Russia Bans Flights From 36 Countries In Retaliation

Above, Asya is stuck in Denmark due to flight bans. Photo courtesy of Asya Lipovetckaia.

This afternoon, I was chatting with Asya on WhatsApp and she said her flight to St. Petersburg from Copenhagen had been canceled due to the sanctions imposed by European Union countries and others. She can't go back home now, she said.

Lousy timing.

According to Reuters:

MOSCOW, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Russia has closed its airspace to airlines from 36 countries, including all 27 members of the European Union, in response Ukraine-related sanctions targeting its aviation sector.

Some of the banned countries had already been identified, while others were named by the aviation authority Rosaviatsia for the first time on Monday following the punitive measures imposed over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The flight bans are expected to hurt airlines that fly over the world's biggest country to get from Europe to Asia. They are likely to force them to find new routes.

They said the countries affected are:

It listed the countries as Albania, Anguilla, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, British Virgin Islands, Germany, Gibraltar, Hungary, Greece, Denmark, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Jersey, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The listed countries have previously banned all Russian airline flights. The U.S. hasn't made up its mind on what to do (great leadership, eh?). 

It's funny, I had mentioned to her a week ago that the invasion of Ukraine affected my investment accounts, which forced me to move my investments to a safe haven. Now it's her "turn" to be affected.

To read more, go here.

Russians Face Economic Point of No Return

Well, well, well. Look at Russian President Vladimir Putin has wrought on this people.

Since he decided to wage an unprovoked war on Ukraine, the world community has imposed severe sanctions on Russia and the effects are starting to be felt by the Russian people. 

The Guardian reported:

As markets opened in a panic on Monday, many Russians rushed to local cashpoints in Moscow to retrieve their savings before the damage got any worse.

“It said they had dollars so I came here immediately,” said Alexei Presnyakov, 32, pointing to an app for Russia’s Tinkoff Bank, indicating he could withdraw hard currency. About 20 people were queued in line. “Yesterday [the rate] was 80 [to the dollar]. Today it’s 100. Or 150.”

“I just made a spontaneous decision today that I would ask [out of work] and go around until I took out all my money,” he said. “Before it was worth zero.”

Within minutes, however, the word traveled down the queue: the dollars were gone.

Nearly half the queue walked off. “Who needs roubles?” one woman said sarcastically as she walked away.

From shopping malls to corporate boardrooms, Russians were trying to find their footing on Monday in what the Kremlin described as the “altered economic reality” that the country was now facing following sanctions on Russia’s Central Bank and other key financial institutions. There were signs that something extraordinary was taking place: the Moscow Exchange, Russia’s largest stock market, has halted trading until 5 March.  

For many Russians, who felt themselves to be European by the food they ate and the way they lived, it’s clear that Monday marked a moment when the war came home.

The Russian people had better start seriously thinking about ousting Putin from office before the Russian economy totally collapses.

To read more, go here.

Vintage LAX Photos

Back in the late 1960s, I lived in Hawthorne, California, about four miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). 

The airport was close enough for my friends and I to ride our bicycles there. We would take Aviation Blvd. to Imperial Highway to Sepulveda Blvd. to get to the main terminals. Once there, we would ride our bikes around the terminals and park them and wander around a terminal on foot. One can't do that anymore. These were the days before TSA security restrictions.

A Hawthorne-oriented Facebook page posted a bunch of photos of LAX (by Jerry Miles) while it was under construction in the 1950s and 1960s and they reminded me of those fun times. We got plenty of exercise bike-riding.

The terminal area roadway had a second deck added just before the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Compared to other big city airports with enormous terminals areas that need trams and monorails, LAX is still an easy airport to navigate around without causing one to have a heart attack or stroke.

Here's the photos that reminded me of those bike rides:

The Theme Building

The Sepulveda Blvd. Runway Tunnel

The Terminals

President Zelenskyy, Remember Hungary 1956

 

Major Travel Groups Call For End To Travel Restrictions

Above, the federal airline mask mandate doesn't come up for debate until March 18. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new guidance. Travel groups, with the guidance as a roadmap, are asking the Biden Administration to end travel restrictions and regulations.

But will they listen?

