 |
| Above, in Six Mile Canyon back in June. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Labor Day weekend for me will be typical. I plan on staying at home.
I might take a drive or two into Six Mile Canyon in the Jeep, now that it's fixed with a new carburetor. I've no problems with it since I got it back home.
The weather may be a bit stormy with possible thunderstorms.
According to the National Weather Service:
Here's something that Godzilla fans in the United States have been salivating in anticipation.
Toho International has announced the new online Godzilla Store for U.S. fans.
According to Action Figure Insider:
Calling all Godzilla fans! Following a week of sneak peaks across its social platforms, Toho International announced today the official launch of the Godzilla Store, a one-stop online shop for fans and collectors of all-things Godzilla! From figures to apparel and everything in between, fans will have access to a diverse range of offerings, including rare and exclusive items that have never been available in the US before.
To read more, go here.
To try out the site, I made a purchase.
 |
| Above, Hatch Valley chile peppers ready for purchase at Albertsons. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
One can usually tell when it's chile season in New Mexico.
Supermarkets in town (in this case Gallup) have roasters outside roasting chile peppers over a propane fire.
 |
| Above, chile peppers roasting outside of Lowe's Shop 'n Save market. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
I saw one the other day at the Gallup Safeway market and two today. One was at Lowe's Shop 'n Save and one was at Albertsons.
Most of the chile peppers grown in New Mexico come from the Hatch Valley.
They don't call New Mexico the "Chile Capital of the World" for no reason.
The other day, I found an old ten-dollar bill tucked away in the envelope of a 1776-1976 Bicentennial Uncirculated Silver coin set that was in the strongbox I had opened by a locksmith after over 24 years.
It is a 1934 Federal Reserve Note. It is in circulated condition. It has no tears.
Here's the front:
I have no idea on the values of old currency such as this, but I did do a quick check on it.
Series of 1934 $10 Bill – Values and Pricing
Series of 1934 $10 bills with a green seal are very very common. Many 1934 $10 bills are still in circulation. Any 1934 $10 bill that isn’t in perfect condition is only worth the face value of $10. 1934 green seal ten dollar bills in perfect condition will carry a slight premium.
Ten dollar bills from 1934 with a star symbol at the end of the serial number have a good chance to be worth $60 or more. The value of 1934 $10 star notes purely depends on condition and the serial number.
1934 $10 green seals can also have a low serial number. If the serial number of your bill has six or seven leading zeros then it will certainly command a premium. Five leading zeros might command a premium.
Series of 1934 green seal $10 bills were signed by W.A. Julian as the Treasurer of The United States and by Henry Morgenthau Jr. as the Secretary of the Treasury.
Here is the reverse side:
 |
| Above, former President Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki. |
"Rich Dad, Poor Dad" author Robert Kiyosaki is not optimistic about the economy in the months to come.
He contends that "America is broke" and says that silver is the biggest investment bargain right now.
From GoBankingRates:
Robert Kiyosaki, author of the bestselling finance book “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,” recently shared a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, touting silver as a solid investment right now. He called it the “2nd most used commodity after oil” and pointed out that it’s currently trading 50% below its all time high.
He added, “Silver has been money for centuries.” Rather than investing in fiat money, which Kiyosaki called “counterfeit fake dollars,” investing in commodities may provide a hedge against inflation and the whims of the stock market.
Plus, silver has an affordable entry point, since you can invest in silver coins, bullion, jewelry or ETFs that track silver trends. The ETF iShares Silver Trust sells for just over $22 right now, Benzinga recently reported. Silver is selling for roughly $24 an ounce.
To read more, go here.
 |
| Above, the first Shinkansen I rode using the JR Rail Pass. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
We're a little over a month away from when the cost of the JR Rail Pass is hiked around 70%.
I have used the JR Rail Pass several times to travel around Japan. With them, I have been to Sendai, Niigata, Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Sasebo, Kumamoto, Atami and other places.
AFAR has posted an article on what to expect when the prices go up on October 1. They also state that there's plenty of time to buy before they do.
