Mountain View Cemetery Plaque Dedication

Above, the plaque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Led by Noble Grand Humbug Gary "Ma Bell" Wilson (who is also the chapter historian), a plaque was dedicated yesterday at the Mountain View Cemetery honoring Chinese migrants who helped conquer the wild west during the 19th Century.

Several of them are buried at Mountain View in unmarked graves.

Prior to the plaque dedication, there was a funeral service in progress about 150 yards away. Thankfully, the brothers were in their good behavior so no obscene yells (like "F*ck the Humbug!") were uttered during the funeral.

The layout and general configuration of the graves were nothing I've seen before.

More photos:

Above, Mountain View Cemetery. Where's Arch Stanton? Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the plaque before the unveiling. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Clampers beginning to assemble. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, more Clampers arrive. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, say cheese! Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, NGH Gary Wilson. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the unveiling. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

 

Above, after the unveiling. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Mountain View Cemetery graves. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the unveiled plaque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Mountain View Cemetery Clamp-Site

Above, I guess this marks the spot. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Lost Dutchman Chapter No. 5917 + 4 held its fall clampout this weekend at the Mountain View Cemetery in Kingman, Arizona.

The actually clamp-site was in next to the maintenance building for the cemetery. In the yard next to the building were some discarded headstones and molds and freshly-made grave vaults. This is an old cemetery but it is still in use as a funeral was held just before our plaque dedication yesterday.

It was a good clamp-site, with the exception of dust storms blowing through. It was almost as bad as a Billy Holcomb clamp-out a year and a half ago near Barstow. The dust storms were really bad there in Barstow and I had bronchitis at the time.

There was plenty of room at the clamp-site to accommodate tents and RVs of different kinds.

It must be the "in" thing to decorate graves with LED lights of different kinds as we saw almost a third of the graves with lights.

Some photos of the clamp-site:

Above, The Beast. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a view of the cemetery from the clamp-site. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, part of the clamp-site. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, my ECV flag and the moon Saturday night. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the cook crew Saturday morning. Note the vaults behind them. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, burial vaults and molds. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the kitchen area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a cemetery resident? Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, getting breakfast ready Saturday morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the main drag. The chapter store at right. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, another view of the clamp-site. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Home Again

Above, Geronimo Indian Store in Holbrook off I-40. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After an enjoyable clampout with the Lost Dutchman Chapter #5917 + 4 of E Clampus Vitus, I made it home this evening.

Before leaving Kingman, Arizona (where the clampout was held), I met up with Mitch Geriminsky at the Cracker Barrel in Kingman. Strangely, the Cracker Barrel and the Mountain View Cemetery (the clamp-site) were both on Stockton Hill Road.

Above, some tee pees at Geronimo's. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The drive home was 350 miles and I did make one pit stop, and that was at the Geronimo Indian Store in Holbrook, Arizona. I've passed it a number of times since I moved to New Mexico, so I figured it would be an interesting place for a break.

Geronimo Indian Store has all kinds of Indian gifts including blankets, jewelry, toys, rocks and other goods.

I made it home at about 5:20. After a hot shower, I headed down to the Flying J to have dinner at Denny's.

The next time I am on this stretch of Interstate 40 I will stop in at the Jackrabbit Trading Post in Joseph City, Arizona.

All You Needed To See of Today's Hearings

This video clip of Sen. Lindsey Graham is all anyone needs to see of today's hearings of the Senate Judiciary Committee:

Thank You, Lindsey Graham!

In recent years, I have not been a fan of Senator Lindsey Graham. But, after today, Graham has risen a lot in my esteem!

And, just so to leave you laughing...

Kyoto Lodging Tax Begins Monday

Above, Kyoto's Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who are planning to visit Kyoto during their trip to Japan, they may want to add a little more to their budget to cover the lodging tax that will go into effect this coming Monday.

The Japan Times reported:

KYOTO – Beginning Monday, visitors to Kyoto will be hit with an increase to their lodging bills as the city’s accommodation tax goes into effect at over 3,200 hotels, traditional inns, and private lodgings. 

