Some Lever-Actions In Jamestown

Above, Nandoh Munoz shooting his Henry .22 lever-action. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Out here in the Four Corners region of the Southwestern United States, Second Amendment gun enthusiasts dominate the population. 

In our community of Jamestown, New Mexico, most here have firearms. With that in mind, it is not a good idea to plunder residences in the community at will. It could lead to a one-way trip to the pearly gates or the nether regions.

Our group of friends occasionally break out our firearms and head over to the shooting area. It is a small area set aside for shooting in the Cibola National Forest, which abuts our community. It is accessible by a couple of dirt roads. 

Above, Larry Lucier shooting his Henry .22 lever-action. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Readers of this blog know that I am a Winchester 94 rifle fan. I bought it seven years ago. It was made in 1962 and is in .30-30 caliber, making it a pre-1964 rifle collectors seek.

I am not the only one in our group who favors a lever-action rifle. Two of my friends have Henry .22 LR rifles that are of more contemporary vintage. 

Friend Nando Munoz bought his a few years ago in Gallup. Friend Larry Lucier had his longer (at least as long as I've known him). 

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

One thing I've noticed about the Henry lever-action rifles when trying them out, they are heavier that my Winchester 94. When Nandoh tried out my Winchester, he noticed how much lighter it is. This light weight is one of many reasons deer hunters prefer it over other rifles, especially when trudging through the woods. 

Other friends like to hunt bigger game in New Mexico and favor bolt-action rifles. 

Open Campgrounds, But No Water

Above, camping at a Ridgway, Colorado RV park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Checking into a campground and finding that the water system has been shut off has not occurred in my experience. That's not to say that the possibility doesn't exist.

In the Four Corners region, we are facing drought conditions and that has led to some campgrounds to shut off their water. 

RV Travel posted an article on this topic.

They begin it with:

Campground water availability is something most RVers rarely think about until it’s gone. Most travelers assume that if a campground is accepting reservations, basic services such as water will be available when they arrive. Increasingly, that’s not always a safe assumption.

Recent reports from Colorado describe campgrounds that remain open even though water systems have been shut down because of drought conditions. In some cases, visitors are being warned to bring their own water or prepare for limited services.

While the situation is unfolding in Colorado, the lesson applies almost anywhere. Water shortages, well failures, infrastructure problems, wildfire impacts, and maintenance issues can all affect campground services, sometimes with little notice.

For RVers, that means an open campground doesn’t necessarily mean a fully functioning campground.

To read more, go here. 

Arizona Was Home To These Iconic Western Movies

Above, Monument Valley's West and East Mittens. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Living just 40 miles from the New Mexico/Arizona border on Interstate 40 has some great advantages. I can visit places in nearby states where classic westerns were filmed.

The region is best known as Four Corners, wherein four states (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah) meet up.

Over the years, the Four Corners has been home to many movie locations and sets. Monument Valley and Old Tucson come immediately to mind. I have been to both. Monument Valley straddles the Arizona/Utah border.

Above, a familiar hotel and saloon set at Old Tucson Studios. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

AZCentral posted a list of movie sets used in westerns.

They begin with:

From shootouts and saloons to barren desert landscapes and iconic red rocks, Arizona has been home to some of the most memorable scenes in Western films.

Many Old West movies, from "Stagecoach" and "Tombstone" to "The Outlaw," were filmed at locations you can still visit today. Stars from John Wayne and Kurt Russel to Elizabeth Taylor and Frank Sinatra have also graced the Grand Canyon State filming locations.

While some of the sets have been adapted for tourists, other stops remain exactly the same.

So are you in the mood for a walk down memory lane? Here are Western film sets you can visit in Arizona.

To read more, go here. 

12 Incredible Outdoor Adventures In the American Southwest

Above, the "Three Sisters" in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that I've lived in the Southwest for seven years, I appreciate the diversity of the region. There's plenty of places to see and things to do.

OutdoorHub has posted a list of 12 "incredible outdoor adventures in the American Southwest." Of the 12, I've done three of them.

They begin with:

America’s Southwest region displays stark contrasts in nature and unforgettable beauty waiting to be explored. Whether you are an ardent climber, hiker, camper, or just a soul longing for solitude in the wild, the Southwest region offers a perfect outdoor paradise for memorable adventures. This article will show you 12 incredible outdoor adventures to experience in the American Southwest Region.

