NM One of The Most Expensive States To Buy Groceries

Lately, I've been noticing how high my grocery bills have risen.

I haven't changed my buying habits, but what used to cost me around $70-75 in total, now totals over $100.

Piñon Post has posted an article that what I have experienced isn't a figment of the imagination.

They wrote that New Mexico is one of the most expensive states to buy groceries.

They start with:

According to a recent study from HelpAdvisor, New Mexico is the sixth most expensive state in America to buy groceries.

HelpAdvisor’s study has uncovered a stark reality: the average American’s weekly grocery bill is $270.21, significantly lower than New Mexico’s average of $ 286.39.

“While U.S. inflation slowed in 2023, grocery store cash registers continued running hot. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the consumer price index for food at home was up 1.7% year-over-year in November,” HelpAdvisor noted.

The only states beating New Mexico’s $286.39 average weekly grocery cost were Florida at $287.27, Washington at $287.67, Mississippi at $290.64, Nevada at $294.76, and California at $297.72.

The sad irony of all this is that New Mexico is one of the poorest states, yet grocers are sticking it to the population.

To read more, go here.

Japanese Yen Slides To ¥160 Then Rebounds

The Japanese yen slid to ¥160 on Monday, but rebounded back.

The Japan Times reported:

The yen swung in holiday-thinned market conditions, punching through ¥160 per dollar to touch its weakest in 34 years before erasing all its losses for the day and rebounding strongly.

The Japanese currency dropped to ¥160.245 per dollar on Monday before heading into the other direction to ¥155.01. Trade sources said Japanese banks were seen selling dollars for yen.

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 the week, we have Donnie Iris and his 1980 hit (#29 on Billboard), "Ah! Leah!"

From Wikipedia:

Donnie Iris (born Dominic Ierace, February 28, 1943) is an American rock musician known for his work with the Jaggerz and Wild Cherry during the 1970s, and for his solo career beginning in the 1980s with his band, the Cruisers. He wrote the #2 Billboard hit, "The Rapper", with the Jaggerz in 1970 and was a member of Wild Cherry after the group had a #1 hit with "Play That Funky Music." He also achieved fame as a solo artist in the early 1980s with the #29 hit "Ah! Leah!" and the #37 hit "Love Is Like a Rock."

In addition to performing on the first three Jaggerz albums and the fourth and final Wild Cherry album, Iris with his solo band has released eleven studio albums, one EP, two live albums, and two compilation albums. He continues to intermittently release new material and tour throughout the greater Pittsburgh, Youngstown and Cleveland areas.

Interstate 40 Now Open In New Mexico

Above, a view of the derailment from the eastbound lanes of I-40.

Interstate 40 is slowly getting back to normal in New Mexico.

Both directions (east and west) of the major thoroughfare are now open. 

From the photo above, I know exactly where the derailment took place. It is just beyond the eastbound on-ramp of Interstate 40, fairly near Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post. I've been there many times while going to Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona.

Many people posting on the Facebook New Mexico Road and Weather Reports Updates have been posting warnings to others such as this:

I-40 near NM/AZ Stateline by Lupton is opened EB, WB! Just be careful of some traffic backup!

FYI: Seen people try to stop or slow down on i40 to take pictures of the crash site, pls don't. You're might cause an accident!!

Good advice!  

Interstate 40 Planned To Reopen At 2:00 Today

Above, the train still burning this morning.

Some people at the Facebook New Mexico Road and Weather Conditions Reports are saying that Interstate 40 will be reopening at 2:00 PM today.

One said:

2pm reopening. That’s the plan Albuquerque local news is reporting.

And another:

 They expect it to be open st 2pm today

And more:

They just reported at 2pm today.

it is on channel 7 news this am.n.m news expect to be open at 2pm today

That would be nice if these are correct. 

As long as Interstate 40 is open by mid-week, I'm okay. I have a clamp-out to go to.

UPDATE:

From the McKinley County Fire & Rescue:

WB I-40 back open following derailment fire, all evacuations lifted

Westbound I-40 at mile marker 126 is back open to traffic following Friday’s derailment fire near the New Mexico-Arizona state line.

Eastbound traffic remains closed while first responders continue accessing the incident location. All evacuations have been lifted.

Air monitoring continues around the site and results do not indicate any concern for air quality. 

All local, state, federal and tribal public agencies, along with BNSF continue to work together within Unified Command to ensure the safety of the public.