Kyoto will become the third local government in Japan to implement a lodging tax after Tokyo and Osaka Prefecture. 

Visitors at establishments with room rates of under ¥20,000 per night will be charged ¥200 per person, per night. Rooms between ¥20,000 and ¥50,000 will charge ¥500 per person per night and places charging over ¥50,000 will come with a tax of ¥1,000 per person per night. 

The city advises tourists to check with their travel agents on whether the new tax is included in any tour package they purchase. Otherwise, visitors will be charged when they check out of the facility.

To read more, go here. 

This Weekend's Clampout

Today will be mostly spent packing up for this weekend's clampout with the Lost Dutchman Chapter No. 5917 + 4 of E Clampus Vitus.

We'll be in Kingman, Arizona for the event which will include a plaque dedication at the Mountain View Cemetery. (That one's easy to remember as actor George Reeves is at Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, California.)

The territory for the Lost Dutchman Chapter are the states of Arizona and New Mexico. As the temperatures are beginning to cool down at home, it will be nice to enjoy the 90-plus degree temperatures in Kingman.

The plaque's text:

MOUNTAIN VIEW CEMETERY

THIS MONUMENT ERECTED TO PERPETUATE THE

MEMORY OF THE CHINESE IMMIGRANTS THAT REST IN

THESE UNMARKED GRAVES

CHINESE IMMIGRATION BEGAN IN 1849 DURING THE CALIFORNIA GOLD

RUSH.THOUSANDS OF CHINESE, MOSTLY YOUNG MALE PEASANTS, LEFT

THEIR VILLAGES IN THE RURAL COUNTRIES TO BECOME LABORERS IN THE

AMERICAN WEST.THEY WERE RECRUITED TO EXTRACT METALS AND

MINERALS, CONSTRUCT A VAST RAILROAD NETWORK, RECLAIM

SWAMPLANDS, BUILD IRRIGATION SYSTEMS, WORK AS MIGRANT

AGRICULTURAL LABORERS, DEVELOPE THE FISHING INDUSTRY, AND OPERATE

HIGHLY-COMPETITIVE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. THE CHINESE

POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES WAS ABOUT 110,000 WHEN IT WAS

ENDED WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT OF 1882.

DEDICATED SEPTEMBER 29TH,2018 (CY 6023)

LOST DUTCHMAN CHAPTER 5917+4

ANCIENT & HONORABLE ORDER OF E CLAMPUS VITUS®

RV Park Bad Experiences

Above, the narrow space at a KOA Kampground in northern Utah. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Two months ago, we stopped at a RV park in Las Vegas, Nevada for an overnight stay. I had stayed there the year before and gave it a good rating at RV Park Reviews.

However, this time I found the office closed (it closes at the ridiculous time of 4:00 PM) and the self-registration instructions were confusing at best. Additionally, the manager was rude and looked and acted like Beulah Ballbricker from the Porky's movies of the 1980s. We stayed at the Sam's Town KOA instead and had a much better experience.

Accordingly, I have the first park a bad, but honest review.

During my trip to Idaho last year to see the eclipse, I stayed one night at a KOA in northern Utah. The spaces were very narrow. Due to the neighbor's slide-out, I was unable to fully deploy my awning. That's how close the spaces were. I gave this park the review it deserved.

But, for the most part, I have given parks good reviews with some getting excellent reviews at RV Park Reviews. But those review have to be earned.

Do It Yourself RV has an article on "10 Reasons Why People Leave Bad Reviews For RV Parks". I have stated just two of them above.

The article starts with:

Not every campground deserves a five-star rating on RV Park Reviews. Some are run-down, dirty, and not maintained very well. Others have a staff who aren’t friendly or welcoming at all. We don’t really ask for much as RVers, and we’re not always expecting a five-star resort with luxurious amenities. But these ten simple things can make all the difference.

To read more, go here.

Democrat Operative Admits Kavanaugh Circus A Scheme To Block All Trump Nominees

The Looney Left Report

This whole circus of women claiming sexual assaults by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh is nothing but a conspiracy by the Democrats to block any Supreme Court appointments by President Donald Trump. It's a big ball of fraud.

