Summer 2024 Travel

Above, at Billy the Kid's grave in Fort Sumner in June.

Now that summer 2024 is over and done with, I can now look forward to the next few weeks of autumn and then winter. We tend to get early snows in autumn.

At least I made some good travel use out of the summer months.

In June, I headed to Fort Sumner to see the Billy the Kid Museum and gravesite. This was a camping trip in the motorhome. It was educational as well as fun.

Above, Jessica Tseang and I at G-FEST in July near Chicago.

In July, I headed to the Chicago area (by plane) for G-FEST, the annual Godzilla/kaiju convention by Daikaiju Enterprises. It was enjoyable and I got to see some friends for the first time since 2019.

In August, the cruise to the Bahamas was made with Norwegian Cruise Lines. I went with a friend I've known since junior high. We made several stops including Freeport, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay. We jet skied at Great Stirrup Cay. I even managed to win $60 in roulette in the cruise ship's casino.  

Above, Mitch Geriminsky and I in Nassau, Bahamas in August.

A camping trip to Ridgway, Colorado for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation Grit Series marathons and Monument Valley, Utah closed out the summer. The Autumn Equinox arrived during the trip. I did some horseback riding in Monument Valley. That was the first horseback ride I took since 1974. That was fun. 

Above, horseback riding in Monument Valley in September.

Autumn travel, so far, will be for a clampout in Arizona with the Lost Dutchman Chapter of E Clampus Vitus. Beyond that, I have no plans for autumn travel. But one never knows what may come up on the spur-of-the-moment.

National Review: Kamala Harris Is An Enemy of the 2nd Amendment

The funny thing about old videos, they seem to pop up at the most inopportune times.

Kamala Harris's record of being anti-Second Amendment is at odds with her campaign statements since her debate with former President Donald Trump. She's trying to lie her way out of her anti-gun record. But those old videos keep popping up.

But she's not fooling anybody. In a nutshell, she cannot be trusted.

She has caught the attention of the National Review. They describe her as an enemy of the Second Amendment in a new article.

It begins with:

They say that once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, and three times is a pattern. If so, Kamala Harris’s three attempts to impose draconian gun-control measures on the citizenry of these United States ought to terrify the voting public. Thrice now, Harris has made plays against the Second Amendment that have no parallel in this country’s history. Were she to be elected, the chances of a fourth would be unacceptably high.

On the stump, Harris likes to scoff that she has no interest in “taking away your guns.” But this belated assurance is belied by every piece of evidence in her record.

To read the full article, go here. 

Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.

To start off the week, we have French folk group Lilly Wood & The Prick with their hit, "Prayer In C". The song originally surfaced in their 2010 album, Invincible Friends. After German DJ and record producer Robin Schulz remixed the song, the remixed song was re-released in June 2014. I heard it mainly at KROQ-FM in Los Angeles that year. It reached no. 23 on U.S. charts.

From Wikipedia:

Lilly Wood and the Prick (also known simply as Lilly Wood and LILLYWOOD) is a French folk pop duo composed of Nili Hadida and Benjamin Cotto. Nili was born in Israel. They are best known for their single "Prayer in C”, which gained popularity after being remixed by German DJ Robin Schulz.

The duo was formed in 2006 when they met in a Parisian café and decided to collaborate on writing songs together.

Below, here are two videos of "Prayer In C". First, is the Robin Schulz remix and, second, a live version from 2015 in Arras, France. 

60th Anniversary of Japan's Bullet Train

Above, the first Shinkansen train I rode in 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Introduced just a few days before the 1964 Tokyo Olympic games, Japan's Shinkansen (bullet train) was introduced into service with the Tokaido Line between Tokyo and Osaka.

This year marks 60 years since that event and bullet trains serve passengers with more lines around the country. The country will celebrate this milestone this coming Tuesday.

Above, a Shinkansen's car interior. Photo by Armand Vaquer. 

I have been on several bullet trains over the years including the aforementioned Tokaido Line and routes to Sendai, Fukuoka and Sendai. The ride is so smooth that its speed is not noticeable until the train passes one going the opposite direction and the air cushion between them hits.

Above, a Shinkansen arrives at Atami Station in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

.Here's a video from British Pathé:

 

Here's a video from the Film Archive of Japan:

 

Travel + Leisure: Nassau Cruise Port Guide

Above, Nassau Port after arrival. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's something I could have used during the cruise to the Bahamas last month. A guide to the Nassau. But they only posted it yesterday.