We thank the public for their patience and will continue to post updates on the McKinley County Fire and Rescue Facebook page.

If you have been directly impacted by this incident, please call the State Line/BNSF Incident Hotline at 1-866-243-4784.

###

I just stepped outside and saw that traffic was moving in both directions on Interstate 40. I am 40 miles east of the derailment and 18 miles east of Gallup.

Slight Improvement In Gallup Following Derailment

Above, traffic in West Gallup. Photo by Gallup Police Department.

Things are starting to improve, ever so slightly, in Gallup following the train derailment near the Arizona-New Mexico border.

The Gallup Police Department issued the following press release:

***PRESS RELEASE****

For immediate release

Evacuation restrictions reduced near derailment fire, I-40 remains closed 

As of Sunday morning, April 28, conditions at the site of the derailment continue to improve. 

Constant air quality tests are being performed around the site and do not indicate any concern for the quality of air. 

The evacuation area has now been reduced to a one-mile radius from the incident site. 

Heavy machinery is being utilized to remove debris, while firefighter and hazmat personnel protect the area from the release of any hazardous materials and control fire growth and development.

BNSF operations is working alongside first responder teams to safely extinguish the fire.

The NMDOT and its’ bridge inspector is expected to be on site soon to conduct a thorough and complete examination of the two overpasses located directly to the northeast of the incident. 

Until fire conditions improve, Interstate 40 will remain shut down to public traffic at mile marker 333 eastbound in Arizona, and the mile marker 19 westbound in Gallup, NM. 

Upon completion of the Unified Command briefing at 8 a.m., additional information will be provided on the McKinley County Fire & Rescue Facebook page. 

We thank the community and those affected for their continued patience and support as we continue to evaluate and address the life safety concerns that exist. 

If you have been directly impacted by this incident, please call the State Line/BNSF Incident Hotline at 1-866-243-4784. 

###

Japan's Golden Week's Travel Bug

Above, yours truly at Godaido Temple in Matsushima in 2006.

Millions of Japanese are hitting the airports, train and bus stations to celebrate Golden Week.

I was in Japan during Golden Week back in 2006 and I remember how crowded the train stations got. I took a bullet train (Shinkansen) trip up to Sendai and Matsushima. 

According to the Asahi Shimbun:

Millions of Japanese started their Golden Week holidays by crowding train stations and airports as they headed to their holiday destinations and hometowns.

Overseas travel was out of the question for many people due to the weak yen.

Predictably, JR Tokyo Station was packed to the rafters as people started fleeing the capital April 27 to spend the holiday period with family members and friends.

Travel departures are expected to reach their peak on May 3, with return trips hitting their busiest on May 5 and 6, according to Japan Railway group companies. The Nozomi trains on Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines will operate with all seats reserved until May 6.

To read more, go here.

Japan Braces For New Surge In Overtourism

Above, the Great Buddha of Kamakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With the weak yen making Japan travel more attractive, the country is bracing itself for a new surge of overtourism.

It is interesting that ten or more years ago, Japan was trying to get more foreign tourists to visit. Now that they are flocking in, Japan has opened a Pandora's Box. They are having a difficult time in coping with the influx.

This is happening from Kamakura to Kyoto. 

Nikkei Asia posted:

TOKYO -- Major tourist destinations in Japan have been scrambling to prepare for the strain that visitors will put on public transit systems during the upcoming Golden Week holidays, the first since major pandemic restrictions were lifted.

Packed city buses have become a constant in Kyoto. So from April 27 to May 6, the city is calling on riders to make free transfers from the buses to the city-run subway system via special tickets. A rider will need only pay the 230 yen ($1.46) bus fare to take advantage of the service.

In particular, the free subway program aims to decrease the crowding on buses connecting the Kinkakuji temple to Kyoto Station. The route runs through the center of town, and ridership is high even among Kyoto residents alone.

The addition of tourists -- many with bulky luggage in tow -- has led to a critical overcrowding of buses.

For Golden Week, Kyoto is also increasing the frequency of buses connecting Kyoto Station to the Kiyomizudera temple. Buses will make arrivals every three to four minutes. Direct-service buses will launch in June.

To further ease crowding, there will be higher frequencies of buses serving other tourist destinations in Kyoto, such as the Heian-jingu Shrine.

