Do You Really Need An RV Surge Protector?

Above, the surge protector plugged into the power outlet at this campsite. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As I was equipping my motorhome after buying it, one of the things I bought was a surge protector. Since the southwest (where I live) has many thunderstorms during the summer monsoon season, I am glad I bought one. The surge protector protects the RV's electronics from lightning strikes. I have had no issue with power surges since I bought it.

Do It Yourself RV has posted an article with reasons why one needs a surge protector.

They begin it with:

Surge protectors are essential for your RV. They are designed to protect your RV from any sudden power surge that may occur while on the road. This article will outline the benefits of installing an RV surge protector and explain why it’s worth the investment.

WHAT IS AN RV SURGE PROTECTOR?

A surge protector helps protect your RV and its components from power surges and other forms of electrical damage. In addition to the obvious protection from power surges, an RV surge protector also helps protect your RV from other electrical issues such as brownouts, improper wiring, and incorrect voltage.

• Protects your RV from voltage spikes and surges
• Automatically shuts off power in the case of an overload
• Universal compatibility with all RV power sources

To read more, go here. 

Will Silver End June Over $23.00/toz?

Today is the last day of June. The month has been a roller-coaster when it comes to silver spot prices.

The above chart is several minutes old and silver is currently (at this writing) at $22.96/toz. Will it end the month at $23.00/toz or above?

Yosemite Crowded With No Reservation System

Above, no long lines at a Yosemite entrance gate in the off-season. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There is one big reason why I prefer visiting national parks during the off-season: no crowds!

It seems that in recent years (during and since the pandemic), more people are heading off to "get away from it all" at a national park with hordes of others. It is even worse during holiday weekends.

At least during the off-season, while there are people present, there isn't hordes of them. I had an enjoyable time in Yosemite National Park in April 2016. I made camping reservations months before and there were no crowds when I got there.

Above, no crowded viewpoint parking areas in Yosemite during the off-season. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Unfortunately, as there is no reservation system in place to enter Yosemite, massive crowds and lines of cars were the result.

This presented a problem recently during the Juneteenth holiday weekend. Either people had to wait four hours to enter Yosemite and/or being turned away at the entrance gate.

From SFGATE: 

When friends and family visit John Stone and his wife, Sandy, at their home in Groveland, a gateway town about a 30-minute drive from Yosemite National Park, they like to bring their guests into the park. They’ve been doing this for upward of 40 years, and it’s always been enjoyable, Stone said, but all that changed over the Juneteenth holiday weekend.

Stone’s cousin and nephew were in town, and when the group tried to enter the park Saturday morning at 10 a.m., they couldn’t get in.

“It was stop and go, stop and go, stop and go,” Stone says of the wait at the Big Oak Flat entrance along Highway 120. “And finally, the cars coming back down the hill were waving at us, telling us that we had to turn around, that they were turning around people at the gate. So we didn’t stay in line any longer.”

 To read more, go here.

4 Times To Choose Gold Investment Over Silver

For those with a huge nest egg to use for investing, gold is probably their best bet as they can afford it. For the rest of us peasants, silver is a lot more affordable. 

CBS News posted an article of four times when to choose gold over silver for investing.

They begin with:

For long-term investors, a well diversified portfolio could be the key to success.

There are plenty of options for diversification to choose from today — from index funds and real estate to alternative assets. But valuable commodities, including silver and gold, can play an important role in a balanced portfolio, too.

While gold has a higher value per ounce and potentially more growth over time, silver is available at a more accessible price point and has industrial uses in our economy today. If you're thinking about adding these precious metals to your portfolio, it's smart to understand when to choose one over the other.

To read more, go here. 

Mount Rushmore, An RVer Draw

Above, Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 1990, the family took a vacation trip that included Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, Devil's Tower, Deadwood, South Dakota and Mount Rushmore. That was a memorable trip. We stayed at a KOA Kampground near Mount Rushmore in a pop-up camping trailer.

Travel Resorts of America reviews why Mount Rushmore is such a draw for RVers, according to an article by OCNJ Daily.

They begin with:

Travel Resorts of America is a private camping resort with locations scattered throughout the United States. In the following article, Travel Resorts of America reviews why Mount Rushmore has become a popular destination for summer vacations.

Mount Rushmore, the South-Dakota-based cliff face carving depicting George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, is a true sight to behold. Photographs simply do not do it justice. The area oozes American history from every vertex, with the destination being extremely popular for kids and adults alike.

From stunning views to patriotic feelings to great facilities for campervans, Mount Rushmore is on many RV drivers’ bucket lists.

To read more, go here.

Ex-CIA Agent Promoted to Meta/Facebook’s “Head of Election Policies”

If you thought that Mark Zuckerberg and company at Facebook/Meta will treat conservatives fairly in 2024 the elections, you'd best put that silly notion out of your head.

Zuckerberg and company has promoted an ex-CIA goon to "Head of Elections Policies". In other words, he will be in charge of censorship at Facebook.