TravelPulse posted:

Major travel-related agencies are calling on the Biden Administration to end COVID-19 restrictions and regulations that inhibit the near $2 trillion U.S. tourism industry.

The move comes just a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance that relaxes many of the policies enacted in the wake of the virus. The new guidance drops restrictions for 70 percent of the country.

But not on airplanes.

The federal mask mandate doesn’t come up for debate again until March 18 but the U.S. Travel Association, the American Hotel and Lodging Association, Airlines for America and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are asking to rescind mask-wearing and several other key restrictions.

The group sent a letter to White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Jeffrey Zients that urges the Biden administration to replace pandemic-era travel advisories, requirements and restrictions with endemic-focused policies that enable travel to resume fully and safely and the American economy to accelerate its recovery.

The groups cited key figures to back their request, noting that business travel spending was approximately 50 percent below 2019 levels, and international travel spending was down a staggering 78 percent compared to 2019.

To read more, go here. 

John Wayne Meets Maude

Above, Bea Arthur and John Wayne on Maude.

Here's something from television history that I really didn't remember.

On season 3, episode 2 of the Norman Lear sitcom, Maude, starring Bea Arthur, John Wayne made a guest appearance on the show. His charm completely disarms the ultra-liberal Maude.

Here's a video clip of the show:

How To Replace RV Awning Fabric

Above, making use of the awning in Quartzsite, Arizona last year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Sooner or later, the fabric to an RV's awning will need to be replaced.

I had to replace mine a little over three years ago as a small tear was beginning to get larger and if it completely tore during a trip, it would be a major hassle. A leaning telephone pole rubbed against it as I was parallel parking. I didn't see the leaning pole.

I had it replaced at La Mesa RV. I am not so "mechanically inclined" enough to do the work myself and I was still recovering from an arterial stent procedure.

But, if one is mechanically inclined, Do It Yourself RV posted an article on fabric replacement on a step-by-step basis.

They begin with:

RV awnings are great because they can provide shade as well as shelter from rain and snow. However, because they’re exposed to the elements, RV awnings end up taking a beating over time. At some point, most people need to know how to replace RV awning fabric.

The fabric used for RV awnings is usually some form of canvas or some other heavy, waterproof material. These fabrics are quite sturdy and durable, but everything will start to wear down eventually. If you notice that your awning’s fabric has become cracked, faded, or ripped, it might be time to start thinking about replacing it. Luckily, this process is fairly straightforward, and most people can do it at home with just a few basic tools.

The replacement process will vary a bit depending on whether you have a manual awning or power RV awning. For the purposes of this article, we’ll mainly be covering manual RV awnings, but the procedure is fairly similar between the two types. Follow along with our step-by-step guide on how to replace RV awning fabric, and you’ll have a new awning in no time!

To read more, go here. 

Grand Teton National Park Turns 93

Above, the Grand Tetons are mirrored on Jackson Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Although overshadowed by its neighbor to the north, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park is an interesting place in its own right.

The Grand Teton mountain range is unique as it doesn't have foothills. It is a place where visitors can hike, camp, boat and float downstream on the Snake River. 

Grand Teton National Park turned 93 on February 26.

According to Buckrail:

MOOSE, Wyo. — Yesterday, Feb 26., marked Grand Teton National Park’s 93rd birthday. On that day in 1929, the areas around the Grand Teton mountain range and its lakes were established as a national park to protect the land from commercial exploitation.

Since then, the surrounding region has largely transformed. But steady in the change that time brings is the awe that Grand Teton delivers.

“Tall and proud, the Tetons rise dramatically from the grasslands, cutting through bluest skies and brightest sunrises. Snowcapped in the winter and stark gray in summer, these granite masterpieces are home to all seeking serenity in mountains. Few landscapes in the world are as striking and memorable as that of Grand Teton National Park,” said the National Park Servie in a statement yesterday.

“Established on [Feb. 26] in 1929, Grand Teton offers extraordinary wildlife, pristine lakes, alpine terrain, and a unique collection of natural and cultural resources to explore.”

To read more, go here. 

Highway Noise In RV

Above, The Beast at Ashurst Lake in Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is very rare that highway noise bothers me while sleeping in my motorhome. I actually sleep better in the RV than I do at home.

