The Republican Party of New Mexico Albuquerque headquarters was firebombed yesterday morning.
Deemed a hate crime, the incident is under investigation.
Buy The Amazon Kindle Store Ebook Edition
Get the ebook edition here! (Click image.)
Monday, March 31, 2025
Good Idea!
Leave it to James Woods to come up with good ideas!
In a toilet stall maybe? https://t.co/OnqUFLgUOF
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) March 30, 2025
Winchester 94 Book On The Way
The other day, I spotted this book on the Winchester 94 (or 1894) being offered for sale at Walmart. Unfortunately, they had none available.
Instead, I did a search and spotted one at Amazon and ordered it. It has been shipped and will be arriving by Friday.
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 and note that today is the last day of March, we have the 1968 hit by Arthur Brown, "Fire".
From Wikipedia:
Arthur Wilton Brown (born 24 June 1942) is an English singer and songwriter best known for his flamboyant and theatrical performances, eclectic (and sometimes experimental) work and his powerful, wide-ranging operatic voice, in particular his high pitched banshee screams. He is also notable for his unique stage persona, featuring extreme facepaint and a burning helmet.
Brown has been the lead singer of various groups, most notably the Crazy World of Arthur Brown and Kingdom Come, followed by a varied solo career as well as associations with Hawkwind, the Who and Klaus Schulze. In the late 1960s, the Crazy World of Arthur Brown's popularity was such that the group shared bills with the Who, Jimi Hendrix, the Mothers of Invention, the Doors, Small Faces and Joe Cocker, among others.
He is best known for The Crazy World of Arthur Brown's 1968 single "Fire", reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart and Canada, and number two on the US Billboard Hot 100[6] as well as its parent album The Crazy World of Arthur Brown which reached number 2 in the UK, number 6 in Canada, and number 7 in the US. Following the success of the single "Fire", the press would often refer to Brown as "The God of Hellfire", in reference to the opening shouted line of the song, a moniker that exists to this day.
Although Brown has had limited commercial success and has never released another recording as commercially successful as "Fire", he has remained a significant influence on a wide range of musicians in numerous genres because of his operatic vocal style, wild stage persona and often experimental concepts; he is considered to be a pioneer of shock rock and progressive rock and has had an influence on both electronic and heavy metal music. In 2005 Brown won the 'Showman of the Year' award from Classic Rock magazine, receiving the award at the Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards ceremony held in London's Café de Paris.
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Winter May Not Be Done With Us
It appears that winter isn't quite done with us in New Mexico.
According to the National Weather Service, we may be getting some snow showers mixed with rain this week. The fun begins on Tuesday night, uh, maybe.
Here's the week's forecast:
Today
The Utimate Japan Travel Guide For First-Timers
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| Above, Kyoto's Kinkakuji "Golden Pavilion". Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Since 2001, I have been to Japan eight times over the years. Each time I try to go to places I haven't been to during previous trips. In 2010, I published The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.
There are those who would like to visit the Land of the Rising Sun for the first time. To help get them there, GMA Network has posted their "ultimate Japan travel guide for first-timers",
It begins with:
Traveling to Japan soon? This guide will help you plan your trip from acquiring a visa to setting your itinerary.
Now that the COVID-19 pandemic is over, everyone is making up for the lost time. People are now in their “revenge travel” era--a period when travelers are eager to explore the world after being restricted for years.
One country has emerged as one of the top destinations after the pandemic--Japan. The Japan Embassy in the Philippines has been receiving a high volume of tourist visa applications since January this year. From the usual processing time of less than a week, tourists are now advised to apply for a visa at least two months prior to their intended travel date. To address this demand, the Japan Embassy introduced a new visa application center which will start processing applications on April 7, 2025. This means other accredited agencies have until April 6 to submit directly to the embassy.
If you're planning a trip to Japan, this guide will provide a comprehensive overview of all the things you need to know from applying for a visa to budgeting and travel tips.
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| Above, Godzilla peers over a building in Tokyo's Shinjuku district. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
To read the full guide, go here.
How To Zero A Rifle With Open Sights 30-30 (Video)
Since the weather is starting to get warmer (we got our first upper 70s temperatures this week), the gang and I will be getting out to the shooting area near our subdivision soon. We've already talked about doing so.
The following video by Ron Spomer Outdoors is on the topic of sighting a Winchester 94 .30-30 rifle, which is what I have. I am posting it for my own reference, but those who stumble on this blog post who have rifles, whether it is a Winchester 94 or not, with open sights will find it useful.