To see what they are, go here. 

Ultimate Guide To Monument Valley

Above, Monument Valley's West Mitten. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Being a resident of the northwestern sector of New Mexico, it affords me easy access to places in and around the Four Corners of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado. 

Above, John Ford Point. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One place that's an easy three-hour (or so) drive from home is Monument Valley Tribal Park. I have been there four times, two of which has been within the past three years.

For those who may be wondering about where to go for a spring or summer vacation, Monument Valley should be placed high on the list. There are hotels and campgrounds for extended stays. I have stayed at two area campgrounds: Goulding's Lodge Campground and Monument Valley KOA.

Above, my RV at Goulding's Lodge Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Mygrandcanyonpark.com has posted an "ultimate guide" to visiting Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. 

It begins with:

Monument Valley Tribal Park, an iconic landscape of breathtaking beauty, has for centuries stood as a testament to the Navajo Nation’s culture, traditions and connection to the earth.

It is a place where nature’s wonders take center stage. The sandstone buttes, in hues ranging from warm oranges to deep reds, create a surreal and otherworldly landscape. Whether you plan to embark on a guided tour, traverse the scenic drives, or venture on foot to embrace the solitude of this ethereal landscape, Monument Valley Tribal Park promises an unforgettable experience.

Find this park in the very rural southeastern portion of Utah. It’s located just north of the Utah-Arizona border, off Hwy. 163, between Kayenta, Arizona and Mexican Hat, Utah. You’ll definitely want to add this park to your agenda if you’re visiting the Grand Canyon, or Utah’s eastern parks like Arches and Canyonlands. Just past the border, turn east onto Monument Valley Road, which takes you towards the visitors center and into the park.

Above, Ear of the Wind arch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more about Monument Valley, go here. 

Monument Valley Visitor's Guide

Above, sunrise with the Mittens and Merrick Butte. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Where I live in Northwestern New Mexico provides me with easy access to scenic and historic places in the Four Corners region of the U.S.

One such place is Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park that straddles the Utah and Arizona border. I have been to Monument Valley several times, twice since I moved to New Mexico. I have taken two guided tours of Monument Valley, most recently a sunrise tour from Goulding's Lodge. Last September, I did some horseback riding from the Monument Valley KOA.

Above, the tour vehicle at The Thumb. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who have never been there, Utah's Canyon Country website posted a Visitor's Guide to Monument Valley.

Here's a snippet from the guide:

Visiting Monument Valley

Straddling the border of Utah and Arizona, the magnificent allure of Monument Valley captivates visitors throughout the year. The giant sandstone formations that tower over the desert floor are unique structures you don’t see every day! They aren’t mere mountains, or canyons, or even just big rocks, but something totally different–they are monuments to the power of nature.

These formations have been given interesting names like Mittens, Elephant Butte, Totem Pole, and North Window. But describing them doesn’t do it justice. You need to visit Monument Valley yourself to truly appreciate this magical place!

The most ethereal moments in the valley are perhaps during sunrise and sunset. The play of light and shadow drenches the landscape in an otherworldly glow that compels professional photographers or weekend Instagrammers to capture the breathtaking vistas.

Above, at camp at Goulding's Lodge Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read the full visitor's guide, go here. 

7 Best Road Trips In The Southwest

Above, a sunrise view of the West Mitten in Monument Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Decades before moving to New Mexico, I have always enjoyed traveling through the Southwest U.S., particularly in the Four Corners region. 

There's plenty of places to see and things to do.

Outside Magazine has posted a list of the seven best roadtrips in the Southwest.

They begin it with:

The Southwest always seems to me like a bit of a fever dream. The country’s deepest canyons, wildest buttes, and broadest deserts spread here from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean, offering a landscape so unlike any other in the country, you might think you’ve left earth altogether. It is a hot, inhospitable territory that demands respect, but it is also outrageously beautiful, with rock outcroppings that seem painted in shades of red and white, blooming cacti, and shifting dunes that undulate like waves onto the horizon.

