Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday morning November 5 at 2:00.
That means clocks are to be turned back an hour.
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Tuesday, October 31, 2023
A National Park Bounces Back After California’s Biggest Single Fire
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| Above, Lassen's "Devastated Area" no longer looked devastated in 2017. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
A massive fire is devastating to plants and structures in its path.
Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California suffered extensive destruction by the Dixie Fire in 2021. But nature has a way to make stunning comebacks following such destruction.
I visited Lassen in 2017 during my Great American Eclipse trip. At the time of my visit, I stopped first at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. Wildfires were raging in and around the park. When I later visited Lassen, I saw areas that were decimated by past fires. But there were signs that life in those areas were returning. I also saw areas that were devastated from Lassen Peak's 1915 eruption. The park's "Devastated Area" no longer looked devastated 100 years later.
Good News Network has posted an article on how beauty and wonder are returning to Lassen Volcanic National Park.
It begins with:
The Dixie Fire of 2021 was the largest single blaze in California’s history, but even this human-accelerated firestorm couldn’t tamp down the resilience of nature.
In August, it devastated Lassen Volcano National Park in Northern California, leaving parts of it reminiscent of “Mordor” yet in a feature piece from The Guardian, it’s clear nature is just a few steps behind restoring what was torched.
As the Dixie Fire came closer and closer to this remote National Park that receives only around 500,000 visitors a year, rangers, Forest Service employees, and firefighters strategized how to protect small communities living near the park as well as the park’s infrastructure.
A variety of controlled burns—used for centuries by Native Americans to reduce the risk of wildfires having too much dead and dry wood and scrub to burn—were set in vulnerable forests. Earth-moving equipment left bare earth surrounding the Kohm Yah-mah-nee visitor center.
In the moments before the Dixie Fire arrived, firefighters lit their own fires around key areas, perhaps hoping to consume the oxygen in the area just before the immense flames could use it to spread.
Their efforts paid off—the historic towns of Mill Creek, Mineral, and Old Station were all unscarred, and so was the Kohm Yah-mah-nee visitor center.
As for the rest of the park, the devastation that saw whole forests reduced to blackened stumps and toothpicks shocked visitors; but not the staff. Lassen Volcano was enshrined as the nation’s 17th national park after the eruption of the volcano in 1915 which saw incredible destructive forces unleashed on the forests there.
To read more, go here.
The Dirty "Gun Control" Secret of the Left
Every time a mass shooting takes place by some deranged bastard, the clamor of the far Left to enact new gun control and confiscation laws goes, like the following article from the American Thinker states, "like clockwork."
This is happening again in the aftermath of the Maine shooting. The article looks into the reasons why.
Here's a snippet:
Like clockwork, after a mass murder tragedy in at least one “gun-free” massacre zone, with the abject failure of gun control on full display, the gun-grabber ghouls are only too quick to exploit other people’s pain for their political gain, using a crisis to take guns away from their political enemies.
This is the dirty little open secret of the gun grabber left, with virtually all their policy obsessions centered on taking guns away from their political opposition. None of their fascist fixations even gets close to addressing the severely increasing crisis of crime and terrorism.
Now, we ask: why is that the case? Why do they care more about confiscating guns from innocent people than criminals and terrorists who pose a severe threat to public safety by several orders of magnitude?
The answer should be obvious: the harmless people of our society who own most of the guns impede the fascist far left’s attainment of full societal control.
To read more, go here.
Monday, October 30, 2023
Tarantula Causes Traffic Collision In Death Valley
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| Above, a male tarantula, native to New Mexico, attracts a kitten's attention. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Now that we're in autumn, we are seeing tarantulas out and about. These are males looking for females to mate with. (If successful, their "happy endings" usually involve getting eaten by the female.)
Quite often, we see them crossing roads. I see about two or three of them a week during these mating seasons. I try to avoid running them over, so the following story is understandable. It is also getting a lot of press.
From the People Magazine website:
A tarantula was the culprit in a traffic accident Saturday in California’s Death Valley National Park, resulting in a motorcyclist being hospitalized.
The National Park Service (NPS) said in a news release that a rented camper van carrying a Swiss couple suddenly stopped to avoid hitting a tarantula while crossing CA-190 east of Towne Pass in the park.
A 24-year-old Canadian man on a motorcycle crashed into the rear of the camper van, per the statement. An NPS ambulance took the injured motorcyclist to Desert View Hospital in Pahrump, per officials.
As a former insurance adjuster, this sounds to me like a incident of comparative negligence at best. It appears that the motorcyclist was following too close to the camper when the camper's driver jammed on the brakes. But then, suppose it was a child they stopped for. Maybe 90/10% negligence on the motorcyclist's part.
