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Cracker Barrel Drops Remodeling Plans

Above, the fireplace at an Albuquerque Cracker Barrel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now we can pop open the champagne bottles!

Cracker Barrel announced today that they will not be going forward with remodeling their restaurant interiors.

According to Forbes:

Cracker Barrel said Tuesday it would drop plans to remodel its restaurants to give them a brighter and more modern feel, another rollback in a whirlwind few weeks of controversy for the restaurant chain after it debuted and quickly abandoned a new logo in August.

To read more, go here. 

Forbes: The Truth About Cruise Ship Internet

Above, the Norwegian Sky at Great Stirrup Cay. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If I ever go on another cruise in the future, I am leaving my laptop computer at home.

Last summer, I brought it along for the Bahamas cruise, but I ended up not even taking it out of the suitcase. Why? Internet access aboard the cruise ship was too expensive. I limited my usage to the free access time on my phone or the public WiFi at different ports such as Freeport and Nassau. When not in use, I always put my phone on Airplane Mode to keep from being charged any money.

Forbes has posted an article on the truth about cruise ship Internet and how to get it cheaper.

They begin with:

Until recently, cruise ship internet had a reputation for being slow, patchy, and overpriced. Modern systems have improved dramatically, but the price tag has not shifted much. Mainstream cruise lines still treat connectivity as a premium add-on.

Even with Starlink and other low-orbit networks, the infrastructure costs are significant. The hardware is expensive and bandwidth must be shared among thousands of passengers and crew members. When demand peaks, such as during sea days, speeds can slow.

Most lines charge either by the day or for the duration of the cruise, with higher-tier packages including access to streaming services such as YouTube. The costs quickly add up, especially on longer sailings and on lines that charge by device.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Travel Tips For First-Time Visitors

Above, a gate at Tokyo's Asakusa Senso-ji temple. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is one of the most popular travel destinations today.

It is easy to see why. It is a first world nation and the current currency exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Japanese yen is a big draw.

Forbes has posted ten must-know Japan travel tips for first-time visitors.

They begin it with:

Japan is one of the most popular international destinations right now.

In April 2025, Japan welcomed a record-breaking 3.9 million international visitors, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). One of the most tourist friendly destinations, there is a learning curve to traveling here, and knowing how to navigate and plan accordingly will ensure a better travel experience.

From basic etiquette and can’t miss public transportation tips to planning the best time of year to visit (and knowing best time of year to avoid), here are ten essential travel tips every first time traveler needs to know to plan the best visit possible to Japan.

 To read more, go here.

Why Norwegian Cruise Line Is A Great Choice For Solo Cruise Travel

Above, the Norwegian Sky docked at Nassau, Bahamas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

All of the cruises I've taken have been with others, so I really don't know how much a solo traveler aboard a cruise ship has to pay. I've heard that cruise costs for solo travelers are very pricey.

With that said, at least once cruise line, Norwegian Cruise Line, is offering deals for solo cruise passengers. It has been long in coming.

From Forbes:

For several decades, solo cruise travelers found themselves at a financial disadvantage compared to couples and families. Cruise pricing has long been based on double occupancy, with lines traditionally setting fares to fill cabins with two or more passengers, maximizing revenue through onboard spending.

For those wanting to travel alone, this model led to significantly higher per-person costs, with solo cruisers often paying close to the price of two fares, regardless of cabin size or personal preferences.

This pricing hurdle, coupled with limited options specifically designed for solo guests, has long made solo cruising an unappealing and costly choice.

However, recent shifts in the industry are finally offering solo cruise travelers a better deal, and one line is at the forefront of the change.

To read more, go here. 

Caribbean Cruises Rise As European Cruises Out Of Favor

Above, a cruise ship docked at Freeport, Bahamas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Europe isn't much in favor these days for cruise line travelers. This is resulting in priorities by the cruise lines to shift their bookings and schedules to the Caribbean.