Kamakura, another temple city, has been experiencing a large influx of tourists because it is easily accessible from Tokyo. Crowds of international visitors have milled in front of stations, obstructing foot traffic.

To read more, go here. 

Trip Planning: What Will Be The Cost of Fuel?

Above, at the Bar D Chuckwagon show and dinner in Durango in 2022.

A couple of years ago, I was planning to take an RV vacation trip in eastern Wyoming and the Black Hills areas of South Dakota.  

Unfortunately, the high price of gasoline at the time stymied those plans, so I took a vacation trip with my former roommate Jessica to Durango, Colorado to ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and camp at Navajo Lake in New Mexico. Both are only a few hours drive from home.

Now is the time where people begin their planning for a summer vacation trip. One consideration is the cost of gasoline and diesel. 

RV Travel takes a look at how much it could cost to fill up the gas or diesel tank for the trip.

They begin with:

As the weather warms up (more) across the country, a lot of RVers are in the trip-planning phase. One of the big questions that takes center stage: How much will it cost to fill up the motorhome or the tow rig? We’ve probed the petroleum prognosticators to try and get a feel for what you might pay this summer. Depending on who you ask, fueling up may not be so bad.

 To read more, go here.

Rain and Snow Showers

Above, Tee Pee Trading Post is about three miles from the derailment. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Given the fiery train derailment of yesterday, perhaps this will come as good news for the firefighters at the scene near Lupton, Arizona.

According to the National Weather Service, we're to get rain and possible snow showers overnight and today.

It is currently snowing in Flagstaff, Arizona.

The forecast:

 Overnight

A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Southwest wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Saturday

Scattered snow showers before 10am, then scattered rain and snow showers between 10am and noon, then rain showers after noon. Some thunder is also possible. High near 46. Southwest wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday Night

Scattered rain showers, mixing with snow after 9pm, then gradually ending. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 33. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Interstate 40 Still Closed

Interstate 40 west of Gallup is still closed due to the train derailment. The derailment took place about three miles east of the Arizona-New Mexico border near Lupton, Arizona. This is 40 miles away from my residence.

According to the New Mexico State Police, no time has been given for when it will reopen:

Train Derailment and Interstate 40 Closure Update: Westbound Interstate 40 will be closed to all westbound traffic at milepost 126 and diverted onto State Road 6 South. All Commercial Motor Vehicles and non-local residents traveling west on Interstate 40 are instructed to take Interstate 25 south at Albuquerque to Interstate 10 in Las Cruces to continue to travel west.

Local residents of Laguna, Acoma, Grants, Gallup, etc., will be allowed to continue west past the road closure on Interstate 40 with proof of local residency.

There is currently no projected end to this closure. Check NMRoads.com for the latest road conditions and follow NMStatePolice on social media for updates. NMDOT Arizona Department of Public Safety

This derailment has made the news around the country. Even Breitbart has an article on it. 

Our group will be having our Saturday coffee/breakfast at Denny's in the Flying J Travel Center in Jamestown. I am curious if travelers will pack it while waiting for the reopening.

I saw that Flagstaff got some heavy snow overnight. 

Train Derailment Closes Interstate 40

Above, the train derailment near Lupton, Arizona. Photo by the McKinley County Sheriff.

As today is Friday, I headed into Gallup for dinner at Jerry's Cafe.

On the way, I (and everyone else going westbound on Interstate 40) were diverted off the freeway at Exit 20 in Gallup. That was my intended exit anyway. The Interstate was closed by the New Mexico State Police.

Above, tonight's dinner at Jerry's Cafe. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Once I got seated at Jerry's, I checked online and found that a train carrying gasoline and propane derailed near Lupton, Arizona. Both eastbound and westbound Interstate 40 lanes were closed. At least this closure didn't involve a semi truck.

Lupton is where the Tee Pee Trading Post is located. They have the largest cigar humidor in the region.

I had Number 3 at Jerry's Cafe, which is the chile relleno and cheese enchilada plate. It was good, as usual. 

The Eyes Have It

Last week, a group of four of us went to the shooting area for some plinking.

I mainly shot with my .410 Mossberg shotgun, Winchester 94 .30-30 and Winchester 62A .22 rifles.

After we were done, we took down our targets and the photo below is my target showing headshots from my 62A.

 

Interestingly, I got both eyes of the target. 

APS Ousts Principal After Drag Queen Incident

Above, a video screenshot of the drag queen at the Atrisco Heritage Academy’s prom.

