Tucker Carlson Interviews Tulsi Gabbard

 Great interview! Pass this on!

Smoke From Arizona Fires

When I headed out to Denny's for our coffee/breakfast gathering this morning, I smelled and saw smoke in the air. Obviously, it was a fire, but I didn't know where.

The map below indicates that the smoke was from fires in Arizona. The smoke stretches from fires below Flagstaff towards Gallup, New Mexico, including our area. 

The smoke has subsided a bit or the winds shifted a bit since around 11:00.

Source: The Wildland Fire Interagency Geospatial Service

Norwegian Cruise Line Ships Ranked By Size

Above, the Norwegian Sky, is at far left next to bigger behemoths. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Taking a cruise is not my favorite means of vacationing. But I have taken three cruises (uh, so far). The most recent was last month to the Bahamas. (My favorite means of vacationing is camping in my motorhome.)

The ship we were on for the Bahamas cruise, Norwegian Sky, is not one of the biggest ships in Norwegian Cruise Line's fleet. However, it is the preferred size for me. Its capacity is 2,004. I would not like to take a cruise on one of the new behemoths (4,000 capacity), especially since the pandemic.

The Points Guy has posted a list of Norwegian's cruise ships from the biggest to the smallest. Norwegian Sky is at number 18 on the list.

They begin with:

Are you looking for the most megaresort-like, activity-packed Norwegian Cruise Line ships at sea? If so, you'll want to get on one of the biggest Norwegian Cruise Line ships.

The biggest Norwegian Cruise Line ships are, almost by definition, the Norwegian Cruise Line ships with the most "stuff" — the most pools, waterslides and other deck-top attractions (even go-kart tracks), as well as the most onboard restaurants, bars and showrooms. They have the biggest spas and casinos among vessels in the Norwegian fleet and the most cabins and suites — as well as the most variation in suite and cabin types.

With room for 4,000 or more passengers, the biggest Norwegian Cruise Line ships are also among the most massive resorts you'll find at sea from any cruise line. They're comparable to some of the biggest resorts on land, too. If you're in the "bigger is better" camp when it comes to a resort experience, these are the Norwegian Cruise Line ships for you.

Still, Norwegian Cruise Line doesn't just operate giant vessels. The world's fourth-biggest cruise line also has quite a few relatively small cruise ships that carry just 2,000 or so people and provide a more intimate feel. In some cases, these vessels are just half the size of Norwegian Cruise Line's biggest ships. These are vessels that, notably, have fewer deck-top activities and interior venues than the biggest Norwegian cruise ships.

The smallest Norwegian Cruise Line ships are best for vacationers who like a less crowded, more intimate resort experience,

To ensure you end up on the right Norwegian Cruise Line ship for you, it pays to understand which Norwegian Cruise Line ships are the biggest and which are the smallest before booking.

Here, every Norwegian Cruise Line ship currently in operation is ranked from biggest to smallest.

To see the list, go here. 

Harris Gun Ownership: Nobody's Buying It

Comrade Kamala Harris raised eyebrows when she said that she and Gov. Tim Walz are gun owners.

The debate didn't have much about the Second Amendment, but the comment was sparked by her recent flip-flops on "assault weapons mandatory buy-backs".

According to the Buckeye Firearms Association, nobody is buying it.

They wrote:

Near the end of the debate, Davis asked, “You wanted mandatory buybacks for assault weapons. Now your campaign says you don’t,” Davis said before asking Harris why so many of her policy positions had changed, according to The Reload.

Vice President Harris didn’t address the question and was only forced to respond later to a criticism by former President Donald Trump warning voters that if elected, the vice president would have “a plan to confiscate everyone’s gun.” She jumped in with a comment that caught viewers’ attention.

“And then this business about taking everyone’s guns away, Tim Walz and I are both gun owners,” Vice President Harris stated. “We’re not taking anyone’s guns away. So stop with the continuous lying about this stuff.”

