Route 66 Centennial In 2026

Above, Route 66 in Williams, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Did you know that the centennial of Route 66, "The Mother Road", will take place in 2026?

Yes, the centennial of Route 66 will be taking place and plans are being formulated on the most fitting ways to celebrate it.

A Route 66 Centennial Commission is seeking ideas from people on how to celebrate. 

Above, the Route 66 sign near Gallup, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Route 66 still is in the Gallup, New Mexico vicinity. For the most part, it is a frontage road from the I-40 Iyanbito interchange on through into Gallup. It also goes from Continental Divide on through into Albuquerque with some breaks along the route. Route 66 is still the main east-west highway through Gallup.

Above, eastbound on Route 66 outside of Gallup. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To access the Route 66 Centennial Commission's website, go here.

Another Snow Day

Above, eastbound Interstate 40 at MM 35 tonight.

" Heavy snow is expected across the Intermountain West and Rockies today." - National Weather Service.

When I got up and went for my first cup of coffee, I looked outside and we were having snow showers. It looks like we have an inch and a half of snow on the ground. Much of yesterday's snow melted. 

Overnight, there was an accident on eastbound Interstate 40 near Mile Marker 35, which is near Iyanbito. I am at Mile Marker 39. I don't know the details of the accident. 

It looks like I'll be spending part of the day indoors. 

According to the National Weather Service:

Overnight

Scattered snow showers, mainly after 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Southwest wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Thursday

Scattered snow showers before 3pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers between 3pm and 4pm, then a slight chance of snow showers after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Southwest wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday Night

Snow showers, mainly before 11pm. Low around 21. Southwest wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Snowstorm Aftermath

Above, the deck this morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The snowstorm has passed, but it left a mess on the highways in New Mexico.

A few miles away from me, two semi trucks have collided in the Coolidge area and blocked Interstate 40. Some reports of black ice in the Iyanbito area have been posted.

For myself, I need to go into Gallup today to pick up cat food and other things. Hopefully, the roads will be drivable within the community so that I can safely drive the Mustang on them and get to Interstate 40. There's no driving issues where the Jeep is concerned. 

After dealing with another issue, I took a look outside and the above photo was what I saw.

45 Navajo Nation Communities In COVID Health Advisory

Above, the Navajo Nation Chapter of Iyanbito. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Just when some of us thought that we've seen the worst of COVID-19, new numbers in the Navajo Nation is becoming a concern in the Four Corners region of the U.S.

45 Navajo Nation communities are reporting a high transmission of the virus. Several of them are near Gallup and Jamestown, New Mexico.

According to ABC4 Utah:

(ABC4) — The Navajo Nation experienced 417 new cases and two deaths related to COVID-19 from Nov. 10 to Nov. 17. 

That number is just a fraction of the total number of deaths at 1,952 and overall positive COVID-19 cases at 77,912, despite the nearly 650,000 COVID-19 tests already administered. 

“We urge our Navajo citizens to update their COVID-19 vaccines, boosters and flu shots. If you are feeling ill, please get tested, and get the necessary treatment if needed. Wearing a mask and washing your hands are still the best practices to prevent contracting illnesses. Together, we can prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Please stay safe throughout the week,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

Based on cases from Nov. 3 to Nov. 16, the Navajo Department of Health issued a Health Advisory Notice for the following 45 communities: 

The communities near Gallup and Jamestown on the list include: Baca/Prewitt, Churchrock, Iyanbito, Shiprock, Ganado, Crownpoint and Thoreau,  

Iyanbito is just on the other side of Interstate 40 from Jamestown.

To read more, including a full list, go here.

R.I.P. Jax

Above, Jax with Eric Jacobs a few years ago.

Followers of Nomadic Fanatic (Eric Jacobs) gave him a huge outpouring of condolences and support (4,500 comments and counting) over the passing of Eric's cat Jax. The video he posted yesterday on Jax's passing had to be the saddest video I've ever seen. It is on a blog post of October 19, but updated to include the video. It brought back memories of my cat Siren's passing six years ago. 

I have never met Eric or Jax in person. The closest was when they passed me on Interstate 40 near Iyanbito going in the opposite direction about a year ago.

Anyone who has followed the Nomadic Fanatic on YouTube over the years enjoyed the antics of Jax. I never knew a cat would play fetch like a dog until I saw a video of Jax years ago doing so. I've followed Eric's and Jax's RV travel adventures for about seven years.

Jax had to be euthanized as he was suffering from hyperthyroid, which is not unusual to older cats. Eric did the most humane thing he could. It was tough, but a necessary act of love. It was heartbreaking.

Jax was born in 2010. As he was about 11 years old, I thought that was a bit young. But I checked and indoor cats generally have a life expectancy (on average) of 10 to 15 years. Some live into their 20s.

The two cats I had before Sierra were indoor cats. Buttons lived to 16 years and Siren lived to 18 years. Sierra is now 6. 

