Pat Garrett Western Heritage Festival

Above, lawman Pat Garrett.

Too bad I didn't learn of this festival sooner, it seems to be something interesting to attend.

According to Mississauga.com:

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. — Pat Garrett, an Old West sheriff who is remembered for killing outlaw Billy the Kid, will be the focus of new festival in southern New Mexico. 

The first Pat Garrett Western Heritage Festival is scheduled for Friday and Saturday in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and comes amid renewed interest in the well-known lawman, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported . 

Organizers have said they plan to unveil a new photograph of Garrett, the newspaper said. 

In addition to movies, performances and lectures, organizers have said several of Garrett's descendants will attend events.

Above, William Bonney, better known as Billy the Kid.

During our trip to Roswell last summer, we passed a sign for a road going east indicating that Fort Sumner, where Billy the Kid is buried, was in that direction. Unfortunately, it was too far out-of-the-way (about 50 miles) to make a detour to go see.

To read more about the festival, go here.

At The El Rancho Hotel & Motel

Above, the El Rancho Hotel & Motel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I got back from breakfast this morning at Denny's in the Flying J, I found Sierra (Her Royal Highness) sleeping on my computer's keyboard.

I don't know what she did, but she knocked out the settings for me to connect to the WiFi. So I had to go into Gallup to get it fixed.

Above, the front of the El Rancho Hotel on Route 66 in Gallup. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I had been planning to pay a visit to the manager of the El Rancho Hotel & Motel in Gallup to see about having a Clamper plaque/monument erected there this fall. Since I was in town anyway, I stopped in and met with the manager.

I told her what we have in mind and she was all enthusiastic for it.

Above, the El Rancho's main lobby. Photographs of the movie stars
who stayed there are on the second level. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The El Rancho is listed in the Register of National Historic Places. It was built in 1937. The presidential suite is named after Ronald Reagan.

Travelers who have driven in the Southwest along Interstate 40 will likely have seen their billboards featuring John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, Roy Rogers and others. 

According to Wikipedia:

El Rancho Hotel, Gallup, New Mexico, is a historic hotel built by the brother of film director D.W. Griffith. It is located on old U.S. Route 66 and became the temporary home for many Hollywood movie stars.

Above, the El Rancho's sign. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A meeting will be set up to work out the details. 

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Arizona National Parks Survived The Government Shutdown

Above, a view of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During the government shutdown, Joshua Tree National Park suffered damage that would, officials say, take 300 years to heal. Trash was left uncollected, valuable Joshua Trees were cut down and other acts of vandalism took place.

In contrast, Arizona's national parks were almost unscathed in comparison.

According to AZ Big Media:

Waiting for the sun to rise, visitors to Grand Canyon National Park quietly stood at Mather Point. By 7:45, sunbeams pierced the low clouds to illuminate the red rocks and the sparkling snow. Despite the partial federal government shutdown, which ended Jan. 25, for most visitors, the closure didn’t affect their experience. 

Although Petrified Forest National Park closed during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, Arizona’s two other national parks – Grand Canyon and Saguaro National Park – remained open with limited services. The visitor center at Grand Canyon was closed, but the Grand Canyon Conservancy bookstore, hotels and restaurants were open. It was a similar story at Saguaro. But as of Monday, both parks were fully staffed, and it was business as usual, at least for the next three weeks while the debate over funding a southern-border wall continues in Washington, D.C. 

Park officials say Saguaro and Grand Canyon are recovering from the shutdown with limited damage, and they are prepared should another shutdown happen.

To read more, go here.

Why There's An Abortion Uproar

VIRGINIA, January 30, 2019 (LifeSiteNews) – A Virginia House Delegate has proposed legislation that would allow abortions up until the moment of birth.   

In a shocking exchange during a subcommittee hearing about the bill, the bill’s chief proponent hesitantly admitted that the measure would permit aborting children even as a mother has begun dilating in preparation to give birth.     

Delegate Kathy Tran, a Democrat from Northern Virginia, was asked, “How late in the third trimester could a physician perform an abortion?”  

Tran replied, “through the third trimester.  The third trimester goes all the way up to forty weeks...I don't think we have a limit in the bill.” 

“Where it’s obvious a woman is about to give birth?” asked the chairman of the subcommittee, Delegate Todd Gilbert.   

Even when “she has physical signs that she is about to give birth?” asked Gilbert.  “She’s dilating?”  

“My bill would allow that, yes,” responded Tran.