If those who are reading this do get bothered by highway noise in their RV, RV Life has some tips on how to reduce highway noise.

They begin with:

There are those persistent sounds you can live with, and then there are those that keep you up all night.  Before highway noise drives you crazy or sleepless, here are some very simple ways you can create a barrier between you and the noise.

To see what they are, go here. 

European Airspace Closed To Russian Planes

Finally, European countries are showing that they have some guts against the big bully to the east, namely Russia, over their unprovoked attack on Ukraine. This is welcome, given their past history of appeasement.

From CNBC:

Key Points

• A growing number of countries have announced Sunday they’re joining a string of nations in closing their airspace to Russian aircrafts after Moscow began its invasion of Ukraine.
• Officials for Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Austria and Iceland all announced the measures on Sunday that would further isolate Russia.
• The moves by the nations put even more pressure on Russia, with countries banding together to impose wide-reaching sanctions on Russia and its elite.

A growing number of countries announced on Sunday they’re joining a string of nations in closing their airspace to Russian aircraft after Moscow began its invasion of Ukraine.

Officials for Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Austria and Iceland all announced the measures that would further isolate Russia. It follows similar restrictions from the U.K., Poland, Romania, Finland, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

The moves by the nations put even more pressure on Russia, with countries banding together to impose wide-reaching sanctions on Russia and its elite. A ban means Russian aircraft can’t fly over or land in the nations that impose the rules, which often means lengthy and costly reroutes.

Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said on Twitter his government is pushing for a European Union-wide ban of Russian flights at a meeting of the bloc’s ministers of foreign affairs. An EU official told Reuters that could be a part of fresh sanctions.

There are also reports that Vladimir Putin has put Russia on nuclear alert over the sanctions. This is definitely something to keep a watch over.

To read more, go here. 

Warmer Week Ahead

Above, now getting the guest room/den back to normal. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like this week will be a warmer one. We're actually going to get into the 60s!

This will be welcome as it has been cold (even during the day) out with a snowstorm at least once a week. Well, can can use the water, so I'm not complaining. But the warmer weather this week is also welcome.

According to the National Weather Service, the week's forecast looks like this:

 Today

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

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Monday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. East wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 57. North wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 23.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 62.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 47.

Went All The Way To Kirtland Air Force Base...

 ...and all I got was this t-shirt.

Day Trip To Albuquerque

Above, dinner at Sadie's of New Mexico.

Yesterday was spent roaming around in Albuquerque, New Mexico with my houseguests Mitch Geriminsky and Dwight Kuntz.

We headed off in the morning and stopped for breakfast at the Kiva Café in Milan (which is next-door to Grants). The guys liked their food.

Above, the enchilada breakfast plate at Kiva Café. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When we entered Albuquerque, we headed to Kirtland Air Force Base to tour the base and to do some shopping at the BX (base exchange) and the commissary.

Following the visit to Kirtland Air Force Base, we headed over to Old Town and did some browsing around the shops. I found one shop that was interesting. It mainly sold different varieties of balsamic vinegars. 

Above, assorted balsamic vinegars at a shop in Old Town Albuquerque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Once we were done at Old Town, we headed a few miles to Sadie's of New Mexico Mexican restaurant for dinner. Naturally, Sadie's didn't disappoint any of us. 

After dinner, we headed back to Jamestown and managed to get back to my place before sundown. 

For the evening's entertainment, I showed them the docudrama, Stan & Ollie and the Laurel and Hardy short, Our Wife. 

Mitch and Dwight will be heading back to Lake Havasu, Arizona this morning. We all had a good time this weekend.

Forest Service Closing Campgrounds Despite Soaring Demand

Above, a campsite in the Cibola National Forest of New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The national forests belong to the American people. But by the way the U.S. Forest Service is running them, you'd think the otherwise were true.

More people are going out camping in RVs and tents, but the Forest Service is causing more campground crowding by closing more campgrounds.

RV Travel reported:

What is the U.S. Forest Service doing to meet the increasing demand for more camping opportunities?