The vice president’s remark about being a gun owner drew attention. She practically never mentions being a gun owner in all her calls for more gun control and the only reference before is a glancing mention in a 2019 CNN interview. Not surprisingly, Second Amendment supporters were skeptical of her statement.

“So now Harris owns a gun? Ha, I’d love to know what kind/caliber and how often she trains with it,” competitive shooter, GunsOut TV founder and CNN commentator Shermichael Singleton posted on X.

 To read more, go here.

Sierra For Trump

While watching last night's Trump rally in Las Vegas, Nevada last night and awaiting his arrival, I decided to have some fun with my cat Sierra.

I got out a 2020 Trump campaign button and put it on her and took some photos. They are in reference to alleged pet-eating migrants in Springfield, Ohio that have raised havoc in the town.

Here's one of the photos I took:

By the way, it's Caturday today!

Trump's Las Vegas Rally

Above, the Las Vegas rally last night before Trump's arrival. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Last night, I went to bed a bit later than usual as I watched the Trump rally from Las Vegas, Nevada.

Nevada is a battleground state and is important as to the outcome of this election.

Friends Mitch & Holly Geriminsky and Dwight & Sandie Kuntz attended the rally at the World Market Center. I was able to watch the rally on Live Now On Fox.  

Trump was scheduled to arrive at 7:00 PM, but was 40 minutes late. I was in text contact with Mitch and Holly and was able to tell them when Trump's plane landed.

Above, Donald Trump addresses the Las Vegas rally. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Many speakers spoke before Trump's arrival, including former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to recounted being put on a terror watch list by the FBI after an appearance on the Laura Ingraham Show. She said a FBI whistleblower exposed this and he ended up getting fired and doxxed. The Biden-Harris Administration are using the FBI as their personal Gestapo secret police against political opponents. This will only get worse if Harris wins in November. 

Speaking of tyranny, Gabbard said last night that this is an election of "freedom versus tyranny."

The rally looked like a lot of fun.

By the way, the latest Rasmussen poll has Trump up 6% over Harris.

The John Wayne 2nd Amendment Collection

The John Wayne Stock & Supply Co. is introducing their Second Amendment Collection on Wednesday, September 18.

According to their website:

At John Wayne Stock & Supply, we’re not just continuing a name—we’re preserving a legacy.

Led by the Wayne family, our mission is to ensure that the values the Duke stood for remain alive and well in the 21st century. This isn’t just about honoring the past; it’s about protecting the principles that shaped our nation and ensuring they’re carried forward for generations to come.

The Second Amendment isn’t just a right—it’s a responsibility. It’s about more than owning a gun; it’s about the power to protect your home, your family, and your freedom. It’s a reminder that in this country, the power remains where it belongs—with the people. That’s what our 2nd Amendment Collection is all about. Every piece, from our rugged tees to our classic Zippo lighters, is designed to keep the spirit of the Second Amendment alive.

John Wayne understood the weight of responsibility that comes with freedom. He portrayed men who lived by a code, who stood tall in the face of adversity, and who knew that some things were worth fighting for. Off-screen, John Wayne lived those values himself, and they’re the same values that drive our work today.

This collection isn’t just about the past—it’s about the future. It’s about ensuring that the freedoms this country was built on are still here for the next generation. When you wear our gear, you’re not just showing respect for the Duke—you’re standing up for a legacy that’s as relevant today as it was in his time.

If you believe in the values John Wayne stood for, if you’re committed to defending the freedoms that make this country great, then this collection is for you. Wear it with pride, knowing that you’re not just honoring a legacy—you’re carrying it forward.

America has always needed protecting. It still does. And it’s up to us to keep those freedoms strong.

 

To read more, go here. 

 

Team Trump Internal Memo On Debate

 This is interesting:

Osaka World Expo 2025

Above, the time capsule from World Expo '70 at Osaka Castle.