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"When we talk about third-trimester abortions, these are done with the consent of obviously the mother, with the consent of the physicians, more than one physician, by the way," Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said. "And it's done in cases where there may be severe deformities, there may be a fetus that's non-viable. So in this particular example, if a mother is in labor, I can tell you exactly what would happen. The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that's what the mother and the family desired, and then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother. So I think this was really blown out of proportion."

In other words, the baby would be killed or left to die. Infanticide.

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“This is morally repugnant,” Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., said in a statement to National Review. “In just a few years pro-abortion zealots went from ‘safe, legal, and rare’ to ‘keep the newborns comfortable while the doctor debates infanticide.’ I don’t care what party you’re from — if you can’t say that it’s wrong to leave babies to die after birth, get the hell out of public office.”

Today's Walk

Above, a view looking southeast. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While much of the country is freezing in the polar vortex, Jamestown, New Mexico is enjoying some 45-47° temperatures.

I sat out on the deck for a while with a cup of coffee, enjoying the scenery and watching the cars and trucks go by on Interstate 40 and trains going by in the distance.

Later, I took a little stroll with my camera and took some photos. I might as well take advantage of the weather since we may be getting some snow on Saturday.

Here's some:

Above, the mesas across the valley, looking north. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a view down the road looking north. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, same view but zoomed in a little. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Barking Spider Road and Acre. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, looking toward Iyanbito, north of here. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the New Year's snow on the driveway is almost gone. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Party of Infanticide

The Democrat Party has given up the pretense of not being in favor of baby-killing. This is mind-boggling. They are the party of infanticide.

The Federalist reported:

When asked about the controversial late term abortion bill presented in Virginia’s House of Delegates this week, Governor Ralph Northam said a fully developed child born in the third trimester would be kept alive, but the physician and mother would get to discuss and decide whether to take its life or not. 

“If a mother is in labor…the infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that’s what the mother and the family desired, and then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and mother,” Northam said on WTOP’s “Ask The Governor” segment this morning. 

The radio host, Julie Carey, did not bother to clarify what he meant by “resuscitated” or whether this meant mother and a doctor could choose to kill a baby after birth, a baby who would have just taken their first breath.

Why mince words? The Democrat Party is the party of legalized murder. There's no stopping them. If they are willing to kill "unwanted" babies, are senior citizens next? Remember ObamaCare "death panels"?

To read more, go here. 

Director John Ford To Be Celebrated In Statewide Film Festival

Above, a John Ford display at the Monument Valley Visitor Center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one is in or near the state of Maine, if they are willing to brave the polar vortex, can attend statewide film festival screenings honoring one of its own, director John Ford.

The Ellsworth American reported:

ELLSWORTH — Can you name the early 20th-century Maine high school football star who went on to win more Academy Awards for Best Director than any other filmmaker?
If not, you’re probably in good company — but odds are you have heard of his work. 

Though his record four Oscar statues for directing make him the most honored director in Hollywood history, John Ford’s name likely does not appear on many people’s mental lists of famous Mainers. Ford, who directed more than 140 films before he died in 1973, might have found that unsurprising. 

“I love Portland,” Ford once told a friend, speaking of the city where he grew up, “but I don’t even know if they like me.” 

The Pine Tree State will show its famed filmmaking son some appreciation, however, in the form of “John Ford | 125 Years,” a statewide film festival running Feb. 1-10 in locations around Maine. The festival, which features two film screenings in Hancock County, draws its title from the fact that this Feb. 1 marks the 125th anniversary of Ford’s birth in Cape Elizabeth. The event is organized by the Waterville-based Maine Film Center (MFC). 

“Ford’s a towering Maine figure so we all agreed this milestone shouldn’t pass without recognition from his home state,” said MFC’s Executive Director Mike Perreault.

Among Ford’s best-known movies are “The Grapes of Wrath,” “How Green Was My Valley” and the iconic John Wayne western “The Searchers.” All will be shown as part of “John Ford | 125 Years.”

Local screenings in Hancock County will be 1939’s “Stagecoach” at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 3, at The 1932 Criterion Theatre in Bar Harbor and 1945’s “They Were Expendable” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7 at the Alamo Theatre in Bucksport.

To read more, go here. 

Narita Airport To Extend Operating Hours

Above, a China Airlines jet at Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With the exception of two local municipalities near Narita International Airport, an agreement has been reached to extend the airport's operating hours.