They begin with:
Travelers planning on visiting Japan may want to re-evaluate their travel budget—the price for a Japan Rail Pass is set to rise by roughly 70 percent on October 1, 2023.
The passes, which offer a flat rate for an unlimited number of rides on most trains during a set timeframe (including the famous high-speed Shinkansen bullet trains) have long been a popular way for travelers keen to visit multiple destinations (and have traditionally been more cost-effective than buying tickets à la carte).
Here’s what you need to know about the new pricing for the Japan Rail Pass.
To read more, go here.
The start of the final quarter of 2023 is just two days away.
It appears that silver's spot price will start the quarter at around $25.00/toz. Where it will end 2023 in four months is anyone's guess.
Right now, silver's spot price is bouncing around $25.00/toz.
Gee, we're just shaking in our boots over this!
 |
| Above, at stop at Meteor City Trading Post off Interstate 40 in Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Strong crosswinds are pretty scary ("white knucklers") if they are very strong with powerful gusts.
I had to stop or slow down my motorhome a few times while driving on Interstate 40 in Arizona. They can be quite unnerving at times. They seem worse when driving eastbound.
Do It Yourself RV has posted an article on crosswind safety and keeping RVs stable in them.
They begin with:
Crosswind safety is a crucial aspect of driving an RV. Strong crosswinds can cause instability and make it difficult to control your vehicle. In this guide, we will discuss some important tips and techniques to keep your RV stable on the road, ensuring a safe and comfortable journey.
To read more, go here.
 |
| Above, Class C motorhomes in transit at the Flying J in Jamestown, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Now that the pandemic is over (although there are rumblings here and there about restarting mask and other mandates again in some political circles), the boom in RV sales is apparently over.
RV Travel reports that shipments of new RVs has continued to plummet.
They wrote:
It cannot be a happy time in the RV manufacturing capital of the world, Elkhart, Indiana, as shipments of new RVs continue to slide dramatically.
The RV Industry Association’s July 2023 survey of manufacturers reports total RV shipments of 20,520 units, a decrease of 30.5% compared to 29,528 units shipped in July 2022. Year to date, RV shipments are down 47.7% with 185,350 units compared to 354,093 last year at this time.
I still see RVs at the local Flying J that are being transported to either Arizona or California.
To read more, go here.
 |
| Above, some of the ruins at Chaco Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Chaco Culture National Historical Park (commonly known as Chaco Canyon) is not far from my home in New Mexico. It is located northeast of Crownpoint.
The only thing about Chaco Culture National Historical Park is that in order to get there, one must drive about 20 miles of dirt road, which sometimes gets rough with rain ruts. I visited it two years ago.
Still, it is a worthwhile place to visit. It has one campground, Gallo Campground. If planning to camp there, bring plenty of water.
 |
| Above, Gallo Campground at Chaco Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Only In Your State has posted an article on Chaco Canyon.
They begin it with:
Located in a remote section of the Four Corners region, Chaco National Historical Park is one of the state’s most underrated parks. However, it’s one that everyone should consider visiting. With its historical and cultural significance including ancient dwellings, there’s a lot to see at this remote national park in New Mexico.
To read more, go here.
 |
| Above, the Jeep after getting home. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The problem with the Jeep (stalling, hesitating, bucking) were caused by the carburetor. Alex, the mechanic, said the old carburetor was "bad". I have the old carburetor in the garage. I may later have it rebuilt.
I drove the first 16 miles or so on Historic Route 66. It ends at the Iyanbito bridge and I drove the final two miles on Interstate 40 to Jamestown.
 |
| Above, having an Alien Amber Ale after getting home. |
The Jeep ran fine along the entire drive to Jamestown.
 |
| Above, a sunrise view of the Mittens and Merrick Butte. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
One of my favorite places in the Southwest to visit is Monument Valley Tribal Park. I was last there in October. It is about three hours from home.
It has been used over the years for location shoots of many movies, including, Stagecoach, My Darling Clementine, She Wore A Yellow Ribbon, The Searchers and many others.