Osaka is getting geared up for next year's World Expo.

The city last hosted the World Expo in 1970. During G-TOUR in 2004, we saw a time capsule from the 1970 World Expo on the grounds of Osaka Castle (image above). Will it be opened during next year's World Expo?

According to AP News:

OSAKA, Japan (AP) — Visitors to Tokyo and Kyoto might not realize it, but Osaka — one of Japan’s biggest and oldest cities, known more as a business hub than a tourist destination -- is gearing up to host next year’s World Exposition.

The city has been plastered with the Expo’s red-and-blue “Myaku-Myaku” mascot for months and is abuzz with preparations. For many here, the excitement is mixed with nostalgia for the last World Expo hosted by Japan, back in 1970.

There are doubters, especially outside Osaka. Construction costs are turning out to be exponentially higher than expected. Preparations have been marred by political and business infighting. And many Japanese, jaded after Tokyo’s difficult experience hosting the Olympics during the COVID pandemic, question whether the idea of a World Expo is still relevant.

Many retain vivid memories of the 1970 Expo. They remember schoolchildren attending multiple times, particularly those from the Osaka area. There were long lines to see the moon rocks on view at the U.S. pavilion; prototypes of electric cars; displays featuring the first ethernet cables (LAN); and the introduction of Western foods like yogurt and baguettes.

To read more, go here.

A Little Trek To Lupton, Arizona

Above, Tee Pee Trading Post yesterday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, I headed over to the Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona (40 miles away) to pick up some stogies. Lupton is at the New Mexico-Arizona border.

Since gasoline is at $3.049/gallon (with my Good Sam discount, I only paid $2.989.gallon at Flying J), it was a good time to go to Lupton.

I am waiting on an order of Olivas and it seems to be delayed, hence the trek. I was able to get $25 discounted from the total at Tee Pee Trading Post as I am a member of their discount program. 

After this, I headed into Gallup for an early dinner at Genaro's. I got the chile rellenos plate. I was able to finish the first one and part of the second one (the chile peppers they use are big, almost twice the size of the ones at Jerry's Cafe). I will finish the second relleno this morning for breakfast. 

Above, yesterday's chile rellenos at Genaro's. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I noticed a work crew working on the railroad tracks as the site of April's train derailment on the way to Gallup.

I did stop at the market for a few things before heading back home. All in all, it was an enjoyable little ride.

Now Over 6 Million Views!

This little ol' hobby blog of mine has reached and surpassed the six million page views mark.

I didn't catch this until a few minutes ago. It seemed like it was only recently it hit five million page views. Actually, it was in January that it hit five million.

Accordingly, the header has been updated:

1964 Kennedy Special Strike Half Dollar

Above, two 1964 Kennedy half dollars. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One can be just a casual coin collector and still could possibly have a valuable coin tucked away in a sock drawer.

There is a coin that may seem common but is actually rare and quite valuable.

That would be a Special Strike Kennedy half dollar minted in 1964.

Before we get to that, here's a little history of the Kennedy half dollar from Tododisca:

The United States Mint first minted the Kennedy half dollar in 1964, a few months after the assassination of popular President John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

The Kennedy half dollar replaced the Benjamin Franklin half dollar and was made of 90% silver and 10% copper.

However, this metal composition changed from 1965 to 1970, when the Mint struck coins with a core containing 79% copper and an outer layer containing 80% silver and 20% copper. The change in metal was due to the shortage of copper at the time.

Beginning in 1971, all half dollars were minted with a core of 75% silver and 25% copper, with a pure copper core.

The design of the coin has not changed since its first mintage in 1964. The obverse shows a portrait of President Kennedy facing left, and the reverse shows a heraldic eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and a bundle of arrows in the other, symbolizing independence.

There is a variant of the 1964 Kennedy half dollar worth thousands that people could possibly have in their sock drawers. 

