This morning, I walked over to the Billy the Kid Museum (only a block away) to see what they had inside.
While Billy the Kid was the focus of the museum, they had other things to see along with antique furnitures, appliances, cars, guns, buggies, carts and many other things. They had a replica of Billy's grave. At least the headstones were a lot more readable than the real ones.
The museum was surprisingly big
Since I took many pictures, I will divide them up in multiple posts.
This morning, I walked over to the Billy the Kid Museum (only a block away) to see what they had inside.
While Billy the Kid was the focus of the museum, they had other things to see along with antique furnitures, appliances, cars, guns, buggies, carts and many other things. They had a replica of Billy's grave. At least the headstones were a lot more readable than the real ones.
The museum was surprisingly big.
Since I took many pictures, I will divide them up in multiple posts.
This morning, I walked over to the Billy the Kid Museum (only a block away) to see what they had inside.
While Billy the Kid was the focus of the museum, they had other things to see along with antique furnitures, appliances, cars, guns, buggies, carts and many other things. They had a replica of Billy's grave. At least the headstones were a lot more readable than the real ones.
The museum was surprisingly big.
Since I took many pictures, I will divide them up in multiple posts.
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| Above, Donald Sutherland in Kelly's Heroes. |
According to the Daily Caller:
Legendary actor, Donald Sutherland, died at the age of 88.
His death was confirmed by his son, Kiefer Sutherland, in brief messages shared online, June 20.
“With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away,” Kiefer wrote. “I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that,” he said. Kiefer concluded his message by writing, “A life well lived.”
I first took notice of Sutherland in the Clint Eastwood war flick, Kelly's Heroes (1969). He had appeared in other favorite movies such as Animal House and Space Cowboys (again with Eastwood).
To read more, go here.
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| Above, Toho Studios' Godzilla mural. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
It looks like the tourism industry in Japan has recovered, and then some.
For the third straight month, three million foreign visitors came to Japan.
According to Kyodo News:
TOKYO - The number of foreign visitors to Japan totaled 3.04 million in May, up 60.1 percent from a year earlier and exceeding the 3 million mark for the third consecutive month, boosted by the weak yen, government data showed.
The Japan National Tourism Organization attributed the strong tourist arrivals to China's holiday season and an increased number of flights and ships coming from East Asia.
The number of visitors from more than a dozen countries and regions, including South Korea and the United States, reached record highs for the month.
To read more, go here.
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| Above, at camp in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
It looks like we are probably going to have thundershower activity tonight and tomorrow in Fort Sumner, New Mexico.
We already had some sprinkles this afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service:
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| Above, Billy the Kid's Grave. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
After a drive of about 290 miles, I arrived in Fort Sumner, New Mexico.
Fort Sumner is famous for the location of Billy the Kid's grave. He is buried with two others. The gravesite has a steel cage around it. I guess it is to keep them from leaving and voting Democrat.
The graves are covered with coins from other visitors.
Even though I planned on making this trip this week for some time, oddly enough, I got a call last Sunday from an ex-Noble Grand Humbug from the Lost Dutchman Chapter of E Clampus Vitus asking about getting information on Billy the Kid for a possible plaque in 2026. After the told me what the call was about, my reply was, "Funny that you called. I am heading to Billy's grave in Fort Sumner this coming week..."
To help accomplish that, I stopped at the Fort Sumner Chamber of Commerce to make arrangements to meet with the Chamber president tomorrow. Their office is at the cemetery where Billy the Kid is buried.
It was a good thing I went there today. It looked like rain may be coming (it did, it sprinkled as I am writing this).
Some photos:
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| Above, the grave of Joe Grant. He was shot and killed by Billy the Kid. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
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| Above, yours truly enjoying a glass of Alien Amber Ale. |
While on my way to Fort Sumner, New Mexico, I stopped at the Sierra Blanca Brewery in Moriarty. Since it was just off Interstate 40, I didn't go out of my way.
Sierra Blanca Brewers makes my favorite beer, Alien Amber Ale.
The brewery has a small beer bar in front and a beer garden in back. While I was there, there was only a couple partaking in adult beverages at the beer garden.
After looking over the beer garden (photos below), I went back inside to the beer bar. Along with a glass of Alien Amber Ale, I bought a growler and a t-shirt. They no longer have the Alien Amber Ale baseball caps. I was lucky to buy mine when I did about five years ago.
After finishing the glass of beer, I headed back on the Interstate to head to Fort Sumner. I may stop there again on my way home.
Some photos:
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| Above, a zoom shot of a mother bear and cub in Yellowstone. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Because people do dumb things, such as approaching bison too close, Yellowstone National Park officials have to remind people on how to safely photograph wildlife.
ABC Fox Montana posted an article on safely photographing Yellowstone's wildlife.
They begin with:
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. - Officials from Yellowstone reached out Saturday to remind photographers how to safely get the best shots of the many wildlife encounters that can occur in the park, such as grizzlies and wolves fighting over food sources.