It has been my long-held opinion that many school administrators are idiots. I've felt this way since elementary school.

The following buttresses that belief.

The Piñon Post reported:

Fury erupted from concerned citizens and parents after a video was posted showing a drag queen stripper “entertaining” minors at Atrisco Heritage Academy’s prom in Albuquerque. The shockwaves immediately began, with many contacting the school’s principal, Irene Cisneros, with rage.

In response to the uproar following the video, Albuquerque Public Schools issued a statement on Wednesday, informing parents that an investigation into the incident is underway to determine how it was allowed to happen and the impact on students. The statement clarified that this issue is considered a personnel matter, and no further details were available at the time.

Now, according to a social media-shared email, Cisneros is no longer the principal. Albuquerque’s Chief of Schools, Channell Segura, wrote, “I want to inform you that Anthony Lovato has been appointed as the acting principal of Atrisco Heritage Academy.”

It remains to be seen who else was involved in having a drag queen stripper at the Academy's prom. It is surprising at how fast the Albuquerque Public Schools acted as they did in ousting the principal.

The "fit hit the shan" on this one.

To read more, go here. 

Silver Is Up 0.74% Today

Above, 2024 American Silver Eagles. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A couple of weeks ago, silver's spot price came tantalizingly close to hitting $30.00/toz.

Since then, it has hovered around $27.00 to $28.00 per troy ounce.

USA Today posted:

What is the current price of silver today?

The price of silver opened at $27.54 per ounce, as of 9 a.m. ET. That’s up 0.74% from the previous day’s silver price per ounce and up 15.11% since the beginning of the year.

The lowest trading price within the last day: $26.98 per ounce. The highest silver spot price in the last 24 hours: $27.56 per ounce.

To read more, go here. 

Is Japan Expensive To Visit?

Above, Tokyo Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The weak yen is attracting visitors to Japan from the U.S.and elsewhere. Some businesses have been raising prices to counter this weakness.

The question, Is Japan Expensive To Visit? has been asked by many for years.

The Planet D delves into that question and has some answers.

They begin with:

Try to find out whether Japan is an expensive country to visit, and you’ll quickly find yourself in a rabbit hole without a definitive answer. There is a lot of conflicting information online about the travel costs in Japan; some swear it’s the priciest country they’ve been to, while others are raving about fantastic $5 meals. 

So, is Japan really as expensive as some people say? It’s both a yes and a no. Some things in the country, like transportation, are very expensive, and others are not. The balance is there, and a trip to Japan is possible on any budget.

We have visited Japan several times and have based this article on our experiences. Here’s what you need to know when budgeting for a trip to Japan!

To read more, go here. 

Yen Inching Closer To Intervention

The weak yen may be great for American tourists, but it is not healthy for the Japanese economy as a whole.

The current exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen is about ¥155. 

The Japan Times reported that the yen is inching closer to intervention:

Yen traders are bracing themselves for a redux of September 2022, when Japan intervened in the market to prop up the ailing currency in the wake of a central bank decision that reaffirmed accommodative monetary policy.

With the yen already much weaker than it was then, and U.S. interest rates unlikely to come down anytime soon, the mere lack of any hawkish comments from Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda on Friday may be enough to push the currency toward a possible inflection point. Based on an analysis of comments from the Masato Kanda, the top currency official at the Finance Ministry, ¥157.60 versus the dollar is one key level to watch.

There has been no sign yet of yen purchases by the ministry, even as the currency continues its slide and on Wednesday trading in London broke beyond ¥155 per dollar for the first time in more than three decades. But the situation could change very quickly, with a host of potential triggers for a sharp drop in the yen and action from authorities in Tokyo.

To read more, go here. 

Picked Up The Winchester Shotgun

Yesterday, the gunsmith called me and said the Winchester Model 12 shotgun was ready for pick-up.

As it turned out, there was nothing wrong with the shotgun itself, but as it is a take-down model, the two halves of it weren't connected right, particularly magazine. 

When I got there, he explained everything in detail. Since I knew I wouldn't remember everything (thanks to my "advanced age"), I videoed it. 

Here's the video (maybe it will be of some help to others with the Model 12):

New Airline Rules On Refunds and Hidden Fees

Air travel has been more than a hassle these past few years, I have found.

I have had flights canceled and delayed on different occasions. Also, I have had airlines or TSA hold or misplace my luggage. 