According to Tododisca:

The most famous variant of the Kennedy dollar is the hair accent coin minted in 1964. Kennedy’s hair appeared sharply outlined on the early coins, but the president’s widow, Jacqueline Kennedy, did not like the design, so the Mint had to soften the hair. The Mint made the necessary changes, but a limited number of proof coins had already been struck.

The 1964 Kennedy Special Strike half dollar stands out as the rarest errorless coin in its series. Its distinctive characteristics set it apart from other coins minted during that year.

A Special Strike 1964 half dollar can be identified by its smooth finish, distinctive obverse and intricate reverse design details. In addition, the edges are remarkably crisp and well-defined.

Typically, these unique coins are free of contact marks, meaning they were minted and meticulously maintained to maintain their distinctive character. Unlike proof coins, the specially minted Kennedy half dollar features a matte finish, where the only visible imperfections are the die polish lines.

To read the full article, go here. 

Getting The RV Road Trip Ready

Above, October camping at Goulding's Lodge Campground near Monument Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The fall season is almost here and this means that some of us with RVs can hit the roads and avoid summer crowds.

There are a few things to do to get one's rig ready to roll.

RV Life has posted an article with that in mind.

They begin with:

The summer adventure season is coming to a close. But, fear not: Fall awaits! There’s no better time to unleash your inner nomad and take off on what could well be the greatest RV road trip ever. However, having RV issues can really suck when you’re in the middle of a great adventure. That’s why it’s always essential to make sure your RV is well maintained and ready for action before you hit the road.

A little preparation will go a long way toward reducing RV problems when you’re on the road. Whether you have a travel trailer, a fifth-wheel, or a motorhome, this comprehensive guide is designed to help ensure your travels are carefree and fun.

To read more, go here. 

Eric Swalwell's Meltdown Over Photo

This is funny.

Rep. Eric Swalwell had a bit of a meltdown during a congressional hearing over a AI photo of former President Donald Trump with a duck and a cat.

According to the Western Journal:

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California appeared to lose it at a Congressional hearing Tuesday over a comical image of former President Donald Trump protecting a cat and a duck.

The GOP House Judiciary Committee shared the computer-generated image on social media platform X with the caption, “Protect our ducks and kittens in Ohio.”

The picture is in reference to an unsubstantiated account from a Springfield, Ohio, resident given at a recent city commission meeting that Haitian migrants are killing and eating ducks from public parks.

Here's the photo:

 

Swalwell is known for his affair with Chinese spy Fang Fang.

To read more, go here.

By the way, here's a story of Haitians with captured geese in Ohio.

Biden Dons Trump Hat In Shanksville

Above, Biden wearing the Trump hat in Shanksville. X @TrumpWarRoom

During the debate, former President Donald Trump said that Joe Biden "hates" Kamala Harris. I think he was joking, but the following makes one wonder.

While at the Shanksville, Pennsylvania memorial ceremonies, Biden donned a MAGA Trump hat. This set social media ablaze.

From Newsweek:

President Joe Biden briefly donned a red "Trump 2024" hat during a visit to a Shanksville, Pennsylvania fire station, in what the White House described as a gesture of unity on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

"At the Shanksville Fire Station, @POTUS spoke about the country's bipartisan unity after 9/11 and said we needed to get back to that," White House senior deputy press secretary Andrew Bates posted on social media.

Bates said Biden gave a hat to a Trump supporter in the crowd as a friendly gesture. The supporter then asked Biden to put on a Trump cap in the name of bipartisanship, and the president went along, briefly wearing the red hat.

To read more, go here. 

CNN Instant Poll: Trump Gained Voters

The above is astonishing, not that I doubt the numbers, but the source is from CNN of all places.

What I have been reading is that Kamala Harris was not believable and her answers were too vague. Some even likened her to being a "con artist." 

No wonder Harris wants another debate with Trump. The former president likened this to a boxer who lost a match wanting a rematch. 

