Happy Birthday, America!

 

Pilot, Flying J Offering Fourth of July Fuel Discount

Above, filling up the RV at the Jamestown, New Mexico Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Independence Day (Fourth of July) is just days away.

Right now, unleaded regular gasoline at the Flying J down the hill from my home is at $3.55/gallon. It has come down since the Iran war agreement was signed.

There's even better news for those who are regular (and irregular) customers of Pilot, Flying J and One9 gasoline stations. 

From RV Travel:

Just in time for one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, Pilot is giving drivers a chance to save at the pump. From July 1 through July 5, customers can receive 25 cents off every gallon of gas or auto diesel at participating Pilot, Flying J, and One9 travel centers across the U.S.

The offer comes as AAA projects more than 61 million Americans will travel by car over the Fourth of July holiday, making it one of the busiest Independence Day travel periods on record. For RVers, campers, and other road trippers, the discount could help offset the cost of a long holiday drive.

 For RVers, especially ones with big gas tanks, this is welcome news. 

To read more, go here.

Graceland Unveils ‘All-American’ 4th of July Event

Above, Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one doesn't currently have any plans to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday, a trek to Graceland just may be what the doctor ordered.

Graceland announced an "All-American Weekend" to celebrate on July 4 weekend.

According to Parade:

In honor of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, Graceland is hosting an “All-American Weekend” from July 3 to July 5, where fans will be able to see Elvis’ iconic Memphis estate like never before as it getes lit up in red, white and blue.

According to the official Graceland website, this year’s fourth of July celebration will include  include two “electrifying” concerts, including a performance from The Dreamboats, who are slated to “bring their electrifying, high-energy celebration of 1950s and ’60s rock ‘n’ roll to the Graceland Soundstage for a night that will have you on your feet from the first note.”

To read more, go here. 

Fireworks Returning To Mount Rushmore

Above, Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For some odd reason, fireworks at Mount Rushmore National Memorial wasn't allowed during the Biden years.

However, now that Donald Trump is back in the White House, fireworks will be allowed at the Memorial this year as the nation celebrates 250 years.

The National Park Service posted:

WASHINGTON – The National Park Service today announced fireworks will again illuminate the sky above Mount Rushmore National Memorial on July 3, 2026, to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary. Public tickets for the event will be available through a lottery on Recreation.gov from April 8–12.  

After a five-year absence, the return of fireworks to this iconic national memorial reflects President Donald J. Trump’s vision of a “grand celebration worthy of the momentous occasion of the 250th anniversary of American Independence.” 

“In partnership with the State of South Dakota, we are excited to reinstate a spectacular fireworks show as the highlight of Mount Rushmore’s Independence Day commemoration,” said Dr. Jenifer Chatfield, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. “We invite the public to enjoy the show and reflect on our nation’s remarkable journey and the great patriotic leaders who established, preserved and expanded our country’s destiny.”   

To read more, go here. 

President's and First Lady's Trump Dance

It took a while, but first Lady Melania Trump joined President Trump last night during the Washington, D.C. Independence Day celebration on the White House Truman Balcony and did the "Trump Dance".

This has social media lit up, to say the least.

Here's a video from ANI News:

Independence Day

Independence Day for me was a rather sedate one. 

I could have gone into Gallup for a fireworks show, but elected to stay at home and watch Live Now from Fox News instead. They covered fireworks displays from around the country starting with Washington, D.C. and New York City and moved further west as the time went on.

As we are in a critical drought period, fireworks in McKinley County are prohibited. 

Below is a photo of my television screen showing fireworks on the Mall with the Lincoln Memorial in the background.

 

Happy Independence Day!

 

3 Million Pass Through US Airport Security In A Day

One thing is for certain, when Americans want to travel, they will do so "come hell or high water."

This was the case last Sunday as, for the first time, three million travelers passed though airport TSA checkpoints in a single day.

According to Hawaii News Now:

(AP) - More than 3 million people passed through U.S. airport security on Sunday, the first time that number of passengers have been screened in a single day as travel surges, according to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration.