Easy Reader News has posted an article on visiting Monument Valley.
It begins with:
There is a very special place on the Arizona/Utah border that is synonymous with the American West and should be visited by every photographer at least once. This giant landscape is tailor-made for mobile phone cameras and the ultra-wide angle lens. No fancy gear needed!
It’s Monument Valley, part of the Navajo Nation, discovered by the director John Ford back in the 1930s, and immortalized ever since in such films as “Stagecoach” “Back to the Future III” and “Thelma and Louise.”
To read more, go here.
 |
| Above, the "diamond ring" effect of the 2017 Great American Eclipse. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Whether one is very "into" astronomy or just have a casual interest, October's partial solar eclipse will be one phenomenon worth seeing.
As it happens, the path of the eclipse will be right over my New Mexico residence. Where else can one go see it?
In New Mexico:
When: 10:30-10:46 a.m. MDT
Maximum duration of 'ring of fire': 4 mins and 46 secs
Key locations: Chaco Canyon, Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Roswell
Climate: Highest chance of clear skies
Space.com has an article on this topic.
They begin with:
On October 14, 2023, the Americas will experience a partial solar eclipse, but from only eight U.S. states will it be possible to see the 'ring of fire' annular solar eclipse.
Where to go for the annular solar eclipse on October 14, 2023, is largely down to where the eclipse path is.
On that day the entire Americas will experience a partial solar eclipse, but the 'ring of fire' will only be visible from within a 125-mile (200-kilometer) wide path heading from the northwest U.S. through Central America to Brazil.
To read more, go here.
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 this week, we have Emerson, Lake & Palmer with their 1973 hit, "Still... You Turn Me On" from their "Brain Salad Surgery" album.
From Wikipedia:
Emerson, Lake & Palmer (informally known as ELP) were an English progressive rock supergroup formed in London in 1970. The band consisted of Keith Emerson (keyboards) of the Nice, Greg Lake of King Crimson (vocals, bass, guitar, producer) and Carl Palmer of Atomic Rooster (drums, percussion). With nine RIAA-certified gold record albums in the US, and an estimated 48 million records sold worldwide, they are one of the most popular and commercially successful progressive rock groups of the 1970s, with a musical sound including adaptations of classical music with jazz and symphonic rock elements, dominated by Emerson's flamboyant use of the Hammond organ, Moog synthesizer, and piano (although Lake wrote several acoustic songs for the group).
Both Emerson and Lake died in 2016, leaving Palmer as the only surviving member of the band.
Emerson died of a self-inflicted gunshot and Lake died of cancer.
Keith Emerson was one of three composers who contributed to the soundtrack for the Japanese kaiju film Godzilla Final Wars (2004) for Toho Pictures.
 |
| Above, Sean Connery and Kim Basinger. Orion/Warner Bros. |
It hadn't struck me before, but I got curious as to the age differences between Connery and co-star Kim Basinger at time time of the movie's production.
At the time of production, Connery was 52 (he was three years younger than Bond successor Roger Moore) and Basinger was 29. She's only a couple of months older than me.
At the time, or since, I don't remember if Connery's and Basinger's age differences ever became an "issue". It would be considered as a May-December romance these days.
For those who aren't aware, Never Say Never Again is a remake of Thunderball (1965).
According to Wikipedia:
Never Say Never Again is a 1983 spy film directed by Irvin Kershner. The film is based on the 1961 James Bond novel Thunderball by Ian Fleming, which in turn was based on an original story by Kevin McClory, Jack Whittingham, and Fleming. The novel had been previously adapted as the 1965 film of the same name. Never Say Never Again is the second and most recent James Bond film not to be produced by Eon Productions, the usual producer of the Bond series, but by Jack Schwartzman's Taliafilm, and was distributed by Warner Bros. instead of United Artists. The film was executive produced by Kevin McClory, one of the original writers of the Thunderball storyline. McClory had retained the filming rights of the novel following a long legal battle dating from the 1960s.
