Photographing Yellowstone Wildlife Safely

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. 

Superman Statue News Brings Back Memories

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.

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.

Superman Statue Press Conference

Above, artist's conception of the Siegel & Shuster Tribute Plaza. 

A press conference will be held Thursday, June 20 on the Superman Statue to be erected at the Siegel & Shuster Tribute Plaza. It will be the kick-off for the fundraising campaign.

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.

 

Siegel & Shuster Tribute Plaza

Above, the proposed Superman statue. Photo by the Siegel & Shuster Society.

Facebook friend Jaime Reigle passed along something interesting.

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).

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. 

Navajo Nation Acquires Historic Goulding's Lodge

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.

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. 

Combating Fatigue On Long RV Drives

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.

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 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.

65 Years Since George Reeves Died

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. 

 

Above, the house where George Reeve died. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Happy Father's Day!

Since I finally downloaded photos from my Canon camera to post last night's rodeo photos, I now have some photos taken in May at the General Patton Museum at Chiriaco Summit in California.

The photos include the General Patton and Willie statue and memorial bricks for my father, grandfather and uncle.

By the way, Happy Father's Day!

2024 Gallup Lions Club Rodeo

Last evening, I attended the Gallup Lions Club Rodeo at Red Rock Park near Gallup.

It was well attended and the weather was perfect.

Naturally, I took plenty of photos. It was interesting to see young children also bull riding. Well, with smaller bulls.

Here's some of them:

Travel + Leisure: Guide To Grand Teton National Park

Above, the Grand Tetons reflected on Jackson Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those thinking on what to do and where to go this summer for a vacation trip, Travel + Leisure has posted a guide on Grand Teton National Park to help with the decision-making.

Grand Teton National Park is virtually next door (to the south) to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. I have been there several times, most recently in 2019.

The guide starts with:

There are few national parks as recognizable, or as photogenic, as Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. The steep, craggy, and commonly snow-capped peaks of the northern portion of the Teton Range tower over the park’s glorious alpine lakes, rivers, and impressive wildlife population that includes moose, grizzly bears, bison, and wolves. 

The park didn’t take its current expanded form until 1950, following its official establishment in 1929, but this part of the country has been drawing visitors for thousands of years. If you spend even a couple of hours taking in the majestic scenery — whether you’re taking an ice-cold dip in Jenny Lake or experiencing an unforgettable sunrise at Schwabacher Landing — you’ll quickly understand why. 

Thanks to continued conversation efforts, Grand Teton National Park has maintained a natural, rugged beauty that captivates more than 3 million visitors every year. It’s also one of the top attractions for travelers coming to Jackson Hole (the town of Jackson is just a 10-minute drive from the Moose Entrance Station). Given the park’s popularity and proximity to hundreds of square miles of sheer wilderness, it’s critical for visitors to enter the park prepared. That means not only knowing where to go and how to keep themselves safe, but also understanding the importance of respecting both the ecosystem and fellow travelers. “Ultimately, we are all stewards of the natural world,” explains Cathy Shill, founder of The Hole Hiking Experience. “We need to be visitors to the landscape.”

To develop a comprehensive guide explaining what that entails, we tapped Shill, as well as Monica Robinson, a naturalist guide with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris, to give us the lowdown on everything you need to know before visiting Grand Teton National Park.

To read more, go here.

Gallup Lions Club Rodeo Tonight

Today's the day that I will be heading to Red Rock Park for this year's Gallup Lions Club Rodeo.

This is essentially the kick-off to our area's rodeo season. It is expected to hit around 88° today. Since the rodeo will be held in the evening, it should cool down a bit by then.

Above, bull-riding at last year's Gallup Lions Club Rodeo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Gas Prices Expected To Fall and Stay Low

Above, filling up at the Jamestown Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Gasoline prices in New Mexico are dropping and are expected to stay low through summer. At least that's what the AAA is saying.

