Above, fired up the barbecue today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
When the Internet goes down, it is interesting to see how dependent we are when we can't use it.
This was the case all day yesterday and most of today. I was told yesterday that the problem stretched from Gallup to the west (18 miles) to Thoreau to the east (15 miles). At least that's what the State Police told me yesterday.
Above, enjoying an Alien Amber Ale while the meat was cooking.
This started around 8:30 yesterday morning when we had a 5-10 minute power outage. I don't know if this was related, but the Internet here went down at the same time.
This affected businesses as they couldn't process credit cards. People had to pay for gasoline with cash.
So far, it seems to be working.
In the meantime, I barbecued some cheeseburgers today. It is around 80° outside.
2023-24 turned out to be a great year for those of us Godzilla fans.
First came Godzilla Minus One from Toho Co., Ltd. of Japan last year. Then came Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire this year from Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros.
Although both movies feature Godzilla, they are as different as night and day. The Legendary Pictures Godzilla acts more like Gamera rather than the King of the Monsters from Japan.
That is the topic of an article from theSun out of Malaysia. It is an article well worth a good read.
They begin the article with:
THERE is a clear line drawn in the sand between Toho and Legendary Pictures’ Godzilla films.
Although they share the same genetic strain, they could not be further apart, like twin children separated at birth and fostered by two different families from starkly different socioeconomic backgrounds. This has never been clearer than Godzilla Minus One.
For Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros Pictures Monsterverse franchise, Godzilla is the hero. In the recent Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, the giant lizard teams up with his oversized monkey friend to save Earth.
On the other hand, Toho’s Godzilla Minus One features Godzilla as how Ishiro Honda conceived the creature in 1954’s Godzilla: an allegory for the nuclear bombs dropped on Japan, coalesced into a force of nature that will kill everyone and destroy everything in its ravenous path.
Above, the white water tanks. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Now that the weather has gotten nicer and warmer, things that need to get done in the community are beginning to get done.
I saw a post on Facebook that our community's water association are currently upgrading the repairing (where needed) the water facilities up the hill. The water association is comprised of resident members who volunteer their services for the betterment of the community. We are lucky to have them.
They are currently working at the white tanks which supplies water to the upper portion of the community and feeds to the green tank that supplies the lower portion of the community.
Above, the famous Roswell welcome sign. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
It has been a long time since I last attended an air show of any kind. I used to annually attend the Point Mugu Air Show in California.
Maybe now, I can attend the Reno Air Races now that they are moving to Roswell, New Mexico.
From Fox 40:
(FOX40.COM) — The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) officially announced that Roswell, New Mexico will be the home of the National Championship Air Races (NCAR), according to a news release from the association on Thursday.
Since 2023, RARA has been considering six cities including; Buckeye, Arizona, Thermal, California, Wendover, Utah, Casper, Wyoming, Pueblo, Colorado, and Roswell, New Mexico to relocate the NCAR.
“We’re thrilled to bring our honored tradition of racing to Roswell and are confident that they have both the enthusiasm and resources to expand the future of our races for many generations to come,” said Fred Telling, CEO and chairman of the board for the Reno Air Racing Association.
Now Roswell will be known for something else besides flying saucers.
Above, yours truly rafting the Snake River in 2019.
The last time I went river rafting was in 2019 in Jackson, Wyoming on the Snake River. It was an enjoyable rafting trip and remarkable as it was a year after my heart attack in Wells, Nevada.
I went with the Dave Hansen Whitewater Adventures.
This year, rafting may be on the agenda in neighboring Colorado. The Animas River near Durango is a possibility. I rafted on the Animas River out of Durango twice, but those trips were during the 1980s.
This year, Colorado river conditions look promising, especially in the northern part of the state.
According to VailDaily:
Early indications suggest Colorado could have a very good rafting season through spring and into the summer, especially in the northern half of the state.
Predicting seasonal rafting conditions is difficult because factors besides snowpack depths always come into play, such as temperature trends, which affect the rate of runoff, as well as the amount and timing of monsoon moisture in the summer. At the moment, though, things look promising.
