint jobs in the 1970s. Vans were a favorite mode of transportation among the surfers. 

Sammy Johns died from a stroke at age 66.

From Wikipedia:

Sammy Reginald Johns (February 7, 1946 – January 4, 2013) was an American singer-songwriter known for his 1975 hit song "Chevy Van", which was originally released in 1973. The song was certified gold by the RIAA on May 5, 1975.

Wright Leather Works Predator Holster Review

Above, the Predator holster for my Ruger P95 pistol. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Anyone looking for a quality holster for their 1911-style pistol or revolver, Wright Leather Works is one place to look into.

A few years ago, I bought their Predator OWB (outside waist band) holster for my Ruger P95. The holster was specially made for the P95. It has thick leather (needs some breaking in). It fits great on my gun belt. As I am left-handed, I got the left-hand holster.

Here's a snippet of a review of the Predator holster by American Rifleman (NRA):

Great gunleather must be durable, functional and attractive to boot. And while there are many excellent Kydex or polymer concealment holsters that have the two former qualities in spades, there really is no substitute for the appearance and character of well-worn, but well-maintained, steerhide. The boys at Wright Leather Works got the formula right with the Predator—a pancake-style, leather concealment holster. The workmanship of the leather is excellent with tight, neat stitching and clean lines. Held in place by two 1¾” belt slots, the holster rides tight to the body,  and the vertical offset of the slots cants the gun forward by about 15 degrees. The design is ideal for those who carry at the four- or five-o’clock position, behind the hip, because the firearm is still easy to reach and draw, and the grip frame is angled slightly upward, minimizing its “print” when concealed.

To read the full American Rifleman review, go here.

To visit the Wright Leather Works website, go here.

How to Inspect Used Firearms Before You Buy

Above, Ron Peterson's Firearms, where I bought my Winchester 94. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I moved to New Mexico, I've purchased three firearms. 

Two of them, the Winchester 94 and Remington 870 Express shotgun were purchased from dealers. I checked out both before purchasing. The Winchester 94 was used and the Remington 870 was new. The third, a Winchester Model 12 shotgun, I took a chance and bought it online after looking over the photos of it by the seller. 

When I bought the used Winchester 94, the rifle was on an easy accessible rack, so I was able to look it over, inside and out (especially the bore). I basically inspected the rifle along the lines of an article on how to inspect used firearms as posted by Don's Weaponry.

Don's Weaponry begins their article with:

A used firearm can be an excellent value, but the price tag should never be the first thing you evaluate. Condition, safe operation, parts availability, and a clean transfer matter more than a cosmetic bargain. Knowing how to inspect used firearms helps you recognize normal wear, identify concerns that require a gunsmith, and walk away when the history or condition does not add up.

Start with one non-negotiable rule: treat every firearm as loaded until you have personally verified otherwise. Keep the muzzle in a safe direction, keep your finger off the trigger, and do not begin an inspection until the action is open and the chamber and magazine well or cylinder have been checked. If a seller will not permit a safe, basic inspection, that is reason enough not to proceed.

To read more, go here. 

Are Lever Actions Better Than ARs for Survival?

Are Lever Actions Better Than ARs for Survival? video from Gun-Man Ballistic.

Summary:

Direct impingement gas systems fail under heavy carbon fouling and freezing conditions, making tactical lever-action carbines the ultimate mechanical backup for grid-down survival. We break down ten manual-action platforms—from the heavy-hitting Marlin 1895 SBL in .45-70 to the multi-caliber S&W 1854 and 5.56 Henry Supreme—testing how positive manual extraction beats gas-operated failures when logistics collapse.   

The 10 Lever Action Rifles Shooters Trust Most In 2026

The 10 Lever Action Rifles Shooters Trust Most in 2026 video from The Ballistics Bureau.

Summary:

In 1898, the U.S. Army contracted for 10,000 Winchester Model 1895 rifles. An Army general returned the 100 rifles he was assigned for field trials. Then, in 1915, Russia ordered nearly 300,000 of them. Same rifle, opposite verdicts.

In this documentary, we rank ten lever-action rifles by the strength of the documented evidence, not the strength of the legend:

• Production histories and military use
• Reviewer tests, with round counts where they exist
• Real problems, including feeding hang-ups and ammunition sensitivity
• What each source can and can’t prove

The lineup includes the Winchester Model 94, Marlin 336, Winchester Model 1892, Henry New Original, Marlin 1895 SBL, Browning BLR, Henry Big Boy, Marlin 1894, Henry Lever Action Supreme and Winchester Model 1895.