According to the Rio Rancho Observer:

Commuters and vacationers can breathe a sigh of relief at the gas pump knowing gas prices appear to be dropping as the summer travel season kicks in, according to a report from AAA.

“New Mexicans are paying less for gasoline so far this summer when compared to last year,” Daniel Armbruster, AAA New Mexico spokesman, said in a news release. “Supply builds of crude oil and gasoline are helping to keep retail fuel prices in check as many hit the road for summer vacations.”

Although oil supplies are the main catalyst for price drops, there are other reasons pump prices are slowly creeping down.

AAA spokesman Andrew Gross told the Associated Press that demand for gas is declining. “Traditionally — pre-pandemic — after Memorial Day, demand would start to pick up in the summertime. And we just don’t see it anymore.”

The rise in popularity of electric vehicles and other fuel-efficient vehicles is also credited as a reason for declining demand.

The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in New Mexico on Thursday was $3.20, 4 cents less than a week before and 23 cents less than on June 13, 2023, according to AAA. 

To read more, go here. 

Cash Game Win

It looks like I am a winner of $3,000 from this promo game from a Kia dealer.

 

I will give them a call tomorrow. Hopefully, it isn't a scam.

SCOTUS Overturns Bump Stock Ban

Above, the U.S. Supreme Court Building. Photo by Joe Ravi.

Some good news has come from the U.S. Supreme Court.

The ban on bump stocks has been overturned.

The Daily Caller reported:

The Supreme Court tossed a Trump administration-era ban on bump stocks Friday.

In a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court held that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) exceeded its authority when it issued a rule classifying firearms equipped with bump stocks as machine guns. The case, Garland v. Cargill, challenged the ban enacted following the 2017 Las Vegas concert mass shooting, which it implemented by interpreting a federal law restricting the transfer or possession of machine guns to include bump stocks.

To read more, go here. 

Rainy Morning

Above, the deck this morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, I was going to water the trees, but the good Lord decided to send over another monsoon storm, so I won't have to.

About an hour ago, I heard heavy rain hitting the roof. I took a look and, sure enough, we were getting some good rain. It is currently sprinkling. 

The Lions Club Rodeo will be held this weekend. It looks like we'll have a hot Saturday.

According to the National Weather service, the weekend looks like this:

 Today

Showers likely before noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between noon and 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south after midnight.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 90. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.

Sunday Night

Clear, with a low around 54.

Finding A Cool Campsite

Above, on the runway of Rice Army Airfield. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last month, I attended a four-chapter clampout (campout) in the Mojave Desert of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus. We were camped on the former concrete runway of Rice Army Airfield.

With that in mind, one of the things I made it a point of doing is having the refrigerator side of the RV facing away from the sun. This I did.

Finding a cool campsite is the topic of an article in RV Travel. Nanci Dixon provides some tips on how to do so.

She begins with:

Whew! It seems that the last several campgrounds my husband and I have stayed at have been closer to solar ovens than cool, shady campsites. It has been so blistering hot under the sun that we haven’t even bothered taking the chairs out.

If you think there’s no way to get cool in hot weather, think again. I’ll show you a quick, easy way to make sure your RV stays cool at the next campsite.

To read more, go here.

61 Years of "Donovan's Reef"

Above, Lee Marvin, Elizabeth Allen and John Wayne in Donovan's Reef.

Yesterday, the official John Wayne Facebook page posted the following:

Today marks the 61st Anniversary of the release of Donovan's Reef (1963).​​​​​​​​​

“Yeah, well, frangipani and flamethrowers donʼt seem to go together, but thatʼs the way it was.” —John Wayne Michael Patrick “Guns” Donovan in Donovan’s Reef

This is the final film in which John Wayne appeared under the direction of John Ford. Duke worked on 22 films with John Ford over the course of his career. Duke began in the props department herding geese on the set of John Ford's film Mother Machree (1927).