Above, Star Wars during its initial run at the AVCO Center Theaters in Westwood. AP photo.
It is hard to believe that Star Wars (later Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope) on Memorial Day weekend 47 years ago, in 1977. I was at the ripe "old age" of 23.
I saw it at the AVCO Center Theaters in Westwood twice during its initial run. One of the times was with a date. She was in ecstasy during the movie, she loved it that much.
Since Lucasfilm (along with the Star Wars franchise) has been acquired by Disney, I have no desire to see the movies they've churned out. I have the first two trilogies in my collection.
The theaters are still there, but they are no longer the AVCO Center Theaters.
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 begin the week, we have Friend & Lover with their 1968 hit, "Reach Out of the Darkness". Friend & Lover comprised the (then) husband and wife duo Jim and Cathy Post. The song reached number 10 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in the summer of 1968.
I was in 8th grade when the song came out. It is interesting that the title differs from the lyrics in which are "reach out in the darkness" instead of "reach out of the darkness."
The YouTube video has some comments from Cathy Post's (Conn) granddaughter Briana, one of which is:
The female in this song then “Cathy post” now “cat conn” passed away just about three years ago. She was my grandmother and the most beautiful woman inside and out that i had ever known. No Jim post is not my grandfather, they divorced and she married my grandfather and had my mother, my aunt, and then my uncle. I miss her every day. I love this video and that someone kept it in existence for me, her eldest granddaughter to see. I miss her. She and I were kindred souls.
I find it fascinating that Briana can see her grandmother in a music video while she was in her youth.
Cathy Conn was born May 30, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. She had a background in song and dance before meeting her future husband Jim Post at a Canadian provincial fair in 1964. Their marriage and the band eventually broke up. Cathy remarried twice, became Cat Conn, had three children and five grandchildren, and lived for a short time in the mountains of New Mexico. In 2015 or 2016, she moved back into Chicago to live out the rest of her days with two of her grandchildren and one of her first children. She died in Evanston, Illinois, on July 4, 2018, at 73.
Jim Post was born October 28, 1939, in Houston, Texas. He had previously performed with a folk group, The Rum Runners. He went on to record solo albums for labels such as Flying Fish Records and Fantasy Records. Post died in Dubuque, Iowa, after a long illness on September 14, 2022, at the age of 82.
As today is Memorial Day, it is appropriate to remember Cathy and Jim as both have passed on. R.I.P.
Above, the Mitsukoshi department store at Ginza Crossing in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer
It is funny how Japan for years clamored for more foreign tourists. Now that foreigners have coming into the country in droves, Japan is deeply concerned with overtourism.
Much of this overtourism is due to the weak yen. This is drawing foreigners as Japan is seen as a huge bargain as a result. One the other side of the coin, the weak yen is keeping Japanese citizens to refrain from foreign travel (Hawaii is a good example).
Japan is experiencing a serious boom in tourism since the pandemic. With visitor numbers crossing three million in March this year, parts of the country are taking several measures to fight overtourism. Tourists must pay a fee and reserve a spot to hike Mt. Fuji’s Yoshida Trail. The alleys of the geisha district are also out of bounds. Here’s what you need to know if you travel to Japan this season.
Above, 2024 American Silver Eagles. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
The COMEX silver spot price is currently at $30.540.
The metal has been doing quite well these past few weeks. Overall, it is 27.93% since the beginning of the year. This has attracted the attention of USA Today three days ago.
Some snippets:
The price of silver opened at $30.61 per ounce, as of 9 a.m. ET. That’s down 3.59% from the previous day’s silver price per ounce and up 27.93% since the beginning of the year.
The lowest trading price within the last day: $30.16 per ounce. The highest silver spot price in the last 24 hours: $31.81 per ounce.
The spot silver price reflects what traders buy and sell silver for immediately, or on the spot. In contrast, the futures price reflects the price for silver delivered in later months.