Where a result comes from one reviewer, a short test or a writer’s opinion, we say so. Always test your own rifle with the ammunition you plan to use.

Which lever gun would you rank number one, and which do you think is ranked too high? Tell us in the comments.

Yen Finishes October With Gain

We're now in a new month and it is time to take a peek at how the U.S. dollar is faring against the Japanese yen in foreign exchange trading for those of you contemplating a trip to Japan.

The Business Times reported that the yen gained a bit at the end of October. 

They wrote:

[NEW YORK/LONDON] The yen was on track for a third consecutive daily gain on Friday (Oct 30) after the Bank of Japan (BOJ) left rates unchanged and upgraded its inflation outlook, while declining US Treasury yields weighed on the greenback.

The BOJ left its main rate at 1.25 per cent in a widely anticipated move, but stressed that its policy had entered a new, more hawkish phase open to raising rates once every few months.

The yen was last up 0.11 per cent at 157.51 per US dollar, but was on track for a monthly loss in October.

To read more, go here. 

Fudd Friday: The State Of The Lever-Action Union

Above, my 1962 Winchester 94. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ever since I bought my 1962 Winchester 94 .30-30 lever-action rifle in 2019, I've noticed a big resurgence in the popularity of lever-actions of all makes. Sometimes, I wonder if I was a catalyst to this trend. Gun makers have introduced new lever-actions.

Others have taken notice and The Firearms Blog posted an article yesterday in their Fudd Friday series about the "State of the Lever Action Union". 

They begin it with:

America is a land of four distinct firearm archetypes: Big-bore handguns, pump-action shotguns, AR-pattern rifles and lever-action rifles. But out of all those Big Four, lever-actions might be the most American of all, due to their association with a generation of Wild West frontier life and then another three generations of sporting use. Far from the decline that we observed over the 1990s and early 2000s, lever-actions are back, in a big way. And while there are good reasons for that to happen, a true revival of this segment to its dominance does seem to be as distant as ever.

To read more, go here.

Gun Shows Ain't What They Used To Be

Above, the 2019 Gallup Gun Show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A post at the Gun Owners of New Mexico Facebook page brought to mind a topic I've noticed over the past few years.

In years past, going to a gun show was a fun past time where bargains could be easily found. My favorite gun show was the Great Western Gun Show that started out at the Great Western Exhibit Center in the City of Commerce, California in the 70s and early 80s. I started going to it with my parents.

When the exhibit center closed and demolished, the gun show moved to the Los Angeles County Fairplex in Pomona. Even after the move, I went there and found a lot of bargains.

These days, gun show dealers seemed to have lost the "priced to sell" way of doing business. I found that almost everything of any interest to me have been overpriced. One can find better deals at a mom & pop gun store or online currently. I saw a lot of nice stuff at the Winchester Collectors Association gun show in Cody, Wyoming last year, but they were overpriced. Dealers seem to have gotten greedy.

If dealers would sell at reasonable prices, it would benefit the buyer and the dealers would have less merchandise to pack up and lug out after the show ended. I found that overpricing at gun shows is not just confined to California or Wyoming. The same is true in New Mexico as well. I attended a couple of gun shows in Gallup and, again, bargains were hard to find. Maybe that's why the last Gallup Gun Shows were sparsely attended.

How I miss the good ol' days!

Hunting Cartridges That STILL Dominate the Woods!

5 Classic Hunting Cartridges That STILL Dominate the Woods! video from FirePower.

Summary:

Are modern hunting cartridges really better, or are these 5 classic hunting cartridges still some of the smartest choices for deer hunting? From thick Eastern hardwood forests to open Western mule deer country, these legendary rounds continue to prove why experienced hunters refuse to give them up.

In this FirePower episode, we're counting down five classic hunting cartridges that still deliver dependable real-world performance. Forget the marketing hype surrounding extreme velocity, expensive magnums, and the latest ballistic trends. We're looking at what actually matters in the field: manageable recoil, bullet performance, practical hunting distances, rifle handling, and ammunition availability.

 

Highway Mess On Interstate 40

Above, it took me over an hour to reach Jerry's Cafe yesterday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There's been some road work about ten miles west of Jamestown on Interstate 40 on the westbound side.

For the past three days, I've been seeing vehicles backed up at a standstill in those lanes. I kept watch yesterday to see how the westbound lanes were moving. From home, they seemed to be going normally.

At 1:00, I decided to head in to Gallup for my usual Friday dinner at Jerry's Cafe. Well, I got on the freeway and it moved okay until I got to Iyanbito exit, then it was a standstill. 