It is hard to believe that 61 years have passed since June 12, 1963. My parents took two friends and I to see King Kong vs. Godzilla at the Balboa Theater in the Vermont and Manchester area of Los Angeles. It was the co-feature with Donovan's Reef, which played first. 

Fortunately, we weren't bored with it and found it enjoyable. I think this may have been the first John Wayne movie I saw theatrically. I was nine years old at the time. 

"Godzilla Minus One" Ending Explained

Above, Godzilla Minus One. Photo by Toho Co., Ltd.

Hardcore Godzilla fans have no trouble understanding the ending of Godzilla Minus One. But there are those who may need a little help.

Fortunately, Entertainment Weekly has posted an article explaining the ending.

They begin it with:

No one expected Godzilla Minus One to stomp on everyone's soul.

Not to be confused with Legendary Pictures' kaiju rock 'em, sock 'em Monsterverse series, Toho's Oscar-winning — gosh, it always feels good to say that — creature feature starring everyone's city-destroying giant lizard tells a riveting, post-World War II tale about redemption, grief, PTSD, and found family.

To read more, go here. 

How To Spend A Weekend In Tokyo

Above, Sensoji Temple is a short walk from the Nakamise Street shopping arcades. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Summer is fast approaching and people may be considering a trip to Japan for their summer vacation. The dollar is doing great against the Japanese yen, which makes a trip more affordable.

Granted, summer is not the greatest time to visit Japan. It get very hot and humid. But if that doesn't bother you, AFAR has some ideas on what to see in Tokyo in four days.

They begin with:

Tokyo, the world’s largest metropolis with 37.4 million people, presents a dynamic contrast of historical and contemporary. I offer market tours here and many of my clients say how much they love the city. It’s hard not to love. People are polite. The streets are clean. The cuisine is outstanding, from high-end sushi shops to a simple egg salad sando at the convenience store. My tip: Have a rough itinerary but allow time to wander and explore the quiet side streets.

It’s best seen on foot. Paul McInnes, editor in chief and creative director of Voyapon, a site about Japan and Japanese culture, says of the city: “Many people don’t realize that Tokyo is very much a walkable city. One of the best books about this very subject is Laura Elkin’s fantastic Flâneuse, which focuses on exploring various cities, including Tokyo. You really get to know more about how Tokyo works and you find various nooks and crannies that you hadn’t realized existed. So, invest in some comfortable walking shoes and explore this great modern city.” (McInnes himself captures the details on Japan in his psychogeography writings of walking through Tokyo and Kyoto.) Here’s how to best spend four days in Tokyo.

To read more, go here. 

Mark James, Writer of "Suspicious Minds", Dies At 83

Mark James, who penned "Suspicious Minds" that Elvis Presley made into his last number one hit, has died. He was 83.

Best Classic Bands reported:

Mark James, who wrote such memorable songs as “Suspicious Minds,” a #1 single for Elvis Presley in 1969 and “Hooked on a Feeling,” a top 5 single for B.J. Thomas that same year—and later a #1 smash for the Swedish rock group, Blue Swede—died June 8, 2024, at age 83. His death, in Nashville, was reported by the Houston Chronicle [story is behind a paywall] today (June 11). James also co-wrote with two others “Always on My Mind,” which was first recorded in 1972 by Brenda Lee. A decade later, the song was recorded by Willie Nelson and became a #1 country hit. Its popularity was so significant that it earned its writers the Grammy Award for Song of the Year.  

To read more, go here.

Nella Domenici Releases New Campaign Ad

New Mexico U.S. Senate candidate Nella Domenici has released a new ad.

Description:

June 11, 2024: Nella Domenici releases new TV ad in her 2024 campaign to represent New Mexico in the United States Senate, titled "Trailblazer."

Dr. Phil Interviews President Trump

 

The Lincoln County War

Above, the statue of John Chisum in Roswell, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer

Back in 1970, Batjac Productions produced the movie, Chisum, starring John Wayne, Forrest Tucker, Bruce Cabot and Ben Johnson. Chisum was a fictionalized account of the Lincoln County War in New Mexico Territory. It was released by Warner Bros.