It is interesting seeing the Nassauport area as shown above. The article has an almost identical view but there are some obvious changes. Theirs is an older photo.

Travel + Leisure posted a port guide to Nassau, Bahamas. Some of the suggestions posted we managed to do, such as visiting Fort Fincastle and the vendor shops near it. We did so in pouring rain, but we still managed to buy a few things.

Above, Fort Fincastle in Nassau. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The guide begins with:

The Bahamas is renowned for its history and beautiful beaches, making it a beloved vacation destination. Its capital city, Nassau, boasts one of the world’s busiest cruise ports, with millions of visitors annually. The Nassau Cruise Port, also known as Prince George Wharf, hosts Caribbean cruise itineraries from dozens of lines, from Carnival and Royal Caribbean to Holland America, Celebrity, and more.

If you’re stopping soon at this bustling port of call, consider this your guide. We tapped several cruise experts to share their top tips on getting around the destination, along with the best things to see and do when in port, including the top excursions, beaches, restaurants, attractions, and more.

To read the guide, go here. 

Who Owns Jeep?

Above, my 1952 Willys Jeep M38A1 in Six Mile Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, I was perusing around the Internet on what news, if any, has surfaced concerning Jeep.

I stumbled on an article posted by TopSpeed with the title, "Who Owns Jeep?" Curious, I took a look and found it interesting.

It begins with:

Answering the question of who owns the Jeep brand should be pretty straightforward, and in a way, it is: Stellantis is the current owner. However, who Stellantis is and how Jeep came under the auto group's umbrella is a complex tale with more twists and turns than an M. Night Shyamalan movie. Well, one of his good movies, anyway. Jeep vehicles have always been popular, but for whatever reason, the brand has been sold over and over again, with 10 different companies owning it.

Starting out as a humble general-purpose military vehicle during WWII, the Jeep really hasn't changed that much from a design perspective. A 2024 Jeep Wrangler is not radically different from a 1945 Willys-Overland CJ, and that's because the utilitarian design is both exceptionally cool and timeless. The Jeep brand branched out into other segments with SUVs, crossovers, and trucks, but the CJ/Wrangler is the star that has carried the automaker for over 80 years.

In its journey from soldier to 4x4 superstar, the Jeep has shared the road with the AMC Pacer, Dodge Viper, Mercedes-Benz SL500, Fiat 500, and Maserati MC20. Since the history of Jeep ownership is a bit like a thriller, this story has some darkness as well. Every company that has acquired the Jeep brand eventually faced financial difficulties, leading some to speculate about the "Jeep Curse." The reality is, Jeep keeps changing hands because it is a dynamite brand that is often copied, but never equaled.

To read the full article, go here. 

Last Evening's Jeep Drive

Last evening, I decided to take a drive around our subdivision. First, I headed down to the Flying J to fill up the Jeep's gas tank. With my Good Sam discount, I paid $2.989/gallon.

I drove up the hill on Birch Road. On the way back down, about a block away from Whispering Cedars Road, I saw a buck deer cross the road.

I has been a while since I last saw a buck. I see does frequently. Although we have elk here, I have not seen one yet since I moved here. One of these days.

After he crossed the road, I stopped and took this photo:

 

Speaking of Blimps...

Above, Spirit of America in Carson, California in 2012. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Speaking of blimps (i.e., the Sao Paulo blimp crash), I paid a visit to the Carson, California Goodyear blimp airship operations field back in 2012. There, the Goodyear blimp Spirit of America was moored. 

I took a few pictures of it.

Above, another view of the Spirit of America in 2012. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Spirit of American was replaced by its sister ship, Spirit of Innovation in 2015. This was the interim period before the new semi-rigid generation of Goodyear blimps were put into service.

According to GoodyearBlimp.com:

Carson, CA, July 26, 2015 – Goodyear Airship Operations is retiring its Los Angeles-based Goodyear blimp "Spirit of America." The GZ-20A model airship will be decommissioned in mid-August 2015. The blimp will be replaced in the Los Angeles market by its twin ship "Spirit of Innovation" in late September 2015. The transition is taking place as Goodyear celebrates 90 years of lighter-than-air publicity and introduces a new fleet of high-tech, next generation NT Zeppelin model airships.

Goodyear invites the community to get a final up-close look at the blimp during a retirement celebration, which will be held on Friday, August 7 and Saturday, August 8 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. The event will be free to the public. RSVP at http://goodyearblimp.eventbrite.com.