All that may be changing for the better.

According to KRQE News 13:

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Getting travel refunds and avoiding extra fees could be easier for fliers soon, thanks to two new federal rules. On Wednesday, the Transportation Department announced regulations to require quick and automatic refunds and to crack down on hidden costs. 

When travel plans go wrong, it can be a hassle to get your money back. 

“In theory passengers are already supposed to be refunded for a cancellation or a major delay. In practice, it often doesn’t work that way,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. 

That’s why Sec. Buttigieg says the Biden administration is issuing a new refund rule that will force airlines to automatically refund travelers if their flights are significantly delayed or their baggage gets lost for an extended period of time. 

Passengers won’t have to fill out a bunch of online forms of wait hours on the phone for their refunds. Under the rule airlines must issue refunds within a week, offering cash or a credit card refund first instead of travel vouchers or flight credits. 

To read more, go here.

Snow This Weekend?

Above, a spring snow two years ago. Photo by armand Vaquer.

Many of us in the Jamestown-Gallup, New Mexico area thought we turned the corner from having snow storms as the weather has been sunny and warmer.

It appears that Mother Nature is not quite finished with us when it comes to snow.

Here's the forecast by the National Weather Service through the weekend:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday

Isolated showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. West wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph.

Friday Night

A chance of rain showers before 3am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday

Rain and snow showers likely, becoming all rain after noon. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60%. 

Yen Tumbles To Near Intervention Levels

For some reason, I forgot to take a look at how the U.S. dollar is faring against the Japanese yen at the beginning of the month.

That is now being rectified as here's what has been happening during the past 24 hours.

According to Reuters:

NEW YORK, April 23 (Reuters) - The yen dropped to multi-year lows against the U.S. dollar and euro on Tuesday, keeping investors on heightened Japanese intervention watch ahead of this week's Bank of Japan policy meeting.

The euro reached 165.71 yen, its highest since 2008, after data showed business activity in the euro zone expanded at its fastest pace in nearly a year, primarily due to a recovery in services. Europe's common currency was last up 0.4% at 165.67 yen .

The dollar rose as high as 154.88 against the yen , a 34-year peak and edging closer to 155, a level seen by market participants as the new trigger for Japanese intervention.

The greenback was last little changed on the day at 154.79 yen.

To read more, go here. 

Japan In Spring

Above, Matsushima's Godaido Temple. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Around about now, it is cherry blossom season in Japan. I was able to see them back in 2006 during my bullet train trip to Sendai and Matsushima from Tokyo.

There are other things to see and do during springtime in Japan and Good Housekeeping has posted a guide to them.

They begin with:

With ski season in Hokkaido (the northernmost island) in full flow in winter, picturesque floral phenomena in spring, dazzling firework festivals in summer and fiery-red leaf displays in autumn, Japan is truly a year-round long-haul destination.

Japan's ever-popular cherry blossom season, when the sakura flowers come into bloom and decorate the country with delicate pink petals, does make springtime an obvious choice for visiting, however, and it wouldn't disappoint for those wanting to partake in hanami (the custom of admiring the beauty of the flowers).

But there's plenty more to spring in Japan than just cherry blossom, as you'll find out in this essential guide. From catching the plum blossom (there's not only cherry!) to colourful street parades, discover why spring is one of the best times to visit Japan. Be wary of busy Golden Week, though, about which we'll explain. Here's everything you need to know about Japan in spring... 

To read more, go here. 

At The Gunsmith's

Above, the Winchester Model 12 shotgun. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday had me making a trek over to the gunsmith to see what's causing the shotgun shells from feeding into firing position with my Winchester Model 1912 shotgun. 

Right away, during an initial cursory look, they noticed an issue with the shell carrier. So it appears that I made the right decision to bring it in.

While there, I picked up a new Hoppe's gun cleaning kit. The ones I have date back to the 1980s and while I was cleaning my Winchester 94, a rod end broke off inside the barrel. I had to push it out from the other end. 

Things do get old, for sure.

Is Your Motorhome Ready For An Emergency?

Above, the motorhome came in handy during a power outage that lasted hours. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Is your motorhome ready for an emergency?

That is the topic of an article in RV Travel. Fortunately for me, the only "emergency" I had was when the power went out when I lived in Tarzana, California for several hours. I migrated into the motorhome that I kept parked in my assigned parking space at my apartment complex.