Never Say Never Again had its origins in the early 1960s, following the controversy over the 1961 Thunderball novel. Fleming had worked with independent producer Kevin McClory and scriptwriter Jack Whittingham on a script for a potential Bond film, to be called Longitude 78 West, which was subsequently abandoned because of the costs involved. Fleming, "always reluctant to let a good idea lie idle", turned this into the novel Thunderball, for which he did not credit either McClory or Whittingham; McClory then took Fleming to the High Court in London for breach of copyright, and the matter was settled in 1963. After Eon Productions started producing the Bond films, it subsequently made a deal with McClory, who would produce Thunderball, and then not make any further version of the novel for a period of ten years, following the release of the Eon-produced version in 1965.
 |
| Above, Mitch and yours truly at the Silver Screen Café at the El Rancho Hotel two days ago. |
My friend Mitch is now heading back to his home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona where there's an excessive heat warning.
Today's high in Lake Havasu City is forecast to reach 105°.
Whereas, today's high in Jamestown, New Mexico is forecast by the National Weather Service to be 82°.
They also forecast:
Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
The clouds are already gathering. So I don't doubt that we'll be seeing some thunderstorm activity this afternoon and tonight.
 |
| Above, at the Ouray, Colorado KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
We are bearing down on the end of the summer vacation season. The Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of the summer vacation season, which is only a week away.
But people still will head out on the road during the autumn season.
According to The Daily Item, the outdoor recreation industry is nearing the trillion-dollar mark.
They begin with:
With many Americans turning to the outdoors for a personal slice of Heaven, the outdoor recreation industry is pushing toward the trillion-dollar mark. People are seeking places to get outdoors, enjoy nature, relax, and reset. Along with modern amenities, RV Travel and #vanlife are helping drive America’s $862 billion outdoor recreation industry.
Time outside
According to the American Express global travel trends report, 68% of people prefer traveling where they can be outdoors and get mental clarity. And with end-of-summer and fall weather on the horizon for much of the U.S., cooler temperatures are a time Americans look to for a weekend getaway, hiking, camping, and leaf-peeping to escape the hustle and bustle of the work week.
To read more, go here.
 |
| Above, Santa Fe Skies RV Park in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Life on the road is an enjoyable pastime, but things that mar the experience can and do happen.
RV Life has posted an article on RV safety devices that every RV owner should have.
They begin it with:
When you travel in an RV, you can explore every part of the country. But all this adventuring comes with an inherent risk. No matter how careful you are, something could always go wrong. That’s why it’s so important to travel with a collection of safety devices and emergency equipment.
You need to be ready for anything when you travel, including propane leaks, faulty brakes, thieves, or a dead battery. Some of these issues can be solved by preventive measures, while others need to be dealt with once something actually breaks. Fortunately, RVs are made to be fixable so you can deal with most problems easily (as long as you have the right tools).
There are all kinds of gadgets and gizmos on the market, but not all of them are actually necessary. There are a few essentials you should definitely bring along for the ride, though! That’s why we’ve compiled the following list of safety devices that every RV owner should have.
To read more, go here.
 |
| Above, the Four Corners Gun Show. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
For the first time in four years, the Four Corners Gun Show was held in Gallup, New Mexico yesterday (it continues today).
Thanks to the pandemic, there were no gun shows held during 2019 through 2022.
 |
| Above, at Grandpa's Grill in Gallup. |
We started today with our usual Saturday coffee/breakfast gathering. This time it was at Grandpa's Grill. We figured that we could eat there and then migrate over to the gun show on the other side of Interstate 40 at the Gallup Community Center.
 |
| Above, yours truly at the gun show. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky. |
I ended up buying a new Gadsden flag, a pair of tactical gloves and ammunition (30-30 Winchester and ,357 Magnum). None of us left the show empty-handed.
The gun show was well promoted with billboards, small signs and throughout the Internet.
Alhough a small show, we still managed to browse around for over two hours.
My deck/patio umbrella got slightly damaged the other day.
The wind almost blew it over but I caught it before it did, but the top portion came off. I got it back on, but the umbrella won't close. I will try further to fix it (if possible to fix).