Your tax dollars (not) at work? I doubt there’s a better example of bureaucratic disconnect than the tone-deaf U.S. Forest Service’s cutting the number of campgrounds while demand soars. It’s contributing to “campground crowding” on a national scale, perpetrated by folks who, ostensibly, work for us.

To read more, go here.

Cruise Lines Cancel Scheduled Stops In Russia, Ukraine

Above, St. Petersburg is one Russian city being bypassed by cruise lines. Photo by Asya Lipovetckaia.

Several cruise lines have canceled scheduled stops in Russia and Ukraine in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces.

TravelPulse reported:

Several cruise lines have altered or canceled scheduled sailings that included stops in Russia and Ukraine due to the ongoing war.

According to Reuters.com, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced all of its brands—which includes NCL, Oceania and Regent—with sailings scheduled to visit St Petersburg have been altered, with new stops to be announced soon.  

Viking and Atlas Ocean Voyages also revealed they would remove St Petersburg from itineraries, with the latter replacing the Russian city with alternative ports in Finland and Estonia this summer.

To read more, go here. 

Tulsi Gabbard Earns Standing Ovation At CPAC

This morning, this Daily Mail (U.K.) story posted on Twitter by Bo Snerdley:

Tulsi Gabbard crosses party lines and goes after the 'power elite' in CPAC speech where she earns standing ovation for praising the Durham probe into 'Clinton corruption' and blasting FISA courts

The former Democrat congresswoman and presidential candidate wowed them at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference.

To read the full story, go here.

Twin Arrows Is Now Single Arrow

Above, The Beast with the Twin Arrows in the background in December 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The storm that passed through this week caused much damage along Interstate 40 in Arizona.

Freeway signs have been knocked down and, sadly one of the famous arrows of Twin Arrows defunct Twin Arrows Trading Post have been knocked down by high winds. The old trading post is on Historic Route 66.

Jack Rabbit Trading Post posted a photo of the now sole standing arrow on Facebook after the wind knocked the other one down. 

Hopefully, it can be restored back to its proper position before someone steals it.  

Gallup and Lupton

Above, breakfast at Grandpa's Grill in Gallup.

Yesterday started out with Mitch Geriminsky and Dwight Kuntz at Grandpa's Grill in Gallup. They had never been there before and it was a better choice for breakfast than Denny's.

They liked the ambiance of the restaurant and the waitress. 

From there, we headed through Gallup and ended up in Lupton, Arizona at the Tee Pee Trading Post, which is right at the Arizona-New Mexico border.

Above, Dwight and Mitch at Tee Pee Trading Post. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Dwight picked up a few stogies and Mitch bought some t-shirts. I received two cigars from the store in graditude for bringing in some new customers (yes, they know me there). 

Afterwards, we headed back into Gallup and stopped at Walmart where they both bought a few things ing the grocery department. Both are on diets and needed some diet-related items. From there, we went to Albertson's where I picked up my case of Alien Amber Ale that I had ordered.

Above, yours truly and Mitch at Tee Pee Trading Post. Photo by Dwight Kuntz.

After Albertson's, we headed back to my place and we watched some Laurel & Hardy shorts and their feature film, Sons of the Desert. 

We had dinner down at Denny's and wrapped up the evening watching My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys.

Today, we're heading to Albuquerque.

Yellowstone Road Projects To Cause Major Delays

Above, Old Faithful Geyser in eruption. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Road projects that will take place in 2022 and 2023 in Yellowstone National Park will cause "major" road delays for visitors.

The Oil City News reported:

CASPER, Wyo. — The National Park Service is investing about $155 million in improvements within Yellowstone National Park in 2022. Three major projects included in those improvements will lead to “major delays” in both 2022 and 2023, the NPS said in a press release Thursday.

“It’s important the visiting public understand the major delays that will occur in 2022 and 2023 and impacts to the South Entrance Road,” Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly said. “While we always strive to execute projects in the least impacting way, the Old Faithful to West Thumb and Lewis River Bridge projects will seriously disrupt travel entering and exiting the park’s south entrance and visitors should plan accordingly. We very much appreciate the funding received through the Great American Outdoors Act to complete these critical projects.”

