2024: Not Bad

Above, during the horseback ride in Monument Valley.

Well, 2024 is just about wrapped up.

The year hasn't been bad for me. For one thing, nobody in the family has passed away, which is always a good thing.

Above, during a boat tour in Nassau, Bahamas. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Thus far, it has been a mild winter. Not much snow has fallen as of late. But there's always January and February. 

I managed to do some traveling. Two clampouts were attended. A cruise to the Bahamas was taken. Helped with the John Wayne Cancer Foundation Half Marathon in Ridgway, Colorado. That was immediately followed by a trip to Monument Valley. A visit with ex-roomie Jessica in Des Moines, Iowa. That included a visit to the John Wayne Birthplace and Museum in nearby Winterset. Christmas was spent with the Geriminskys in Lake Havasu. I also visited Fort Sumner, New Mexico and toured the Billy the Kid Museum and gravesite. I attended this year's G-FEST in Rosemont, Illinois (near Chicago). It was good to see everyone there.

Above, during a Jeep drive to McGaffey Lake in May.

Happily, the 2024 Election turned out the way I wanted. We even gained some ground in the New Mexico legislature during the election. That is certainly a plus!

Above. with the gang at Grandpa's Grill in Gallup.

What 2025 holds is anyone's guess, but I am optimistic.

I plan on staying home tonight. It is safer that way. 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

2024 National Money Show In Colorado Springs

Above, the Broadmoor Resort. Photo from Broadmoor Resort website.

It looks like the 2024 National Money Show will be a lot further from home.

At the "future conventions" page of the American Numismatic Association, the following was posted:

From the looks of the Broadmoor Resort's website, it looks to be a bit swanky venue for the money show. 

It is a hair under 500 miles from home (498 miles) and at almost an 8 hour drive. It look like I'll likely drive there to either stay at an RV park or a lower-priced motel. The main "issue" would be the weather conditions. A KOA Kampground is 10 miles from the Broadmoor.

I can easily see why the American Numismatic Association (ANA) picked Colorado Springs. The ANA, the show's sponsor, is based there. They won't have far to go. The area is nestled in the Rockies, so it would be a scenic locale.

Well, we have a year to decide what to do.

Five Years Since The Great American Eclipse

Above, the Great American Eclipse in its totality. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is kind of hard to believe that five years ago today that the Great American Eclipse took place in North America.

It headed up to Roberts, Idaho to experience it first hand directly in its path and it was something to behold. 

Although the eclipse only lasted minutes, it was well worth the drive. 

I hope to experience the next one on April 8, 2024. Hopefully, we will have a group of us on hand to view it. This time, I won't have to drive as far as it can be seen in the state next to New Mexico.

2024 Eclipse Vacation Ideas

Looking over the path of the 2024 solar eclipse, I noticed that its path will cross over San Antonio and Austin, Texas. It'll also cross over Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.

Since AccuWeather says that further south during the eclipse, the weather would likely be more cooperative for eclipse viewing. After all, it will be happening in April. 

San Antonio is probably most famous for the Alamo. Since I have never been there, it would be a good place to wander around in (and see if there's a basement in the Alamo). 

Austin is the capital of Texas. As such, a visit to the state capitol building would be something to do as would be a visit to the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum. Also, west of Austin, is the LBJ Ranch.

While down in south Texas, a possible excursion to Houston could be worth a diversion. It is the home of the Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston. Since I have been a fan of the U.S. Space Program, I would likely enjoy a visit. Houston is about 165 miles east of Austin.

Well, I do have three years from now to plan a trip. These are something to consider.

NEXT TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE IN AMERICA, APRIL 8, 2024

Above, the 2017 Great American Eclipse in totality. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in August 2017, I took a trip up to Idaho to view the Great American Eclipse in my motorhome. I found myself a nice viewing spot near Roberts, Idaho off Interstate 15. It was a fun trip and I did some extra exploring with stops at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon and Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California.

The next solar eclipse is coming on April 8, 2024 and this time I won't have to travel as far to view it. 

It will be crossing the state of Texas, which is about a day and a half drive from Jamestown, New Mexico.

Here's what National Eclipse has to say about it:

The next total solar eclipse in the U.S. will occur on April 8, 2024, traveling through the country from Texas to Maine. In some ways, the 2024 eclipse promises to be even more spectacular than in 2017, crossing over or coming close to more major cities and with a maximum duration of totality that's almost two minutes longer!

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will trace a narrow path of totality across 13 U.S. states. A detailed map of each state along the path of totality can be found below. The yellow lines outline the limits of the path of totality in each state. The green middle line represents the eclipse centerline, where totality lasts the longest in each state. The grey lines show the path of totality entering and exiting each state. To experience the total phase of the eclipse in each state, you must be within the yellow lines. The closer you are to the green centerline, the longer totality will last. Areas outside the path of totality will get a partial solar eclipse only.

Above, the viewing area in Idaho in the eclipse's shadow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If anyone reading this has never experienced a solar eclipse, I urge you to find yourself a viewing spot along the eclipse's path and go view it. It is only three years away from now.

Thankfully, I still have some eclipse viewing glasses, so I won't have to buy any this time.

For more on the 2024 eclipse, go here.