A Little Something From CSPAN

 Here's a little something from CSPAN:

Patriot Day

 

From Wikipedia:

In the United States, Patriot Day occurs on September 11 of each year in memory of the people killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

 

RPNM Statement on Second Presidential Debate

ALBUQUERQUE, SEPTEMBER 10—The second presidential debate of 2024 was held tonight in Philadelphia, PA, albeit with a different Democratic candidate than the first debate. This debate was the first time former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have met face to face. The questions addressed their stances on the economy, abortion, immigration, foreign policy and healthcare but at times seemed to devolve into questions focused around President Trump. The issues that are most pressing to New Mexicans are the economy, immigration, and crime. "Tonight, New Mexicans wanted to know which candidate is going to make their groceries cheaper, their border secure, and their communities safe," said Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman Steve Pearce. "Both sides executed their points pretty well, but it’s going to come down to will voters believe the utopia Kamala Harris is selling them or what they see. Times are very tough right now and they are about to get tougher. I'm talking to people every day, restaurant owners, and small businesses that may have to close because they can't afford the rent anymore. New Mexico now has the highest poverty rate in the nation, so inflation impacts our citizens more than in any other state. “Trump is in a stronger position through his policies to stabilize the economy, get wages up, and get costs down. On the other hand, Harris avoided addressing important questions about the economy and dodged the critical question of why Americans feel they are worse off than before the past three and a half years of her administration. “The underlying question for Harris is why isn’t she already doing the things she is proposing, but, as usual, she did not give voters an answer. “President Trump spoke directly to New Mexicans who know their neighborhoods have become unsafe and to our border communities who feel abandoned, those whom Harris seemed to laugh about. Harris could not explain why her administration opened the border to this crisis on their day one. “Trump made it clear that he would protect New Mexico's oil and gas industry, which accounts for thousands of jobs and almost 50% of our state's budget. Harris had a more confusing stance. She twisted herself into a pretzel trying to explain how she supports fracking despite previously saying she wants to ban it, while also saying that her values have not changed. “President Trump has remained consistent in his policies, and he knows them well. What you get is what you see with Trump. Tonight, we saw a very rehearsed Harris who could repeat talking points but couldn't go beyond when pressed about her past record. New Mexico is in play this year and races up and the ballot will be very competitive. If New Mexicans want to see relief in the core issues they care about—such as inflation, crime, and the border—the clear choice is the Republican ticket."

Tonight's 3 Against 1 Gang-up

Well, the debate (or three against one gang-up) is now history. I can easily see the bias against former President Donald Trump by the ABC "moderators". 

Oddly, the CNN moderators did a far better job during the Trump-Biden debate. And, Harris's body language was a big giveaway when Trump scored K.O. punches. Oh, yes, the cackle made it in tonight.

Here's some reactions screen-shot during the debate:

Meta's Ongoing Election Interference

 A few minutes ago, I spotted this interesting post by Judicial Watch over at X:

.@TomFitton: @Meta is censoring Kamala Harris's support for the communist Marxist confiscation of private property, specifically the patents owned by Americans. They're pretending it needs context. It doesn't. Despite apologies for prior election interference, Zuckerberg's Meta… pic.twitter.com/2TiRa9ssa1

— Judicial Watch ⚖️ (@JudicialWatch) September 9, 2024

UPDATE: By the way, Facebook removed this post from my page. As Gomer Pyle would say, "Surprise, surprise, surprise!"

Thank you, Meta and Facebook, you've just proved my point!

 

Kamala Harris Website Has An Issues Page, But...

Anyone wondering where Kamala Harris stands on the issues, her website finally has an Issues page. 

But, as Bret Baier pointed out over at X:

The challenge for the Harris campaign trying to be the ‘change agent’…“they finally added an “Issues” section to her website. It includes a slew of policies that the campaign has previously outlined, as well as sections on reproductive and civil rights. Unfortunately for Harris, its release was undermined by a simple but telling error: The page’s source code revealed that parts of the platform were copied directly from Biden’s campaign page.”