Two of the three major projects that will cause major delays in both 2022 and 2023 will also lead to overnight closures of roads within Yellowstone.

To read more, go here. 

Having Company Over

Above, the gathering at the El Rancho Hotel restaurant.

Yesterday, two friends from Lake Havasu, Arizona, Mitch Geriminsky and Dwight Kuntz, arrived in Gallup for a three-day visit.

I met them over at the El Rancho Hotel for dinner. I've been craving chile rellenos anyway, so this worked out just fine for me.

After dinner, we headed to my place in Jamestown. For the evening's entertainment, since neither have seen the movie, I put on the Blu-ray of No Time To Die.

Both enjoyed the movie. 

I don't know yet what we're going to do today, but tomorrow, we're going to Albuquerque as Mitch wants to go to Kirkland Air Force Base. Following that, at my suggestion, we're to go for dinner at Sadie's of New Mexico. Maybe a visit to Old Town Albuquerque is possible. I'll suggest it.

Ukraine Battleground Map

Sebastian Gorka posted the following map of where the attacks by the Russians are taking place:

 

There is absolutely no justification for this attack and it could have been resolved and prevented.

Dow Falls Over 800 Points On Ukraine

This comes as no surprise.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average and other markets are reacting to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

From CNBC:

U.S. stock futures fell sharply Thursday as Russia attacked Ukraine, causing global energy prices to jump and sending investors fleeing for the safety of fixed income assets.

The invasion comes as global equity markets were already reeling because of decades-high inflation stemming from the pandemic.

S&P 500 futures were down 2.5%, set to plunge the benchmark further into correction territory. The index closed Wednesday 12% off its record high. Dow Jones Industrial average futures fell 810 points, or 2.4%. The blue-chip measure closed Wednesday more than 10% off its record. Nasdaq 100 futures declined 3%. The Nasdaq Composite is teetering on bear market territory, down just less than 20% from its high through Wednesday’s close.

I anticipated this. I transferred most of my investments to the safety of money markets last week. They don't pay much in interest, but at least I won't be losing anything. 

To read more, go here.

A Pattern Emerges

What a difference one election makes:

- botched Afghanistan 

- open southern border

- skyrocketing inflation

- energy dependent again

- unscientific mandates 

- Russian invasion 

Reminder, it’s only been a year

For those who voted for Biden, the blame is yours for the Ukraine situation.

"Obama as president--Putin takes Crimea;

Trump as president--Putin takes nothing:

Biden as president--Putin takes eastern Ukraine.

Anyone see a pattern?"

 

Snow Widespread In Four Corners

Above, a 2-3" layer of snow on the garage roof this morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This isn't the biggest storm we've had this year (I think the New Year's snow was the biggest), but it is spread out over the Four Corners region.

It is lightly snowing now in Jamestown, New Mexico, but it is expected to end by this afternoon. 

It was even snowing at Jack Rabbit Trading Post. I would imagine they would make plenty of money selling hot coffee at the trading post to weary travelers. It had been dry there and they find the moisture a welcome sight.

Above, here's evidence that it does snow along I-40 in Arizona.This
 was posted yesterday on Facebook by Jack Rabbit Trading Post .

Still Snowing (A Little)

It is dark outside, so I turned on the outside floodlights and I could see that it is lightly snowing now. It is supposed to end today. It looks like we got around 2-4".

The Winter Weather Advisory ends at 5:00 this morning.

A couple of friends from Lake Havasu are coming in today to hang out for a few days. It'll be interesting to hear what they say about the road conditions along Interstate 40. Flagstaff got a lot of snow and it snowed at the Jack Rabbit Trading Post in St. Joseph, Arizona (near Winslow). 

Speaking of Jack Rabbit Trading Post, they posted the following snow report:

A friend in Albuquerque reported six hours ago that it was 28° and snowing there. I had a feeling it would. 

Russia Attacks Ukraine

All the talk about summits, diplomatic solutions, etc. in recent days and weeks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin were for naught as he has sent in the Russian military to attack Ukraine.

Explosions have been heard in several Ukrainian cities.

According to the Daily Wire:

Explosions are being reported in multiple cities across Ukraine during the early morning hours on Thursday as Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russian military forces were launching “special military operations” against the country.

