Bye, Bye Denny's

About a month or so ago, a kitchen fire erupted at Denny's in the Flying J Travel Center down the hill from our community.

For a while, we wondered when the repairs would begin, but they never did.

Friend Nandoh told me a few weeks ago that Denny's lease was expiring in July but the Flying J released them early. The space that Denny's now occupies will be made into a McDonalds. 

I noticed yesterday that the Denny's signs were removed. Looks like they are removing their property from the location. 

Actually, I am not at all surprised. This Denny's didn't seem to get much business, this was especially so since they changed their menu (no Senior menu) and hiked their prices. We have been going to Lil's Cafe in Thoreau since Denny's closed.

A couple of photos:

 

Six Mile Canyon Evening Drive

Above, the Jeep at the corral. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last evening after dinner, I got tired of watching television, so I decided to take a little drive in the Jeep.

I headed over to Six Mile Canyon of the Cibola National Forest. It was still warm and there was some sunlight even though it was cloudy out. 

I first stopped at the old corral at the entrance to Six Mile Canyon and took some photos. Then I headed into the canyon. There was one other vehicle in the canyon (it was a side-by-side) but it was heading out.

So far, I haven't seen any cattle in the canyon this year, but they are probably in another section of it. 

After a drive of a few miles, I turned around so that I can head back home. 

I noticed that gasoline at the Flying J went up in price. It was $3.59 the other day for unleaded regular. It it at $3.79 today. I thought prices would be coming down now that the Iran war has ended. I guess the oil companies haven't gotten the memo.

Some photos:

 

Memorial Day Rain

Well, it did rain yesterday, which we needed. 

I ended up grilling hamburgers inside instead of barbecuing. I used one of my mom's cast iron frying pans that she had ever since I could remember. They came out good (with some original Stubb's barbecue sauce).

Since Denny's at the Flying J has been closed for two weeks due to a fire, out coffee group will be heading to Lil's Cafe in Thoreau today. I haven't seen any activity at Denny's to get it reopened yet. Wonder what's keeping them?

As for yesterday's rain, we did have some evening lightning and thunder. I guess the monsoon season is starting early this year. That would be nice. 

There may be some more rain coming today.

RV Travel: Are Love’s RV Stops Worth It?

Above, a Love's RV campsite in Oklahoma. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There are several chains of truck stops/travel centers around the country. Buc-ee's, Pilot/Flying J and Love's are ones that immediately come to mind.

Love's is making special efforts to accommodate RVers. Some have set up overnight campsites with hook-ups. I saw one of them last December while driving from Des Moines, Iowa to Orange County, California.

RV Travel has posted an article on Love's RV Stops asking if they're worth it.

They begin it with:

If you’ve been on the road lately, you may have noticed that more and more Love’s Travel Stops are putting in accommodations for us RVers. In fact, many of you weighed in on a poll saying that you have already dipped your toes in staying at a Love’s.

The company has committed to RVers with a variety of things, including offering overnight accommodations with hookups at some of the company’s 670 locations in 42 states. These accommodations range from flat pads with water and electric to full RV parks with a number of amenities, including pickleball, dog parks, and laundry facilities.

To read more, go here. 

Behind The Scenes of RV Transport

Above, two motorhomes in transit stopped at the Flying J in Jamestown, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Living a mile uphill from Interstate 40 I see many vehicles driving through. Also, there is a Flying J Travel Center down the hill from the community l live in. Every so often, I see RVs being transported with a stop at the Flying J. Usually, the RVs have Indiana paper plates on them since that's where the majority of RVs are built.

RV Travel posted an article on the "behind-the-scenes" of RV transport.

They begin it with:

Have you ever sat back and wondered how your RV got from wherever it was made to the dealership where you bought it? I thought I’d share some insights. This also translates into some reasons your poor RV didn’t arrive in one piece.

To read more, go here. 

Jeepin'

It had been over 10 days since I last drove my 1952 Jeep.

I hadn't driven it since the snows we received around January 9. After it snowed, the area was too cold out (the snow storm left the cold behind) for driving it with any degree of comfort.