It is glaringly more obvious that her campaign is inept. 

REMINDER: The debate between Trump and Harris is tonight.

Pirates of the Bahamas

Above, one gift shop in Freeport, Bahamas had this statue on display. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I was roaming around shops in Freeport, Bahamas, I saw a couple of pirate/skeleton figures in two shops. This got me curious. Were pirates in the Bahamas?

According to Pirates of Nassau, there were pirates in the Bahamas back in the 17th and 18th Centuries.

They wrote:

The Golden Age of Piracy lasted for thirty years from 1690 to 1720 and Nassau was at its heart. The era of piracy in the Bahamas began in 1696 when the privateer Henry Every brought his ship the Fancy loaded with loot from plundering Indian Empire trade ships into Nassau harbour. Henry Every bribed the Governor of The Bahamas Nicholas Trott with gold, silver and with the Fancy itself which was still loaded with 50 tons of elephant tusks and 100 barrels of gunpowder. This established Nassau as a base where pirates could operate safely, although various governors regularly made a show of suppressing piracy.

The pirates became increasingly powerful and the era of true pirate control occurred when a combined Franco-Spanish fleet attacked Nassau in 1703 and again in 1706. The island was effectively abandoned by many of its settlers and left without any English government presence. Nassau was then taken over by English privateers who became completely lawless pirates over time. The Bahamas were well-suited as a base of operations for pirates as its waters were too shallow for a large man-of-war but deep enough for the fast, shallow draft vessels favoured by pirates. From their snug harbour in Nassau they could employ their hit and run tactics to full effect and they devastated the merchant shipping that plied the trade routes just a short sail away. The pirates essentially established their own “Republic” with its own “governors” and their plundered booty forming the basis of a thriving community that attracted rogues, merchants and wild women from far and wide. It was said that when pirates slept, they did not dream of going to heaven but instead of returning to their favourite port of Nassau on New Providence Island. 

Above, another Freeport shop had this pirate skeleton on display. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

10 Best Regional Foods In The U.S.

Above, New Mexico's red and green chile cuisine made the list at number 3. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's one for you foodies out there!

RV Travel has posted a list of the ten best regional foods in the United States. New Mexico's red and green chiles have made the list, as well they should.

They begin it with:

In the video below, the Geography King shares his top 10 picks of the best regional foods in the U.S. Almost every region of the country has a signature dish that defines that area of the country from a culinary perspective.

After traveling the country extensively, these are our host’s personal subjective favorites, listed in reverse order. He also puts in the disclaimer that he has not been to Maine. Trust me when I say that I have, and Maine lobsters and lobster rolls definitely need to be added to this list. In fact, in my opinion, they could be swapped out for the king’s #1 pick (which is a big yuck in my book).

To see what they are and view the video, go here. 

Montana Man Videos Blinking UFO

Above, video seemingly shows a blinking craft streaking across the sky.

It looks like the state of Montana has attracted the attention of extra-terrestrials.

A blinking UFO was seen and videoed by a Montana man on Friday. The Daily Mail has posted an article on it along with the video.

They wrote:

A man in small-town Montana has captured footage of an Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) and shared the shocking video that made his wife 'cry' on Reddit.

The video was recorded on Friday between 10:10 and 10:15 pm, and showed what appears to be a blinking craft streaking across the clear night sky.

Said to have been spinning and adorned with a series of rotating lights, the apparent object flew over tiny Choteau, home to a population of just over 1,700 people.

The videos, along with the original poster's in-depth account of the sighting, reveals how the man and his wife first mistook the unknown object for a meteor. 

It comes after Montana was singled out as a hotspot for UFO sightings, with visitors recording some of the most significant and well-documented footage.  

To read more and see the video, 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.