Initial reports indicated the explosions were taking place in the capital city of Kyiv, as well as Kharkiv, Kramatorsk, Odesa, and in Mariupol.

To read more, go here. 

Got Home Before The Snow

It looks like I got home from Albuquerque in the nick of time.

The snowfall started about a couple of hours after I reached home. Usually, I would relax for a while before putting The Beast into the GOCO Beast Barn. But I knew snow was coming and decided to put it inside right away.

Sure enough, the snow came and everything was put away before it did. 

As of this writing, it looks like we've received 1 1/2 to 2 inches of it. It is about 27° outside.

A couple of snapshots:

Bondage For The Den

Some weeks ago, I obtained an autographed photo of Eon Productions' James Bond no. 2, George Lazenby. It is now on my wall in the den/guest room.

On the way home from Albuquerque, I stopped at the Flying J to pick up my mail. Among the items, was an autographed photo of James Bond no. 6, Daniel Craig. 

Once the snows cease here in Jamestown, Craig will be joining Lazenby on my den's wall when I get it framed by Frame 'N Art in Gallup.

It's interesting that I have these two since Craig's No Time To Die pays a big nod to Lazenby's On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) musically.

Brr! It's Cold Out!

Above, daylight at the RV resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A little bit ago, I took a brisk walk to and from the Route 66 RV Resort clubhouse to get some coffee and to fill up my water jug.

When I say "brisk", I mean brisk. It is about 23° outside. 

As I knew that it would be cold out, I did not hook up the water line as the hose would freeze up. I learned my lesson in Monument Valley six years ago when my water hose froze up and I had to thaw it out over a barbecue fire.

My next-door neighbor to the east, who is in an Itasca Class C, asked if I had my water hooked up. I told him no as I learned my lesson in Monument Valley. I think his water hose froze up. 

Since this was the case, I have been using water from a container for my water needs.  

People's Convoy Route and Timetable

Above, the Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The People's Convoy, protesting COVID-19 mandates in the U.S., is heading east along Interstate 40 today. What's even more interesting (to me) is that it will pass through my neck of the woods.

According to Newsweek:

A convoy of American truckers will leave from Adelanto, California, on Wednesday to complete an 11-day journey to the nation's capital, where the group plans to hold a protest demanding that all COVID 19-related mandates are lifted across the country.

The group, dubbed the People's Convoy, is inspired by the protesters of the so-called Freedom Convoy in Canada, who occupied Ottawa for 24 days and blocked various border crossings into the U.S. to protest the country's pandemic restrictions, particularly the federal vaccine mandate for cross-border commercial truck drivers. This past Sunday, Ottawa police cleared out the remaining demonstrators, arresting 191 people and towing 57 vehicles after more than three weeks of protests.

"To our brave and courageous neighbors to the North — our Canadian brothers and sisters who led the charge — we join your call to Freedom with THE PEOPLE'S CONVOY," the Canadian protesters' American counterparts wrote on a website.

Something else caught my eye. The convoy will rest up in Lupton, Arizona tomorrow night. Lupton is where the Tee Pee Trading Post (that I frequent) and Speedy's Truck Stop are located. I am sure both businesses will get some good business from the convoy participants.

Day 2: Thursday, February 24
Morning: Depart Kingman, Arizona, and head east on I-40 toward Lupton, Arizona
Evening: Arrive in Lupton for an overnight stay

Day 3: Friday, February 25
Morning: Depart Lupton on I-40 eastbound through New Mexico
Evening: Arrive in Glenrio, Texas, for an overnight stay

To read more, go here. 

T + L: Biggest Travel Mistakes of Retirees

Above, a couple of geezers on the balcony of the main house at Southfork Ranch in Texas.

Since 2015, I have been joyfully retired. Except for a "slight bump in the road" when I had a heart attack (or something) that required two stents in an artery in 2018, it has been an enjoyable time.

Besides the usual camping trips such as the Great American Eclipse trip, the near cross-country trip to Metropolis, Illinois and others, I have also been to Key West, Florida, Havana, Cuba, Wells (Nevada) Fun Run, Idaho Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas and several clampouts, just to name a few.