I was able to make coffee and breakfast and relaxed inside until the power came back on. 

When I moved to New Mexico six years ago, I lived in the motorhome as I waited for the moving company to deliver my belongings. That took about 11 days.

I can easily see how motorhomes do come in handy as lifeboats during severe emergency situations. 

The RV Travel article begins with:

Most motorhome owners view their RV as a route to adventure—the open road—free to roam where and when they please. Some take a more practical view and see their RV as a full-time home, whether roaming or stationary. Likely few of us may have considered that our motorhomes are also an asset in the event of a major unforeseen event, such as a natural emergency or other unexpected forms of chaos and uncertainty. The pandemic changed a lot of thinking about preparation for the unexpected. Is your RV ready for an emergency?

To read more, go here. 

"The Searchers" Limited Engagement

John Ford’s THE SEARCHERS in 70mm Limited Engagement Sun. Apr. 28 - Sat. May 4, 2024 Egyptian Theatre and Aero Theatre Newly struck 70mm print! THE SEARCHERS (1956) was filmed in VistaVision and released in 1.85. WB’s Motion Picture Imaging scanned the original 8 perf 35mm VistaVision camera negative in 13k with all restoration work completed in 6.5k, Jan Yarbrough, Colorist. The 70mm film print was created at Fotokem by filming out a new 65mm negative. WB’s Post Production Creative Services restored the original mono audio mix, with Doug Mountain as lead and assistance from Matt Vowles. Inventure Studios created the DTS encoded deliverable of the restored audio to playback flawlessly with the 70mm film print. The Film Foundation has given approval of this newly restored version. TICKETS

Nipping An Affair In The Bud

This is great advice if some clown is messing with one's wife. This has to be the best video by Coach Corey Wayne.

I should have done this 30 years ago when my wife was messing with a so-called "family friend". My ex has remarried is still her male orbiter.

Ruined Vacations Due To 10-Year RV Rule

Above, The Beast at Mammoth Lakes. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Next year will mark ten years since I bought my 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R. 

That's when I may face the notorious "ten-year rule" of some RV parks. I'm not concerned about it as my motorhome is in good shape and it is kept in a garage to protect it from the elements.

This is the topic of an article by MSN.

It begins with:

RV owners risk having their summer vacation ruined this year due to a rule that prevents RVs over 10 years old from parking in certain US parks.

Travelers who have had their vehicles for a while might want to do their research before they head out on a family adventure, as they may be denied a reservation.

Oftentimes safety issues are cited as the reason for the rule. Older vehicles can have a higher potential to develop problems such as leaks and electrical issues.

Some park managers are also trying to avoid their sites looking run down due to a build-up of older RVs, meaning the issue of aesthetics also comes into play.

To read the full article, go here. 

Newsom's Gun Constitutional Amendment Going Nowhere

Commiefornia Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposed gun constitutional amendment is going nowhere among other blue (Democrat) states.   

This is not too surprising since this year is an election year and the Democrats (at least the ones with some sense) don't want pro-Second Amendment people panicked enough to go to the polls in November.

According to the Mercury News:

Recent ads from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s political action committee continue to push his effort to shake up the national gun debate with a constitutional amendment that would nationalize key California firearm restrictions.

“If Congress and the courts will not take action to help make our communities safer from gun violence, then we — the people — must do it ourselves,” say the ads on social media from Newsom’s Campaign for Democracy.

The California Legislature in September approved a resolution in support, and Newsom said 33 other states must do likewise to call a constitutional convention and consider the amendment. But even among the 18 other U.S. states with legislatures led by Newsom’s Democratic Party, none has done so.

Political observers aren’t surprised, noting the nation’s political landscape, amendment rules and the risks that could come with Newsom’s proposed path of calling a constitutional convention.

 To read the full article, go here.

7 Scenic National Parks In Wyoming

Above, Devil's Tower in eastern Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who have never been to the state of Wyoming, there are plenty of places to see and do there. 

For those who are history buffs, there are museums that focus on the old west. And, there are many national and state parks to visit. 

TheTravel has posted an article on seven scenic national parks in Wyoming.

Here's a snippet:

Wyoming is a treasure trove of natural wonders, and the National Park Service (NPS) and the Wyoming Division of State Parks are the guardians of these treasures. They diligently manage and preserve many places in the state, including national parks, state parks, recreation areas, monuments, historic trails and sites, ensuring that these areas are conserved for the enjoyment of future generations.