I can easily see why the Caribbean is a popular area to cruise at. The weather is better and the people seem nicer.

A couple of friends are currently on a 15-day cruise that will take them to the Panama Canal.

The topic of Europe cruises being out of favor is in an article in Forbes.

They begin it with:

European cruises are now out of favor, a relief for many locals who have been grappling with the issues of overcrowding and protests across Croatia, Italy, and Greece. As Bloomberg reports, cruise operators are shifting to the Caribbean, with port calls now evenly distributed between Europe and the Caribbean, a stark contrast to the situation three years ago when there were 7,000 more dockings in a European port than in a Caribbean one.

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. 

Forbes: Worst Cities For Summer Travel

Above, the Redondo Beach pier. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With the Hyatt Regency O'Hare's restaurant opening in 40 minutes, I took a look at an article from Forbes.com about the worst cities for summer travel to kill time.

Chicago is not on the list, by the way. Neither is Los Angeles. But Albuquerque, New Mexico is number four on the list.

They begin with:

Summer vacation is a time to relax and take a break, but potential complications like flight delays, cancellations or car accidents can make the experience anything but relaxing.

Some cities have plagued unsuspecting visitors with increased air travel disruptions, traffic snarls, scant amenities and sky-high hotel prices during the summer travel season.

More than half of Americans plan to take a vacation before the end of September, according to the 2024 Deloitte summer travel survey. With this in mind, Forbes Advisor set out to uncover the worst cities for summer travel.

We compared the 43 most populated cities with available data across 16 metrics spanning three key categories: city experience, air travel experience and driving experience.

To read more to see what are the worst cities for summer travel are, go here.

Surging Gas Prices

Gasoline prices have been surging upwards during the past two weeks.

Currently, a gallon of unleaded regular in the Gallup, New Mexico area is around $3.099. Luckily for me, I filled my gas tank last week at $2.779/gallon in Gallup. Thank goodness I get around 30 miles per gallon with the Mustang.

If New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signs S.B. 41 (gas tax bill) into law (if she hasn't done so already) that the Democrats passed during this year's legislative session, we could see at least fifty cents a gallon more at the pump. So, take $3.099/gallon and add fifty cents to it, New Mexico drivers would be paying $3.599/gallon.

According to Forbes:

TOPLINE The national average price for a gallon of gasoline hit a four-month high on Wednesday, and analysts expect it to keep rising as oil prices trend upward, refineries struggle with capacity and states transition to a more expensive summer fuel blend, though prices are far from where they were at their mid-2022 peak.

KEY FACTS

Drivers in the U.S. are paying roughly $3.31 for a gallon of gas on Wednesday, according to data from GasBuddy, while AAA puts the price slightly lower, at an average of $3.29.

We have a mothballed refinery here in Jamestown, New Mexico. It has been shut down since 2020. 

People in New Mexico need to contact the governor and demand that she veto S.B. 41! 

To read more, go here.

500% Spike In RV and Campground Bookings For Solar Eclipse

Above, my campsite at a Lava Hot Springs KOA during the
 2017 Great American Eclipse. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

April is not too far away. That means campsites along the path of totality of the April 8 solar eclipse are being gobbled up.

Now is the time (if one hasn't done so already) to reserve a campsite. 

Above, the solar eclipse in totality from Idaho in 2017. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I went up to Idaho for the 2017 Great American Eclipse and it was an experience nobody should miss. The photos that accompany this blog post are from that trip.

According to Forbes, there's been a 500% spike in RV and campground bookings along the path of totality.

They posted an article that begins with:

If you’re yet to plan a trip to see North America’s total solar eclipse—the longest since 1806 and the last until 2033 in Alaska—it’s time to prepare.

On Monday, April 8, the rare sight of the sun’s corona around a new moon will be visible from a 115-mile wide path stretching from Mexico to Atlantic Canada via parts of 15 U.S. states. Everyone else on the continent will see just a regular partial solar eclipse.