I have already adjusted my rear sight on my Winchester 94 (a best guess), but I can re-adjust it out at the range.
Saturday, March 29, 2025
U.S. Military Personnel Deployed On Border In New Mexico
This is sure to not make Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham happy!
U.S. military personnel were deployed along the border in New Mexico.https://t.co/8POzsaoazn
— KOB 4 (@KOB4) March 29, 2025
New Mt. Fuji Eruption Safety Recommendations
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| Above, a bullet train (Shinkansen) view of Mount Fuji. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The last time Japan's Mount Fuji erupted was in the early 1700s.
It is still considered an active volcano, just dormant. But that's not stopping Japanese authorities from providing recommendations for public safety in case the mountain decides to erupt.
According to Travel and Tour World:
The Japanese authorities have released new recommendations urging residents to remain indoors in the event of a possible eruption from Mount Fuji. An expert panel has classified ashfall into four distinct levels of severity, advising evacuations for wooden structures experiencing more than 30 cm of ash. The guidelines stress the importance of having emergency provisions for at least seven days, avoiding the use of cars, and effectively managing ash accumulation. Public readiness and awareness are key components of the recommendations.
In light of potential volcanic threats, the Japanese government has issued updated guidelines advising residents to stay indoors if Mount Fuji erupts, causing significant ashfall across the Tokyo metropolitan area. This comes after thorough evaluations by an expert panel assembled by the government. While Mount Fuji, Japan’s tallest peak, last erupted over 300 years ago and the likelihood of another eruption is low, these new regulations aim to prepare the public for any unforeseen events.
To read more, go here.
Things To Do In Arizona
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| Above, the Bird Cage Theatre in historic Tombstone. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Since vacation season is just around the corner, Travelbinger has an article on things to do and places to see in the state of Arizona.
Some of the places posted I have been to already and each are worthy of consideration during vacation plans.
They begin with:
Arizona has long held a reputation for being the wild and equally enchanting West. Being born in Arizona and having lived there for almost 40 years, I can tell you that there are plenty of beautiful destinations that this state has to offer.
Whether immersing yourself in one of its many hiking trails is calling your name, or perhaps delving deep into some of the west’s gold rush past, I’ve handpicked 33 of the best must-see attractions Arizona has to offer.
In this article, we will cover everything from natural wonders to some of the State’s most historic landmarks. So keep reading, and get ready to start planning your next vacation! Arizona has an abundance of must-see attractions with your name on it, ready and waiting.
To read more, go here.
How fast can silver hit $50 and $3,500 for gold?
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| Above, silver Franklin half dollars. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
These are interesting times, economically.
One of the more interesting things going on currently is the rise in gold and silver spot prices. This is begging the question: How fast can silver hit $50 and $3,500 for gold?
That is the topic of an article in Kitco News.
It begins with:
Silver finally closed above $35, and the double top formed on the charts from last October and mid-March. But the question remains: Is this just another setup for disappointment, and when will it hit $50? The last time Silver hit that milestone was April 25, 2011, while Gold continues to hit new all-time highs after breaching $3,000 for the first time on March 14, 2025. Gold has everything going for it right now, with uncertainty surrounding US trade policy, US fiscal policy, geopolitics, and a global growth slowdown.
To read more, go here.
Not The Starter
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| Above, near Cibola National Forest a few days ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Well, I checked the Jeep yesterday and the problem is not the starter.
The whole vehicle has no power. No headlights, no horn, nothing. It is definitely not the battery. It is as if a circuit breaker triggered. At least I won't have to shell out $470+ for a starter.
Now, all I have to do is figure out how to get the Jeep to the mechanic's in Gallup.
Friday, March 28, 2025
2025 Gallup Rodeos
Rodeo season is almost upon us in the Gallup, New Mexico area. This is my favorite times of the year in New Mexico.