So, I ordered a new one from Home Depot and it arrived the other day. I put it up yesterday and tried it out.
It has LED lights powered by a solar gizmo at top. It is "chile" colored. The lights can be turned on or off with a switch on the pole.
Here it is:
 |
| Above, Mitch Geriminsky checking out the new umbrella. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Former President Donald Trump's defiant mug shot is becoming quite lucrative for the campaign.
There are now t-shirts, coolers, bumper stickers, shot glasses and other goods being sold by the Trump campaign.
Here's one I spotted yesterday:
The Looney Left Report
It's been a while since I posted any Looney Left Reports. Today, I'm posting two. (See the other one by going here.)
This is the second one.
Biden's "alcohol czar" wants to limit Americans to two beers a week. I enjoy New Mexico's Alien Amber Ale about one a day at most.
From Fox News:
President Biden's alcohol czar says Americans may be told by officials to have no more than two beers a week.
Director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) George Koob told the Daily Mail on Thursday that the U.S. may follow Canada's footsteps on alcohol guidelines.
Texas Republican Rep. Troy Nehls told Fox News Digital the "rich men north of Richmond are once again recommending what hard-working Americans should and shouldn’t do."
"Biden’s beer czar has no business advising ‘guidance’ on alcohol consumption," Nehls said. "This is who the Democrats are. They want to control every aspect of your life."
"Two beers a week? What a joke," he continued. "Let’s not forget that JFK snagged 1,200 Cuban cigars just hours before banning all Cuban products from the United States."
They should mind their own damn business and leave people alone.
To read more, go here.
The latest in the Biden Administration's war on home conveniences/appliances has been revealed.
This time it's ceiling fans. I kid you not!
From Fox News:
Ceiling fans are now the latest target in the Biden administration's green agenda, sparking pushback from Republicans and manufacturers.
The Department of Energy is proposing a rule that would require ceiling fans to be more energy efficient, arguing the move would save U.S. households on energy costs.
According to the Energy Department's analysis, the new rules would save households about $39 over the lifespan of the new energy-efficient fan. However, the cost to manufacturers associated with the increased equipment will total $86.6 million per year, the department said.
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S WAR ON APPLIANCES IS JUST GETTING STARTED
Republicans on the House Committee on Small Business say that if the rule goes into effect, it could put small manufacturers out of business, given the costs the companies would incur in order to comply with the changes.
What part of "mind your own business" and "leave people alone" do they not understand?
To read more, go here.
 |
| Above, the West and East Mittens near dusk in Monument Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Summer vacation season is nearly over, but if one still has time to venture out or need some ideas for next summer, World Atlas has eight suggestions. They are also affordable.
They're all in the state of Utah.
They begin with:
From breathtaking national and state parks to lovely, quiet little towns, Utah has so much to offer anyone looking to break away from the hustle of routine life. Thanks to Utah's many natural splendors, it's one of the most affordable states to plan a summer getaway. The warm and welcoming communities here also make you feel at home. Whether you are looking for outdoor adventures or a leisurely vacation in the lap of nature, Utah has it all covered for you, and best of all, you can do it all on a budget!
To see what they are, go here.
Dan Bongino wrote on Facebook:
Display it as a badge of honor.
America’s first presidential political prisoner.
And he’s STILL not backing down from the communists targeting him. I love this picture, and I’ll be donating to his campaign tonight to send a giant “fuck you” to the communist libs.
 |
| Above, West Yellowstone, Montana. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Spending in communities near the national parks reached an all-time high last year.
Wyoming Public Media reported:
A new report shows visitors to national parks spent a record amount in surrounding communities last year, providing a major economic boost to those areas.
According to the Interior Department report, visitors spent nearly $24 billion last year on expenses like hotels, restaurants and gas around the parks – a 16% increase from 2021. Lodging drew the largest share of spending – $9 billion nationally. Restaurants were next in line, with $4.6 billion.