You must get inside that path of totality—to not do so is to misunderstand how mind-blowing a totality solar eclipse is and its rarity. The experience of plummeting temperatures, wildlife going crazy, and the sight of the sun’s spiky white corona will leave you in disbelief at what you just saw. The next total solar eclipses in the U.S. are in Alaska in 2033, Canada, Montana/South Dakota in 2044 and coast-to-coast in the U.S. and beyond in 2045.

But hotels are now hard to come by—or else costly. The answer, of course, is to camp.

Above, my motorhome during the totality of the Great American Eclipse
from a viewing area near Roberts, Idaho. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Find A Campsite For The Total Solar Eclipse—Before It’s Too Late

Above, the Great American Eclipse in totality in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in August 2016, I drove up to Roberts, Idaho to view the Great American Eclipse. I stayed at a KOA in Lava Hot Springs while there. 

At the end of the eclipse, it seemed that half of Utah's population was in Idaho as it took over four hours to drive south from Roberts back to my campsite in Lava Hot Springs due to bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Above, my campsite at a KOA Kampground in Lava Hot Springs in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This coming April, we should expect the same thing as another total solar eclipse is coming to cross the United States. Now is the time to book a campsite before it's too late.

Forbes has posted an article on just this topic.

They begin with:

If you're yet to plan a trip to experience the total solar eclipse occurring across North America on April 8, you have less than five months to make a plan—but it's not too late.

The rare sight of the sun's corona—its wispy outer atmosphere—will be visible from within a 125-mile wide path of totality stretching from the Pacific coast of northwestern Mexico to Atlantic Canada via 15 U.S. states.

Everyone else in the U.S. will see just a regular partial solar eclipse, which has caused thousands to make plans and book-up hotels, RV parks and campsites in the path.

If one has never experienced a total solar eclipse, it is well worth a trip to see it. 

To read more, go here. 

10 "Weird" Things To Know About The "Ring of Fire" Solar Eclipse

Above, the start of the 2017 Great American Eclipse. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We're only six days away from Saturday's "Ring of Fire" annular solar eclipse.

Since it is crossing directly over my home in Jamestown, New Mexico, all I have to do is step outside with my camera equipment. At least I won't have to travel anywhere to see it. I went to Roberts, Idaho to see the 2017 Great American Eclipse.

I have to remember to get my eclipse eyeglasses out of the motorhome. They are still good to use. I got them for the Great American Eclipse.

There are ten "weird" things about this eclipse that Forbes has posted. 

They start their list with:

When is the next solar eclipse? On Saturday, October 12, 2023 there will be a rare opportunity to witness a partial solar eclipse across North America—with 32 million Americans also able to glimpse a “ring of fire” for a few minutes.

Eclipse-chasers from all over the world will be traveling to Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas to see the peak of what is an annular (ring-shaped) solar eclipse, though outside of the 125 miles wide path a partial eclipse will be seen.

Here are 10 things to know about this rare celestial event taking place across the U.S. and beyond:

 To read more, go here.

Monument Valley To Be Closed During "Ring of Fire" Eclipse

Above, the West and East Mittens and Merrick Butte in Monument Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The annular solar eclipse that will take place on October 14 will cross directly over Monument Valley Tribal Park.

Unfortunately, the park will be closed for five hours that day.

Forbes reported:

Will Monument Valley be open for the “ring of fire” solar eclipse on Oct. 14? No—the iconic destination within the Navajo Nation on the Arizona-Utah border will be closed for five hours over the “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse, it has been confirmed. 

A public notice dated Friday, Sept, 15 is now displayed on the website of the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park that reads:

“Please Be Advised the Navajo Tribal Parks will be in observance of the Eclipse on October 14, 2023 in regards to cultural beliefs during the eclipse. Navajo Tribal Parks will be Closed from 8:00 am and will reopen at 1:00 pm.”

My home in Jamestown, New Mexico will be on the eclipse's path, so I don't have to drive anywhere to see it.

To read more go here. 