The two municipalities object to the noise from planes from late night arrivals and departures.

NHK World reported:

Narita Airport, near Tokyo, is expected to extend its operating hours until midnight, starting in October. 

The transport ministry and the airport's operator had asked nine neighboring municipalities to allow the extension for one of the two runways until 12 midnight, one hour longer than now. 

The extension is aimed at receiving more visitors ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

To read more, go here. 

One Year Ago

Above, The Beast at Shady Oasis Campground in Victorville. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One year ago tomorrow, I moved out of Tarzana, California. I decided I've had enough of California with all its congestion, taxes, high gas prices and wacko liberals.

I was in no hurry that day since the move took a bit longer than expected. So my cat Sierra and I headed out around 3:00 and stopped in Victorville at the Shady Oasis Campground for a overnight rest before pushing on the next morning.

The next morning, I reached Interstate 40 in Barstow and headed east.

Above, The Beast at the Seligman KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The next day, we reached Seligman, Arizona (home of the Roadkill Cafe) and stayed the second night at the KOA Kampground.

Above, the Ben Hur moving truck. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We finally reached Jamestown, New Mexico the following day. Thankfully, I already arranged for utilities for the house, so I had water and electric available for The Beast. The movers didn't deliver my stuff for another 12 days, but that was okay, since Sierra and I were comfortable in The Beast (even with occasional snow storms). My Mustang was delivered a week or so later.

Above, a few hours after arriving in Jamestown on February 2. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have no regrets about leaving California and have been enjoying life in Jamestown. I know more people here than I did in Tarzana.

Holy Deep Freeze, Batman!

Above, the New Year's Day snow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Well, I guess we in New Mexico are pretty lucky this week. We're not in the middle of the polar vortex that has engulfed the midwest to the northeast portions of the country.

Compared to their -27° (and worse) temperatures, our 12° temperature tonight in Jamestown is almost balmy.

But, we may be getting snow showers Saturday night. The National Weather Service says our chances of snow showers will be 30%. We still have about 2% left of the snow that came down during New Year's still on the ground.

Here's the forecast for the next few days:

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 12. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 48. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 17. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 50. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Friday

A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 47.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Saturday

A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48.

Saturday Night

A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Savvy Tokyo's Guide To Yokohama

Above, a view of the waterfront from the observation deck of the Landmark Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one is going to spend any lengthy time around Tokyo, one easy day trip from the city is to go down to Yokohama.

Yokohama is familiar to Godzilla fans as it served as a battleground in two movies: Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992) and in Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001). That is reason enough to want to pay Yokohama a visit.

Savvy Tokyo has posted a guide to Yokohama giving visitors ideas on what to see and do.

They start with:

From sightseeing to shopping to international dining to simply taking a deep breath of fresh air and standing against the ocean breeze, Yokohama is the city that appeals to all your five senses. 

Just under an hour on the subway from central Tokyo, the port city Yokohama is a welcome break from the busy streets of the capital with its relaxed environment, wide open spaces, and a harbor-side where it’s almost too easy to lose your worries and stresses as you stroll or cycle along. 

Whatever your purpose of visit is — from sightseeing to shopping to fancy eating or street food and chat along the ocean — Yokohama has more than enough to keep you busy. With the biggest and most celebrated Chinatown in East Asia (aside from China itself, of course), there is also a surprising amount of varied and inviting culture, food, and history here to explore. 

As a kind of quiet sister city to Tokyo, Yokohama is a fantastic place to visit and get to know.

To read more, go here. 

Tokyo At Night, Quirky Things To Do

Above, the Tokyo Skytree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Visitors in Tokyo sometimes are at a loss on what to do in the city at night, especially if it happens to be their first visit. But Gaijinpot has four "quirky" things people can do in Tokyo at night.

They begin with:

Tokyo is not exactly short on quirky late-night haunts, but sometimes the options can be a little overwhelming. With the last train always in the back of your mind, time is of the essence when it comes to enjoying the city after dark, so you’ve got to be organized. 

Eager to go drinking with the locals after work? Or hungry for something more international? How about seeing the city from a brand new perspective? With the following unique activities, it’s possible to do all of this and more in one-jam packed night.

To see what they are, go here.

Drive The "Mother Road"

Above, the Indian Market right at the Continental Divide on Route 66. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who are wondering what to do this summer for a vacation trip, why not do some road exploring in the Southwest on Route 66?

Although some sections of Route 66 no longer exist, much of it remains and is well worth a drive.