These are some of the most scenic parks in Wyoming designated under the NPS, featuring national parks, state parks, national monuments, and wilderness areas, prime for visiting and experiencing the state's beauty. 

To see what they are, 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 the week, we have Ian Matthews with his 1978 hit, "Shake It". It is from his solo album, Stealin' Home, which I have as an LP record. The song was featured in the 1980 movie, Little Darlings.

From Wikipedia:

Ian Matthews (born Ian Matthews MacDonald, 16 June 1946) is an English musician and singer-songwriter. He was an original member of the British folk rock band Fairport Convention from 1967 to 1969 before leaving to form his own band, Matthews Southern Comfort, which had a UK number one in 1970 with their cover of Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock". In 1979, his recording of Terence Boylan's "Shake It" reached No. 13 on the US charts.

Born in Barton-upon-Humber, Lincolnshire, Matthews was known in the 1960s as Ian MacDonald, but changed his name to Ian Matthews (his mother's maiden name) in 1968[3] to avoid confusion with Ian McDonald of King Crimson, with whom Judy Dyble began working when she left Fairport. In 1989, he changed the spelling of his first name to Iain and has been known as Ian Matthews ever since.

Influenced by both rock and roll and folk music, he has performed solo and as a member of various bands. He was a member of Fairport Convention during the early period when they were heavily influenced by American folk rock and sang on their first three albums before leaving in 1969. He initially embarked upon a solo career before forming the bands Matthews Southern Comfort and then Plainsong. Later in his career, he was also a member of the bands Hi-Fi, No Grey Faith, and More Than a Song, and in the 2000s has twice revived both Plainsong and Matthews Southern Comfort (MSC). He continues to tour regularly with the current version of MSC. A new MSC album The New Mine was released in March 2020, and a vinyl-only album Fake Tan, recorded with Norwegian band the Salmon Smokers, was released in September 2020.

In a career spanning over fifty years he has featured on over 100 albums and in 2018 published an autobiography co-written with author and broadcaster Ian Clayton, Thro' My Eyes: A Memoir, about his life in the music industry.

Ford Celebrates The Mustang's 60th Anniversary

Above, the 1989 Mustang LX in the garage with my other "toys". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Ford Mustang is celebrating its 60th anniversary. 

The Mustang is one of those rare cars that one can still immediately identify it. Cars nowadays all look like each other as if they came from the same cookie cutter. I can look at a vintage photo of 1950s cars and can tell which is a Ford, a Buick, an Oldsmobile, a Chevrolet and so on. Those were the days when cars had style.

I still drive my late dad's 1989 Mustang LX on a Fox chassis. It was his last car and I really don't see the need to spend $24k and up for a new car. It is a 4-cylinder with a manual 5-speed transmission. It loves the open highway.

KABC-AM's "Motorman" Leon Kaplan has advocated that if one has an older car that runs and looks good, why spend money on cars that cost hundreds of dollars just to diagnose a problem with all their computers and other gizmos. 

I have been approached twice in the last month by people asking me if I want to sell the Mustang,

Fox Business has an article on the 60th anniversary of the Mustang. They go through the evolution of body styles of Mustangs over the years.

They begin it with:

Ford Motor Co. celebrated the Mustang's 60th anniversary on Wednesday with the pony car now in its seventh generation, having become an icon of the American auto industry.

The Ford Mustang debuted April 17, 1964, at the New York World's Fair and has carved out a unique legacy in the decades since its launch, even as its features have changed over time.

"Mustang has stylistically and performance-wise been a vehicle that appealed to the masses — anybody who wants a cool-looking car that goes fast, Mustang is there for you," Ford Heritage Brand Manager Ted Ryan told FOX Business.

They refer to the Fox body (or platform) Mustangs (1979-1993) as the third generation. 

To read the article, go here.

Shotgun Internals

The problem of the 1919 Winchester Model 12 (12 gauge) shotgun was presented to a pre-1964 Winchester Rifle and Shotgun collectors Facebook page. As of this writing, the post has around 42 replies. 

The issue is that the 2 3/4 shells weren't feeding into the firing chamber. The gizmo (one called it a "duck bill") doesn't do anything when I pump the gun. According to a video (see bottom), it is called a shell carrier. I suspect gunk (not visible to me) may be the culprit or perhaps a spring. 