From the Gateway Pundit:

As the Big-Tech censorship apparatus in social media continues to roll on at full steam ahead of the 2024 Election, a former 17-year veteran of the CIA, Aaron Berman, has reportedly been promoted to the “Head of Elections Policies” for Meta/Facebook.  Berman was a “Senior Analytic Manager (and various positions)” for the CIA from March 2002 thru July 2019.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, infamously donated $440 million to the CTCL and other non-profits, including ERIC-founder David Becker’s CEIR to help “supplement” elections during COVID.  This money disproportionately went to Democrat strongholds, especially in the key swing states.

Facebook/Meta was also one of the social media platforms mentioned by the “Election Integrity Partnership” (EIP) and Stanford Internet Observatory in a report, which promoted the censoring of hundreds of thousands of posts and conservative voices from discussing events that occurred around the highly-suspect 2020 Election.  The report published by the EIP, titled “The Long Fuse”, laid out, among other things, how the government and election officials could use the EI-ISAC as a “singular conduit” for reporting ‘misinformation’ to social media platforms in an attempt to subvert the First Amendment protections of US citizens against government censorship.

Ironically, as mentioned in the article below from The Gateway Pundit, the EI-ISAC, a subsidiary of the Center for Internet Security (CIS), was also engaged in “securing” elections at the county level through the Dept. of Homeland Security.  DHS offered free security services to county election jurisdictions, many of which accepted the offer.

The release of the Twitter Files revealed a plethora of former government bureaucrats, many of them former intel agency employees, that transitioned to leadership roles within the social media companies and were often responsible for the censoring of the respective platform’s users.  In continuing with that trend, Berman, who was previously the “senior product policy manager for misinformation” at Meta, has reportedly been promoted to the “Head of Elections Policies.”

To read more, go here and here.

Three Japanese Banknotes To Be Changed

Above, the current ¥10,000 banknote.

Japan will be issuing three new banknote designs next year. These will be the first banknote changes to Japan's currency in 20 years. 

The changed banknotes will be the ¥10,000, ¥5,000 and ¥1.000 and will be issued in July 2024.

According to the Asahi Shimbun:

Three new banknotes from the Bank of Japan featuring three new faces as well as unprecedented technology to prevent counterfeiting will be issued as early as July of next year, marking the first design changes in 20 years. 

Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki announced the approximate issuance date on June 28.

The manufacturing process of the new 10,000-yen ($69.20) banknote was shown to the media at the National Printing Bureau’s Tokyo plant in the capital’s Kita Ward on the same day.

The 10,000-yen banknotes featuring the portrait of Eiichi Shibusawa (1840-1931), an entrepreneur and business leader in early modern Japan known as “the father of Japanese capitalism,” were being printed.

The machine attached a 3-D hologram to the banknote, the first technology on any currency in the world, to deter counterfeiters.

To read more, go here. 

RV Travel Poll: Do You Enjoy Riding Scenic Railroads?

Above, the Durango train at High Line with the Animas River below. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Do you enjoy riding scenic railroads?

I have a confession,  I do!

Since I moved to New Mexico five years ago, I have ridden the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in southern Colorado twice. The first was in 2020 to Cascade Canyon and then again last year to Silverton. But I have ridden the train several times since 1982. The train departs from Durango, which is only three hours away from home.

In Durango, I found a nice RV park, Alpen Rose RV Park, that the trains pass by.

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

I have ridden others over the years. The next train I plan to ride is the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. It runs between Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico. It is 240 miles from home.

What prompted this blog post was a poll by RV Travel (posted yesterday) on riding scenic trains.

They wrote:

Even if you’re not really into trains, riding a scenic railroad is a lot of fun, especially if it really is, well, scenic.

Here are the 10 Best Scenic Train Rides, as voted by readers of USA Today (in 2021). Once you see the photos and read the descriptions, you’ll want to ride these. And if you really love trains, this book on tourist trains is for you.

After you vote in the poll below, leave us a comment and tell us about your favorite tourist train or scenic railroad that you’ve ever been on. We’re looking forward to reading your comments. Thanks!

To take part in the RV Travel poll, go here. 

What Is The Value of A 1943 Steel Penny?

Above, steel Lincoln pennies that were in a locked strongbox. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I opened a strongbox that was locked and stored in my closets over 23 years, since I had no key to it, I found a number of 1943 steel Lincoln pennies inside. 

I already had some that I placed in a Whitman penny album years ago. Those are in better condition that the ones from the strongbox.

United States Gold Bureau has posted an article titled, "What Is The Value of A 1943 Steel Penny?"

It begins with:

The 1943 steel penny is a highly sought-after vintage coin with a unique place in numismatics. Made from zinc-coated steel, it stands out due to its distinct appearance resembling a dime rather than a traditional penny. Discover the reasons behind its production, its value in the market, and how collectors can acquire these fascinating coins.

As the article states, these steel pennies are great tangible artifacts from the World War II era.