Silver is up 27.93% since the beginning of the year, as of 9 a.m. The 52-week high reached $32.51 on May 19, 2024, and the 52-week low dropped to $20.69 on October 2, 2023.
RV Travel has posted an article stating that 2024 will have more frequent hurricanes.
According to Wikipedia:
The season officially begins on June 1, 2024, and ends on November 30, 2024.
A friend and I are planning a cruise to the Bahamas in late July. That's practically right smack in hurricane territory and season.
Above, Hurricane Florence from the ISS. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center photo.
RV Travel wrote:
RVers, other travelers as well as residents in areas normally affected by seasonal Atlantic hurricanes may face especially challenging activity in the months ahead. If you plan to spend time this season in such an area, be sure to constantly monitor the weather forecast and have an escape plan if trapped with nowhere to go.
The top 10 states that experience the most hurricanes, in order of number of events that reached landfall between 1851 and 2020, are Florida, Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, New York, Mississippi and Virginia (with Massachusetts just barely behind).
This year, National Weather Service forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center predict above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin. NOAA’s outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which is from June 1 to November 30, predicts an 85% chance of an above-normal season, a 10% chance of a near-normal season and a 5% chance of a below-normal season.
Assuredly, I will be monitoring the weather reports prior to departure.
Above, Lower Yellowstone Falls and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Summer vacation season is fast approaching and people will be taking vacations to different national parks.
National Parks Traveler has posted a list of top ten things to know about Yellowstone National Park, primarily located in the northwest corner of Wyoming.
They begin with:
If you plan to travel to Yellowstone National Park this summer, plan ahead to protect yourself and this wild and awe-inspiring place. Within the park’s 2.2 million acres, visitors have unparalleled opportunities to observe wildlife in an intact ecosystem, explore geothermal areas that contain half the world’s active geysers and view geologic wonders like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.
Follow the top 10 things to know to enjoy your visit and protect the park for generations to come:
Last evening, one of my Jamestown friends, Russ Azbill, and I went to dinner at Jerry's Cafe in Gallup. He had never eaten there before.
I had earlier called him to ask him if he had a .38 Special/.357 Magnum pistol as I had some snake shot rounds in those calibers to give him. A few days ago, his dog Derek got bit on the tongue by a rattlesnake. Russ only had .22 caliber snake shot. The dog is at the vet's in Milan and should be coming home Monday (if they're open). He seems to be improving.
As we were talking, I mentioned I was going to Jerry's Cafe that evening and asked if he'd like to come along and I would give him the rounds then. He did and we went.
He liked Jerry's. I told him that Genaro's and Jerry's are my two favorite restaurants in Gallup.
UPDATE:
The vet called Russ this morning and Derek is being released today.
Above, who needs to fight holiday traffic when I have nearby Six Mile Canyon to enjoy? Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Now that Memorial Day weekend is upon us, the experts are expecting to see record numbers of people hitting the road or flying. This also marks the start of the summer vacation season.
For me, I am perfectly content to stay home. I haven't gone anywhere for Memorial Day weekend in years.
CBS News has posted the best and worst times to travel on Memorial Day weekend.
They begin with:
NEW YORK - If you're going to hit the road this Memorial Day Weekend for the unofficial start of summer, you're not alone.
Holiday travel is already underway in and around New York City ahead of the long weekend.
AAA projects nearly 44 million people will be traveling more than 50 miles from May 23 through 27. That's a 4% hike from last year and, for the first time, will exceed pre-pandemic levels.
"We're projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means that we're moving beyond pandemic-era lulls, but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead," Alec Slatky, of AAA Northeast, said.
That means a record amount of road trips are expected. AAA estimates 38.4 million people will travel by car, the highest number for the holiday ever recorded since AAA began tracking in 2000.
Above, the Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 I flew to Japan on in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Over the past 23 years, I have traveled to Japan eight times.
I have flown there via several airlines. They include, United Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Korean Airlines. Of these, Korean Airlines is my personal favorite. Their food was great. I had a reasonable amount of legroom in Economy. They also had Astro Boy cartoons to be entertained by.