So far, these are the rodeos scheduled:
- Dates: June 12-14, 2025
- Features: Rough stock and timed events, wooly and steer riding
- Stock Contractor: Casper Baca Rodeo Company
- Youth Rodeo Start Time: 5:00 PM on Thursday, June 12th
- Open Show Rodeo Start Time: 7:00 PM on Friday, June 13th
- Morning Slack: 9:00 AM on Saturday, June 14th
- Saturday Open Show Rodeo Start Time: 7:00 PM
- Dates: June 21-24, 2025
- Location: Red Rock Park in Gallup, New Mexico
- Participants: America's top junior high and high school rodeo athletes
- Events: Eight timed events, including barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, tie-down roping, team roping, and steer wrestling
- Special Competitions: Parent-contestant team roping and ribbon roping
The Gallup Lions Club Youth and Open Show Rodeo, a historic event with rough stock and timed events, is scheduled for June 12-14, 2025, and the Best of the Best Rodeo, featuring junior and high school athletes, will be held from June 21-24, 2025.Here's a more detailed breakdown:Gallup Lions Club Youth and Open Show Rodeo:
Best of the Best Rodeo:
Jeep Starter Problem
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| Above, a few days ago at the Cibola National Forest fence road. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Yesterday, I was trying to start the Jeep to go down to the Flying J to pick up my mail.
At first, it was cranking fine, but an occasional "clunk" noise was made. Then it made the noise again and it no longer cranked. In fact, it did absolutely nothing when I turned the ignition key.
I have a strong feeling that it is the starter, or at least the starter brushes inside went bad.
I'll have to check with my mechanic to see if they can rebuild old starters. I'll have to take pictures of the starter to make sure we get the right parts, or even a replacement starter. Since the Jeep had been modified from 24 volts to 12 volts, I have to get the right parts or starter. I have a couple of vintage Willys Jeep parts suppliers to check with, one of which I recently received a new 2025 parts catalog in the mail.
I would prefer getting the starter rebuilt rather than getting another starter. Starters for this particular Jeep (1952 Willys Jeep M38A1) cost around $470.
I am going to try to get it started by either the hammer method or using a screwdriver on the solenoid today.
I'll have to figure out how to get the Jeep into Gallup as I used up all of my AAA service calls for this year, the last being a lock-out a few weeks ago with the Mustang. It doesn't renew until August. I have friends with flatbed trailers, though.
160 Years Since Lincoln Assassination
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| Above, Lincoln's Tomb in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Next month will mark 160 years since the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.
In 1982, I visited Ford's Theater and the Peterson House in Washington, D.C. I visited Lincoln's Tomb, Home, Presidential Library & Museum in Springfield, Illinois in 2016.
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| Above, the Presidential box at Ford's Theater in 1982. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Last night, I was viewing some YouTube videos of Lincoln's tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield.
Most of them were informative and they mainly covered the same ground, but one in particular made the biggest impression on me.
It was, "The Secrets of Lincoln's Tomb - A Memorial for the Ages" by Grave Explorations (above). It was an hour-long documentary on Lincoln's final years, funeral and tomb along with many other historical tidbits.
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| Above, the burial chamber of the Lincoln Tomb. He is not directly under the red marble cenotaph, he is ten feet under the floor and six feet from the north wall. His head faces the west. Photo by Armand Vaquer.. |
After a foiled attempt to steal Lincoln's body in 1876, Lincoln's coffin was encased ten feet in concrete under the floor by the orders of son Robert Lincoln. This followed the second of two renovations of the tomb.
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| Above, Lincoln's Tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
During my 2016 visit to Lincoln's Tomb, I was the only visitor there. I was able to get a personalized tour with a cemetery docent. He provided me with interesting details on the tomb.
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| Above, yours truly in front of Lincoln's Tomb in 2016. |
Visitors to Oak Ridge Cemetery can also see the receiving vault that housed Lincoln's and one son's remains after arrival from Washington.
A photo of Lincoln in his coffin was discovered in 1952 by a 14 year old Lincoln enthusiast, Ronald Rietveld, among the Nicolay-Hay Collection of Lincoln papers. The photograph was originally kept by Edwin M. Stanton, Lincoln's Secretary of War. It was the sole surviving photo of Lincoln in his coffin after others were ordered destroyed by Stanton.
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| Above, the discovered photo of Lincoln in his coffin in New York City on April 24, 1865. |
For more information on Lincoln's Tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery, go here.
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Counter The Leftist Tesla Protests
Facebook user Becca Mari posted the following so that counter-protests by patriots can be organized:
The leftist lunatics are organizing a Tesla Takedown for this coming Saturday the 29th at Tesla dealerships all across the country.
Apparently, these people are in favor of wasteful government spending of your taxpayer dollars and government corruption.
This is a call to action for all my patriot friends to show up at your local Tesla dealership and show your support for Elon Musk and DOGE.