To read more, go here.

Vulcan Proverb

 

What To Do If Your Flight Is Cancelled Due To Weather

Above, the bad weather started in Wells, Nevada that led to flight cancellations in 2021. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Many flights were cancelled due to thunderstorm activity last weekend. This happened to me in 2021 when trying to return home from Wells, Nevada. During that trip, thunderstorms were practically everywhere along my flight route (Twin Falls to Salt Lake City to Albuquerque).

This resulted in my flight being cancelled. I had to stay overnight in a hotel in Salt Lake City. I rebooked a flight for the next day. Thank goodness I was able to do my rebooking with my cell phone with Internet access. Unfortunately, the hotel room cost came out of my pocket.

KRQE has posted an article on what to do and what one's rights are if their flight(s) is cancelled.

They begin it with:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Amid peak summer travel, thousands of air travelers faced flight cancellations and delays this weekend and Monday as thunderstorms rolled in across the U.S. East Coast and Midwest.

In addition to bad weather, a technology failing also contributed to to airline disruptions. The Federal Aviation Administration briefly paused operations at Washington, D.C.-area airports Sunday evening due to a problem with the communications system at a major air traffic control facility. Departures resumed after repairs were completed.

Beyond D.C., a chain of flights were also delayed or halted at other major travel hubs — including New York, Chicago and Atlanta — as thunderstorms moved across the country.

Nearly 2,000 U.S. flights were canceled on Saturday and Sunday combined, according to flight tracking service FlightAware, and more than 1,400 U.S. flights had been canceled as of 2:45 p.m. ET Monday. Thousands of additional travelers experienced delays.

Staying calm — and knowing your rights — can go a long way if your flight is canceled, experts say.

To read more, go here. 

TheTravel: 10 Largest Native American Reservations

Above, North Window at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Across Interstate 40 from Jamestown, New Mexico are parts of the Navajo Nation. The area is checkered with Navajo land east of Gallup. The main part of the Nation is to the north in the Four Corners region.

Other Native American reservations or pueblos in the area include the Zuni and Hopi tribes.

TheTravel has posted a list of ten largest Native American reservations. Some are open to visitors and some are not.

They begin with:

There are many reservations in the United States for Native Americans. These often have long and troubled histories, and they are mostly found in the western half of the country. Some of these reservations are open to visitors, while others are largely closed off to outside visitors. Some are quasi-nations in their own rights, while others are uninhabited.

All of the largest reservations in the United States are in Arizona, Utah, Montana, South Dakota, and North Dakota. In Oklahoma, visitors can explore the Cherokee Nation and learn about a nation of resolve thrown out of their homelands in North Carolina. These are the biggest Native American reservations in the United States of the 326 reservations in existence.

To read more, go here. 

What Would Happen If A Meteorite Hit New Mexico?

This sounds like fun!

Above, Meteor Crater near Winslow, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

What would a meteorite impact look like in New Mexico? Well, one can easily find out with a new simulator.

KRQE reported:

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Have you ever wondered what would happen if a hurling chunk of space rock smashed into Albuquerque? Now you can find out thanks to a new simulator website.

“It’s a scientifically solid simulation,” said Geoff Skelton, a planetarium technician at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. “Most of the information is pretty ballpark of what you’d expect to actually happen.”

The simulator (linked here) lets you pick the parameters of an asteroid and drop it anywhere in the U.S. Then, it will tell you the potential damages. It was built by coder Neal Agarwal based on research by Gareth Collins and Clemens Rumpf.

“You can drop one on your ex’s house,” Skelton from the history museum said. Or, if you want to be nice, you can drop one outside city limits and see a lower death count.

To read more, go here. 

Silver Spot Price Creeping Towards $23.00/toz

Above, here's a Silver American Eagle that arrived in today's mail. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The spot price for silver is slowly creeping towards $23/toz.

It is currently at $22.89/toz.

At this writing, here's the COMEX spot price for silver:

 It will be interesting to see if the spot price goes above $23.00 and close at that price.

Gonna Be Another Hot One!

Above, if it weren't for the gnats, I'd be out & about outside. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It's going to be another hot one today.

Temperatures in New Mexico will be in the triple digits today. We may get some thundershower activity during the afternoon. We can use it, it has been dry for the past three weeks. We're now in monsoon season.

According to the National Weather Service:

Excessive Heat Warnings with triple digit heat indices are expected to continue Tuesday over a large portion of Texas, southern Arizona and New Mexico, and the northern Gulf Coast.

It got to 90° here in Jamestown, New Mexico yesterday. This prompted me to fire up the swamp cooler for the first time this year.

We've been having gusty winds for quite some time. This has forced the city of Gallup to cancel fireworks displays for Independence Day.

The forecast for today and tomorrow:

Today

A slight chance of sprinkles after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Windy, with a southwest wind 5 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 30 mph. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 25 mph decreasing to 5 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 88. Breezy, with a southwest wind 5 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

60 Years of "King Kong vs. Godzilla"

Above, Universal's cheesy U.S. poster.