My last trip to Japan was on a Singapore Airlines Airbus A380. I was disappointed with it. Although the world's biggest passenger plane, the plane's Economy legroom left much to be desired. I felt cramped and had to take walks every half hour.
Travel Noire has an article with their choices of the "best airlines" to travel to Japan with. The article doesn't list prices, though.(
Those planning on joining Daikaiju Enterprises' (G-FAN magazine) G-TOUR 4 this coming October may want to review the article before selecting an airline.
They begin with:
Summer has arrived, and traveling season is in full swing. Are you planning on adding Japan to the bucket list?
Japan is a brilliant and fascinating country, home to over 20 world heritage sites. Through tourism alone, Japan has attracted over 2.5 million international tourists since February of 2024. In recent times, out of 141 countries, they have rank high in cultural resources and business travel.
When traveling to a foreign country, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is choosing the airline for your journey. With numerous options, it’s essential to pick an airline that offers comfort, reliability, and unforgettable service.
So what is the best airline to fly to Japan? Let’s weigh our options.
Above, motorhomes driving through Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Fatalities in our national parks make news, especially if caused by wildlife, falls and drownings. But, interestingly, the top cause of fatalities among national park visitors is by vehicular accidents.
According to National Parks Traveler:
The greatest risk to your life in a national park is not a grizzly bear, not a rattlesnake, and not having a heart attack. No, the greatest risk to your life is being in a vehicle heading down the road, according to the National Park Service.
Mortality data collected from the National Park System from 2014 through 2019 turned up 2,149 deaths overall, with 370 deaths related to driving. Drowning was responsible for 314 deaths during that time period, while hiking contributed 255 deaths, with falls accounting for 206 deaths, the Park Service says. There also were 381 suicides in the parks during those years, and 25 murders.
The covered years provide the most recently available data, as the Park Service notes it can take some time to validate the reports that come in from across the National Park System.
Above, battleship USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
The weak yen (against the U.S. dollar) is making vacations to Japan a great travel bargain, so much so that it is maybe a detriment to Hawaii.
People may be skipping a vacation in Hawaii in favor of one to Japan.
According to Hawaii News Now:
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A weak yen and strong dollar are actually boosting tourism to Japan but could be negatively impacting visitor arrivals to the islands, a new UH report says.
Researchers say Japan’s economy is struggling, but tourism is a bright spot.
The UHERO report suggests more Hawaii residents are also choosing to vacation to Japan instead of going to the U.S. mainland or doing a stay-cation on island.
To illustrate the problem, HNN compared the price of a seven-day trip from California to Tokyo at the end of June and found the total was a whopping $500 less than going to Honolulu.
Above, Godzilla peering over buildings in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Above, Graceland from Elvis Presley Blvd. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
A Memphis judge has halted a foreclosure sale of Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion that was scheduled for today.
AP News reported:
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A judge on Wednesday said Elvis Presley’s estate could be successful in arguing that a company’s attempt to auction Graceland is fraudulent as he halted a foreclosure sale of the beloved Memphis tourist attraction.
Later Wednesday, a statement from someone who appeared to be a representative of the company said it would drop its claim, which the Presley estate has argued is based on fake documents. Online court records did not immediately show any legal filings suggesting the claim had been dropped.
Shelby County Chancellor JoeDae Jenkins issued a temporary injunction against the proposed auction that had been scheduled for Thursday in Memphis, where the king of rock ‘n’ roll’s former home is located. Jenkins’ injunction essentially keeps in place a previous restraining order issued at the request of Presley’s granddaughter Riley Keough.
The COMEX spot price for silver is now in the low 30s. The precious metal has been trending upwards for the past few weeks.
Interestingly, the death of Iran's president and foreign minister seems to have carried gold and copper to record highs. Those metals are Iran's top exports.