Above, this thing is called a "shell carrier". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Anyway, it is way beyond my expertise (which is pretty close to nil), so I will likely take it to the gunsmith. 

Japan Hotel Prices Near 30-Year High

Above, the Dormy Inn in Niigata. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The United States isn't the only country with inflation problems.

In Japan, the weak yen is fueling the highest hotel prices in 30 years along with record numbers of foreign visitors. This amounts to a two-edged sword.

According to The Japan Times:

Hotel prices in Japan soared to a near three-decade high in March, as the cheap yen and the cherry blossom season attracted a record number of tourists to the country.

The average daily room rate for March was about ¥20,986 ($136), the highest level since August 1997 and a nearly 20% increase from the same period last year, according to CoStar Group. The average hotel occupancy rate also increased to 78%.

A record 3.1 million people visited Japan in March. The yen is hovering at a 34-year low against the dollar, making the country an attractive destination for inbound tourists. The tourism boom has been led by arrivals from South Korea, Taiwan and China in the midst of the cherry blossom season, which traditionally draws in visitors.

 To read more, go here.

Transitioning From A Travel Trailer To A Class C Motorhome

Above, overnighting in Las Vegas during my 2017 Great
American Eclipse trip to Idaho. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The first RV I had was a Starcraft folding camping trailer (or tent trailer). I got good use out of it.

I traded it up for a Gulf Stream micro-mini Class C motorhome on a Toyota chassis. It was big enough for our family of four.

Currently, I have a 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie Class C. I figure it will be my final RV since I am now 70. It has been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned.

Do It Yourself RV has posted an article on the experiences of a couple who transitioned from a travel trailer to a Class C motorhome.

It begins with:

Switching from a travel trailer to a Class C RV was a big step for my husband, Todd, and me. It marked the start of a new chapter in our lives as full-time RVers, one filled with more freedom and less financial burden. Our journey into RV living began back in 2018 when we realized that owning a home wasn’t necessary to fulfill our dreams of seeing the country and enjoying our retirement years to the fullest.

To read the full article, go here. 

Affordable RV Campgrounds Near Top National Parks

Above, at Diamond Lake RV Park near Crater Lake National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With so many people traveling to our national parks in their RVs, it is next to impossible to get a campsite in one. Even if one does find an empty campsite, it may not be big enough to accommodate the RV.

I did stay at campgrounds in Lassen Volcanic National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Joshua Tree National Park and Yosemite National Park. Either I was just plain lucky or made reservations months in advance.

The alternative is finding a reasonably-priced campground near to the national park. I did this a couple of times. I stayed at a KOA Kampground near Yellowstone National Park in West Yellowstone, Montana and Diamond Lake RV Park near Crater Lake National Park in Oregon.

This is the topic of an article in RV Life.

They begin it with:

Looking for an affordable getaway into nature? RVing trips to national parks are among my personal favorite choices for sure! Unfortunately, the campgrounds in national parks aren’t always ideal. Some can’t accommodate big rigs, others can’t accommodate RVs at all, and most don’t have hookups of any kind.

The solution our family tends to turn to? Affordable campgrounds outside of popular national parks!

In honor of National Park Week from April 20–28, here are my top picks for great places to stay that won’t break the bank.

To read more, go here. 

Problem Shooters

People who use the shooting area in the Cibola National Forest next to our community are generally responsible people. The shooting area is cleaner than it used to be. Many left their junk in the area such as old television sets and the like.

There are some in our Whispering Cedars community who want the shooting area shut down. The reason is that stray bullets have entered the community. 

The photo above, Nandoh Munoz is shooting his Henry lever-action rifle. In the photo is a telephone pole at right. There is evidence of people using it as a target or mounting their targets on it.

The community is directly in the line-of-fire behind the pole and some stray bullets have hit some homes or narrowly missed people who were outside. Thankfully, this has been a rare occurrence. It boggles the mind how some people have a definite lack of common sense or are just plain stupid. There is a hill beyond the shooting area that allows for safe shooting. 

Above, the hill beyond the targets allows for safe shooting. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It would behoove our community members to occasionally patrol the shooting area, whenever there are shooters there, to make sure they aren't shooting at the telephone pole or targets on them. If they are found to be doing so, either give them a warning or call the McKinley County Sheriff.

The problem is mainly caused by outsiders who don't live in the community.