As it was about 50°+ yesterday, I took it out to the Flying J to pick up some munchies and then drove it around the subdivision.

The photo below was taken when I returned home and before I put it into the garage. 

 

Another Semi Crash

 

Yesterday, I was planning to go into Gallup to pick up some groceries for home and for Thanksgiving Day. During our group's morning coffee at Denny's, we noticed that eastbound I-40 traffic was slowing and eventually stopped. 

Before we departed Denny's, I checked my phone for the traffic report and it said that the highway would be closed for two hours due to an accident in the Coolidge area. Well, as it turned out, the highway eastbound was closed a lot longer than two hours and vehicles were backed up to the McGaffey exit. The snarl stretched into the late afternoon.

I still could have gone into Gallup, as the westbound lane were clear. Getting back home is another story. So I decided to wait until today before going into Gallup. 

Later, I saw some details on the traffic snarl. 

This is from the McKinley County Sheriff:

One lane is open. Traffic is slow in the area.

I40, eastbound near the 41.5 MM (just east of Flying J), will be closed for about 2 hours. Crews are working in the area to clean up debris from a semi crash that occurred earlier. Back up starts near the 39 MM, by Flying J. Please seek an alternate route.

It never fails. Most accidents on Interstate 40 always seem to involve semi trucks.  

Old Post Office Being Dismantled

Above, the old post office at the Flying J with the post office boxes removed. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, following our group coffee at Denny's, I went over to the Flying J to buy a few things and I noticed that the old post office is already being dismantled.

Gone now are the post office boxes. There is just only a big opening in the wall where the boxes used to be.

Now, we have to travel eight miles east to Continental Divide to pick up our mail. It is a pain in the ass. It'll be worse come winter.  

Grandpa's Grill In Gallup

Since the local Denny's at the Flying J Travel Center in Jamestown, New Mexico changed their menu, our group has decided to hold our Saturday breakfast/coffee gatherings at Grandpa's Grill in Gallup instead.

Denny's eliminated the senior menu and raised their prices. 

We spend about half of what Denny's charges for breakfast meals at Grandpa's Grill. For example, the large breakfast burrito at Grandpa's Grill is only $9.50. Whereas, Denny's charges about $12 to $15 for anything roughly comparable. And, coffee is a lot cheaper at Grandpa's Grill. 

Here's the gang at Grandpa's Grill this morning:

 

New Mailing Address

As of Monday, June 2, our little post office at the Flying J is closing.

They've already starting gutting it. 

So, my new mailing address will be:

P.O. Box 416

Continental Divide, NM 87312 

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan page has been updated with the new mailing address. 

Run For The Wall Participant Killed In Lupton, Arizona

Above, 2022 Run For The Wall participants at the Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, when I went to the Flying J to get my mail, I saw bikers of the Run For the Wall motorcycle ride.

This is an annual event supporting veterans and their families.

Unfortunately, the ride had a tragic incident near Lupton, Arizona yesterday. Lupton is at the Arizona-New Mexico border and the location of Tee Pee Trading Post.

The Navajo Times reported:

A participant in the 2025 Run For The Wall motorcycle ride was involved in a fatal accident Thursday as the group made its way toward Gallup, according to a police source.

Run For The Wall, or RFTW, is a cross-country motorcycle ride held annually to honor veterans, their families, and to raise awareness of service members who are still Prisoners of War or Missing in Action. The ride begins in Ontario, California, and concludes 10 days later at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.

The accident occurred along Interstate 40, and a large portion of the RFTW riders were seen about a mile from the scene.

Above, yours truly with then-Cibola County Sheriff Tony Mace at the 2022 Run For The Wall.

To read the full story, go here. 

Meetings On Fire Prevention and the Post Office

Above, the meetings were held in the fire station conference room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, our Whispering Cedars community held two meetings down at the fire station. The first was on fire prevention and the second was on the impending closure of the community's post office at the Flying J.

On the fire portion of the meeting, we had speakers from the U.S. Forest Service, McKinley County Fire Department and on insurance. The meeting covered fire prevention measures such as brush clearance and then on evacuation. planning.

I managed to get a few Smokey Bear items:

The second meeting pertained to the planned closure of the post office and what steps we can take to keep it open. 