Above, a Route 66 sign in Church Rock, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tim Viall has an article on a recent road trip on Route 66 through New Mexico and Arizona in The Record.

It begins with:

My first experience with Route 66 was the summer of 1962, when my intrepid mother piled me, age 15, and my two younger brothers in the back of a ’61 Ford station wagon towing a Nimrod tent trailer. We headed off from Ohio to Chicago, then followed Route 66 all the way to Southern California and its terminus at the Santa Monica Pier. My dad would fly into Los Angeles and join us, but those two weeks on Route 66 are forever locked into my memory. 

I have advocated before for the fun of touring Route 66, and doing it in bite-size chunks along its eight-state, 2,448-mile route. A recent house-sitting opportunity in Albuquerque gave us a chance to explore the New Mexico and Arizona stretches of the old Mother Road, headed west. 

A bit of history: Route 66 was christened in 1926 with Americans clamoring for better, paved roads. The Bureau of Public Roads authorized the first Federal Highway, linking existing local, state and national roads — though it wouldn’t be continually paved until 1937. The result was a meandering highway beginning in Chicago, crossing Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, ending in Los Angeles. The road was frequently realigned, and 10 years later the terminus was shifted to Santa Monica. 

A combination of factors led to continual growth of U.S. highway travel, including gasoline for $.18 a gallon, new Fords and Chevys being mass-produced for $350 and $525 respectively, the Depression and Dust Bowl, which caused wholesale western migration from the center of the country, and World War II and its aftermath. The result was millions of Americans heading west to start new careers and lives. With the end of the war, many more Americans were ready to travel and see the West — Route 66 was the chosen alternative for a huge percentage of travelers.

Above, Route 66 at the Arizona-New Mexico border. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Dry Week Until Friday

Above, still snow on the ground today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It's been four weeks since we had the blizzard that dumped 14" of snow in the Jamestown, New Mexico area.

We've had several smaller snow storms in the ensuing weeks, but the snow that fell during those melted away pretty fast, leaving about as much on the ground as just before they started.

Above, snow from New Year's in front of the garage. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There is still snow on the ground from the big storm that hit over New Year's, but it is more rapidly disappearing.

This week is going to be a dry week, according to forecasts, until Friday (20% chance of showers). This is nice since the melting snow from New Year's has made the ground muddy in spots.  But, the forecast for Saturday and Sunday is 20% chance of snow showers.

33 Years Since The Challenger Disaster

Above, the Challenger memorial at Little Tokyo in Los Angeles. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was one of those events that gets seared into one's memory, the kind that makes people remember exactly what they were doing, where and how they learned the news. The attack on Pearl Harbor, John F. Kennedy's assassination and 9/11/01 are ones that immediately come to mind.

Another was the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger on January 28, 1986.

I was at my desk at work when my mom called to tell me that the shuttle "blew up". I immediately asked her to pop in a blank tape in my VHS video machine to record all of the news coverage. She did and I still have the tape. It ends with President Reagan's address to the nation that night.

I was, and still am, a big fan of the U.S. space program. I attended two space shuttle landings at Edwards Air Force Base, one was Columbia and the other was Endeavour.

Thirty-three years since the Challenger disaster is a long time, but in many respects it almost seems like yesterday.

Illegal Migrants Bringing Disease To New Mexico, Yet Democrats Want A "Sanctuary State"

Above, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Already, the Democrats in the New Mexico state government are salivating over the prospect of turning the state into a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants.

What they fail to realize, or they do and just don't give a damn, is that these illegals often carry diseases that can and will spread to the state's population.

Breitbart reported:

Border Patrol agents learned that a migrant who crossed the border with a large group in the New Mexico desert is suffering from flesh-eating bacteria. Border Patrol officials said this is one of many ailments for which they are treating migrants. 

Border Patrol agents assigned to the Lordsburg Station in New Mexico said a Central American migrant sought medical treatment for what he believed to be a rash. The agents transported the migrant to a hospital where doctors determine the rash to be caused by necrotizing fascitis — flesh-eating bacteria, Border Patrol spokesman Carlos Antunez told the Associated Press.

The bacteria, which can be fatal, spreads quickly after being introduced to the body through a minor cut or scrape. It can cause an infection that can destroy muscle, skin, and other tissue, officials reported.

The Las Cruces Sun News reported:

SANTA FE - New Mexico, the state with the largest percentage of Hispanic residents in the nation, could be the latest to adopt sanctuary status regarding immigrants, under a Democratic plan. 