Sixty years ago yesterday, Toho's King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962) was released in the U.S. by Universal Pictures on June 26, 1963.

It was a heavily-edited version that really did an injustice to the original Japanese version. But, at least it was released theatrically around the country. It was the first Godzilla movie I saw on the big screen. 

Above, looking south on Vermont Avenue, the Balboa Theater can be seen center left, early 1950s.

During its run, my parents took two friends and I to go see it at the Balboa Theater in Manchester/Vermont section of Los Angeles (the shopping area there got hit hard two years later during the Watts Riots of August 1965). It was the second feature to the John Ford/John Wayne comedy, Donovan's Reef. We sat up in the balcony.

After closing down, the Balboa Theater was used as a mosque. Currently, it is being used as a production studio. 

Above, the Balboa Theater in the 1970s.

For us, it was a night of brawls. First, between John Wayne and Lee Marvin and then between King Kong and Godzilla.

Here's the Universal teaser trailer:

Back then, it was inconceivable to me that I would eventually interview actress Akiko Wakabayashi, know THE Godzilla suit actor Haruo Nakajima and meet actor Kenji Sahara, all stars of King Kong vs. Godzilla.

How To Clean Silver Coins

Above, an uncirculated Peace dollar with tarnish (or
 patina) just beginning to form. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After finding a bunch of Franklin half dollars in a strongbox that had been locked over 23 years, I found it necessary to clean one of them.

The reason was old masking tape was wrapped around it and the adhesive hardened onto the coin's surface.

Fortunately, I had some non-abrasive jewelry cleaner and cleaned the coin completely. It actually looks quite good.

Cleaning coins is something that stirs up controversy among coin collectors. Generally, cleaning coins (especially silver) with abrasive cleaners is a definite no-no.

Gainesville Coins has posted an article on this subject.

They begin it with:

There are few areas in numismatics as controversial as the matter of cleaning coins. This is certainly true among people who collect or invest in silver coins, which are prone to tarnish. Tarnishing, known as patina among numismatists, is something that coin collectors generally desire – especially when the patination has taken on an eye-appealing color or form.

In the realm of coin collecting, the general rule of thumb is to simply not clean your coins, period. Cleaning a coin can impair its surface and hamper its appearance, causing the coin to lose a significant amount of its collectible value and monetary worth.

It’s often the case that a cleaned coin suffers a decrease in value (above spot) of 20% to 30% or more. Harsh, abrasive cleanings sometimes cut the numismatic premium by more than half. Many silver coins that have been cleaned will lose virtually all their numismatic premium, causing such pieces to be traded only for their bullion content. While this, of course, does not negatively impact a cleaned silver coin’s merit as a bullion vehicle, it does eliminate its potential for being traded as a numismatic item – a lucrative market for collectible silver coinage.

While we address this topic to answer questions some people may have on how to clean silver coins, we want to make it clear that cleaning coins is generally not advised, nor do we endorse it. Cleaning coins, especially with abrasive agents or caustic chemicals, can cause irreparable damage to the coin and irrecuperable loss to its value.

To read more, go here. 

90° and Gnats

Above, McGaffey Lake had plenty of gnats to eat people alive. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It's a good thing I stayed indoors today. I heard that the gnats subsided over the weekend, but I received two reports today that they are still swarming around the area.

One friend said they were bad a mile up the hill from me and another friend, who was in McGaffey exercising his dogs, said they were "eating me alive."

I only went out to go to the post office, turn on the swamp cooler's water and to take the trash can out to the street. I think I came out unscathed.

Usually, gnat season lasts about 2-3 weeks here. 

Also, it was at or near 90° outside today. That was an additional reason for staying indoors.

G-FAN #140

Since I have been holed up due to our season of biting gnats (it seems to be subsiding), seeing G-FAN (issue #140) arrive in today's mail was a welcome sight. Now I have something new to read.

First, the cover by Chris Scalf is quite beautiful. It reminds me of a Godzilla cover in Famous Monsters of Filmland of decades ago. It portrays an imaginary battle between Godzilla and Gorgo (or is it Gorgo's mother?).

Inside, there is an article with a comparison of the abilities of Godzilla and Gorgo by Allen Debus and the likelihood of a battle between the two, if one should ever take place. 

This issue is the final issue just before next month's G-FEST. I would be going except my ex-roommate is coming over for a two-week visit and the dates weren't firmed up until last week. She's coming in August. It is probably too late to get a hotel room or airfare at reasonable rates now, so I'll have to put it off to next year.

Above, Yokosuka's Godzilla slide. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

My contribution to the issue is a look back (2014, to be exact) at my visit to the Kurihama Flower World in Yokosuka, Japan to see the famous Godzilla slide (page 52). (The Monster Movie Fan's Guide to Japan provides directions on getting there.)

For more information on G-FAN and G-FEST, go here.