If you are in the Albuquerque/Rio Rancho area in New Mexico, join me this Saturday from 9:30am-12noon with your signs and flags.
Here's the info I got from the lefty web site for the location near me.
Start:
Saturday, March 29, 2025
•
10:00 AM
End:
Saturday, March 29, 2025
•
12:00 PM
Location:
Tesla Bernalillo
•
4200 NM-528, Rio Rancho, NM 87144
If you live somewhere else in the country, use this link to their site to find out where you can organize your own counter-protest against these lunitics.
STAND WITH AMERICA!
Zion National Park To Ban Large Vehicles From Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway In 2026
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| Above, the east entrance into the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
One of the big attractions of Zion National Park is the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway that includes a mile-long tunnel.
The last time I drove the highway was in 2015 while heading home from Yellowstone National Park.
According to SF Gate, the tunnel has seen too many problems with large vehicles, including vehicles getting stuck and crashes.
They wrote:
Zion National Park’s Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and its historic bridges and tunnel offer the fastest route between Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon national parks. The famous tunnel was the longest of its kind in the United States when it was completed in 1930, but for the past three decades, it’s been plagued with congestion, crashes and oversized vehicles becoming stuck. Now, big changes are in store.
Beginning in mid-2026, large vehicles will be required to skirt the 11.9-mile Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and its tunnel. Matthew Fink, a spokesperson for Zion National Park, told SFGATE that the park service doesn’t have an exact date for when the change takes effect. But once it does, visitors traveling in recreational vehicles, tour buses and other oversized vehicles will be ushered toward alternate routes, extending their travel time by 10 to 45 minutes.
The National Park Service policy will be:
Vehicles exceeding 11’4” tall, 7’10” wide, 35’9” long, or 50,000 pounds cannot pass through Zion National Park’s Zion-Mount Carmel Highway safely and will be rerouted in 2026.
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| Above, the clearance of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel is 13'1". Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
My Class C motorhome is within the future limit as it is exactly 11' tall.
To read more, go here.
Judge Makes Video Showing Why Magazine Ban Ruling Was Wrong
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a California ban on high capacity gun magazines.
One judge who sits on the court, Lawrence VanDyke, posted a video on why the ruling was wrong.
According to The Truth About Guns:
Anti-gunners are making a big deal of what they called a “wildly improper“ video made by a judge on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals explaining why the court’s recent ruling in the California magazine ban case is wrong.
During the video, Judge Lawrence VanDyke said his colleagues have a “basic misunderstanding of how firearms work,” a gross understatement if there ever was one.
In the video, which can be seen here, Judge VanDyke explained how so-called “high-capacity” magazines are very common in the United States and why they should be covered as an “arm” under the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms—an opinion in direct contrast to the 9th Circuit’s 7-4 ruling on March 20 in the case Duncan v. Bonta.
Here's the video in question:
To read more, go here.
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Cowtown Feed & Livestock In Gallup
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| Above, Cowtown's store and office. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
A little while ago, I returned home from Gallup where I went to pick up my medication refills.
While in town and after getting my meds, I decided to go to Cowtown, a livestock and feed store.
I've been hearing their radio ad and decided to take a look-see since I was in town.
The proprietor was friendly and helpful. They usually have horses, cows and chickens, but I only saw horses out in their yard.
From their website:
For a feed and livestock store in Gallup, NM, come to Cowtown Feed & Livestock. We offer a wide selection of products including feed, hardware, wool and mahair, hay, medicine, and much more. We have everything you need in stock. Our staff is knowledgeable and on hand to help you find what you are looking for. For a great service in Gallup, NM, call on Cowtown Feed & Livestock.
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| Above, a view of the horse yard. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
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| Above, another view of the horse yard. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
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| Above, a couple of horses decided to get a better look at me. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Lunatic Rep. Maxine Waters Floats Deporting Melania Trump
Rep. Maxine Waters has always been a lunatic, so the following is in keeping with her past history.
The loon wants to investigate Melania Trump's immigration status.
From the Gateway Pundit:
The lunatic California Congresswoman Maxine Waters is at it again.
Addressing an anti-Trump rally in Los Angeles this weekend, Waters suggested that First Lady Melania Trump may be undocumented and eligible for deportation.
“When he [Trump] talks about birthright, and he’s going to undo the fact that the Constitution allows those who are born here, even if the parents are undocumented, they have a right to stay in America,” she complained.