A Democrat operative even admitted this in an article yesterday in the New York Times:

“Saving the Supreme Court from Trump’s clutches has always involved a very complicated two-step: first, block Kavanaugh, then fight like hell to win back the Senate,” said Brian Fallon, a 2016 campaign adviser to Hillary Clinton who helped start a group called Demand Justice to fight conservative judicial nominations. “If Kavanaugh drops out, we’re halfway there. If Democrats are able to win back the Senate, we’d have a path to blocking Trump from picking any of the archconservatives on his shortlist.”

To read more, go here. 

Life Alert Test Successful

Above, the Life Alert Console I keep in the laundry room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since tomorrow will mark two months since my heart attack in Wells, Nevada, I was reminded to do my monthly test of the Life Alert system that I got afterwards.

I am pleased to report that all went well with the tests (I had to test three devices).

Since I live alone (except for Sierra), I felt it best that I get Life Alert just in case something happens. Fortunately, the local fire and paramedics are only blocks away.

Above, the Whispering Cedars fire station, it is only blocks away. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

My "honorary sister's" daughter Desire is a police officer (and ex-paramedic) and her mom told me, "Des swears by the Life Alerts.  She answered tons of calls on those and said they really save lives." Sounds like a big endorsement, eh?

To get more information on Life Alert and to sign up, go here.

Hiring Tokyo Tour Guides

Above, the double bridges at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The only time I had a tour guide in Tokyo was in 2004 when G-FAN magazine organized G-TOUR, a group tour (there were 60 of us in two busses) of Japan. But otherwise, during my other seven visits to Japan, I wandered around on my own.

It is not difficult to find one's way around Tokyo (once one gets the hang of it), but some travelers are intimidated by the thought of visiting a foreign city without having a tour guide.

This is where an article by Tokyo Cheapo comes in. It is on hiring a tour guide in Tokyo or, as the title of the article states, "Your Guide To Tour Guides In Tokyo".

It begins with:

Wondering whether to hire a tour guide in Tokyo? So are thousands of other travelers to the capital. If you’re anything like us, you’re probably not sure that you can justify opening your wallet for the expense. After all, Tokyo is relatively safe and well signposted, so can’t you make your own way around? The short answer is yes, but tour guides can be hugely advantageous in certain situations. Here, we’ll look at when you might use one, and what your options are (including those that don’t cost a single yen).

To read more, go here. 

Tokyo To Mount Fuji Transportation Options

Above, a shinkansen view of Mount Fuji. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Many visitors to Japan want to see the symbol of Japan, Mount Fuji, but it is mostly a crapshoot that they will see it even if they are in its vicinity due to cloud cover.

It has a nickname, "The Shy Mountain" for good reason. Most of the time it is covered by clouds.

The first time I got a view of the whole peak was during a fireworks festival at Lake Kawaguchi during G-FEST in 2004. But, it was nighttime and I only was able to see its silhouette with lights from climbers on its slopes. During the same trip, our tour busses took us to one of the Fifth Stations on the side of the mountain. While en route to the Fifth Station, we stopped along the road and took some pictures of the summit.

Above, a nighttime view of Mount Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At other times, I was able to see the top third of the mountain from an airliner poking through the clouds.

The best view of Mount Fuji I had was three years ago while we were traveling by shinkansen from Atami to Osaka. I was able to get many photo shots of the mountain from the moving train.

Above, the summit of Mount Fuji. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There are several ways to get to Mount Fuji from Tokyo and Tokyo Cheapo has an article on them.

They begin with:

So you want to see Mount Fuji, that 3,776-meter-high icon of Japan? It’s a volcano, but let’s not think too much about that. Depending on what it is you plan to do there (climbing to the summit, exploring the surrounding lakes, soaking in a hot spring or shopping), your choice of transport is going to differ. Here’s an overview of how you can get from Tokyo to Mount Fuji, in or out of season, looking at the various train and bus options.