Retirees have the benefit of plenty of time to travel (just watch the money) and some can be prone to making mistakes. 

Travel + Leisure posted an article on mistakes retirees have made so that others can avoid them.

They begin it with:

Travel is high on the list of plans for many retirees. With time available for longer trips, retirees want to explore new places, visit family, and spend time with friends. Even experienced travelers encounter problems along the way, many of which are unavoidable. For those new to taking extended trips, cruises, or international journeys, there can be a lot to learn.

Travel + Leisure heard from retirees across the U.S. who shared stories about difficulties they encountered on trips, with the hopes of saving someone else from making the same mistakes. Here are a few of the lessons they learned the hard way.

The first one mentioned was a hard lesson, after having to deal with the vast airports of Phoenix Sky Harbor, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (now the Harry Reid International Airport). 

To read more, go here.

Camping In Colorado

Above, inside the Lone Spur Café in Silverton. Photo by Armand Vaquer. 

Need some ideas for a RV vacation trip?

RV Life Campground Reviews Newsletter alerted me to an article on "Camping In Colorado". I have camped in Colorado many times, twice in the past two years. I've enjoyed it each time.

The article begins with;

Colorado is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. The state has almost 10,000 miles of fishing streams, over 2,800 lakes, and more than 1,000 mountain peaks over two miles high. In fact, over half of the country’s “fourteeners” (mountain peaks over 14,000 feet in elevation) are found in Colorado.

The Centennial State is also home to the Colorado Trail, a hiking trail that stretches 500 miles from Durango to Denver. The trail crosses numerous mountain ranges, wilderness areas, national forests, and river systems.

Colorado isn’t just snow-capped mountain peaks and wildflower-filled valleys; there are also some amazing cities to visit. Denver, the “mile-high” city, has more sunny days than Miami Beach or San Diego each year. It is home to four professional sports teams (Broncos, Avalanche, Rockies, and Nuggets), and they all play within three miles of each other.  

The United States Air Force Academy and the United States Olympic Training Center and Olympic Committee are in Colorado Springs, the state’s second largest city. There are plenty of quaint little towns brimming with charm that are just waiting to be explored as well.

Above, The Beast at Alpen Rose RV Park in Durango. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read what Colorado has to offer, go here. 

Escaping The Coming Snow

Above, The Beast at the Route 66 RV Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I have a morning dentist appointment tomorrow in Albuquerque and it is expected to snow in Jamestown tonight (and tomorrow), I figuered it would be a good idea to head to Albuquerque today before the storm hits. It was a windy drive.

I arrived at my usual place, Route 66 RV Resort around 3:30 and am all set up and ready for tonight. The resort's clerk says it will get down to 31° tonight. That's actually a little warmer than in Jamestown lately. The holding tank heaters will still be needed, however. But it will be a tad warmer and dry in Albuquerque tomorrow.

If it does snow tomorrow and snows a lot, it will be an interesting drive home tomorrow.

The Jamestown forecast according to the National Weather Service:

Tonight

Isolated snow showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Southwest wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday

Snow showers likely, mainly after 2pm. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Wednesday Night

Snow showers likely, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. Wind chill values as low as -2. Southwest wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Another Winter Storm Watch

Above, following a storm in January 2020. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here we go again. We're in a Winter Storm Watch.

From the National Weather Service:

Winter Storm Watch

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
231 AM MST Tue Feb 22 2022

NMZ201-204>206-221915-
/O.NEW.KABQ.WS.A.0004.220223T1200Z-220224T1200Z/
Northwest Plateau-Northwest Highlands-West Central Plateau-West
Central Mountains-
231 AM MST Tue Feb 22 2022

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 2 and
  4 inches with locally greater amounts possible. Winds could gust
  as high as 45 mph.

* WHERE...Northwest Highlands, Northwest Plateau, West Central
  Mountains and West Central Plateau.

* WHEN...From late tonight through late Wednesday night.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Tire traction will be
  reduced. Extend the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle
  in front of you. This includes portions of I-40. along and west of
  the Continental Divide. The hazardous conditions could impact the
  Wednesday morning and evening commutes.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow and blowing snow may create areas of
  poor visibility at times.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.