To read the full story, go here.
It's Cold Outside
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| Above, on the mini bike four years ago. I already miss summer. |
As expected, the freeze has set in at Jamestown, New Mexico.
Currently, it is 19° outside according to my weather apps and 17° according to the National Weather Service.
The high today will be at around 50°.
But the good news is that the temperature will be back into the 60s later in the week. No precipitation is forecast.
According to the National Weather Service:
Modest Price Gains For Gold and Silver
The week is starting out with gold and silver spot prices getting firmer.
According to Kitco News:
(Kitco News) - Gold and silver prices are firmer in early U.S. trading Monday, supported by safe-haven bids amid the Israel-Hamas war and the potential for a wider Middle East conflict. December gold was last up $5.60 at $2,004.10. December silver was last up $0.423 at $23.31.
Asian and European stocks were mixed overnight. U.S. stock indexes are pointed to higher openings when the New York day session begins. Risk appetite has upticked just a bit to start the trading week, despite Israel beginning its anticipated ground war against Hamas in Gaza. There is still the potential for this conflict to escalate to include other countries, including the U.S. That's keeping a floor under safe-haven gold and silver.
To read more, go here.
Classic Monsters Exhibits #5
Since Halloween is only one day away, I am posting some photos of classic monster exhibits from Monsterpalooza and elsewhere that I took.
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| Above, Bigfoot (Sasquatch) from Monsterpalooza 2012. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
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| Above, Jack Nicholson in The Shining from Monsterpalooza 2013. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
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| Above, King Kong at Monsterpalooza 2013. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
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| Above, Elsa Lanchester at Monsterpalooza 2017. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
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.
As tomorrow is Halloween, we're starting off the week with Michael Jackson and his "Thriller" video from 1982. It is hard to believe that this song and video are over 40 years old.
Directed by John Landis and featuring the voice of actor Vincent Price, the video basically put MTV on the map. Those were the days when MTV actually played music videos.
In the video, Landis's catch phrase, "See you next Wednesday!" is heard. It was in all of his movies, in one way or another. He and his son attended G-FEST in 1999 and I spotted them in the dealers room. I walked up behind him and said it to him. He turned around and looked at me with a big grin.
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Class A RV vs Class C: Which One Is Right For You?
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| Above, my 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R in West Yellowstone. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
We're coming into the time of the year when RV shows open around the country and people are selling their old RVs or newbies are looking to buy one.
If one is of the last category, they should ask themselves, "Should I get a Class A or Class C motorhome?"
RV Life has posted an article discussing the pros and cons of Class A and Class C motorhomes.
Personally, I have a 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R Class C motorhome. Frankly, it suits me just fine and it has been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned.
The RV Life article begins with:
If you’re looking for a new RV, you may have narrowed it down to a Class A or Class C motorhome. These are both popular builds that have some similarities. However, they have pros and cons that are worth considering. Of course, the best vehicle is the one that fits your situation.
These motorhomes are the most common ones to find on the market nowadays. Class B motorhomes (aka camper vans) are great for short-term journeys, but they aren’t suitable for large groups or extended camping trips. Before you can find the perfect RV for you, it’s time to compare and contrast Class A and Class C motorhomes.
To read the article, go here.
Another Weather Service Flip-Flop
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| Above, yours truly with the new Remington shotgun last Friday. |
The National Weather Service has "flip-flopped" on our chances of rain/snow again.
Now, we are going to have a mostly sunny day today. There will be no precipitation in the Jamestown, New Mexico area today (unless they change their forecast again).
Here's where the week stands (as of now):
Beware of RV Scams
Scams and scammers are probably as old as the "world's oldest profession".
For those who are newbies to RVing, there are scammers galore to watch out for. RV Travel has posted an article on scams targeting RVers.
They begin with:
With the explosive growth of RV travel comes the increase in RV travel scams, many of them borrowed from other travel industries such as hotels and cruising. Some are as old as the three-card monte player on the street, but many are so new to RV travel, and so high tech, they can be hard to recognize.
To read more, go here.
Classic Monsters Exhibits #4
Since Halloween is only two days away, I am posting some photos of classic monster exhibits from Monsterpalooza and elsewhere that I took. More to come in the days ahead.
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| Above, portrait of Kong at the Art of Kong exhibit. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
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| Above, Godzilla at Art of Kong exhibit. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
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| Above, Alien at Monsterpalooza 2012. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
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| Above, Robby the Robot at Monsterpalooza 2013. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Current Forecast For Tomorrow
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| Above, December 1, 2019 snow. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The National Weather Service has changed tomorrow's forecast for Jamestown, New Mexico.