The easiest and most efficient way to explore the Southwest is by car, bouncing from one breathtaking adventure to the next, so I’ve created seven different road-trip itineraries, one in each state of this stunning slice of our nation. I’ve driven the majority of these routes, while the remaining few are on my list of dream adventures. And each of these has something for everyone—beaches, sand dunes, cliffs, rivers, hikes, bike rides, fishing holes, and more.

Set your playlist, and pack the sunscreen. Here are the seven best road trips in the Southwest.

To read more, go here. 

Snow Showers This Week?

Above, the front yard seven years ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

So far, the Four Corners region is under drought conditions. It has been over a month since the last rain or snow storms.  

We may get a reprieve this coming week as snow showers are forecast for this coming Tuesday and Wednesday by the National Weather Service for Jamestown, New Mexico.

Here's what the coming week looks like:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 50. Windy, with a southwest wind 15 to 25 mph increasing to 25 to 35 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 18. West wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 42. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 16. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19.

Tuesday

A 20 percent chance of snow showers after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

Tuesday Night

A 40 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16.

Wednesday

A 20 percent chance of snow showers before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 32.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 14.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 34.

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 14.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 37.

10 Tourist “Attractions” That Are Not Worth Your Time

Above, Four Corners Monument is number 9 on the list. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There are some tourist attractions worth your time and then there's other tourist attractions that one should not even bother with.

That is the topic of a post by TravelPirates.

They have a list of ten tourist attractions that are not worth your time.

One of them (number 9) on the list I recently visited. I agree with their assessment. It is the Four Corners Monument where four states (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah) meet. I've been there before (back in the 1980s), so I was curious about how it changed over the years. It costs $8.00 per person for admission.

They begin their post with:

The dream vacation is coming: you pack your bags and are ready to set off on a journey to see the incredible sites everyone is talking about for yourself. But wait! Before you dive into the thicket of great attractions, let's take a closer look at them... Are they really worth it?

To see the full list, go here. 

A Stop At Four Corners Monument

Above, the Four Corners Monument. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The trip is now over and I am back home.

I took a different route from Monument Valley. It was a bit longer, but it allowed me to stop at Four Corners Monument and then directly to Gallup, New Mexico so I could pick up my meds at the pharmacy.

Above, the approach to Four Corners Monument. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Four Corners Monument (I guess it is called "National Monument" in some places) but it appears to be run by the Navajo tribe. It cost $8.00 per person for admission.

The monument is a lot more elaborate than it was when I went there back in the 1980s. The last time I was there was in 1985.

Above, the monument. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The monument is surrounded on all sides by vendor stalls. The vendors are Navajo tribal members selling jewelry, t-shirts, artworks and other things. 

Above, vendor stalls at left and background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The monument marks the sport where four state corners meet: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. I heard that the monument's location is not accurate. 

According to Wikipedia:

Misplacement controversy

Since the early 20th century, controversies have arisen regarding the accuracy of the monument's placement. After the initial surveys, it was found that the borders did not always follow the lines of meridian and parallel (as had been intended) due to the primitive surveying technology available at the time. This discrepancy left the four states asking if the correct borders were the exact lines of meridian and parallel (and if new, more accurate, surveys needed to be done), or if the markers placed during the initial surveys were now the actual border.

New Mexico sued Colorado in 1919, and when the Supreme Court in 1925 ruled that the markers placed during the initial surveys were the actual borders, even if the markers were off in some locations (this includes the Four Corners Monument), the issue was resolved. Today's legal description of these border lines is based on the original markers, and not the written description of the borders created when the territories were formed. Because of this, the borders between these states are not perfectly straight and often zigzag.

One example is the border between Colorado and Utah, where in one area the border jogs west about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from where it was intended to be placed by the written description (i.e. the 32nd meridian west from Washington – 38°16′34″N 109°03′38″W). Because of the Supreme Court decision, the border set out by the markers remains the border between the two states.

This issue resurfaced briefly in 2009 with U.S. media reports that the monument was placed 2.5 miles (4.0 km) west of its intended location. This was soon found to be the result of a mistaken assumption: that the Prime Meridian, used in the United States since 1912, was used. In actuality, the 19th century surveys used the previous Washington meridian. A spokesperson for the U.S. National Geodetic Survey (USNGS) has stated that the USNGS has determined that the modern monument is located roughly 1,800 feet (550 m) east of where the Four Corners marker had originally been intended to be located by the US Congress in 1863. The spokesperson, however, reiterated that the 1875 survey was accepted by all states and therefore its markers, including the Four Corners Monument, are legally binding. Similar statements were issued by the Navajo Nation, defending their work in maintaining and promoting the monument.