Gold, Silver See Safe-Haven Price Gains

The "coup" that failed by Russian mercenaries over the weekend has some ramifications geopolitically and monetarily. This includes gold and silver spot prices.

This has resulted in rises in gold and silver.

From Kitco News:

(Kitco News) - Gold and silver prices are higher in early U.S. trading Monday, on safe-haven buying following an aborted insurrection in Russia that has left the nuclear armed nation’s military destabilized and has the rest of the world wondering what happens next. August gold was last up $12.50 at $1,942.10 and July silver was up $0.521 at $22.875.

Geopolitics is back on the front burner of the marketplace following the weekend coup attempt in Russia that has at least temporarily been averted. Still, risk aversion is elevated to start the trading week. It appears Russian President Putin has seen his once-powerful authoritarian grip on his country loosened significantly, which has destabilized the Russian military. The marketplace will continue watching this situation very closely as its geopolitical implications are huge.

It will be interesting to see what the future holds.

To read more, go here. 

RFK Jr.: Gun Confiscation Won't End School Shootings

Above, RFK Jr. campaign photo.

The mantra of the far left of the Democrat Party is hell-bent on gun confiscation. But thanks to the constitution and recent Supreme Court decisions, they have been effectively thwarted. They keep trying, though.

One Democrat recognizes this and a Breitbart article points him out.

They wrote:

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. used a townhall in New Hampshire to explain he is not going to take guns and the approach of trying to do so would not stop school shootings.

National Gun Rights Association’s Will Fite tweeted about the townhall on Saturday after RFK Jr. stressed that he is not going to take away guns.

Moreover, he pointed to the Supreme Court of the United States Bruen (2022) decision and noted it is not possible to “do anything” to secure gun control, even if someone wanted more of it.

To read more, go here. 

Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.  

To start off this week, we have the British rock group The Hollies with their 1966 hit, "Stop Stop Stop". They are still active today.

From Wikipedia:

The Hollies are a British rock and pop band formed in 1962. One of the leading British groups of the 1960s and into the mid-1970s, they are known for their distinctive three-part vocal harmony style. Allan Clarke and Graham Nash founded the band as a Merseybeat-type group in Manchester, although some of the band members came from towns further north in East Lancashire. Nash left the group in 1968 to form Crosby, Stills & Nash, though he has reunited with the Hollies on occasion.

They enjoyed considerable popularity in the UK and Europe during the mid-1960s with a string of hits that included "Just One Look" (1964), "Here I Go Again" (1964), "I'm Alive" (1965; their first of two UK number-ones), "Look Through Any Window" (1965) and "I Can't Let Go" (1966), although they did not achieve US chart success until "Bus Stop" was released in 1966. The group went on to have periodic success on both sides of the Atlantic over the next decade with hits such as "Stop Stop Stop" (1966), "On a Carousel" (1967), "Carrie Anne" (1967), "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (1969), "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" (1972) and "The Air That I Breathe" (1974). "He Ain't Heavy" reached number-one on the UK Singles Chart following a 1988 re-release. Overall, the Hollies had over 30 charting singles on the UK Singles Chart, 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, and 21 in Canada.

The Hollies are one of the few UK groups of the early 1960s, along with the Rolling Stones, who have never disbanded and continue to record and perform. In recognition of their achievements, the Hollies were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

American Rifleman Magazine Turns 100

Above, the 100th anniversary issue of American Rifleman.

From Wikipedia:

The National Rifle Association of America was chartered in the State of New York on November 17, 1871 by Army and Navy Journal editor William Conant Church and Captain George Wood Wingate. On November 25, 1871, the group voted to elect its first corporate officers.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) magazine, American Rifleman, is a bit younger. It is celebrating 100 years of continuous publication this month. 

But it had been around a lot longer. It was originally published in 1885 as The Rifle and then Arms & The Man. 

The magazine became American Rifleman in 1923 by editor Thomas G. Samworth. The magazine proved to be popular among NRA members. In 1925, its circulation reached 10,700. In 1927, it changed from a semi-monthly magazine to a monthly magazine. In 2010, its circulation reached 1,902,185.

Two U.S. presidents appeared on the cover of American Rifleman: Ronald Reagan in 1983 and Donald Trump in 2017.

Congratulations to American Rifleman for reaching this milestone.

Street RVers Growing

Last September, while I was in Los Angeles for a high school reunion in El Segundo, two friends and I took a drive around L.A. 

At one point, we were in the Ballona Wetlands area near LAX and Westchester and we saw rows of dilapidated RVs (think Cousin Eddie's RV in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation) parked along the roads. I also saw homeless encampments at freeway underpasses while making a separate trip to the San Fernando Valley. 

Chuck Woodbury at RV Travel asks if anyone believes that RVers living on the street are going away in an article.

He begins with:

Does anyone who studies the RV lifestyle believe that the legions of America’s poor and disadvantaged who live in dilapidated RVs on city streets will suddenly find better housing and move on? Those of us who observe the RV industry and are honest about it say “no.” The ranks of these people are growing, and the efforts of most communities to deal with the ensuing problems boils down to convincing them to pack up and move to another town.