Amid ongoing tension in the Middle East, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the foreign minister have been confirmed dead Monday after a helicopter crash. The officials’ shocking demise casts additional investor doubt on a region already plagued by economic upheaval, with supply chain uncertainties fueling record-high metal prices this week.
Above, an alien and flying saucer display at the Roswell International UFO Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Most everyone with just the slightest interest in Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO) are familiar with the Roswell Incident of July 1947.
The Roswell, New Mexico UFO crash is just one of many UFO incidents in the state. Most of which nobody has ever heard of.
Yahoo! News has posted an article from KRQE on these other incidents.
They begin it with:
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – You probably already know about the Roswell UFO incident, but New Mexico’s history of unidentified flying objects is far richer – and weirder – than just that one event.
To explore that history, KRQE News 13 spoke with David Marler, the executive director of the National UFO Historical Records Center. He has access to a massive collection of UFO reports from New Mexico and around the world. Here are a few incidents you might not have heard of.
Newly unsealed documents reveal that His Fraudulency Joe Biden's FBI was authorized to use deadly force in their raid on former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Florida estate.
The Gateway Pundit reported:
Joe Biden was ready to have his main political rival Donald Trump and his family killed for a publicity stunt!
Judge Aileen Cannon on Tuesday unsealed numerous motions related to Jack Smith’s classified documents case against Trump.
One filing revealed Biden’s FBI authorized the use of deadly force during their raid on Mar-a-Lago authorized by US Attorney General Merrick Garland in August 2022.
This incident only shows the lengths that Biden's thugs are willing to take to neutralize his major political opponent. It smacks of authoritarian/totalitarian tactics in communist and third world nations. This is why it is imperative that the Biden regime be ousted in November.
Thank God Merrick Garland was never seated on the U.S. Supreme Court!
Above, Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion in Memphis. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Elvis Presley's granddaughter, Riley Keough, is fighting a foreclosure of Graceland, alleging that some signatures are forgeries.
NBC News reported:
Elvis Presley’s granddaughter is trying to halt the court-approved sale of Graceland, the late singer’s Memphis, Tennessee, compound.
Riley Keough, a successful dramatic actor also known as Danielle Riley Keough, has filed a claim in Tennessee civil court that alleges the creditor behind the foreclosure claim used forged signatures.
Keough, who was granted virtual control of Graceland Mansion and much of Elvis' estate after her mother, Lisa Marie Presley, died last year, alleges in the suit that the creditor's paperwork on a $3.8 million loan to Graceland trustees, with a deed of trust on the compound pledged as collateral, is fraudulent.
In a statement, Elvis Presley Enterprises — the entity that runs Graceland and the assets of the Elvis Presley Trust — suggested the announced sale is a scheme.
“Elvis Presley Enterprises can confirm that these claims are fraudulent. There is no foreclosure sale. Simply put, the counter lawsuit has been filed is to stop the fraud,” it said.
A little while ago, I noticed several websites and forums of people asking if Guns.com is legitimate or not.
It so happened that I bought my Winchester Model 12 shotgun through them last month. Earlier that day, I bid on one over at GunBroker.com. I was the top bidder for most of that day, but eventually others started bidding on it about a couple of hours before the bidding closed. I decided to set a limit on how much I would bid. It eventually went to someone else for $445, way more than I was willing to pay.
Right after that, I then went over to Guns.com and spotted one for $100 less than the one at GunBroker. So I bought it. The price they posted for the shotgun is what I paid. There was no bidding involved.
I had them ship it to Loeffler's Guns in Grants, New Mexico for the FFL transfer.
This is what they describe on how they operate:
Simply enter in your credit card information and check out. We even offer financing options to help you buy now and pay later! Once you've made your purchase, Guns.com handles everything. We coordinate the transfer, paperwork and shipping to ensure your gun is safely delivered to your FFL on your behalf.
The transfer went smoothly. My only gripe was that they took longer than I expected for them to ship the shotgun to Loeffler's. It was probably due to the sale taking place during the weekend. Other than that, I have no other complaints. I found their prices to be lower than at GunBroker, where one is at the mercy of other (particularly last-minute) bidders.