Originally, we were to possibly get rain mixed with snow Sunday night. Now, it has been moved up to tomorrow afternoon after 3:00.
The current forecast:
It will be a bone-chilling night tomorrow night, though.
It will be interesting to see what really transpires.
Gold Breaks $2K "Glass Ceiling", Silver Also Up
Gold has broken the "glass ceiling" and is now over $2,000 COMEX spot price.
At present, it is at $2,016/toz.
Silver is also up. Its spot price is currently at $23.240/toz.
Whether this trend continues is anyone's guess.
Lake Havasu and Brain-Eating Amoebas
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| Above, Lake Havasu, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
While I was at Lake Havasu, Arizona last week, friend Mitch Geriminsky told me that he hasn't been in the waters of Lake Havasu for three years due to amoebas in the water.
I've heard of brain-eating amoebas before. They dwell in freshwater lakes and rivers in temperatures up to around 115°.
I did a Google check on this and found a recent news story by KTAR News.
It begins with:
PHOENIX — Health officials said a suspected case of a rare brain-eating amoeba in Arizona turned out to be negative for the infection.
Specimens of the suspected case of Naegleria Fowleri were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing and determined to not be positive, Eugene Livar, assistant director of public health preparedness for the Arizona Department of Health Services, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday.
The suspected case occurred in Mohave County.
Naegleria Fowleri infections typically occur when people go swimming, diving or put their heads under fresh water, such as lakes or rivers.
The infection cannot be spread between people.
The only positive case of brain-eating amoeba from Lake Havasu occurred in 2007.
To read more, go here.
Japan's Worst Tourist Traps and Where To Go Instead
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| Above, Tokyo Tower. Tourist trap or not? Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
No matter where one goes, there are places that could be considered "tourist traps" and some that would be more valuable culturally.
Such is the case with Japan. Japan Today posted an article on what the writer considers "tourist traps" and what places one should go to instead.
It begins with:
TOKYO - The best destinations in Japan include serene traditional streets and ancient temples in places like Kyoto. In Tokyo, iconic “must-see” attractions such as the Tokyo Tower or the “exhilarating” experience of cruising in go-karts are hard to miss.
However, while these activities offer a glimpse into the culture and are undoubtedly enjoyable for some, they only tell part of the story. Japan’s frequently recommended destinations have earned their reputation for good reasons. Yet, they can often be swamped with tourists. These sites sometimes cater so heavily to foreign visitors that they risk becoming mere reflections of travelers’ preconceptions rather than showcasing the authentic essence of Japan.
Thankfully, for those eager to dig a bit deeper, Japan is peppered with innumerable hidden gems. These lesser-known spots can satisfy your wanderlust, providing experiences that echo the allure of the more renowned locales without the crowds.
To read more, go here.
Classic Monsters Exhibits #3
Since Halloween is only three days away, I am posting some photos of classic monster exhibits from Monsterpalooza and elsewhere that I took. More to come in the days ahead.
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| Above, the Wolf Man from Monsterpalooza 2011. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
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| Above, GMK Godzilla filming suit at HMV in Shibuya, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
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| Above, Kong atop Empire State Building at Art of King Kong exhibit. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Gas Prices Could Drop 9% By End of Year
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| Above, the price in Gallup in January 2020. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Yesterday, I noticed that gasoline prices in Gallup, New Mexico were at $3.45/gallon on average. One station was at $3.44/gallon and another was at $3.40/gallon. When I went to Lake Havasu a week ago, I paid $3.38/gallon with my Good Sam discount at the local Flying J.
RV Travel has posted an article that states gasoline may go down 9% by the end of the year. That would be nice, wouldn't it?
They begin with:
While the summer tourist season is decidedly over, plenty of RVers are still on the road. Snowbirds heading for warmer destinations may be concerned about the price of road fuel. Fuel industry analyst GasBuddy may have some good news. Gas prices could drop 9% by the end of December.
To read more, go here.
Friday, October 27, 2023
Rain/Snow Possible Sunday Night
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| Above, the snow-covered mesas in February 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The National Weather Service has forecast the first possibility of snow in the Jamestown, New Mexico area. It is only a 20% chance (along with rain), but it is significant enough to mention.
They posted:
It will be interesting to see if we do get our first snow of autumn. It has been dry for the past several weeks, so we could use the moisture. It's a good thing I changed my propane heater's filters today, I just may need it.
Hawaii Vacations Less Expensive In 2024?
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| Above, a pool at the Sheraton Waikiki with Diamond Head in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Travel experts say that travel to Hawaii in 2024 will be more affordable.