It’s the game of “RV Hot Potato.” The tokens are junky RVs.

To read more, go here. 

Campground Prices Have Hit An All-Time High

Above, at the Tucson-Lazydays KOA Kampground in April. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Like everything else these day, campground prices have risen.

According to Nanci Dixon at RV Travel, prices seem to have hit an all-time high. Still, camping in an RV is cheaper than staying at hotels and motels, even at budget ones. Last March, it was hard to find decent hotel and motel prices in the Phoenix area under $200/night.

She begins with:

It feels like campground prices have hit an all-time high. We are traveling from Arizona to Minnesota and staying almost exclusively at private RV park campgrounds. Not by choice, but because I was too wishy-washy on travel plans and didn’t book the now-sold-out state and COE parks early enough.

We have traveled similar routes from Arizona to Minnesota over the last eight years and I have come to expect higher campground prices near National Parks and major cities, but not this! The major chains are running around $70+ a night, not including the add-ons of state tax, county tax, town tax and lodging tax. These are the corporate buyouts, remodels and new builds. A few are even using booking software similar to hotels that upcharge as the park gets fuller. Don’t procrastinate—the price goes up daily.

Mom and Pop spots have caught on too. What was once $25 to $35 a night two or three years ago is now $55 to $60. I was overjoyed when we camped for four days near a National Park for $45 a night. However, when our assigned site was too small to put the slides out we were charged an additional $2 a day to move. We are at their mercy.

During my April trip in Arizona, I made use of my KOA Kampground Rewards Points to camp at lower prices in Willcox and Tucson. That's why it pays to become a KOA member and, also, at Good Sam campgrounds, using membership discounts.

To read more, go here.

Yen Fall May Prove Debilitating To Japan

Above, a food market at the Tokyo Skytree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Despite price hikes at some restaurants, hotels and, coming this fall, the price of Japan Rail Passes, the dollar is seeing the best purchasing power in Japan in years.

As good as this is for American and other foreign travelers, it may not be good for the financial health of Japan itself.

According to the Mainichi Shimbun:

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The yen's recent weakening may not be as rapid as last year when it lost around 20 percent of its value relative to the U.S. dollar, but the prospect of it staying longer at current levels is already a cause for alarm for Japan Inc. and consumers.

The yen is in the 143 zone to the U.S. dollar, far from around 130 that major Japanese firms expect the currency pair to average in the current business year to next March. The euro has also hit a 15-year high versus the yen near 157.

While Japanese authorities say they are closely monitoring forex developments due to the importance of stable currency moves that reflect economic fundamentals, the yen's recent weakness is largely due to the divergence of monetary policies between Japan and its peers in the United States and Europe.

To read more, go here. 

5 Everyday Japan Experiences To Try

Above, shopping at a konbini is one suggestion. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that Japan is fully open to foreign visitors, the usual attractions there beckon. But there are ordinary things to see and do while there. Those are worthwhile to do as well.

Japan Today has listed five everyday experiences one should try in Japan. I've done them all.

They begin with:

TOKYO - If you’re planning a trip to Japan, you no doubt have all the big sights on your list—traditional shops and streets around Kyoto, towering samurai castles, the iconic Mount. Fuji and much more. A good place to plan your trip is our very own GaijinPot Travel.

But for me, what really makes for an interesting travel experience are the smaller things that are mundane for people living in a country but novel and captivating for newcomers. So if you want to feel truly immersed in Japanese culture, check out these quintessential everyday experiences you might have left off your list.

Be sure to read the comments with the article. Some feel the list is silly, but others have better suggestions.

To read more, go here. 

What Not To Pack For A Hawaii Vacation

Above, the Royal Hawaiian Center at Waikiki. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since many airlines slap on surcharges on luggage weighing over 50 lbs., more people are learning the fine art of packing light.

That goes for travel to Hawaii. There are things that are unnecessary to pack as most are available to purchase in Hawaii.

Beat of Hawaii posted an article on things not to pack before leaving the mainland.

They start with:

Whether you’re the most seasoned traveler or a newbie who doesn’t think about a packing checklist for Hawaii, today’s post will help keep your luggage under control. Your editors, Rob and Jeff, use Google Docs to keep a packing list up to date for mainland travel, and even then, something is always forgotten.

What to pack for a Hawaii vacation should seemingly be pretty easy given our general lack of dress codes, casual nature, and near-constant tropical temperatures. We say, “Keep it simple” and “Less is better.” But even then, it can get weird.

Here’s what not to pack for your Hawaii vacation.

First, there’s almost nothing you can’t buy here in Hawaii if you need it, including food and medications. Second, most of it won’t cost much more than on the mainland if you shop wisely. So don’t lose sleep if you should forget something. Leave these things off the list to begin with.

To read more, go here. 