Would I use them again? Yes, if they have a handgun or rifle I am particularly interested in and if the price is right.
So, to answer the main question: yes, they are legit!
Above, a Shinkansen view of Mount Fuji. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Roswell, New Mexico has the distinction of having a UFO crash in 1947. But Roswell doesn't have any monopoly of UFO sightings or close encounters.
There was an encounter in Japan at the foot of Mount Fuji that took place in 1975 and the town of Kofu is capitalizing on it as a tourism draw.
According to Kyodo News:
Local residents in Yamanashi Prefecture, at the foot of Mt. Fuji, are striving to make their city Kofu a tourist magnet with extraterrestrial help from an alien.
Next year marks the 50th anniversary of an incident in which two elementary school children claimed to have encountered unidentified flying objects and an alien. It is dubbed one of "three major UFO incidents" reported in Japan.
Radio personality Kiichi Tokutake is among a group of people organizing events to celebrate the anniversary and boost the city's appeal. "I want to make Kofu a mecca for UFO enthusiasts," he said.
Tokutake's passion grew after he was told by a guest during his show that the UFO sighting in Kofu had recently grabbed attention among some overseas enthusiasts.
The alleged incident dates back to Feb. 23, 1975, when two boys playing near a vineyard in Kofu saw what they described as two saucer-shaped UFOs flashing in orange at around 6:30 p.m. They said a 120- to 130-centimeter tall alien with a big head, long ears and three fangs then descended, according to Tokutake. The alien reportedly had a brown face with no eyes or nose.
The boys left the scene to call their family. When they returned, the objects started blinking and glared briefly before disappearing. Their family and local residents provided similar descriptions.
Asia are an English rock supergroup formed in London in 1981. The most commercially successful lineup was its original, which consisted of four members of different progressive rock bands who had enjoyed great success in the 1970s: lead vocalist and bassist John Wetton (King Crimson, Uriah Heep and U.K.), guitarist Steve Howe (Yes), keyboardist Geoff Downes (Yes and the Buggles) and drummer Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer). Their debut album, Asia, released in 1982, remains their best-selling album and went to number one in several countries. Billboard listed it as the top album in the U.S. in 1982. The lead single from the album, "Heat of the Moment", remains their top charting and best-known song, reaching the top 40 in over a dozen markets. It peaked at #4 in the U.S. on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
Above, the Godzilla 70th anniversary baseball jersey. Godzilla.com image.
There's nothing like being constantly reminded of one's age.
Godzilla and I came on the scene in 1954. The 70th anniversary of the King of the Monsters is being celebrated this year and Toho has introduced some brand new merchandise to commemorate the milestone.
According to The Nerds of Color:
The past two years have been a whirlwind of kaiju-sized proportions, as everyone’s favorite radioactive lizard has seen a slew of massive success! Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire crushed it at the box office, and Godzilla: Minus One won an Oscar, becoming one of the most critically acclaimed runaway successes of last year. But the 70th anniversary of Godzilla isn’t over just yet folks! Just in time for the big guy’s bit 7-0, Toho has released a new line of awesome merchandise commemorating the most famous kaiju in cinematic history!
Above, my nine-year-old RV refrigerator works fine since I always level the RV. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
My motorhome is now nine years old. My refrigerator is the original one and works perfectly.
The reason being is that no matter how long I am staying somewhere, I always level the RV.
However, based upon an article in RV Travel, there are those who feel that leveling the RV for an overnight stay is unnecessary. To call this wrong-headed thinking is an understatement.
They begin with:
I read this tip on RVtravel.com:
Do you level? That’s a question repeatedly posted on RV forums, regarding leveling an RV when stopping at the end of the day. Here’s a typical response: “I try to get it relatively close unless it’s just for an overnight stop, in which case I don’t bother.” Unless it’s an overnight stop? ALWAYS level your RV. Another comment tells you why: “I’m on my second Dometic 4-door. I level METICULOUSLY every time I stop to camp and I check level every morning. I refuse to go thru all that replacement AGAIN.”