Washington, DC Will Pay $5.1 Million For Second Amendment Violations

Washington, D.C. is run by leftist Democrats who have no qualms about violating the Second Amendment rights of its citizens.

That has led to a federal class-action lawsuit that forces them to pay $5.1 million to people who had their rights violated.

From Forbes:

After almost a decade of litigation, Washington, D.C. will pay out $5.1 million to settle a federal class-action lawsuit that challenged the city’s unconstitutional gun control laws. Under the settlement agreement, which received preliminary approval on Monday, the six gun owners who filed the lawsuit will receive $50,000 each.

One of those named plaintiffs was Maggie Smith, a North Carolina nurse who was pulled over by the Metropolitan Police Department in June 2014. During the stop, Smith told the officers that she was carrying a pistol licensed in her home state. Police arrested Smith, seized her gun, and threw her in jail, where she spent the night. Ultimately, both the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the D.C. Attorney General dropped the charges filed against her. Before that incident, Smith didn’t have any criminal record. 

To read more, go here. 

Godzilla Spotted Approaching America For December Arrival

Godzilla will be coming to America from Japan, thanks to Toho Co., Ltd.

Godzilla will see a theatrical release in the U.S. on December 1, according to an article in Forbes.

They wrote:

The world’s favorite hundred foot tall rampaging kaiju is about to make landfall just in time for the holiday movie season, according to an announcement today from Japan’s Toho International. Godzilla Minus One, the first Japanese-produced Godzilla film since Shin Godzilla in 2016, will debut in Japan on November 3, 2023 and will get a theatrical release in the United States on December 1. It is just one part of a broader plan for Godzilla to rampage through American media and pop culture in coming months.

“Set in a post-war Japan, Godzilla Minus One will once again show us a Godzilla that is a terrifying and overwhelming force, which you already get a sense of from the teaser trailer and poster,” said Koji Ueda, President of Toho International. “The concept is that Japan, which had already been devastated by the war, faces a new threat with Godzilla, bringing the country into the ‘minus.’”

Ueda said the film, directed and written by Takashi Yamazaki, will share continuity with 2016’s Shin Godzilla, a cult favorite that ranks #4 on Rotten Tomatoes’ all-time ratings for the franchise, just below the 1954 original.

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios in Setagaya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

The Key Level That Silver Needs To Break

Above, Morgan and Peace silver dollars. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Silver has risen to over $25/toz in recent weeks. The spot price is now (at this writing) at $25.31/toz according to Kitco News.

Can it maintain this level or rise even higher? There seems to be a "key level" hurdle silver needs to break in order to climb even higher in value.

This is the topic of a Forbes article.

They begin it with:

After surging in 2020, silver has struggled to continue its price momentum. Though it is still 40% higher than it was before the pandemic started, the precious metal has meandered in directionless trading for the past few years. This trading range has created a resistance zone overhead from $26 to $30. If silver can close above that zone with healthy trading volume, that would signal that another bullish phase has likely begun.

To read more, go here. 

Eggs and Gasoline Prices

Above, Albertsons's egg department today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I heard about it, but because I haven't been needing any, I hadn't noticed or remembered to look.

The price of eggs.

I was in Albertsons market in Gallup this morning and as I was in the dairy department and finally remembered to take a look. Sure enough, eggs are over $8.00 per dozen.

Why are egg prices so high?

According to Forbes:

The median cost of a dozen eggs in the U.S. remains $4.25—over twice what it was a year ago—and while increased inflation in 2022 has contributed somewhat, the real reason egg costs remain high (as inflation otherwise eases) is an avian flu that has decimated chicken farmers, causing as many as 57 million chickens to be affected.

To read more, go here. 

That's not the only high prices I took note of today. 

Gasoline has gone back over $3.00/gallon. It was $3.299 in Gallup today. 

Forbes Interviews Jessica Tseang On Her Pop Culture Career

Above, a Godzilla panel at the 2013 Comikaze Expo at the Los Angeles
Convention Center headed by Jessica Tseang, the second I participated in.