The record, which was widely predicted to happen at some point over the July Four holiday weekend, topped the June 23 mark of more than 2.99 million screened passengers. Eight of the 10 busiest days in TSA’s history have come this year as the number of travelers tops pre-pandemic levels.

TSA was created after the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and replaced a collection of private security companies that were hired by airlines. The agency operates under the Department of Homeland Security, which said that agents on Sunday checked 35 passengers every second.

Thankfully, G-FEST is this weekend instead of last weekend.

To read more, go here. 

Most Memorable 4th of July

Above, shuttle Columbia and chase planes over Edwards Air Force Base on July4, 1982. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For me, the most memorable Fourth of July was in 1982.

Paul Evans and I attended the Dodger game at Dodger Stadium on July 3. From there, after the game and fireworks show, we drove to Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert to attend the landing of space shuttle Columbia following the mission designated as STS-4.

Above, yours truly after arriving at Edwards Air Force Base. Photo by Paul Evans.

Perhaps about a half million people drove to Rogers Dry Lake to view the landing. We met with Glenn Thornhill and Arleigh Kerr at the viewing area.

President and Mrs. Reagan also attended. 

Above, another view of Columbia during its landing approach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After the landing of Columbia, President Reagan gave the word for the take-off of space shuttle Challenger atop a modified Boeing 747. Challenger and the 747 flew over the crowd. 

Here's a couple of videos of that day:

Happy Independence Day!

Have a happy and safe & sane Independence Day!

 

Gas Prices Will Fly For the 4th of July

When I last looked, the price for unleaded regular at the local Flying J was $3.159/gallon. I don't know what it is today, but I wouldn't be surprised if it is higher than that.

Nationally, gas prices are higher for the Independence Day holiday.

According to RV Travel: 

Just in time for holiday RV travel, the national average for gas prices shook off nearly three weeks of stagnation, moving a nickel higher since last week to hit $3.50.

In AAA’s most recent gas price report (June 27), the outfit noted the cost of oil crossed the $80 per barrel mark, putting upward pressure on pump prices. With oil costs accounting for about 54% of what you pay at the pump, more expensive oil usually leads to more expensive gas. Yes, gas prices will fly for the 4th of July.

To read more, go here. 

Mowed The Yard

Above, after the mowing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since we had a bit of a break the monsoon rains (we've gotten a lot), I took the opportunity to mow Barking Spider Acre yesterday evening.

I usually mow in the morning, but since it was cloudy and cool, it was the perfect conditions to mow. The ground was a little soft, but not muddy. The brush was getting thick on the ground. It is very green in the area from all the monsoon rains we've been getting.

Above, the area in and around Jamestown is green from the monsoon rains. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I did have a little problem while mowing the front along the road. The mower got stuck in the soft dirt near the drainage ditch that parallels the road. But I was able to pull it out with the Jeep in short order and I finished the mowing.

Once done, I relaxed over a bottle of Alien Amber Ale on the deck.

Above, it's Alien time.

We'll be celebrating Independence Day at Martin Link's on Thursday. His backyard is on a hilltop and we get great views of fireworks, even some from Window Rock, Arizona miles away.

Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Kicked A Hornets Nest

Above, Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream may be good ice cream, but I refuse to purchase any of it and never have.

The company was founded by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield in a Vermont garage in 1978. They are noted leftists not without past controversy, which is why I never bought any.

They are taking a lot of heat for posting the following on Independence Day:

Ah, the Fourth of July. Who doesn't love a good parade, some tasty barbecue, and a stirring fireworks display? The only problem with all that, though, is that it can distract from an essential truth about this nation’s birth: The US was founded on stolen Indigenous land. 

This year, let’s commit to returning it. 

Here’s why we need to start with Mount Rushmore.

That certainly is a provocative statement if there ever was one. They want to "return" Mount Rushmore to the Indians.

It should be pointed out that Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream company isn't suddenly "woke" since they've always been leftists. That's probably the nicest thing to say about them. At least they're consistent.

Gov. Kristi Noem hit back. To read her response, go here.