“Visitation to national parks would be really challenging without the folks in local communities who are there to support that tourism industry,” said Naaman Horn, who works in the Intermountain regional office for the National Park Service. “They're providing essential services to visitors who are coming to national parks.”
Visitors to parks in the Mountain West proved to be particularly spendy. Utah was third in the nation for visitor spending, while Arizona, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming were all in the top 15, according to the report.
To read more, go here.
 |
| Above, our post office at the Flyng J. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
I am currently awaiting an international package.
Before the United States Postal Service got a hold of it, the tracking indicated things were going smoothly in Europe. It reached New York Customs and cleared it relatively fast.
Then, it was sent pretty fast to the USPS Distribution Center in Albuquerque from New York. From there, it arrived two days ago to Gallup. I figured that I would arrive in Jamestown yesterday.
I checked the tracking when it didn't show up at our post office and it indicated it was sent back to Albuquerque yesterday.
I received a USPS email stating that it left Albuquerque last night at 11:11 and is en route to its destination. There has been no entries since. (I have signed up for email updates.)
Sometimes I really wonder if the United States Postal Service even knows what the heck it's doing.
UPDATE:
The package showed up this morning.
 |
| Above, Morgan and Peace silver dollars. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Some reports of the near 4% rise in silver's spot price yesterday said that it pulled up gold's price. It sounded as if silver acted like "coattails" for gold.
Silver is still over $24/toz today, although it settled down a bit. We'll see how things go as the trading day progresses.
According to Kitco News, the surge in silver was attributed to:
(Kitco News) - Gold and silver prices are solidly up in midday U.S. trading Wednesday, boosted by a weaker U.S. dollar index and a dip in U.S. Treasury yields at mid-week. More short covering by the futures traders and perceived bargain hunting are featured in the two precious metals. The technical posture for silver has significantly improved this week, which is inviting chart-based speculators to the long side of that market. December gold was last up $20.60 at $1,946.60 and September silver was up $0.91 at $24.36.
(Note: For exclusive market forecasts and intermarket insights, sign up to my new weekly Markets Front Burner newsletter, at https://www.kitco.com/services/markets-front-burner.html )
Traders and investors are anxiously awaiting the Kansas City Federal Reserve’s annual symposium held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming late this week. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde are set to give speeches. The speeches are expected to provide insights into the future monetary policy direction of their respective central banks. The ECB is expected to pause its recent tightening cycle at its September meeting, while U.S interest rates are expected by most to remain elevated for an extended period due to still-significant upward inflationary pressures. The marketplace will be listening closely for a potential shift in the Fed’s inflation goal. An upward revision to the Fed’s present target of around 2% annual inflation could have major implications for the U.S. bond market, particularly longer-dated U.S. Treasuries, likely increasing Treasury yields which are already at the highest levels since 2007.
To read more, go here.
%20front.jpg) |
| Above, a special one-off 1921 Morgan silver dollar. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Ever since I inherited some Morgan silver dollars from the Carson City Mint, they have become my favorite coins to collect.
Since then, I buy Morgans whenever I spot a good deal, too good to pass up.
MSN has posted an article on the most valuable Morgan silver dollars. Before they get into those, they provide a history of the Morgans.
They start with:
Morgan silver dollars were 90 percent silver, one-dollar coins minted between 1878 and 1904, with a special one-off production in 1921 — but their history goes back a bit further.
The Comstock Lode, a massive silver discovery in 1859, flooded the U.S. market with silver and caused the value of silver coins to drop. As a result, in 1873, the Coinage Act stopped the production of silver coins in the United States. Eventually, the silver supply dropped, and the U.S. government passed the Bland-Allison Act to reinstate a silver coin in 1878 and appointed the task to U.S. Mint Director Henry Linderman.
Linderman held a competition for the design of a new silver dollar, which was won by English engraver, George Morgan. Morgan used his fiancee, schoolteacher Anna Williams, as the model for the head of Liberty on one side of the coin. The reverse shows an American eagle holding a clutch of arrows, with the words “United States One Dollar.” The new coins were called Morgan silver dollars after their designer.