It traffic was barely crawling from that point on. I saw vehicles (cars, tractor trailers) exiting at Iyanbito to take Route 66 in. Apparently, those people were unaware that there is also major bridge roadwork on Route 66 at the road to Red Rock Park. Route 66 is closed at that point. They would have to turn around and get back on Interstate 40 at the McGaffey exit several miles back. We effectively have no alternative route to Gallup. 

It took me about an hour to reach the first Gallup exit. It was a good thing that I left home 45 minutes earlier as I arrived at Jerry's Cafe about 2:15. I've been reading that on average it take an hour, sometimes two hours, to get to Gallup. Whoever planned this was totally incompetent!

Hopefully, the road will be okay this morning as we have to go to Grandpa's Grill in Gallup for our usual breakfast. I was told that there no roadwork will take place on Saturday. 

Fingers crossed!

Happy Halloween!

 

Above, Lou Costello and Glenn Strange in Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. Universal Pictures.

Rifles: Even Legends Have Flaws

Even Legends Have Flaws — 5 Hunting Rifles Under Scrutiny video from Rifle Zone 360.

Summary:

Are these overrated hunting rifles really worth their legendary reputations? We revisit five classic hunting rifles, from Remington 700 problems to collector prices and reliability concerns that deserve a closer look.

Some rifles earned their fame through decades of trusted service. Others carry expectations that don't always match their real-world value.

Featuring the Weatherby Mark V, Winchester Model 70 Pre-64, Remington 742 Woodsmaster, Winchester Model 94 Post-64, and Remington Model 700.Which of these five American classics do you think is the most overrated? Share your thoughts below!

What Makes An RV Comfortable For A Long Stay?

Above, Deer Creek Valley RV Park in Topeka, Kansas in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I read a new article in RV Life on long stays in an RV, I was trying to think of what campground or RV park I stayed at was the longest. 

I thought maybe it was Deer Creek Valley RV Park in Topeka, Kansas back in 2016. I had to stay there as I blew out two tires and their replacements cost me, and with Veterans Day coming up on the following Monday, I had little cash to proceed on the road. I had to wait until Tuesday to make a bank transfer and withdraw cash. 

It turned out to be only three nights. It was, and still is, the nicest RV park I ever stayed at and under $40/night. I have never stayed in the motorhome for a long period, four nights at most, I think.

The article on maintaining comfort during extended stays in a recreational vehicle begins with:

An RV that works perfectly for a few weekends a year can feel very different after a month or two of everyday use. Storage fills up. Counter space matters more. The seat that seemed comfortable during a walkthrough becomes your lumpy living-room chair. Climate control, battery capacity, water systems, and Internet access stop being conveniences and become part of the daily routine.

For RVers planning to spend a month or longer on the road, Jack Albert, Northeast Market Director for Service and Parts for Blue Compass RV, recommends looking beyond floorplan appeal and focusing on the systems and features that will be used every day. 

 To read more, go here.

"Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein"

The most beloved horror/comedy movie ever has to be Universal's 1948 classic, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. As tomorrow is Halloween, this post is most appropriate for the occasion.

Here, the comics meet with the studios classic monsters. It was the last appearance of the monsters (their swan song). 

The monsters were: Bela Lugosi as Dracula, Lon Chaney Jr. as the Wolf Man and Glenn Strange as Frankenstein's Monster. There is also as "cameo" (although you couldn't see him) by the Invisible Man voiced by Vincent Price. Each played their roles straight.

My mom told me that when the movie was released, she and a girlfriend saw it in Inglewood, California in a theater. I am guessing that it was either the Academy Theater or it could have been the Fifth Avenue Theater. Both were located in the city. My mom would have been fifteen years old at the time. 

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein was a regular Halloween movie on KNXT's (later KCBS) on the 4:00 Early Show movie in Los Angeles. This used to get kids definitely in the mood to go out trick or treating later. 

Here's the late David J. Skal hosting a featurette of making of the movie:

A bit of trivia: Bobby Barber and Frank Ferguson both appeared in the Adventures of Superman and were in this movie.

Standard Time Begins Sunday

The clocks roll back one hour on Sunday morning at 2:00 when Daylight Savings Time ends and Standard Time begins. 

Since Congress hasn't changed the time change law, it is "business as usual" this year. The bill passed the House, but it is bottled up in the Senate. 

So, don't forget to change your clocks!