"Spirit of America" has continued to provide aerial coverage to a series of final events in July including the ESPYS, Crossfit Games and Special Olympics World Games LA 2015 Opening Ceremony. Its final months have involved a 29-day West Coast Tour from Los Angeles to Olympia, Washington for the U.S. Open in June; an honorary flight with NFL Arizona Cardinals 2015 draft pick Gerald Christian for Irrelevant Week on July 9; and an exclusive ground tour for more than 110 Special Olympics World Games athletes representing five countries at the Carson blimp base on July 23. 

"Spirit of America"

Christened on Sept. 5, 2002

Retiring August 10, 2015

Above, a zoom shot of the Spirit of America gondola. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before moving to New Mexico in 2018, I did get some photos of the new Wingfoot Two in Carson.

Here's one:

During my 2015 trip to Japan, I did see a blimp in Tokyo:

Above, an advertising blimp (MetLife) near Asakusa, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Sao Paulo, Brazil Blimp Crash

I have a friend in L.A. who is a blimp fanatic. He's not going to like this!

 

Rear-View Mirror Problem

Yesterday, I went into Gallup to meet with my banker and go for lunch at Jerry's Cafe.

Afterwards, I stopped at the Flying J to check my mailbox for any mail. When I got back into the car and went to back out of the parking space, I found that my rear-view mirror in the Mustang was not on the windshield, but sitting on the center console. The glue that held it onto the windshield glass wore out and it fell off.

After getting home, I went to try to re-stick it onto the windshield. With some acetone, I cleaned off the remnants of the glue off the windshield and mirror post. First, I tried some Gorilla Glue that I had. That didn't work. Then I tied some Gorilla Glue glue tape I also had. That didn't work either.

I then called my mechanic and he said that a special adhesive glue is needed for rear-view mirrors for mounting on glass and he recommended an auto glass shop in town. I called them and they said they could take care of it today.

So, it looks like I'll have to go back into Gallup today.

UPDATE (09/28/24):

The mirror was re-attached onto the windshield at Auto Glass & Construction in Gallup. They were recommended by my mechanic. They re-attached it at no charge, just a handshake is all they asked for.

The Most Affordable U.S. Airlines

Above, Delta Airlines came in at number 10 as an affordable airline. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This year, I took six flights on U.S. airlines. 

The first was a round-trip to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport to attend G-FEST. The flights were non-stop flights. The second was a round-trip, which included two connecting flights, to Miami for the cruise last month to the Bahamas, bringing the total of six. The Chicago flights were with American Airlines and the Miami flights were with Delta Airlines.

According to a study by AirAdvisor, those airlines are far from the cheapest. American came in at number 8 and Delta came in at number 10.

The average cost for each round-trip was $400.

One may ask, What are the most affordable (and most expensive) U.S. airlines?

Travel + Leisure has posted an article answering just that question.

They begin it with:

Frontier Airlines is the cheapest carrier in the United States, despite its history of upselling customers for things like bags and seat selection.

The ranking is courtesy of a new study from airline compensation company AirAdvisor shared with Travel + Leisure, which looked at total passenger revenue per seat mile for the top 10 airlines in the U.S. When it comes to Frontier, the airline was more than $0.01 per mile cheaper than the next cheapest airline, fellow low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines.

“Frontier Airlines is often referred to as an ultra-low-cost carrier, and this certainly rings true based on our research,” AirAdvisor wrote in the study. “US airlines don’t get any cheaper than this as a whole.”

 To read more, go here.

Experts: The Best Time To Visit Japan

Above, Senso-ji temple and pagoda in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Just about any time is the best time to visit Japan. Well, "just about" means any time with the exception of the summer season when it gets brutally hot an humid there. Summer is also typhoon season there as well

For those wondering when is the best time to visit the Land of the Rising Sun, Forbes has posted an article on just this topic with expert advice.

They begin it with:

In Japan, fall foliage stretches late into the year, as gingko and maple trees pop with color well into December. Powderhounds flock to ski resorts like Honshu and Hokkaido in the winter months for bucket list ski trips, complete with deep powder and snow that’s light and dry and referred to as “Japow.” Then, spring brings the famous cherry blossom displays to the country.

With all the natural beauty and attractions, it’s no surprise that it can be hard for first-time visitors and repeat travelers to narrow down the best time to visit Japan.

Ahead, experts who specialize in Japanese travel share their advice on the best time of the year to visit Japan and also reveal the times of year you should avoid visiting Japan. 