The History of the Production of Morgan Dollars
Before we can talk about the most valuable Morgan silver dollars, we wanted to give you a bit more insight into the production of these coins. They were made in five different U.S. Treasury locations, and each mint had its own special letter designation stamped on the coins. These locations were Carson City (“CC”), New Orleans (“O”), San Francisco (“S”), Denver (“D”) and Philadelphia (no mark).
Although Morgan silver dollars are still legal tender in the U.S., they are worth far more than just $1 to coin collectors. Today, Morgans range considerably in value. Their price depends on several factors, including the number of coins minted in a specific year, the city where they were made and the coin’s current condition, with uncirculated coins being more rare and valuable.
So which ones are worth the most valuable collectibles? These are some of the most valuable Morgan silver dollars, according to USA Coin Book and Coin HelpU.
To see which are the most valuable Morgan silver dollars, go here.
 |
| Above, the Jeep at the gateway to the Fort Wingate Army Depot in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The new carburetor for the Jeep arrived today via United Parcel Service at 3:40 this afternoon.
I called my mechanic in Gallup and they said they will be closing today at 4:30. This was plenty of time for me to drive there to drop off the carburetor.
As it turned out, I got there with about 20 minutes to spare.
On the way back home, I hit a few rain squalls. It looks like we'll be having ourselves a rainy night.
 |
| Above, ruins at Chaco Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
For those of us who are familiar with the lack of ethics on the part of Leftists, this really should not come as a surprise.
Secretary of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has been "smacked" with an ethics complaint over the land grab of the area surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park (also known as Chaco Canyon).
According to Piñon Post:
Protect the Public’s Trust (PPT) has taken a significant step by filing an ethics complaint that calls upon the Department of the Interior (DOI) Inspector General to thoroughly investigate a potential ethics violation involving DOI Secretary Deb Haaland. The complaint arises from Secretary Haaland’s recent exercise of regulatory authority to implement a contentious moratorium on oil and gas leasing near Chaco Canyon National Historical Park. This move has raised concerns about pre-determined decision-making, prompting PPT to question whether the Secretary fulfilled her impartiality and ethics obligations.
Secretary Haaland’s involvement in the documentary film Our Story: The Indigenous Led Fight to Protect Greater Chaco, narrated by her child, Somah Haaland, has raised eyebrows regarding her impartiality in this matter. The film features footage of Secretary Haaland expressing opposition to oil and gas leasing at Chaco, including what seems to be a one-on-one interview near the site. PPT sought a comprehensive investigation into whether the Secretary adhered to her ethical responsibilities.
To read more, go here.
To casual and professional observers, it would seem that silver is grossly undervalued in comparison to gold.
While silver is "glitzy", it also has industrial uses (such as in solar panels).
Finimize has an article which points out that silver could "outshine" gold as an investment.
They start it with:
- While gold is primarily a precious metal, silver's price is influenced by both its demand as a precious metal and its industrial demand. And based on the gold-to-silver ratio, silver appears to be undervalued today relative to gold.
- Demand for silver is rising a lot faster than its supply – a trend that’s mostly driven by the metal’s use in the manufacturing of solar panels. One study forecasts the solar sector alone could exhaust between 85% and 98% of global silver reserves by 2050.
- There are a few different ways to invest in silver, each with its pros and cons. Besides donning jewelry, you can buy physical silver coins or bars, purchase silver futures contracts, invest in silver ETFs, or even pick up shares of silver miners.
To read more, go here.
 |
| Above, the Colorado River meanders through the Grand Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Having a national park in one's state is beneficial to the local economies of that state.
Such is the case of Arizona, which benefitted from its national parks, mainly Grand Canyon National Park.
KNAU reported:
More than 10 million people visited Arizona’s national parks last year and a new report from the National Park Service found that all those visitors spent more than a billion dollars during their stay.
The agency says tourism supported 16,000 direct and indirect jobs in local communities with a cumulative economic impact of $1.8 billion.