I, for one, would have to see it to believe it.
Travel Lifestyle has posted an article in which this is what the experts are saying.
It begins with:
Hawaii is a state that relies heavily on tourism revenue. However, there will come a point — experts suggest sooner rather than later — when cost-cutting will be necessary to sustain this tourism.
The terrible wildfires on Maui in August played a major role in the decline in visitor numbers this year. In addition, the cost of travel to other tropical destinations, including Bora Bora, has dropped significantly, forcing Hawaii to keep up with tourism demand.
According to experts, demand and price will soon be more in line in Hawaii, resulting in far less expensive travel. Experts and travel gurus predict Hawaii will become more affordable as prices fall elsewhere.
To read more, go here.
Classic Monsters Exhibits #2
Since Halloween is only four days away, I am posting some photos of classic monster exhibits from Monsterpalooza and elsewhere that I took. More to come in the days ahead.
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| Above, Godzilla from Monsterpalooza 2012. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
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| Above, Rick Baker and An American Werewolf In London from Monsterpalooza 2012. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
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| Above, Lon Chaney as The Phantom at Monsterpalooza 2013. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
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| Above, Nosferatu at Monsterpalooza 2013. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Classic Monsters Exhibits
Since Halloween is only four days away, I am posting some photos of classic monster exhibits from Monsterpalooza and elsewhere that I took. More to come in the days ahead.
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| Above, Jack Pierce and Boris Karloff from The Mummy at Monsterpalooza 2012. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
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| Above, the Monster and Henry Frankenstein battle on the old windmill at Monsterpalooza 2012. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
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| Above, Bride of Frankenstein painting at Monsterpalooza 2012. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
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| Above, Boris Karloff and Mae Clarke painting at Monsterpalooza 2012. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Thursday, October 26, 2023
"Wintry Mix" For Continental Divide?
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| Above, Barking Spider Road in early November 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Oh-oh! It looks like it is possible that Continental Divide may get a "wintry mix" Monday morning. Continental Divide is roughly eight miles east of Jamestown.
Well, that's what KRQE is reporting.
They posted:
A significant change in our weather begin Saturday evening as a strong backdoor cold front enters northeastern New Mexico. This cold front will bring a sharp drop in temperatures across eastern New Mexico by Sunday morning. The cold front will continue to move west and south through Sunday afternoon. High temperatures will be as much as 40° cooler in eastern New Mexico Sunday, with cooler temperatures statewide. Snow will also develop across the northern mountains Sunday, with a few inches of snow possible. There is a lot of uncertainty for precipitation chances in the lower elevations, but some forecast models predict that a very light wintry mix will be possible from the Continental Divide to the Albuquerque Metro, the upper Rio Grande Valley and northeast New Mexico through Monday morning. No major travel problems are expected though the warm ground temperatures we still have.
Many areas of the state will see their first freeze of the season Monday morning, including the Albuquerque Metro. High temperatures on Monday will be as much as 15° to 20° colder than average. Colder and more freezing temperatures will move in Tuesday morning. A slow warming trend will begin Tuesday afternoon, but temperatures will stay cooler than average for the rest of next week.
It won't be long (perhaps) when we need to get our snow shovels out of our garages.
To read more, go here.
Let's Break Out Some Winchesters!
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| Above, the Winchester 94 at the shooting area near Jamestown, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The following dialog is from Chisum (1970) between James Pepper (Ben Johnson) and John Chisum (John Wayne):
James Pepper:
What are you going to do?
John Simpson Chisum:
What I had done twenty-five years ago. Pat, get the men out of South Camp. Trace, you round up everybody that can ride a horse or pull a trigger. Let's break out some Winchesters!
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| Above, my grandfather's Winchester 62A. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Now that I "found" my grandfather's Winchester 62A, I have two Winchesters. The other one is my Winchester 94 lever-action .30-30. The Winchester 62A was made in 1947 and the Winchester 94 was made in 1962.
Now that I have two Winchesters, if need be, I can "break out some Winchesters."
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| Above, the two Winchesters together. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Rain Maybe On Sunday
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| Above, new Gadsden flag. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
It appears that we in Jamestown, New Mexico may get some relief from the pollen and dust kicked up by winds this weekend.
According to the National Weather Service, we have a 20% chance of rain on Sunday.
For the past several weeks, winds have been kicking up pollen and dust particles into the air and I have had allergy problems. They were the usual: watery eyes, runny nose, congestion, scratchy throat, etc. Some days were pretty bad and I went through boxes of tissue paper and couldn't sit outside on the deck.
The days ahead according to the National Weather Service:
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