RV refrigerators need to be level to work properly, and to prevent damage. No absorption-type RV refrigerator has ever read the fine print that says, “Don’t count the damage caused by operating off-level if it’s only overnight.” Seriously, damage to an RV cooling unit is CUMULATIVE, and every “only overnight” adds up. Can’t level? Shut off the fridge.
I was rather shocked by people’s thinking that running an absorption refrigerator out of level overnight or for any length of time is an acceptable practice. As mentioned above, the damage is cumulative, adding up each time you operate your refrigerator out of level.
Above, at the Tucson/Lazydays KOA Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
When staying in a luxury RV in a full-hookup RV resort, are you camping?
That is the question in a recent article in RV Travel. This has been asked many times before and will likely be asked in other venues.
The closest thing to an RV resort I've ever stayed at was probably the Tucson/Lazydays KOA Resort in Tucson, Arizona last year during the clampout trip to Tombstone.
Tucson/Lazydays KOA Resort offers all the amenities KOA campers have come to love such as a fully stocked camp store complete with firewood and propane, Kamp K9, two outdoor pools, and WiFi. Whether you are joining with us for an extended stay or visiting us overnight on your way through Tucson, you'll find something fun to do. Tucson/Lazydays KOA Resort also features unique amenities including BBQ Rush Restaurant, a 9 Hole Putting Course, Mini Golf, Solar Power Parasols, Pet Sites, and a Workout Room. Our NEW Activity Room is ideal for your kiddos in tow, complete with a climbing wall, movies for the whole family, magnet wall, and more. See the front desk for the Recreation Station schedule of planned activities.
The article begins with:
Today’s question in Campground Crowding prompted us to wonder, what do you consider “camping”? If you’re parked at a luxury RV resort with pools and tennis courts and spacious lots between you and your neighbor, is that camping? Or is camping only when you’re at state park campgrounds, among tenters, and just staying for a night so you can fish in the nearby lake? Is that even camping?
Has the definition of “camping” changed so much with our fancy RVs and parks that we’ve forgotten how to define it? Well, you tell us!
The responses from readers are interesting to read.
In 1973, John Wayne sat for artist Norman Rockwell in his Stockbridge, Massachusetts studio for a painting commissioned by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.
The painting later was auctioned in 2018 and the top bidder, a collector, successfully bid $1,496,000 at the Jackson Hole Art Auction.
Here is Wayne with Norman Rockwell as well as the finished painting:
Norman Rockwell passed away in 1978 and Wayne died a year later.
Rep. Stefani Lord posted the following on X (formerly Twitter) about New Mexico's 7-day firearms waiting period:
The New Mexico 7-day waiting period for a firearm is now in effect.
- Science shows that people who want to kill themselves will wait 7 days, but more often, they just find another way to end their life.
- This law does nothing to stop criminals from obtaining firearms off the black market. Instead, this bill only punishes law-abiding gun owners.
- You can still sell a gun to a family member who wants to harm themselves and others without a wait.
- During the 7 days, THERE IS NO MORE BACKGROUND CHECK HAPPENING! Nothing is happening but waiting.
- People with stalkers, those who have filed restraining orders, or survivors of domestic violence must put their lives in danger and wait 7 long days to obtain a firearm to protect themselves.
Thank You,
, for filing a lawsuit against this ridiculous law.
https://nraila.org/articles/20240515/breaking-nra-files-legal-challenge-on-mandatory-waiting-periods-in-new-mexico…
More facts about waiting periods per the NRA:
•Waiting periods are arbitrary impositions with no effect on crime or suicide, introduce no additional investigative avenues, and only burden law-abiding gun owners without changing how or when criminals obtain firearms.
•Waiting periods do not change the background check process; no additional investigative measures are taken no matter how long of a waiting period is imposed. Most background checks are resolved instantly, but investigations can currently last up to 90 days.