Afterwards, Larry Lucier, Victor Gomez and I headed to Denny's for lunch/early dinner. 

April Snow

A few minutes ago, I was about to head down to the Flying J to pick up my mail (if any) and I found that it is snowing outside. Looks like I'll have to wait a bit.

This storm was in Flagstaff, Arizona last night and now made its way here in Jamestown, New Mexico.

I snapped some photos:

Post Office Closing

Above, the post office that's closing June 1 at the Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was announced yesterday that our little post office at the Flying J will be shutting down on June 1, with the last delivery to our post office boxes will be on May 31.

This puts an end to the Jamestown zip code of 87347. 

The postmaster in Thoreau, Cassandra Tso, said that our only options are:

• Get a post office box in Continental Divide, which is eight miles to the east and its zip code is 87312.
• Have street delivery by letter carrier, if available [but it's not], to our street addresses.

So, from June 1 going forward, we will be known as being Continental Divide. 

Apparently, the contract between the Postal Service and the Flying J has terminated. I was told that this was decided by the ex-manager of Flying J.

After doing some banking in Gallup yesterday, I went to the Continental Divide Post Office and got a box and filed a Change of Address form. We'll have to drive eight miles to get our mail.

Some in our community are not happy with this and are talking about boycotting the Flying J, particularly buying gasoline. 

While I don't like the idea of going eight miles (16 miles round trip) to get my mail, it is better than having to go 25 miles to Gallup to get it. I guess this is what people have to contend with in rural communities.

Perfect Day For Homemade Chili

Above, the chili after adding the tomato sauce. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today is the perfect day to make chili.

It is cold out (currently around 40°), windy and (occasionally) some snow flurries. But there was one thing I had to do: buy some tomato sauce.

I bought everything I needed for the chili, except I forgot to get tomato sauce. I went down to the Flying J to mail my property tax and get my mail. I checked to see if they carry tomato sauce. They don't. I kind of figured they didn't, but I checked anyway.

After getting my mail, I had to fill the Mustang's gas tank. After that, I headed 15 miles east to Thoreau where the nearest market is located. I got the tomato sauce there.

Then, I had to fight gusty winds and some snow to get back home. 

I bought some extra cans of tomato sauce and tomato paste, in case I need them. 

Flying J Building EV Charging Station

The Jamestown, New Mexico Flying J Travel Center is adding an electric vehicle charging station.

The construction is almost done. Unfortunately, we lost many parking spots where they decided to put it.

Here's what it looked like yesterday:

 

Flying J Horseys

The three horses were back today at the Flying J Travel Center in Jamestown, New Mexico.

They were grazing on brush along the Interstate 40 barrier fence. They show up every so often at the Flying J. I am guessing they are from the Navajo Reservation nearby.

I managed to get this shot of them:

 

Horses At The Flying J

A couple of days ago, as I was leaving the Flying J, I saw three horses grazing. They seem to be hanging around the Flying J for the past several days. 

I suspect they may be from the Navajo reservation.

I stopped and took the photo below. 

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. 

Labor Day Weekend Gas Prices

Above, the Beast in Fort Sumner, New Mexico back in June. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I am staying home this Labor Day weekend, the following doesn't affect me that much.

Right now, gasoline prices in the Gallup, New Mexico area is around $3.15/gal. With my Good Sam discount that I use at the Flying J, I bring that price down to $3.10/gallon, which I did the other day when I filled up the Jeep's gas tank.

How is the rest of the nation faring?

According to an article in RV Travel:

AAA says Labor Day gas prices will be down. Still, they’re not dropping as fast as they have been recently. Prices dipped just two cents to $3.36 since last week. A slight uptick in gas demand may reflect the last hurrah for summer travelers. A storm system forming in the Atlantic may pose a threat to falling gas prices, as well. Meanwhile, the national average for Level 2 (L2) commercial electricity, an important number for e-vehicle drivers, did not budge.

Of course, there are always exceptions, such as California where the average price for unleaded regular now stands at $4.629 (according to AAA). I am sure glad I got the hell out of that state!

To read more, go here.