7 Best Brush Gun Calibers for 2026

7 Best Brush Gun Calibers for 2026 — The Oldest One Wins video from FirePower.

Summary:

What are the 7 best brush gun calibers for 2026? Is the legendary .30-30 Winchester still the king of thick woods hunting, or have modern cartridges like the .350 Legend and .308 Winchester finally taken its crown?

When you're hunting whitetail deer in dense timber, more velocity and more power don't always mean better results. The wrong rifle setup can cost you the opportunity you've waited all season for.

In this FirePower breakdown, we rank seven legendary hunting cartridges and examine what really matters in thick woods: recoil, bullet performance, rifle handling, ammunition availability, and practical hunting versatility.

From the powerful .45-70 Government to the forgotten .300 Savage and .35 Remington, every cartridge has strengths, weaknesses, and a story worth telling.

*THE 7 BRUSH GUN CARTRIDGES RANKED:*

#7 — .30-06 Springfield: Incredible power, but is it more than most timber hunters need?

#6 — .300 Savage: A forgotten lever-action classic with a frustrating ammunition problem.

#5 — .308 Winchester: The all-around hunting legend facing a surprising challenge.

#4 — .45-70 Government: Massive close-range capability with serious recoil trade-offs.

#3 — .35 Remington: The old-school deer woods favorite that deserves more attention.

#2 — .350 Legend: Modern engineering, mild recoil, and a genuine challenge to the classics.

#1 — .30-30 Winchester: Why this 130-year-old cartridge still earns our top spot.

We also discuss common brush gun myths, bullet construction, traditional lever-action rifles, and how Michigan's 2026 hunting regulation changes affect the straight-wall cartridge debate.

Whether you hunt whitetail deer in Pennsylvania hardwoods, feral hogs in Southern swamps, or black bear in Northern forests, choosing the right cartridge means understanding your hunting conditions, not just chasing impressive ballistic numbers.

The Indian and the Buffalo

I just had to share this:

**An Indian walks into a café with a shotgun in one hand and pulling a male buffalo with the other. He says to the waiter:**

**"Want coffee."**

**The waiter says, "Sure, Chief. Coming right up."**

**He gets the Indian a tall mug of coffee . . .**

**The Indian drinks the coffee down in one gulp, turns and blasts the buffalo with the shotgun, causing parts of the animal to splatter everywhere and then just walks out.**

**The next morning the Indian returns.**

**He has his shotgun in one hand, pulling another male buffalo with the other.**

**He walks up to the counter and says to the waiter:**

**"Want coffee."**

**The waiter says, "Whoa, Tonto!**

**We're still cleaning up your mess from yesterday. What was all that about, anyway?"**

**The Indian smiles and proudly says,**

**"Training for a position in United States Congress . . . Come in, drink coffee, shoot the bull, leave mess for others to clean up, disappear for rest of day."**

Jeep Drive

Since nice sunny days have been a rarity in the Four Corners region, I had the opportunity yesterday afternoon to take a Jeep drive. I saw other community residents out with their ATVs and side-by-sides during the day.

I headed on Six Mile Canyon Road to the entrance to Six Mile Canyon marked with a corral and national forest signage.

One culvert along Six Mile Canyon Road was full of mud, but other vehicles made a good pathway through the muck so I was able to proceed through.

One of the signs at the entrance to Six Mile Canyon (just beyond the corral) provided a notice that the canyon will be closed to vehicles starting December 15 to March 31. So we have a month and a half to be able to drive in Six Mile Canyon. 

When I stopped at the signs, I took a couple of photos:

Above, the Jeep in front of the national forest signs. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the sign (at bottom far right) states when vehicles are verboten in the canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I had a much enjoyable drive than the people stuck in stopped traffic (at the same time) westbound on Interstate 40 . Apparently, construction caused the tie-up at the road to Red Rock Park near Gallup. 

Passages

Three entertainment greats have passed away this week. Here's my take on each.

Walter Koenig. Best known as Ensign Pavel Chekov in the original cast of Star Trek, both the television series of the 1960s and the movies of Star Trek. I used to see him at a bank in Sherman Oaks where I worked in the 1990s. He was 90.

Susan Staint James. She was a favorite actress in the NBC Mystery Movie revolving movie, McMillan & Wife with Rock Hudson. Her personality really made that show a joy to watch. She was 80.

Donnie Iris. Whenever I hear his son, "Ah, Leah", it brings me back to 1980. He performed almost right up to his death. His last concert was September 28 and he had to sing sitting in a chair due to the pain he endured from bladder cancer. He was 83. 

Each will be fondly remembered by fans.