John Chisum was a big cattle rancher in Lincoln County. He was a part of one faction and L. J. Murphy was with another faction. 

While the movie was entertaining (and factually inaccurate), it condensed the Lincoln County War into either a few days or weeks. Whereas, the wars lasted from 1878 to 1881. Also involved was William "Billy the Kid" Bonney.

Murphy actually died of cancer instead of falling onto steer horns during a fist fight with Chisum as portrayed in Chisum.

According to Wikipedia:

The Lincoln County War was an Old West conflict between rival factions which began in 1878 in Lincoln County, New Mexico Territory, the predecessor of the state of New Mexico, and continued until 1881. The feud became famous because of the participation of William H. Bonney ("Billy the Kid"). Other notable participants included Sheriff William J. Brady, cattle rancher John Chisum, lawyer and businessmen Alexander McSween, James Dolan and Lawrence Murphy.

The conflict began between two factions competing for profits from dry goods and cattle interests in the county. The older, established faction was dominated by James Dolan, who operated a dry goods monopoly through a general store referred to locally as "The House". English-born John Tunstall and his business partner Alexander McSween opened a competing store in 1876, with backing from established cattleman John Chisum. The two sides gathered lawmen, businessmen, Tunstall's ranch hands, and criminal gangs to their assistance. The Dolan faction was allied with Lincoln County Sheriff Brady and aided by the Jesse Evans Gang. The Tunstall-McSween faction organized their own posse of armed men, known as the Lincoln County Regulators, and had their own lawmen consisting of town constable Richard M. Brewer and Deputy US Marshal Robert A. Widenmann.

The conflict was marked by revenge killings, starting with the murder of Tunstall by members of the Evans Gang. In revenge for this, the Regulators killed Sheriff Brady and others in a series of incidents. Further killings continued unabated for several months, climaxing in the battle of Lincoln, a five-day gunfight and siege that resulted in the death of McSween and the scattering of the Regulators. Pat Garrett was named County Sheriff in 1880, and he hunted down Billy the Kid, killing two other former Regulators in the process.

The war was fictionalized by several Hollywood movies, including The Left Handed Gun in 1958, John Wayne’s Chisum in 1970, Sam Peckinpah’s Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid in 1973 and Young Guns in 1988. Ron Hansen’s novel The Kid (2016) is also inspired by the Lincoln County War.

Above, Pat Garrett.

Pat Garrett later became known as the man who shot Billy the Kid. 

From HistoryNet:

A soft-spoken and modest man, Garrett abhorred such encounters. “I sometimes wish that I had missed fire, and that the Kid had got his work in on me,” he lamented to a friend.

Garrett’s feat of single-handedly killing one of the West’s most notorious outlaws had been a double-edged sword. It had given him instant celebrity, a cash bonanza via a reward and donations from grateful citizens, and entrée to prominent politicians and businessmen. But the dead outlaw’s growing legend also haunted Garrett. Kid sympathizers branded Garrett a coward for shooting down Billy in the dark and claimed the Kid was unarmed to boot. And in Garrett’s later years, many viewed him as a violence-prone relic from an unseemly past.

Pat Garrett deserved better. The man had his flaws, but he was a sure enough hero when New Mexico needed one, and he rates in retrospect as one of the West’s greatest lawmen.

Although Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett weren't friends, they did gamble together and the Kid called Garrett "Big Casino" and Garrett called the Kid "Little Casino". At least Chisum got that right. 

The Left Is In Calculated Hysteria

"Don't worry hon. Unlike Trump hating Democrats and some RINOs- most Americans of good will don't want to see our justice system perverted, to lock away political opponents" - Bo Snerdley responding to Rachel Maddow.

Funny, it was they who spoke about putting MAGA supporters into "re-educational camps".