Latest Fuel Prices

Above, at the Shady Lady Saloon in Silverton, Colorado last year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Travel has posted its Saturday edition of their Latest News Newsletter report.

One item of importance to RVers is the current U.S. average cost of fuel. Happily, it is down quite a bit from last year's price.

According to RV Travel:

Latest fuel prices

Here are the latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of June 19, 2023:

Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.58 (Washington state is highest, at $4.77)
Change from week before: Down 2 cents; Change from year before: Down $1.39
Diesel: $3.82
Change from week before: Up 2 cents; Change from year before: Down $2.00

For fuel prices for specific states, go to U.S. Energy Information Administration.

In New Mexico, the average gasoline price for unleaded regular is around $3.279/gallon.

For more in today's RV Travel Newsletter, go here. 

9 Ways to a More Rewarding Retirement

Above, RV travel is one way to enjoy retirement.

As time goes on, retirement is on the horizon for more of the baby-boomer generation. As we move deeper in years, more baby boomers are starting retirement. The baby boomer generation is usually defined as people born from 1946 to 1964 (following the end of World War II).

I retired early eight years ago. I figured I'd better retire while my health was still excellent. It was a good thing that I did, as I had a heart issue crop up three years after retiring.

RisMedia has a list of nine ways to a more rewarding retirement, some of which I am doing.

They begin with:

No matter how long you’ve looked forward to retirement, cleaning out your desk for the last time can come as a bit of a shock—especially if you haven’t thought much about how you will spend your days beyond scuttling the alarm and sleeping in.

But, psychologists say, retirement these days can last for many years, and having a plan beyond the financial can extend it for many more.

To read more, go here. 

National Forest Camping Directory

There's a new National Forest Camping directory. Actually, it is the second edition.

According to RV Travel:

For many campers — and that includes those in RVs — camping in a U.S. National Forest campground is the way to go. As its name suggests, most are in forests, most in the Western states. And more often than not, they are in beautiful, secluded, peaceful settings, often along streams or lakes.

So where are they?

That’s where the 326-page second edition of National Forest Camping saves the day. It profiles 4,108 designated camping areas at 141 forests in 42 states. It provides specific locations, how many campsites are available, what size RVs will fit, types of toilets, length of its season and camper stay limits, plus price, contact information and whether there’s a dumping station. Some National Grasslands areas are also included.

To read more, go here. 

Tucker Carlson: Ep. 6, Robert Kennedy Is WINNING

Tucker Carlson On Twitter- episode 6!! Robert Kennedy is WINNING and more hated than TRUMP

Poll: 4 In 10 Californians Considering Leaving State

Above, a gas station a mile from LAX. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The exodus out of California continues.

4 in 10 California residents are considering moving out of the state, according to a new poll.

The Los Angeles Times reported:

With its unmatched natural splendor and cultural attractions, California is a beacon that attracts people from around the world who put down roots and call it home.

About 70% of residents said they are happy living here, a new statewide poll shows, crediting the state’s diversity, economic opportunities and an enjoyable lifestyle as reasons to stick around.

Yet large swaths of residents are also considering packing up and leaving. Many also believe that the state is headed in the wrong direction, and are anxious about the direction of the economy and their ability to pay their bills.

The findings of a new poll from a consortium of local nonprofits aiming to take stock of the state’s mood point to a contradiction playing out across the Golden State: People are pleased by the bounty the country’s largest state had to offer and mostly favor its liberal attitudes on social issues, but are also far more concerned about their livelihoods than last year.

Since I moved from California to New Mexico five years ago, I have only been to Los Angeles once and I couldn't wait to return home to New Mexico. 

To read more, go here. 

Best Senior Discounts For RVers

Above, Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Senior citizens (or, as Rush Limbaugh used to say, "seasoned citizens") have many avenues for discounts. Some are specifically tailored to seniors and some for people in general.

RV Life has posted an article listing the best senior discounts for RVers.

The start it with:

Camping On A Budget? These Senior Discounts Can Help

Many retirees decide to pack up their belongings and move into an RV. Those who are at least 50 years old will qualify for a variety of camping perks and discounts. Whether you travel full-time, seasonally or just once or twice a year, you can benefit from senior discounts.

Your eligibility for these discounts will vary based on your age, location, and RV type. But regardless, senior citizens can enjoy plenty of reduced prices wherever they travel. This sweetens the deal because many retirees are looking for fun experiences and travel opportunities that might otherwise be too expensive.

Below, we’ve collected information about the best senior discounts that could save you money while camping. Some of these options still cost a bit of money, but the benefits far outweigh the price. In addition, several of these discounts and clubs will pay for themselves in a short period of time! Read on to learn how you can get the most out of your next vacation.

To read on, go here. 

Numbers Suggest Kennedy 2023 Half Dollars Were Ordered For Circulation

Above, 1964 Kennedy half dollars containing 90% silver. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was 2001 when the U.S. Mint last intentionally minted Kennedy half dollars for general circulation.