A Vermont Native American chief says that Ben & Jerry's Vermont headquarters is on indigenous land. To read about that, go here.

July 4th Gathering

Above, yours truly and Martin Link last year. Photo by Russell Azbill.

Independence Day for me was a laid-back day for me.

I spent most of the day at home relaxing and listening to music and reading. Later, I headed for a little gathering at author/historian Martin Link's home in Gallup. 

As there was no planned fireworks displays in Gallup, we didn't have the gathering at Link's gazebo, but in the central patio of his home. It was ironic that the so-called "Most Patriotic Small Town In America" didn't have a city-sponsored fireworks program, one guest observed.

The discussion ranged from Gov. Lujan Grisham's lunatic EV and gasoline hike scheme, movies and Fort Wingate (no progress on that). 

All in all, it was a pleasant evening.

Silver Over $23/toz

Silver has climbed back over the $23/toz threshold. 

It is interesting that the silver COMEX commodities market appears to be open today despite it being Independence Day. I would figure that it would be closed for the holiday.

Still, silver is possibly heading back to $24/toz and above. We shall see.

Happy Independence Day!

 Have a safe and sane Independence Day!

July 4th vs. April 15th

 

Gallup Restaurants: Good Luck This Weekend!

Above, it was a packed house at Genaro's last night. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one is in Gallup, New Mexico during Independence Day weekend and want to go out for a meal, good luck!

I went to Zen Steak and Sushi last evening and found that it was closed for the holiday. So, I headed from there to Jerry's Café. They were open, but had a waiting line that stretched outside on the sidewalk.

I then went to Genaro's. They were open, but would be closing at 5:00. Well, since I was there at 4:20, I gave my name and phone number to the hostess (in case I waited in the car) and waited for about 20 minutes for a table. The place was packed.

While waiting, I saw a sign that they would be closed until July 18. They usually take breaks like this every July and December. 

Generally, most restaurants in Gallup are closed on Sundays and some are also closed on Mondays. There are a couple that usually remain open those days that I am aware of: Silver Screen Café at the El Rancho Hotel and the El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant. There may be more. I don't know what their status is this weekend.

Even though I had my heart set on having sashimi last evening, at least I was able to have some chile rellenos at Genaro's instead.

Happy Independence Day, folks!

The Stardust and Lido de Paris

Above, the Stardust Hotel in Las Vegas back in the day.

Earlier, I saw a story about congress passing a resolution asking the U.S. Mint to mint a commemorative coin in 2026 for the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. The article mentioned that this would coincide with the 250th anniversary of our independence.

It is hard to believe that in three years it would be 50 years since we celebrated the nation's bicentennial in 1976.

My family celebrated bicentennial Independence Day weekend in Las Vegas with my aunt and uncle and a couple of cousins. One of the things we did was to take in the "Lido de Paris" show at the Stardust Hotel. It seemed a little bit weird at the time that our parents took us to a Las Vegas "titty-flop" (yes, there were some topless showgirls) show. But we (my cousins and I) were of age and survived. We had a great time.

The Stardust is long gone. It closed on November 1, 2006, and the two hotel towers were imploded on March 13, 2007.

Those were the days when Las Vegas wasn't crowded, affordable and was fun.

Here's a video about "Lido de Paris":

Home During The 4th

Above, in Six Mile Canyon yesterday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As things yesterday turned out, I ended up staying home. 

We got some rain yesterday afternoon. I don't know if it rained or not during the evening or during the night (I wouldn't be surprised if it did), but I didn't feel like venturing out. So I ended up enjoying the quiet neighborhood and went to bed at around 9:15. 

I must've fallen asleep right away because I didn't hear a thing, so I am assuming nobody around my area shot off fireworks. 

Last year was different. I was at Martin Link's and the view from his hilltop backyard were great for viewing fireworks all over Gallup. It was so clear last year that we were able to see fireworks from Window Rock, Arizona. Last night was decidedly cloudy. It was also warmer last year. It was jacket weather last night.

Still, I enjoyed my Independence Day as I drove the Jeep into Six Mile Canyon.