•There is no evidence that waiting periods reduce suicides, homicides, or mass shootings. No studies that identify causal effects have been identified by any of the independent literature reviews conducted since 2004.
•Recent research that purports to find that waiting periods reduce firearms-related deaths is fundamentally flawed, as it also finds that background checks increase gun homicides and that poverty is associated with a decrease in homicides.
•The average time-to-crime for firearms traced by the BATFE in 2018 was nearly nine years, so the idea that guns are often used in crimes of passion or impulsive actions right after purchase is not supported by anything other than anecdotal evidence.
•Criminals will not be affected by waiting periods. Most state inmates who were in possession of a firearm at the time of their arrest obtained the firearm through an illegal source or from a friend or family member.
•There are few prosecutions of prohibited persons who attempt to buy a firearm from a dealer. Out of 112,090 total federal denials in 2017, there were 12 prosecutions.
•The waiting period mandated by the Brady Act of 1993 was only in effect until the National Instant Check System came online in 1998.
•Most gun-owners own more than one firearm and a waiting period could not possibly have an effect on those purchasing an additional firearm. First-time buyers seeking a firearm for self-defense would be affected by a waiting period that limits their ability to safeguard themselves and their loved ones.
https://nraila.org/get-the-facts/
Above, the train derailment scene on May 1. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
The other day, while going to Tee Pee Trading Post to pick up some stogies, I saw that the train derailment site was cleared. Not a trace (at least from Interstate 40) of the derailment was seen.
AZFamily reported that a federal agency is taking over the investigation over the cause of the derailment.
They wrote:
MANUELITO, N.M. (AP/AZFamily) — The Federal Railroad Administration is now leading the investigation of last month’s fiery train derailment near the Arizona-New Mexico border.
National Transportation Safety Board officials said Thursday that the FRA will determine the probable cause of the April 26 derailment.
NTSB investigators have examined the track and derailed tank cars and will focus on the performance of the tank cars and emergency response actions.
Above, enjoying the weather after a trip to Gallup.
Since it will be 75° this afternoon, I decided that I will treat myself to a barbecued t-bone steak.
It has been a while since I had one (although I barbecued a porterhouse steak two weeks ago at Circle Pines KOA in Williams, Arizona). So I picked up a t-bone while I was grocery shopping in Gallup this morning.
Although the cardiac doctors frown on read meat, I feel that I have can have a steak every so often. Moderation is the key.
Above, Graceland's famous Jungle Room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
It has been eight years since I last visited Elvis Presley's Graceland. It was a year before the big Elvis Presley's Memphis complex across the street opened. It was still under construction during my visit.
I stayed at the Graceland RV Park & Campground located across the street and behind the former Heartbreak Hotel. It was very handy as it was an easy short walk to the mansion.
Above, The Beast at the Graceland RV Park & Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Graceland is gearing up for the summer vacation season with new tours, events, concerts and exhibits.
Yahoo! Finance posted:
MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 16, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Elvis Presley’s Graceland is preparing for a summer filled with a variety of events, concerts, and numerous other reasons why this is the summer to visit the home of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll in Memphis.
Graceland’s daily tours give fans and music lovers the opportunity to experience how Elvis lived and spent his time. This summer, visitors can enjoy an all-new tour experience, updated exhibits, as well as get a last chance look at one of our fan favorite exhibitions.
Back in February, it was announced that a special collaboration between the U.S. Mint and the Royal Mint resulted in a special Liberty & Britannia Silver Medal.
I ordered one at the time and the release of the medals would take place in May.
Once sunrise took place here in Jamestown, New Mexico, I could see that we had some rain overnight. This is quite welcome since we can use the water and, for me, it will wet down the pollen that has been driving my allergies crazy.
We may be getting thunderstorms during the day, according to the National Weather Service with temperatures in the 60s.
However, things will clear up starting tomorrow and over the weekend with a return to temperatures in the 70s.
Today
Scattered showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight
Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Northwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 75. West wind 10 to 15 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 47. West wind 5 to 15 mph becoming southwest after midnight.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
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