To read more, go here. 

"Stan & Ollie"

Since I was a member of the Sons of the Desert (the Way Out West Tent in Los Angeles) back in the 1980s, I am more than pleased that Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are finally getting some recognition.

A new movie based on their tour of Britain is coming out, Stan & Ollie.

According to IMDB:

Laurel and Hardy, the world's most famous comedy duo, attempt to reignite their film careers as they embark on what becomes their swan song - a grueling theatre tour of post-war Britain.

The film stars John C. Reilly as Oliver Hardy and Steve Coogan as Stan Laurel.

Here's the official trailer:

UPDATE (10/13/18):

The U.S. release date is December 28, 2918.

Narrows Trail Section At Zion National Park Closed

Above, this section of the Narrows trail is still open. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A landowner whose property adjoins Zion National Park, revoked permission for trail crossings on his land.

KVVU-TV reported:

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -- Zion National Park on Tuesday announced the immediate closing of a section of the popular Narrows hike.  

The park announced in a statement it would stop issuing permits to hike the Zion Narrows top-down, including the 16-mile day hike or overnight use. 

The trail passes through private property and the landowner revoked permission, according to the statement. Zion National Park representatives said they were working with the landowner to resolve the issue. 

To read more, go here. 

Warpath Day

Above, yours truly.

Today's my day for getting one people's butts for not either getting payments or merchandise to me during the time frames previously promised. These are not examples of good business practices, in my view.

I don't mind delays that are reasonable, but when they stretch out into weeks (in some cases), that when they will incur my wrath and I go on the warpath.

SOCORRO COUNTY COMMISSIONER GLEN DUGGINS ENDORSES STEVE PEARCE

September 24, 2018

ALBUQUERQUE—Socorro County Commissioner Glen Duggins today endorsed Steve Pearce for Governor following a false claim last week by Michelle Lujan Grisham that he had endorsed her.

“I’d like to clear something up: I fully support Steve Pearce for Governor. It’s disappointing that Michelle Lujan Grisham chose to mislead voters by including my name in a list of endorsements without my agreement or permission. Steve Pearce is the only candidate in this race who will create jobs, fix education, solve poverty, and tackle crime. That’s why I’m proud to publicly endorse him today for Governor of New Mexico,” said Duggins.

“New Mexico voters deserve honesty from their Governor, not somebody who makes up fake endorsements. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s dishonesty is disqualifying. If she misleads New Mexicans about something like this, what else is she lying about?” added Pearce campaign manager Paul Smith.

Kitties

Above, Sierra at the front door staring at the stray cat. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This evening, I was sitting outside enjoying the view when I noticed Sierra at the front door staring intently.

She was staring at one of the stray cats that I feed (there's also a Siamese I feed). He (I am assuming its a male) was sitting at the front gate staring back at Sierra. After a few minutes, he wandered off. I was also feeding a one-eared grey cat, but he disappeared around May.

Whenever I get food out for the strays, Sierra looks at me in puzzlement. I tell her that I'm feeding "the poor kitties".

Above, the stray at the gate. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I then decided to take a little walk over to the second acre for a little after-dinner exercise. It looks like it may rain later as clouds are dark and gathering over the area. The last rain we had was a half-inch last week. The Weather Channel says around 15% chance on average.

Above, the stray in front of the front fence. He can barely be seen in this picture.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I was heading back, I noticed the stray sitting in front of the front fence. He won't let me approach him, but he didn't run when I went past him by about 8 yards. After I entered the gate. He came back the near the gate and flopped down.

Above, the stray relaxing a few feet from the gate after I came back. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After a while, He got up and headed over into the neighbor's yard. His tail was straight up, meaning he was happy. He should be, he ate a big meal. I've never noticed strays walking with their tails straight up before.

It is starting to get cooler here at night. 

Judicial Watch Statement on Kavanaugh Allegations

(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton made the following statement in response to the latest efforts to delay Judge Kavanaugh’s Senate confirmation:

Americans should brook no further delay of a full Senate vote on Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court. 