Above, a plaque at the Four Corners Monument. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I guess that settled the matter.  

If anyone has in mind to scatter cremated remains at this or at other Tribal Park land, there is a sign at the monument calling cremation a "malicious desecration" in Navajo cultural belief. You've been warned!

Above, the sign forbidding scattering cremains on tribal lands. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Four Corners, USA

Above, the West Mitten at Monument Valley during a sunrise tour. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that autumn is just around the corner, it is a good time to head out into the Four Corners region of the United States. There's plenty to see and do under cooler temperatures.

The Four Corners is the subject of a travel article originating from New Zealand and is posted at The Press. 

It begins with:

Four Corners, United States, is an area that has always fascinated me during my career in conservation. Here on the border of Utah, Nevada, Colorado and Arizona are the most remarkable set of national parks, state parks and Navajo tribal reserves set aside specifically for their geological, cultural and biodiversity values.

My first trip here was backpacking through the US in 1983, then showing my parents these incredible parks in 1992, and occasional weekend visits when I was collaborating with the US Antarctic Program and Colorado State University in Denver for Antarctica New Zealand. So many good memories of snowcapped mountains, blue skies and bright yellow cottonwoods in the autumn come flooding back.

To read the full article, go here. 

Guide To Mesa Verde National Park For First-Timers

Above, Square Tower House at Mesa Verde National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Living in the Four Corners region of the U.S. (where Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico meet) gives me easy access to places such as Durango, Monument Valley, Petrified Forest National Park and Mesa Verde National Park. Each are roughly a 3-hour drive from home.

Mesa Verde National Park is situated near Cortez, Colorado. I have been there several times, including camping there twice. My most recent visit was four years ago.

For those who have never been there, Lonely Planet has posted a guide for first-timers.

It begins with:

Around the year 550 CE, the Ancestral Pueblo people began settling in what is today southwest Colorado. Here, on a slightly sloping section of the Colorado Plateau, they farmed, made pottery, wove baskets, and built sprawling villages within the canyon walls.

Then, around 1300 CE, they moved away and never returned. It’s not clear why the Ancestral Pueblo deserted the place that had been their home for roughly 700 years. But they left behind many clues about their rich cultural heritage, which today’s archaeologists are still eagerly studying.

Recognizing the value of the Ancestral Puebloan’s artifacts and cliff dwellings, President Theodore Roosevelt created Mesa Verde National Park in 1906. It was the first national park to “preserve the works of man,” as Roosevelt said, in addition to natural resources. The park protects nearly 5000 archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings.

Mesa Verde is one of four national parks in Colorado. Though it’s the farthest from Denver, this archaeological marvel is well worth the extra drive time. Here’s what to know as you start planning your first visit.

To read more, go here. 

Utah "Tourist Traps" and Alternatives

Above, Checkerboard Mesa at Zion National Park in Utah. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The state of Utah is one beautiful state. 

It is home to several national parks and scenic views can be found everywhere. As this is the case, it draws a lot of people. 

TheTravel has posted an article on Utah "tourist traps" and alternatives to them. I have to disagree about some, like Zion National Park, being a tourist trap. While it is true that it and other places get very crowded during the vacation season, crowds can be avoided if one can vacation during the off-season. Zion is often described as "Yosemite in color" and is worth visiting.

One place listed, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, isn't as crowded as it is made out to be. But if one has a phobia against crowds, I recommend visiting in late September or early October. 

Still, the alternatives do have merit. 

The begin the article with:

Those who travel to the Beehive State, be it for pleasure, via any of the scenic bucket list road trips in Utah, by plane, or train, are generally doing so to see the natural wonders this stunning state offers. Unfortunately, some of those places that have become extremely popular with visitors have also become overrun or overhyped. As such, those who travel to Utah for just a short time may be disappointed with their trip if each stop is nothing more than an overpriced tourist trap where an alternative would do just as nicely, if not better.