A dozen years ago, I was contacted by Jessica Tseang with an invitation to participate in a panel discussion on Godzilla at Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles.

I accepted and met with her beforehand at a Starbucks in Studio City to talk about the panel. I found her to be very knowledgeable on Godzilla and, best of all, very easy to talk to and work with. 

Since then, I have noticed her involvement in many different conventions and her vast knowledge on comic books and pop culture in general. Her knowledge is quite impressive, to say the least.

Forbes has also taken notice of Jessica's pop culture knowledge and how she turned her interests into a career. Recently, they posted a question & answer article with Jessica.

They begin it with:

Jessica Tseang is an international comics historian and public speaker on pop culture. Tseang is currently an Eisner judge (one of the top peer-based awards in the comic book industry) for 2022 and has appeared on AMC’s Robert Kirkman’s Secret History of Comics, and Nerdist’s award-winning documentary The Impact of Black Panther. She is a moderator, panel discussion producer and PR representative for over 500 panels at pop culture and comic conventions around the world. Tseang’s work has been built on many partnerships and projects with preeminent figures in the pop culture community including launching The Haruo Nakajima Scholarship based on the original Godzilla actor and moderating panels such as the 25th anniversary of Twin Peaks and the 10th anniversary of Parks and Recreation.

Tseang’s notable pop culture convention panels include The Forgotten Trio: Colorists, Inkers, and Letterers, The 75th Anniversary of Moomin, and Native American Representation in Comics and Pop Culture with Taboo (Marvel Comics writer and member of the multi-Grammy award-winning Black Eyed Peas). Her panels have been covered by CNN, Newsweek, Los Angeles Times, New York Times and other international outlets. Tseang’s career journey has been deeply varied and she breaks down how she has build a very memorable speaking, producing and PR-based brand.

It is an interesting read, one that many can learn from.

Above, Jessica Tseang and yours truly at G-FEST XXVI in Chicago three years ago. Photo by Steve Ryfle.

To read the full article, go here.

Biden Orders 8,500 U.S. Troops For Possible Ukraine Deployment

His Fraudulency Joe Biden is getting ready for World War III.

Forbes reported:

TOPLINE Up to 8,500 U.S. troops are now under “heightened preparedness’ for a potential deployment to aid Ukraine under orders from President Joe Biden, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Monday, though he emphasized that no decision has been made on whether the troops will actually go.

To read more, go here.

Forbes: It’s A Good Time Now To Go To Cuba

Above, the El Capitolio in Havana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The following on travel to Cuba doesn't really do Americans much good since travel restrictions were re-imposed in 2019. Thankfully, I managed to cruise down to Cuba with Royal Caribbean about two months before those restrictions were re-imposed.

However, should they be lifted by the Biden Administration (so far, they haven't done a thing), the following by Forbes is of interest to potential travelers.

They begin with:

The Day-Glo colored American cars from the pre-Castro 1950’s are again rolling through the streets of Havana, restaurants and hotels have re-opened or newly appeared on the scene, the quarantine requirement ended in November and 90% of the islanders have been vaccinated against COVID (and there’s a mask mandate.)

Cuba has really had a seesaw tourism experience with the U.S. over the last few years: mostly blocked from Americans for decades until restrictions were loosened in 2015 leading to a veritable avalanche of tourists arriving on new direct flights and cruise ships. New restrictions came back during the Trump years and haven’t yet been reversed, blocking Americans from any business (among them: major hotels such as the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana) in which the government is a partner, then the pandemic flattened travel worldwide. Now, even with fits and starts travel is resuming and equipped with a well-developed medical structure that can add a level of security to travelers, Cuba is well positioned to welcome travelers back just as winter sets in. And the warmth of the weather would be matched by the warmth of the people, expressed in a palpable joy to see American travelers visit as they did in the first wave in 2015.

To read more, go here.