Let’s be clear: Leftists are trying to blow up the Senate confirmation process with shady smears. There is no legitimate reason that these last-minute allegations can’t be summarily evaluated, and a Judiciary Committee vote taken this week. 

Leftist law breaking, rule breaking, violence, and disruption have already marred the public Kavanaugh confirmation hearings. One can only imagine the disruptive show trial Leftists plan with Kavanaugh’s accusers. The Senate should shut this circus down and move the Kavanaugh confirmation to a timely vote. 

Will the Senate allow its confirmation process to be turned into a search-and-destroy mission by leftist partisans? The vote to confirm can’t come soon enough. That the Senate hasn’t voted yet is shameful. 

It is urgent you let your Senators know how you feel about the Kavanaugh confirmation process. You can reach your Senators at 202-224-3121.

###

Zinke Visiting Zion National Park

Above, The Organ rock formation. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In an effort to draw attention to the $12 billion backlog of national park maintenance projects, Zion National Park is getting a top level visitor.

According to U.S. News & World Report:

ZION NATIONAL PARK, Utah (AP) — Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke will be at Zion National Park to draw attention to a maintenance backlog at national parks. 

The Southern Utah park known for striking red-rock vistas estimates its backlog at $65 million. 

Also on hand Monday to call for Congressional action on the problem will be Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, who chairs the powerful House National Resources Committee, and his fellow GOP Congressmen Chris Stewart and John Curtis.

To read more, go here. 

Another Roach Crawls Out and A GOP Backlash May Be Brewing

Another roach has crawled out of the woodwork. It is part of the Democrats' full throttle smear campaign against Brett Kavanaugh.

The timing of this is interesting since the credibility of the first accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, is tanking. So the Democrats, in desperation, brought forth another accuser.

The Washington Times reported:

Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh denied another sexual assault allegation against him on Sunday from a woman who said he harassed her while the two attended Yale University roughly 35 years ago. 

Deborah Ramirez, who was contacted by the New Yorker, was reluctant to share her story since she had been drinking heavily at the time of the alleged incident.
But after a few days, she decided to talk to the magazine, which published her claim Sunday alleging Judge Kavanaugh exposed himself to her after drinking with a group of friends in a suite on campus during their 1983-1984 school year. 

“I would think an F.B.I. investigation would be warranted,” Ms. Ramirez told the magazine. 

Her allegation comes as Democrats have called for an FBI probe into claims made by Christine Blasey Ford, a California professor who came forward last week, alleging Judge Kavanaugh forced himself on her when the two were in high school roughly 36 years ago after drinking at a house party. 

“This alleged event from 35 years ago did not happen. The people who knew me then know that this did not happen, and have said so. This is a smear, plain and simple,” Judge Kavanaugh said. “I look forward to testifying on Thursday about the truth, and defending my good name — and the reputation for character and integrity I have spent a lifetime building — against these last-minute allegations.”

To read more, go here.

All this may cost the Democrats more support during the upcoming midterm elections. There may be a backlash in the making with more motivated Republicans going to the polls totally pissed off.

According to Rush Limbaugh:

This can’t be said enough: They really believe they’re gonna win the Senate, folks. They believe their polls. They don’t have the slightest idea what a potential backlash they are creating with their behavior here and what they’re doing to Kavanaugh. They haven’t the slightest idea. They have no idea of the rage! They think the Democrats have all the motivation and inspiration, eagerness to vote? 

They have no idea what this is doing to Republican turnout. No idea at all. We saw a harbinger of it in a Texas special election last night where a Republican won a Democrat seat that the Democrats have held for 139 years, and the polls did not say this was gonna happen. Democrats think they’re in the process turning Texas blue, and yet this one seat that they’ve held in a district that went heavily for Hillary elected a Republican. 

They’re sitting there blind as a bat. They have no concept, they have no sense, because they’re not connected to the American people. They have no idea how their behavior here is revving up Republicans to vote in November like nothing else could! You wait. We’ll see.

For me, I am looking forward to today's Rush Limbaugh Show. It should be fun!