Of course, some areas in the state just need to be seen; many of the top tourist attractions in Utah, like Zion National Park and its epic hikes, are unmissable, even if they often see crowds. It's not just Zion, though, as there are a great many tourist traps in Utah with alternatives instead. Because of this, when visiting the Beehive State for the first or umpteenth time, knowing where Utah's tourist traps are located and what alternatives might just provide equally gorgeous scenery, fewer crowds, and better entertainment, even at lower costs in some cases.

For off-the-beaten-path experiences, discover the popular tourist traps in Utah to avoid and alternatives to visit instead, from Zion National Park to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park and many more.

To read more, go here. 

It's Cold Outside

Above, the current temperature according to my Weather Bug app.

It has been cold here in the Southwest. I noticed it yesterday during my drive home from Lake Havasu.

I got home 40 minutes ago from taking Larry Lucier to his physical therapist, picking up my meds, doing some grocery shopping and stopping for a mocha latte at Gallup Coffee Company. After all that, Larry and I had dinner at Grandpa's Grill in Gallup.

Thank goodness Larry's bus has a good working heater. Even thpugh the temperature gauges said it was around 40°, the winds made it feel much colder.

Hopefully, tomorrow will be warmer. 

Rains Coming?

Above, Sierra this morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Heavy Rainfall for Portions of the Southwest; Accumulating Snow for Southern Rockies; Above Normal Temperatures for the East 

It looks like we may be in for some heavy rains in Lake Havasu today. The above headline was from the National Weather Service this morning.

This is the forecast for Lake Havasu:

Overnight

A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 61. Light east wind.

Friday

Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 62. East southeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday Night

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between midnight and 2am, then a chance of showers after 2am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Steady temperature around 62. North northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Saturday

A chance of showers before 9am, then a slight chance of showers after 11am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 64. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 52. Light and variable wind becoming north around 6 mph after midnight.

Hopefully, it won't be raining tomorrow morning when we are supposed to do some skeet shooting. We shall see.

No Snow Yet In New Mexico

Above, following a snow storm on November 9, 2020. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Although last year at this time we already had snowfall in Jamestown, New Mexico. Thus far, there is no precipitation of any kind in the forecast. It would be nice to have some rain so that the dust and pollen can quit giving me allergy problems.

However, advisories have been issued to travelers to not go to or in Yellowstone National Park as a "significant winter storm" is moving into the area. It looks like Wyoming and surrounding states are getting winter early.

After the storm passes, park roads and entrances will be reopened.

We'll have to wait and see when El Niño brings the jet stream down to the Four Corners region.  

Annular Solar Eclipse Over Navajo County

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

Saturday's annular eclipse will pass directly over the Four Corners.

While it will also pass over Monument Valley Tribal Park, Canyon de Chelly National Monument and Navajo National Monument, those places will be closed during the time of the eclipse for tribal eclipse cultural beliefs.

The Navajo-Hopi Observer has posted an article on the eclipse which also includes detailed map of the eclipse over the Four Corners. The map shows that the city of Albuquerque will be about dead center in the path.

The article begins with:

On Saturday, Oct. 14, at 10:29 a.m. MDT, a solar eclipse will pass through the Four Corners region, starting in the northwest U.S. and making its way southeast to Texas. While just a sliver of northwest Arizona will be under the sun’s rays when it is partially blocked by the moon, the eclipse path goes diagonally through all of New Mexico.

For it’s brief 28 mile trek through Arizona, Kayenta and Chinle will be in its path, cutting northwest of Ganado. In New Mexico, the phenomenom will take place above Window Rock, Gallup, Crown Point, Shiprock and Farmington.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii in), Canyon de Chelly National Monument, and Navajo National Monument will all be under the eclipse pathway, and will be closed from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. MDT to honor the Navajo cultural beliefs.

Though thousands of people across the country will be donning protective eyewear and gazing up into the sky for the rare astrological event, many Navajos will be inside, paying their respects privately.

To read more, go here. 

El Niño To Bring More Snow To the Four Corners

Above, 2019 New Year's Day snow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like this winter will be a colder and snowier one for the Four Corners region of the U.S.

I received an email from AccuWeather that indicates that snowfall will be much more this year than last year. It will bring excellent skiing conditions for ski resorts in the Four Corners. Purgatory's ski operators in Colorado are likely smiling bigtime!