Ideas for these Classic Rock Music Mondays come from a variety of sources. Last week, I saw for the first time The Mule (2018) starring Clint Eastwood. In the movie, the song "More Today Than Yesterday" by the Spiral Staircase from 1969 was featured.

If memory serves, the Spiral Staircase performed at the 1969 Grad Nite at Disneyland. There was a special featuring Sam Riddle and Kam Nelson of Los Angeles's KHJ-AM and Spiral Staircase were seen performing the song. 

Spiral Staircase was active until 1982.

From Wikipedia: 

The Spiral Starecase was an American pop band, best known for its 1969 single "More Today Than Yesterday". Hailing from Sacramento, California, United States, the band was recognizable for its horns and lead singer/guitarist Pat Upton's voice.

Beginning life under the name The Fydallions, the group first formed in 1964, changing their name to Spiral Starecase several years later. In addition to Upton the band included Harvey Kaye (organ), Dick Lopes (saxophone), Bobby Raymond (bass guitar), Gene Austin (bass guitar), Vinny Parello (drums), Mark Barrett (drums), Al Sebay (electric guitar), and Mike Caschera.

Going To Monument Valley From Ridgway

Above, Monument Valley from Goulding's Lodge. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following the John Wayne Cancer Foundation marathon in Ridgway Colorado, I decided to go from there to Monument Valley Tribal Park in Utah.

I figured I would make this a mini-vacation and enjoy the sights of the tribal park. I've already made my campsite reservations.

Above, the John Wayne Cancer Foundation Grit Series in 2022. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I will be taking a different route from Ridgway to Monument Valley, so I won't have to cross the Million Dollar Highway south of Ouray, Colorado. I'll be seeing Monument Valley from a different direction. 

I have one other planned camping trip after this one. I have a clampout in October, so this will probably be it for me in 2024.

F*ck Dick Cheney!

 From actor James Woods at X:

And now, here’s the guy who waged an entire war based on utterly false information, a war that cost precious American lives and the lives of many innocent civilians:

There has been an ongoing feud between the Cheneys and Trump. I could understand if he and his daughter decided to remain neutral, but to vote for the Marxist is beyond the pale. At least former President George W. Bush announced that he's endorsing nobody.

He is indeed a RINO (Republican In Name Only) as are those of his ilk. Has been a prick and is still a prick. 

F*ck Dick Cheney.

 

Covid: It Was a ‘Test’ of Our Obedience

How and why COVID-19 ravaged the world has been on people's minds from the beginning.

Whether it spread and infected the world's population by accident or intentionally may now be answered. It appears that it may have been an "intentional test".

The Gateway Pundit posted:

They wanted to know how many people would comply with a complete re-ordering of their lives based on no science at all, just random orders, some of which bordered on absurdity.

I have long said that Covid 19 was launched by design by a small number of people in the globalist predator class for one reason and one reason only — as a beta test for the coming technocratic new world order.

Now, we’ve got the World Economic Forum coming out and all but admitting that was exactly why the Covid-19 “pandemic” had to happen.

The WEF gleefully posted the following snippet to the “My Carbon” page of its website where they make a pitch for so-called smart cities, which is just another term for 15-minute cities.

To read more, go here. 

The DOORS "Light My Fire" Parody Song

 Kamala's a BIG FAT LIAR - The DOORS "Light My Fire" Parody Song :)

Music Giant Sergio Mendes Dies At 83

Some sad news in the world of music.

Music giant Sergio Mendes of Brasil '66 has passed away at age 83. It was apparently due to long-term COVID.

The New York Post reported:

Brazilian musician Sergio Mendes has died at 83.

The cause is reportedly health challenges related to long-term Covid. 

Mendes’s family told the Guardian in a statement that he “passed away peacefully” in his Los Angeles home. 

“His wife and musical partner for the past 54 years, Gracinha Leporace Mendes, was by his side, as were his loving children,” they said. 