Identical Democratic proposals introduced in the New Mexico House and Senate say state agencies would be barred from cooperating with federal immigration authorities seeking to hold or deport immigrants suspected of being in the U.S. illegally. 

The authority of sheriffs and jails to hold federal immigrant detainees also would see new limits. 

In addition, state agencies couldn’t use public funds to help federal authorities in “detecting, apprehending, arresting, detaining or prolonging the detention of a person” facing possible deportation. 

The bills, co-sponsored by Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero, D-Albuquerque, Sen. Richard Martinez, D-Española, and Sen. Linda M. Lopez, D-Albuquerque, were proposed after intense pressure from immigrant advocacy groups.

Contact your state representative and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and tell them to oppose any legislation that would make New Mexico a sanctuary state. Lunatic proposals such as this also will endanger the state's tribes.

To read more, go here.

LMAGA Must Be Okay

The liberal media and politicians are beating their chests and screaming against the MAGA (Make America Great Again) caps.

It just so happens, my cap says, "Let's Make America Great Again" (LAMAGA).

I guess mine is okay with them because I have not heard a single peep of complaint about the LAMAGA caps.

Gallup Supper Group

Above, the hallway next to the dining room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tonight in Gallup, we held our monthly dinner gathering of the Supper Group.

Above, a winter scene with an Indian hogan. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As usual, it consisted of good food, good conversation and a good time. Here, we discussed what's currently going on in the Gallup area and New Mexico.

Above, a cowboy observing an Indian hogan from a bluff during winter. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One disquieting note was raised during the dinner: it seems our new governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham and the Democrats in Santa Fe (the state capital), are planning to raise taxes on New Mexico citizens, including a $.20/gallon tax hike on gasoline and a property tax hike. This is despite the fact that the prior governor, Republican Susana Martinez, left office with a $2 billion budget surplus.

Along with that, the wacko Democrats want to make New Mexico a sanctuary state. That surely won't sit well with the tribes in the state (more invaders).

Above, cowboys saddling up at sunrise. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As typical of liberal Democrats, they will spend like crazy and increase taxes on everyone to generally make a mess of things

Our dinner host, Martin Link, usually changes his wall art on a regular basis and the photos accompanying this blog post are some of the latest ones he has on the walls. Before the dinner started, I snapped these photos.

French Composer Michel Legrand Dies At 86

Composer Michel Legrand has died at age 86.

I really took notice of his work back in 1971 in the move, Summer of '42, although I do recall the song "The Windmills of Your Mind" a couple of years earlier.

Legrand also scored the 1983 Sean Connery James Bond movie, Never Say Never Again.

According to Yahoo! News:

Prolific French composer Michel Legrand, who won three Oscars and five Grammys during a career spanning more than half a century, died aged 86 on Saturday, prompting an outpouring of tributes for his "inexhaustible genius". 

Legrand's music spanned a wide range of styles and genres. He composed for more than 200 film and TV productions and was associated with over 100 albums. 

"Since I was a child, my ambition has been to live completely surrounded by music, my dream was to not miss anything, which is why I have never focused on a single musical discipline," he once said. 

He first won an Academy Award in 1969 for the song "The Windmills of Your Mind" from Norman Jewison's hit thriller "The Thomas Crown Affair". 

He followed that with Oscars for his music for "Summer of '42" in 1972 and for "Yentl" in 1984. 

Legrand, who had been scheduled to stage concerts in Paris in April, died at his home in the French capital early Saturday with his wife, the actress Macha Meril, at his side, his spokesman told AFP.

To read more, go here. 

NY Times Travel Show Ends Today

Above, the Godzilla slide in Yokosuka. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you happen to be in the New York City area, the New York Times Travel Show will be ending today, so you may want to head over there while you still can.

Japan is promoting tourism at the show which is being held at the Jacob Javitz Center.

According to The Mainichi:

NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- Travel agencies and organizations from Japan pitched the country as a perfect destination for American tourists at the annual New York Times Travel Show, which opened on Friday. 

"One of our main efforts is to disperse travelers throughout Japan," Keiko Matsuura, a spokeswoman for the Japan National Tourism Organization, said, adding, "We are trying to introduce lesser known regions." 

Akita Inu Tourism was among the bodies present at the exhibition, promoting its "land of Akita dogs" in the prefecture located in northeastern Japan.

To read more, go here.