To read more, go here. 

Silver Over $32.00/toz

For those who have invested in silver (like I have) to diversify their investment portfolios, the spot price of silver should bring them a big smile.

I just checked the COMEX silver spot price and it is over $32.00/toz.

How long this trend will continue is anyone's guess but the spot price seems more realistic since silver has industrial uses. It is the old law of supply and demand at work. 

Here's the latest from COMEX:

 

Biden: Delegated "Everything" To Kamala Harris

 

According to Matzav:

During an appearance on ‘The View’ on Wednesday, President Joe Biden proudly stated delegated “everything” to Vice President Kamala Harris throughout his time as commander-in-chief to Vice President Kamala Harris, including foreign policy and domestic policy.

These remarks, made while campaigning for Harris, may cause a problem for the Harris campaign, as some have suggested Harris is attempting to downplay her connections to President Biden and his administration.

No wonder things have gone to hell.

To read the full article, go here. 

Monument Valley KOA Journey Review

Above, the row I was camped in at Monument Valley KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, I posted my review of Monument Valley KOA Journey at RV Life Campgrounds. This is a site that travelers can post reviews of campground and RV parks around the country.

Already, my review received a vote on it being helpful. I received an email from them this morning.

My review included this:

I stayed two nights at the KOA. I usually stay at another campground near Monument Valley, but I decided to try the KOA out as it is fairly new. The roads are easy to navigate but still could be wider. The sites are a little close to each other. The staff was friendly and helpful. Tours to Monument Valley are available as are horseback rides (which I did and enjoyed it). We camped at Monument Valley KOA Journey in a Motorhome.

To read all of the reviews of the Monument Valley KOA Journey, go here. 

50 Years Between Horseback Rides

Above, during Monday's ride.

The horseback ride on Monday in Monument Valley was only the second time in my life doing so. The first time was 50 years ago on Catalina Island when I was at the ripe old age of 20. 

A friend said on Facebook I should opt for the horseback ride instead of taking the sunrise tour of Monument Valley again. He said I should do it while I still can. (Ask me 10 years from now if I am still able to do so when I'm 80.)

The horse I was given was a mare name Eva, a palomino. She turned out to be easy to control. I was able to direct her whenever she got off the trail or when she stopped to munch on some plants. It helped watching a lot of westerns for tips on controlling horses. 

It was a 90-minute ride from the KOA Kampground that covered around 3-4 miles. 

Post-Travel Cleaning Today

Above, the motorhome at the Monument Valley KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today's the day for some post-travel work.

I've already started the laundry and will start cleaning the motorhome (The Beast) and doing some minor repair to a drawer. Once that's all done, it will be put into the GOCO Beast Barn until the Lost Dutchman chapter's clampout in October. 

Overall, the RV performed just fine during the trip.  

Gulf Oil Left Shiprock, New Mexico

Above, the Gulf station in Shiprock, New Mexico four years ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Four years ago, a friend and I were heading back to Jamestown, New Mexico after a camping vacation trip to Durango, Colorado and Mesa Verde National Park.

Along the way we drove through Shiprock, New Mexico and noticed a Gulf gasoline station. It had been decades since we've seen a Gulf station as they left the California (where I used to live) market. I took some pictures of it.

Yesterday, I took the same route while on my way home. I needed gasoline for the motorhome and I was thinking about going to the Gulf station in Shiprock. I didn't see it.

I stopped at a McDonalds in town for a snack and asked one of the workers which way was is the Gulf station. He said they are no longer there and the station has changed to a Shamrock gasoline station. 

As all gas stations in Shiprock were selling gas for around $3.359/gallon, I ended up getting gas at a Marathon gas station. 

Good thing I took some photos of the Gulf station four years ago since it is now history.

A Stop At Four Corners Monument

Above, the Four Corners Monument. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The trip is now over and I am back home.

I took a different route from Monument Valley. It was a bit longer, but it allowed me to stop at Four Corners Monument and then directly to Gallup, New Mexico so I could pick up my meds at the pharmacy.

Above, the approach to Four Corners Monument. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Four Corners Monument (I guess it is called "National Monument" in some places) but it appears to be run by the Navajo tribe. It cost $8.00 per person for admission.

The monument is a lot more elaborate than it was when I went there back in the 1980s. The last time I was there was in 1985.

Above, the monument. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The monument is surrounded on all sides by vendor stalls. The vendors are Navajo tribal members selling jewelry, t-shirts, artworks and other things. 