This year, the Mint apparently is producing Kennedy half dollars for general circulation. For some reason, numismatists are all excited over this. Frankly, as far as I am concerned, the only half dollars, Kennedy or otherwise, that interest me are the ones containing silver. I have plenty of 1964 Kennedy half dollars, the only year with 90% silver. For the following few years after that, the silver content was at 40%.

According to Coin World:

The difference between the overall number of 2023-P and 2023-D Kennedy half dollars struck in circulation finish by the U.S. Mint and the numbers of them sold at numismatic premiums above face value suggest that the Federal Reserve has ordered coins from the bureau for general circulation distribution.

As of June 21, circulation quality Kennedy half dollar production for 2023 posted at the U.S. Mint’s website records 5.4 million coins from each of the two Mint production facilities, a total of 10.8 million Kennedy half dollars.

Numismatic products that contain 2023 Kennedy half dollars went on public sale May 15 and include $100 face value canvas bags of 200 half dollars, comprising 100 coins from each Mint, offered at $147 per bag, and two-roll sets priced at $34.50, comprising one 20-coin roll from each Mint.

The 200-coin bags are limited to sales of a maximum of 11,000 bags, and two-roll set sales are limited to 25,000 sets.

As of June 18, bag sales reached 7,655 bags, while two-roll set totals were at 26,689. Those numismatic sale totals account for 2,598,560 coins from the overall circulation quality Kennedy half dollar output, or about 25% of the total.

To read more, go here. 

Lunch Bucket Wolf Brand Chili

Above, a lunch bucket Wolf Brand Chili with beans. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The best canned chili I have found are the Wolf Brand Chilis. They have been around for decades. Some come without beans and some with beans and other varieties (mild and spicy hot). Some were shown in the 1975 Roy Rogers movie, Mackintosh and T.J.

Personally, I prefer the Wolf Brand Chili with beans. 

The other day, while I was doing some grocery shopping at Walmart, I found lunch bucket microwavable Wolf Brand Chili with beans. I wasn't aware these were made. I decided to buy a couple of them and try them out.

Earlier today, I tried one and it was just as good a the ones from cans. 

Coin Dealers

Above, a 2023 American Silver Eagle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in November I posted a list of coin dealers I regularly purchase from. All of them are reputable. I am re-posting the list.

Since silver is down to the spot price of $22.495/toz (at this writing), now is the time to buy more silver. I just did from one of the following dealers. Prices vary, so shop around.

So, here is the list of dealers:

JM Bullion 

SD Bullion 

Universal Coin & Bullion (they advertise in NRA's American Rifleman magazine)

APMEX

U.S. Mint

Golden Eagle Coins

Money Metals Exchange

Silver Down Into $22/toz Range

Silver has dropped to its lowest prices in three months. 

Last week, the silver spot price was in the $24/toz range. This week, it is down into the $22/toz range.

This is a good opportunity to do some buying (remember, buy low, sell high).

It is probably related to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's testimony of yesterday.

From Kitco News:

Chairman Powell testified before the House Financial Services Committee today. This is part of his semiannual report which will conclude tomorrow when he appears before the Senate Banking Committee. His opening statement was close to a word-for-word repeat of his opening statement at last week’s press conference. Most importantly, the chairman did little to convey any new information regarding upcoming rate hikes and inflation that was not said last week.

The key takeaway from last week’s press conference and today’s testimony was twofold. First, he and other Fed officials agree that there should be further interest rate hikes. Secondly, he expects rates to remain elevated throughout the remainder of this year.

Mutton Busting

Above, a mutton busting contestant at the Gallup Lions Club Rodeo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

From Modern Farmer:

Mutton busting is simple: children between the age of 4 or 7 clamber aboard a wild, wooly sheep and try to hold on for six seconds.

The Gallup Lions Club Rodeo this last weekend included a mutton busting (or sheep riding) event. Several kids (boys and girls) took part.

Larry Lucier and I remarked that from what we saw, "these kids are tough." None who fell of a sheep got hurt or cried. One contestant was even three years old. He (or she) was as game as the little older sheep riders. After every ride, they just got up, brush themselves off and stride off the field. 

There are some liberal groups in California who want to ban mutton busting. Alameda County in California has already banned it.

Wide Open Pets posted: 

Most parents say this is a confidence-building activity. Yet some parents argue that this is child abuse. Research shows that the sheep don't buck and the children are very close to the ground. 

According to Modern Farmer:

To be a wool rider, a kid has to be between the ages of 4 and 7 and 60 pounds or less. Entry fees are between $10 and $12. Parents sign a waiver to let their children participate and kids wear protective gear, including a vest and helmet with a metal face guard on the front. Just like in the rodeo, sheep are kept in individual chutes. After the kids straddle the sheep and the animals are released into an arena, they get six seconds to try and hang on. Every first place winner in every show is invited to the Wool Riders Only World Championship. Shows go on rain or shine.

To read more, go here.