To read more, go here.
 |
| Above, a vintage photo of Palisades Amusement Park. |
The following is an example (from 1960):
I have never been to Palisades Amusement Park, for good reason. It no longer exists. It closed down in 1971.
At the time of its closing, the park was still a moneymaker, but the remaining owner died without any heirs.
From Wikipedia:
Palisades Amusement Park was a 38-acre amusement park located in Bergen County, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City. It was located atop the New Jersey Palisades lying partly in Cliffside Park and partly in Fort Lee. The park operated from 1898 until 1971, remaining one of the most visited amusement parks in the country until its closure, after which a high-rise luxury apartment complex was built on its site.
Along with rides, the park boasted the world’s largest outdoor salt water pool.
To read more, go here.
What a week for California.
First it was Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hilary. Then it was an earthquake in Ventura County.
Now this:
 |
| Above, I keep my RV tires protected from UV rays and temperature extremes in the RV garage. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
A typical Class C recreational vehicle has six tires. Multiply $300 per tire (on average) by six, that's $1,800 for a new set of tires for the RV.
Prolonging tire life is essential to saving that amount of money.
Do It Yourself RV has an article on how climate affects RV tire lifespans.
They begin it with:
HOW DOES CLIMATE AFFECT YOUR RV TIRES?
Climate plays a significant role in the lifespan of RV tires. Extreme temperatures, humidity levels, and weather conditions can all impact the durability and performance of your tires. Understanding how climate affects your RV tire lifespan is crucial for maintaining safety and maximizing the longevity of your tires.
EFFECTS OF HOT CLIMATE ON RV TIRE LIFESPAN
Every tire is composed of rubber compounds tailored for specific performance characteristics. These compounds are sensitive to temperature. In extremely cold conditions, rubber becomes rigid and less flexible. Conversely, in extremely hot conditions, tires can become softer.
To read more, go here.
 |
| Above, Half Dome. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Black bears inhabit Yosemite National Park in California. They're pretty much everywhere. Campsites in Yosemite Valley each have a bear-proof storage bin for campers to use.
Recently, evidence of a black bear at the top of the park's Half Dome was recently found.
From the Spokane, Washington The Spokesman-Review:
Climbers who summit Yosemite’s Half Dome can expect panoramic views of the national park’s luscious valley – but now park rangers say they might also spot traces of black bears, or even the animal itself.
Park rangers recently found evidence pointing to the presence of a black bear at the top of Half Dome, Yosemite officials said. The animals are natural climbers and, unlike people, do not need 425 feet of cable to scale the quartz rock formation’s 46-degree angle.
“This observation serves as a good reminder that bear safety applies EVERYWHERE in Yosemite,” park officials said on Facebook. “For the safety of people and animals alike, keep your friends close and your food closer.”
Yosemite officials reminded visitors to keep smelly objects like food or sunscreen locked away in lockers or canisters. On the trail, hikers should keep backpacks and other items within reach lest they be ransacked by bears or the Half Dome ground squirrels.
Bear encounters are not uncommon in Yosemite, which is home to an estimated 300 to 500 black bears. The animals usually cause property damage or snatch food. People are rarely injured, and no one has died of a bear attack in Yosemite, according to the park service.
 |
| Above, a North American black bear. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
To read more, go here.
 |
| Above, a North American black bear. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Yogi Bear appears to have left Jellystone park and has migrated to Grand Teton National Park where he has started a pastime: raiding coolers and backpacks of swimmers.
According to the Billings Gazette:
Visitors soaking in Grand Teton National Park's waters have unintentionally caused problems with black bears.
On Aug. 11, a black bear at Phelps Lake found an unattended backpack and consumed human food. This follows three other recent incidents of black bears accessing human items left along lakeshores while visitors were in the water. In the last five years, almost half of all human-black bear conflicts within Grand Teton have occurred around lakes, according to the National Park Service
Proper food storage is mandatory in Grand Teton and visitors are required to secure all attractants for the protection of bears and other wildlife, as well as for human safety. These regulations apply whether you are camping, having a picnic, or swimming.
To read more, go here.