They are scared that Donald Trump will win. They are in calculated hysteria.

Collin Rugg:

NEW: FBI agents who raided President Trump’s home in 2022 were instructed to prepare to use "deadly force" while executing the search warrant.

Meanwhile, the left is whining that *Trump* is going to try to get his political enemies killed if he wins.

The Mar-a-Lago raid was personally signed off by Attorney General Merrick Garland.

According to newly unsealed court documents, agents were allowed to "use deadly force only when necessary."

The FBI brought a medic and paramedic with them on the raid and listed a nearby trauma center in case of an emergency.

The documents in question were revealed through discovery in the criminal case and were placed on the docket on May 21.

Insane.

Liberal/Leftists are going hysterical stating that they will be jailed if Donald Trump wins or will "end democracy" (this is a representative republic, not a democracy). 

Gee, weren't they the ones who weaponized the Dept. of Justice? They are projecting on Trump what they have been doing. Gaslighting at its worst.

Calculated and planned hysteria.

Hunter Guilty

 

RV Sales Continue To Decline

Above, at the Springfield (MO) KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was inevitable. RVs of all types were selling like hotcakes during the months of the COVID pandemic.

When the pandemic was over, RV sales dropped. Does this mean that finding open campsites is not easier?

RV Travel has posted the sales numbers of all types of RVs in April.

They begin with:

If RV retail sales are any indicator, there could be more campsites available this summer. The April statistics are in, and RV retail sales continue to sour across the board.

Registrations of new RVs for April (the most recent statistics available) show a drop of 9.8% compared to April of 2023. Market watcher Statistical Surveys Inc. didn’t paint a bright picture for most segments of the RV manufacturing industry—with one surprising exception.

To read the full article, go here. 

45 Years Since John Wayne's Passing

Today marks 45 years since the passing of John Wayne from cancer in 1979. 

Today also marks 45 years since I began as an insurance adjuster at United Pacific/Reliance Insurance Cos.

Below is a painting of John Wayne as Ethan Edwards in The Searchers (1956) by Robert McGinnis. He painted it in 1980.

I read that it hangs at Goulding's Lodge near Monument Valley. I had been to Goulding's Lodge two years ago, but I did not see it. I'll have to keep a lookout for it the next time I go there.

Cheeseburgers In Paradise

Even through it was about 80° outside yesterday, it was cloudy out with a chance of rain. None never came. It is supposed to be warmer today, about 86°.

Taking advantage of a little cooler temperature, I decided to barbecue some cheeseburgers. 

 

Do You Collect National Park Mementos?

Above, yours truly at a gift shop at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park/

Do you collect national park mementos from each park you visit?

That is the question in an article and poll posted at RV Travel.

I have a few things from some national parks such as a throw blanket from Yellowstone National Park and a wood napkin holder from Zion National Park. I tend to go for things that are useful whenever I do.

RV Travel begins with:

Wow! That was my reaction when I stumbled upon the National Parks online collectibles store. I had no idea there were so many different ways to remember our visits to the various National Parks throughout our country.

Available memorabilia

The collectibles range from figurines to drinking mugs and everything in between. You’ll find medallions, patches, pins, and decals. Trek on over to the NPS posters page and you’ll discover posters, playing cards, and even NPS jigsaw puzzles! Many posters and prints are great for framing and many other items make terrific gifts.

 To read more, go here.

Tricks For Beating The Heat While RVing

Above, camped at Lake Havasu where temperatures reach over 110° frequently. Photo by Armand Vaquer,

The first day of summer will arrive June 20. 

With it, warmer (and hotter) temperatures will also be upon us. For RVers, keeping the rig cool during hot days is essential.

RV Travel has posted some tips on keeping recreational vehicles cooler on hot days.

They begin with:

The temperatures are already on the rise and that means the annual battle against the heat is gearing up. We all can use some tips and tricks to beat the heat while RVing. Follow these tips and stay cool this summer. 

To read what they are, to here.