“Mendes last performed in November 2023 to sold out and wildly enthusiastic houses in Paris, London and Barcelona,” they added.

“For the last several months, his health had been challenged by the effects of long term COVID.”

The song, "Mas Que Nada" (1966) in the video above always brings me back to seventh grade.

To read more, go here. 

"This Little Bullet" With John Wayne

Until yesterday, I didn't know about this gun safety video, "This Little Bullet". It stars John Wayne. It was produced in 1977.

About the video:

This firearms safety video was created by the Arizona Fish and Game Commission, and stars John Wayne. If you have children you want to get started in the shooting sports, this should be a MUST WATCH video for them. It is also a good reminder to those of us who are active in the shooting sports. ENJOY. 

It is a nice little piece of history and is still relevant today.

Here's the video: 

Winchester Model 12 Shotgun Worked Great

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

Yesterday, I was able to fire several shot shells through the Winchester Model 12 shotgun I bought last year.

The shotgun is a take-down model made in 1919, making it over 105 years old. Since it is a take-down, it has to be put together and have its components in the correct configurations.

I couldn't fire it the last time I tried (back in April), so I took it to Loeffler's Guns, Etc. in Grants to see what was causing it. They showed me how to put it together and configure it. I videoed their instructions for future reference (glad I thought of doing so).

It operated just fine. I actually enjoyed shooting it along with the other shotgun I brought along yesterday, the Remington 870 Express. 

It is probably more appropriate for trap shooting than the Remington. I will give it a try the next time I go to Lake Havasu. 

I was very pleased at its performance. No wonder it is a popular shotgun.

Love The Smell of Hoppe's In The Morning...

Above, cleaning the Remington 870 Express shotgun. 

As usual, following target shooting, the time comes for cleaning and oiling the guns to keep them in good working order. It's a task I don't mind doing since I like the smell of Hoppe's No. 9 solvent.

Above, about to clean the Winchester 94. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I took care of that this morning after I took a quick jaunt to Gallup for some grocery shopping.

So now, the guns are ready for the next session of shooting.

Gasoline Prices Fall

Above, my Labor Day drive in Six Mile Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before heading into Six Mile Canyon of the Cibola National Forest on Labor Day, I filled the Jeep's gas tank at the Flying J.

The price at the pump for unleaded was $3.139/gallon. With my Good Sam discount, that was brought down to $3.080/gallon for me.

Gasoline prices have been trending down according to RV Travel.

They posted:

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 5, 2024)—After idling over the Labor Day weekend, the national average for a gallon of gas resumed its pace of daily declines by falling six cents since last week to $3.30. Key contributors are low gas demand and the plunging cost of oil, which is struggling to stay above $70 a barrel. The national average cost for L2 commercial electricity remained the same for EV drivers.

Hopefully, the prices will continue to trend down in the coming weeks when I head to Ridgway, Colorado to help out with the John Wayne Cancer Foundation's marathons.

To read more, go here. 

Shootin' Day

Above, Larry and Victor. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, Larry Lucier, Victor Gomez and I headed to the shooting area to do some target shooting. We were later joined by Roger Slape.

The day was very warm and cloudless. 

We did some plinking with rifles and pistols. I fired the Winchester Model 12 shotgun for the first time. This was after I went to Loeffler Firearms a few months ago to figure out how to operate it. It shot great. As it is a 105 year old gun, I limited the number of shells I fired to four. 

I then concentrated on my Winchester 94 and my Remington 870 Express shotgun. I used old campaign signs as shotgun targets. 

Naturally, pictures were taken and here are some of them.

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

Above, Larry trying to get his brother's spotting scope to work. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly shooting the Winchester 94. Photo by Larry Lucier.

Above, targets Larry brought. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly with the Winchester 94. Photo by Larry Lucier.

After we were done shooting, some of us headed to Denny's at the Flying J to cool off over milk shakes. Those definitely hit the spot!