The first step in capturing the moment, according to the park, is to zoom with the camera lens, not your feet. Park rules are to keep a distance of 100 yards (91 m) from bears and wolves, and 25 yards (23 m) from all other wildlife.
To read more, go here.
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| Above, DC Comics Vice President Paul Levitz and Joanne Siegel at the "Superman Week" luncheon at Cafe Pinot in 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
News about the proposed Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster Tribute Plaza and the upcoming press conference on Thursday brought back memories.
First off, it reminded me of the "Superman Week" ceremony and luncheon held at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in July 2001.
This was the event that fans of the Adventures of Superman gathered for the ceremony that was attended by Joanne Siegel, widow of Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel, and their daughter Laura Siegel Larson along with Jack Larson, Noel Neill, Robert Rockwell, Jeff Corey, DC Comics Vice President Paul Levitz and others. The event was hosted by then-Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich.
Following the ceremony, the attendees held a luncheon at Cafe Pinot. Paul Levitz graciously picked up the tab for the luncheon.
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| Above, the 2014 Adventures of Superman plaque dedication. Laura Siegel Larson is kneeling in front in blue. |
Then, in 2014, a plaque dedication was held in Tarzana, California honoring the cast of the Adventures of Superman focusing on the episode, "The Man Who Could Read Minds", in 1953 in which all of the cast members participated in a location shoot there. This was followed by a luncheon at the Beverly Garland Hotel. Laura Siegel Larson also attended these events.
Roadside America posted the location of the plaque (for those who wish to go see it) here.
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| Above, artist's conception of the Siegel & Shuster Tribute Plaza. |
THE SUPERMAN STATUE IS COMING!!!
What: Superman Statue Press Conference
When: Thursday, June 20, Noon
Where: Cleveland History Center,
10825 East Blvd., Cleveland
Superman Comes Home!
After years of effort, nationally renowned sculptor David Deming’s vision of a triumphant Man of Steel will soon fly in his hometown.
Deming, working with the Siegel and Shuster Society and Cuyahoga County Council, has created a statue of Superman that will be one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city.
Thursday is the kick-off of a $2.5 million fundraiser for the stainless steel statue of Superman in flight on an 18-foot pylon. Superman will measure almost 10 feet from finger to boot tip and will be the centerpiece of the Siegel and Shuster Tribute Plaza at the newly expanded Huntington Convention Center at St. Clair Avenue and Ontario Street, appropriately across from the Cleveland Justice Center.
Life-size bronze statues of Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and Jerry’s wife (and inspiration for Lois Lane), Joanne Siegel, will gaze up at the Superman statue. Nearby will be a phone booth with a suspicious pile of clothing inside, completing the tableau.
Deming, along with Siegel and Shuster Society President (and Jerry Siegel cousin) Gary Kaplan, Leigh Goldie (Joe Shuster’s cousin) and society founding member Michael Sangiacomo will offer brief remarks and answer questions Thursday.
The Society has provided substantial funds and plan to make additional donations. No taxpayer money is being used for this project. We seek donations from ordinary citizens from all walks of life who believe that a man can fly -- at least one man.
Want to be part of Cleveland and comic book history? Tax deductible donations of any size can be made to the Siegel and Shuster Society, an all-volunteer nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity organization through its website which goes live at noon Tuesday, June 18.
Donations can also be mailed to the Siegel and Shuster Society c/o Leigh Goldie, 23500 Mercantile Road, Suite D, Beachwood, OH, 44122.
Further information is available through Gary Kaplan at garysteven1188@gmail.com (216-409-1722) or Michael Sangiacomo at mikesang@aol.com 216-870-0014.
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| Above, the proposed Superman statue. Photo by the Siegel & Shuster Society. |
Fundraising is currently underway to erect a Superman statue along with a statue of Jerome Siegle, Joe Shuster and Joanne Siegel at the proposed Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster Tribute Plaza at the Convention Center in downtown Cleveland, Ohio (photo below).
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For those who are wondering who Siegel and Shuster were, they were the creators of Superman. Joanne Siegel was the model for Lois Lane. They were high school students in Cleveland when they created Superman.
According to the official website:
In 2007, the Siegel & Shuster Society was established with the mission to honor the creators of Superman. Their nonprofit organization aims to commemorate the duo's achievement with a significant project: the construction of a stainless steel Superman statue 18 feet up, alongside bronze statues of Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, and Joanne Siegel, the original model for Lois Lane. Collaborating with nationally renowned sculptor David Deming, Cuyahoga County Council and The Siegel & Shuster Tribute Plaza Committee, the society is dedicated to bringing this vision to life, preserving the creators' legacy for future generations.
The Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster Tribute Plaza, set to be located in front of the expanded Convention Center in the heart of downtown Cleveland, will serve as a lasting homage to the creators of Superman. The dynamic composition of the statues, with Superman seemingly in flight above Jerry and Joanne, while Joe is depicted sketching Action Comics No. 1, captures the essence of their creative process and the iconic imagery of the superhero. This plaza will not only celebrate the origins of Superman but also enrich Cleveland's cultural landscape.
For more information on the plaza and to help with fundraising, go here.
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| Above, the historic Goulding's Lodge trading post and living quarters of the Gouldings. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The historic Goulding's Lodge is now officially owned and will be operated by the Navajo Nation.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on June 14.
According to Hoodline:
In an event marked by a gentle rainfall, the Navajo Nation officially took ownership of Goulding's Lodge, a historic site nestled in the heart of Monument Valley. The ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 14 saw Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren and other dignitaries celebrate this momentous acquisition. "This is a day we’ve been waiting for," President Nygren said, regarding the collaboration's success between the legislative and executive branches that facilitated this deal, as stated by the Navajo Nation Office of the President.
Founded by Harry and Mike Goulding in the 1920s, the lodge is now a world-renowned tourist location, boasting yearly projected revenues between $22 and $31 million, as per the Office of the President. The purchase, finalized in October 2023 for a sum of $59.5 million, was a joint effort between the 25th Navajo Nation Council and the Division of Economic Development, aiming to funnel the income into supporting Navajo programs and bolstering the local economy.
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| Above, at Goulding's Lodge Campground in October 2022. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Goulding's Lodge includes a restaurant, market, hotel and campground. I stayed at the campground twice, most recently two years ago.
To read more, go here.
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| Above, an overnight rest stop at Circle Pines KOA in Williams, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Being an early riser, I generally hit the road before the sun rises. If I am driving eastbound, having the sun in my face is not pleasant and it also causes me to get drowsy. With that in mind, I leave a little later so that the sun can be covered by the sun visor.
Whenever I am going on a long drive (over 200 miles), I will make it a point to stop for short coffee breaks. I usually make a pot of coffee before departing and bring some along in a Thermos. Or, if I am not in a hurry, I leave home early enough to allow myself an overnight stay midway to the destination. That's a great benefit of being retired.
Recently, I took a trip to California to attend a four-chapter campout of E Clampus Vitus at Rice Army Airfield in the Mojave Desert. About halfway there, I stopped in Williams, Arizona to stay overnight at Circle Pines KOA Kampground. It was an enjoyable break with nice surroundings.
There are some other ways to combat drowsiness on long drives and Do It Yourself RV has posted some tips.
The begin with:
Long driving days in the old RV are just as taxing as a full day’s work in a physical labor craft. It’s mentally and physically draining, especially if you do it often. Playing the ABC game or “punch bug no hit-backs” will only take you so far. For some, long drives are invigorating, especially if the scenery is spectacular.
Regardless of your persuasion, it eventually takes a toll. It’s not hard to understand why RVers take on excruciatingly long trips from time to time. Reaching your destination, especially an exciting destination, is a keen motivator. On the flip side, it can be tiring, which is when things become dangerous.
It’s one thing to fall asleep at the wheel in a Toyota Prius, and quite another in an 18-ton Class A motorhome going 60+ mph. According to a study conducted by the AAA, 17.6% of all fatal crashes between 2017 and 2021 were due to drowsy driving, with nearly 30,000 people losing their lives as a result. With that being said, the most important focus is safety, with the comfort that comes from plenty of sleep and not overdoing it.
To read more, go here.
The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.
To begin this week, we have a rather somewhat obscure song by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band from 1967. It is "Buy For Me The Rain". I heard it Saturday on the local Gallup Navajo Country music station KYAT-FM. It has been decades since I last heard it. While it was still playing, I decided that I had to make it this week's Classic Rock Music Monday selection. I remember liking the song back in 1967. It was their first single.
From Wikipedia:
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (NGDB) is an American country rock band formed in 1966. The group has existed in various forms since its founding in Long Beach, California. Between 1976 and 1981, the band performed and recorded as the Dirt Band.
Constant members since the early times are singer-guitarist Jeff Hanna and drummer Jimmie Fadden. Multi-instrumentalist John McEuen was with the band from 1966 to 1986 and again from 2001 to 2017. Keyboardist Bob Carpenter joined the band in 1977. The band is often cited as instrumental to the progression of contemporary country and roots music.
The band's successes include a version of Jerry Jeff Walker's "Mr. Bojangles". Albums include 1972's Will the Circle be Unbroken, featuring such traditional country artists as Mother Maybelle Carter, Earl Scruggs, Roy Acuff, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, and Jimmy Martin. A follow-up album based on the same concept, Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two was released in 1989, was certified gold, won two Grammys, and was named Album of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards.
Today marks 65 years since television's first live-action Superman, George Reeves, passed away allegedly by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
He would be amazed in wonderment at the impact he made with generations since then. He would also be a major draw at comic book and science-fiction conventions had he lived.
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| Above, the house where George Reeve died. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