”If he wants to start looking so closely to find those who were born here and their parents were undocumented, maybe he ought to first look at Melania.”
“We don’t know whether or not her parents were documented. And maybe we better just take a look,” she added.
By the way, Melania Trump is a naturalized U.S. citizen.
To read more, go here.
Why Cruise Lines Are Buying Up Private Caribbean Islands
Last summer, a friend and I took a cruise to the Bahamas. As part of the cruise, we spent a day at Great Stirrup Cay and did some jet skiing.
The cruise was with Norwegian Cruise Line. Great Stirrup Cay is a private island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line.
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| Above, the Norwegian Sky docked off Great Stirrup Cay. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Personally, I have no problem with that. We had a good time there. More cruise lines are buying up islands. If cruise lines are up front about it, I think it's okay.
But, some are voicing concerns over cruise lines owning islands and having their passengers go there to spend money.
Here's a video on the subject by The Wall Street Journal:
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Evening Drive
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| Above, on the fence line road along the fence to Six Mile Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Since it is clear out and the temperature is around 70°, I decided to take a little Jeep drive around the subdivision, get the tank filled up and take a drive along the perimeter fence road at Six Mile Canyon/Cibola National Forest.
Six Mile Canyon itself is still closed to vehicles. It will be open in about 5-6 days from now.
The Jeep caught the attention of an admirer at the Flying J gas pump. He said he was happy see "the old girl" still out on the road.
It is nice to have warmer weather here with little wind for a change.
Route 66 Casino Hotel and RV Resort
Yesterday, I went to Albuquerque for a cardiac stress test.
Since the appointment was set for 8:00 this morning, I stayed at the Route 66 RV Resort in the motorhome.
I had to fast 12 hours before the test, so I had a Laguna Burger at the hotel before the fasting period started.
After having the burger, I wandered around the hotel and took a few photos.
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| Above and below, Dracula (Bela Lugosi) lives again as a slot machine. |
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| Above, where I had dinner last night. |
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| Above, at the Route 66 RV Resort. |
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| Above, having a brew before heading into the casino for dinner. |
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| Above, a great place for steaks and prime rib. |
Monday, March 24, 2025
Cruise Passenger Dies After Fatal Jet Ski Accident
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| Above, yours truly on a jet ski at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas last summer. |
A female jet-skier was killed at a private island owned by the Carnival Corporation. She was part of a Carnival cruise to Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas.
A friend and I jet-skied last August at a similar Bahamas cay owned by Norwegian Cruise Line.
According to Cruise Blog:
According to Eyewitness News, an investigation is underway following the tragic accident that took place on March 22, 2025.
Police in Eleuthra were contacted by the island's manager shortly after 1:00pm. Once they arrived on Half Moon Cay, the officers conducted an initial investigation that revealed the British/Czechoslovakia national allegedly lost control of her jet ski and collided with a rock.
Though medical personnel were on the scene, they weren't able to revive the passenger. She was pronounced deceased by the local medical doctor.
If the jet ski she was riding was like the ones we used, it is easy to see how she lost control of it. Those are more powerful machines compared to one I rode in Lake Havasu several years ago.
To read more, go here.
RV Summer Storage
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| Above, the RV garage. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Since I live in the Southwest at about 7,000 feet in elevation, my first priority when I made the move there was to erect an RV storage garage.
This I had done during the fall months of 2018. I had to wait a few months for it to be made and delivered after ordering it in the spring.
The garage, dubbed the GOCO Beast Barn, is a steel storage shed with a roll-up and side door that only took a day to construct on one of my acres of land. It offers protection against the snows of winter and the sun during the summer.
I added a 30 amp outlet inside the garage the following year.
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| Above, the motorhome in its garage. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Do It Yourself RV posted an article on RV storage during the summer.
It starts with:
RV summer storage, huh? Hmm. It seems rather counterintuitive to store a recreational vehicle during a season typically associated with travel and outdoor adventures. However, there are plenty of financial, lifestyle, and practical reasons for doing so. Besides, it can get pretty hot in some places.
Whether it’s the unbearably swampy temperatures (or dry ones for those in the Southwest), pet and equipment concerns, health risks, off-season savings, or the snowbird lifestyle, parking the RV for the summer isn’t quite as uncommon as some think.
Summer storage brings its own challenges, such as sun damage, mold, pests, mechanical issues, and more. RV summer storage may not be as labor intensive as good winterization, but proper preparation is necessary nonetheless.
To read the full article, go here.
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