I'll be making good use of the Jeep's four-wheel drive this winter, it appears.

Here's part of the email that pertains to the Southwestern U.S.:

Western US: El Niño to fuel atmospheric rivers

Last winter was one for the history books in California as an onslaught of atmospheric rivers dumped monumental snowfall in the mountains that helped ski resorts remain open until July and flooding rainfall that filled many water reservoirs across the region.

 

A repeat is possible this winter across California, Nevada and the Four Corners region, which includes Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado, due to the anticipated weather patterns shaped by El Niño. Most El Niños typically result in a stormy pattern over California with frequent rain and mountain snow, while storms largely miss the Pacific Northwest.

The upcoming season does look like it will follow the traditional El Niño pattern with the jet stream directing storms into California, Nevada and the Four Corners. This differs from the El Niño of 2015-2016 when storms largely avoided California. Pastelok added that cooler waters southeast of Hawaii could cause the storm track this winter to focus on areas south of Southern California occasionally.

2023 Annular Solar Eclipse

 

The annular solar eclipse, or "Ring of Fire" eclipse, will cross directly over the Four Corners of the Southwest U.S. 

That includes my home in Jamestown, New Mexico. Hopefully, it will be a clear day to be able to see it.

According to Space.com:

On Oct. 14, 2023, all of North America and Central America, and most of South America will experience a solar eclipse. For all of that region, the spectacle will be a partial solar eclipse of varying obscuration. Only within the path of annularity, which is 118 to 137 miles (190 to 220 kilometers) wide, will the ring of fire be visible. That path will stretch from Oregon through northern California, northeast Nevada, central Utah, northeast Arizona, southwest Colorado, central New Mexico and southern Texas. It will then move across the Gulf of Mexico and over Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Brazil.

The most scenic places to see the ring of fire are in the U.S. Southwest and at the Mayan temple at Edzná on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. Here are some notable locations and cities that will see a ring of fire, together with the local time and duration of that event, according to Jubier. Note that all of these places will also see a long partial solar eclipse before and after the brief 'ring of fire; their closeness to the centerline of the path of annularity determines the duration of the ring of fire: 

• Oregon Dunes, Oregon: 9:15 a.m. PDT; 4 minutes, 29 seconds 
• Crater Lake National Park, Oregon: 9:17 a.m. PDT; 4 minutes, 19 seconds 
• Lava Beds National Monument, California: 9:19 a.m. PDT; 54 seconds 
• Great Basin National Park, Nevada: 9:24 a.m. PDT; 3 minutes, 46 seconds 
• Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah: 10:27 a.m. MDT; 2 minutes, 31 seconds 
• Capitol Reef National Park, Utah: 10:27 a.m. MDT; 4 minutes, 37 seconds 
• Canyonlands National Park, Utah: 10:29 a.m. MDT; 2 minutes, 24 seconds
• Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah: 10:29 a.m. MDT; 4 minutes, 29 seconds  
• Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona: 10:29 a.m. MDT; 4 minutes, 16 seconds
• Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado: 10:31 a.m. MDT; 2 minutes, 57 seconds 
• Chaco Culture National Park, New Mexico: 10:32 a.m. MDT; 4 minutes, 42 seconds 
• Albuquerque, New Mexico: 10:34 a.m. MDT; 4 minutes, 42 seconds  
• San Antonio: 11:52 a.m. CDT; 4 minutes, 5 seconds
• Corpus Christi, Texas: 11:55 a.m. CDT; 4 minutes, 52 seconds
• Padre Island National Seashore, Texas: 11:56 a.m. CDT; 4 minutes, 52 seconds
• Edzná Maya archaeological site, Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico: 11:23 a.m. CST; 4 minutes, 32 seconds    

Although Monument Valley Tribal Park is listed, the park will be closed for Navajo eclipse cultural ceremonials. There may be other Native American places that will be also closed, but they haven't been announced yet.

To read more, go here. 

First Tropical Storm Watch For California

Above, Hurricane Hilary image by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

Not since 1939 has a tropical storm hit Southern California. Hurricane Hilary is headed to California this weekend.

This is necessitating the first-ever tropical storm watch for California by the National Weather Service.

No doubt this storm will affect our monsoon weather here in the Four Corners region.