Above, vendor stalls at left and background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The monument marks the sport where four state corners meet: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. I heard that the monument's location is not accurate. 

According to Wikipedia:

Misplacement controversy

Since the early 20th century, controversies have arisen regarding the accuracy of the monument's placement. After the initial surveys, it was found that the borders did not always follow the lines of meridian and parallel (as had been intended) due to the primitive surveying technology available at the time. This discrepancy left the four states asking if the correct borders were the exact lines of meridian and parallel (and if new, more accurate, surveys needed to be done), or if the markers placed during the initial surveys were now the actual border.

New Mexico sued Colorado in 1919, and when the Supreme Court in 1925 ruled that the markers placed during the initial surveys were the actual borders, even if the markers were off in some locations (this includes the Four Corners Monument), the issue was resolved. Today's legal description of these border lines is based on the original markers, and not the written description of the borders created when the territories were formed. Because of this, the borders between these states are not perfectly straight and often zigzag.

One example is the border between Colorado and Utah, where in one area the border jogs west about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from where it was intended to be placed by the written description (i.e. the 32nd meridian west from Washington – 38°16′34″N 109°03′38″W). Because of the Supreme Court decision, the border set out by the markers remains the border between the two states.

This issue resurfaced briefly in 2009 with U.S. media reports that the monument was placed 2.5 miles (4.0 km) west of its intended location. This was soon found to be the result of a mistaken assumption: that the Prime Meridian, used in the United States since 1912, was used. In actuality, the 19th century surveys used the previous Washington meridian. A spokesperson for the U.S. National Geodetic Survey (USNGS) has stated that the USNGS has determined that the modern monument is located roughly 1,800 feet (550 m) east of where the Four Corners marker had originally been intended to be located by the US Congress in 1863. The spokesperson, however, reiterated that the 1875 survey was accepted by all states and therefore its markers, including the Four Corners Monument, are legally binding. Similar statements were issued by the Navajo Nation, defending their work in maintaining and promoting the monument.

Above, a plaque at the Four Corners Monument. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I guess that settled the matter.  

If anyone has in mind to scatter cremated remains at this or at other Tribal Park land, there is a sign at the monument calling cremation a "malicious desecration" in Navajo cultural belief. You've been warned!

Above, the sign forbidding scattering cremains on tribal lands. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today's Horseback Ride

For the first time in 50 years, I did some horseback riding with a Navajo guide.

The ride on a mare named Eva lasted an hour and a half. The ride departed from the Monument Valley KOA. 

Before today, the last time I rode a horse was in July 1974 on Catalina Island. 

This was a pleasant ride and Lewis, the guide, pointed out various rock formations.

Some photos from the ride:

Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.

"To start the week, we have Innocence Mission and their song "Bright As Yellow" from 1995. It peaked at #33 on Billboard Modern Rock Tracks.

From Wikipedia: 

The Innocence Mission (sometimes stylized as the innocence mission) is an American indie folk band formed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1986. The band's current members are Karen Peris (née McCullough), her husband (and fellow guitarist) Don Peris, and Mike Bitts (on bass guitar). Although all members have contributed to the composition of the band's music, Karen Peris is the main writer.

 

Made It To Monument Valley

Above, yours truly relaxing at the Monument Valley KOA.

This morning, I left Ouray, Colorado and headed to Monument Valley in Utah.

I took a route for the first time that took me west of Ridgway to the Utah border. From there, I headed south to the Monument Valley area.

It was a nice drive that took me along rivers and, when I got to Indian Country, past some touristy attractions at Bluff, Utah. They reminded me of Chief Yellowhorse's establishment at the Arizona-New Mexico border, but much newer and in much better shape.

I am staying at the Monument Valley KOA this time. It is a relatively new KOA Kampground and I wanted to give it a try. It is more wide open than Goulding's Lodge Campground and there are rock formations around the campground to see.

Tomorrow, I will be taking a 90-minute horseback ride. It has been 50 years since I last rode a horse (that was on Catalina Island). 

For dinner, I am barbecuing hot dogs. I am using the campsite's fire pit instead of my Weber barbecue.

Naturally, I took some photos of the campround and its surroundings. 

Above, the view from my campsite towards the office (left). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the campsite from the back. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a view from the campsite. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, one of the buttes from the campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the campground playground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, another view from the campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, my row from the laundry room building. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, getting the charcoals ready in the firepit. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Beast. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a view from Forest Gump Hill. Photo by Armand Vaquer.