Since I did some checking on hyperthyroid, I now know what it is and will make sure Sierra gets annual check-ups. 

Thankfully, we still have videos of Jax to enjoy. He will be missed. 

Saturday of Labor Day Weekend

Above, along with a fire, enjoying a glass of gewurztraminer.

Saturday of this Labor Day weekend was a relaxing and enjoyable one for me.

The day started with the Jamestown gang gathered at Denny's at the Flying J and breakfast. Following that, I did some Jeep driving around the community. 

Later, I headed into Gallup for some sushi at Zen Steak & Sushi restaurant. It had been a while since I was last there. After dinner, I did some grocery shopping before heading home. As expected, traffic was all tied up on eastbound Interstate 40 due to the road construction near our Exit 39. The work is expected to be completed this month (I'm not holding my breath on that). Since I anticipated that, I took Historic Route 66 to the Iyanbito bridge from Gallup and saved a lot of time in getting home.

That evening, I was looking over Barking Spider Acre to see if it needed mowing. I figured it could wait another week. While outside, I had a nice chat with my neighbor Mike, who was mowing his yard. 

Above, it was a perfect evening for a fire. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Once our chat was done, I decided that a fire in the firepit was in order, so I started one. I sat out by the file with a glass of Gewürztraminer wine. 

Since it was the last fire log I had, I will probably head into Thoreau to pick up some more today.  

Near-Biblical Flooding

Above, last evening's downpour. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last evening, we had one of the most intense monsoon thunderstorms since I've lived here.

The lightning was directly overhead at times and the thunder shook the house, unnerving my cat Sierra. It was quite a display. I was very much entertained.

The downpour from the storm was welcome as the area had been parched. But it caused some flooding problems on Historic Route 66 and Interstate 40 near milepost 33 near Iyanbito. We're at milepost 39.

According to one resident of our community, her rain gauge showed two inches of rain. I guessed before seeing it that we got 2" last evening. 

The downpour got frogs or toads out and some here were doing some frogging. One resident joked, "It might be that a few rattlers got washed out of their normally dry holes and they are making frog sounds just to lure you in close." Actually, I didn't know we even had frogs or toads here. 

Anyway, I think we made up for the dry months we had here this year. The area should be greening up pretty soon!

Picked Up The Jeep

Above, heading home on Historic Route 66 near Church Rock. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning was spent doing laundry and going into Gallup to pick up the Jeep from the mechanic's shop.

It developed some fuel line issues (filters and fuel pump) and the repairs were done yesterday. But since it was late in the afternoon, I thought it would be a better idea to pick it up today.

Since the Jeep's maximum speed is around 50 m.p.h, I took Historic Route 66 most of the way home. I got on Interstate 40 at the Iyanbito bridge and found the traffic was backed up from the construction in the area near my exit.

That actually was fine with me. Shortly after getting on the freeway, the traffic was moving at around 45-50 m.p.h. With that speed, I was able to keep up with the rest of the traffic and not irritate drivers by driving slower than them. It was only a two mile drive on I-40.

I relaxed on the deck with a glass of ice tea and a stogie. It was a nice 72° outside. Spring has finally sprung!

Exploring The Iyanbito Side

Above, looking west on the service road alongside of I-40. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After picking up today's mail down at the Flying J, I decided to do some Jeep exploring on the Iyanbito (north) side of Interstate 40. It was a nice day at 56°.

The area is checkered with sections of the Navajo Nation. The Iyanbito Chapter across Interstate 40 from Jamestown is one of them.

A service road is accessible from the access road to the Flying J and it parallels Interstate 40 and dead ends about 3/4 of a mile west. The road was heavily used by the road crews working on Interstate 40 and our bridge. But there's a road that goes along a perimeter fence to the north. I took the road up to where there is heavy brush next to one of the two railroad tracks and turned around. 

Naturally, I took some photos of my little venture.  

Above, driving north on the road next to a perimeter fence. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, driving south on the road next to the perimeter fence. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, looking towards the mothballed refinery and the Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, on the road next to the perimeter fence. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a view of our Whispering Cedars community across I-40. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, heading east towards the Flying J on the service road with I-40 at right. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, on the service road looking west. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Cold Day Best Spent Indoors

Above, snow has already melted from the south-facing mesas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today was spent indoors. It is around 31° outside right now. It had been around 28° for most of the day.

I spent part of the time watching Saps At Sea, Laurel & Hardy's last feature film with Hal Roach Studios. The rest of the time was spent reading or napping. 

Since I don't have a fireplace, I burned some mesquite incense.

Above, burning some mesquite incense. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The road in front of the house still is snowy and icy, but there are a few tire tracks through it. Interstate 40 looks like it's flowing normally, then the traffic slows. Glad I'm not driving it. Several semi trucks were involved in accidents, most recently at Mile Marker 27 in Gallup. I've been told that there's still back-up from Gallup to Iyanbito.

The National Weather Service revised their forecast for Monday night. They forecast a 20% chance of snow showers.

This Afternoon

Sunny, with a high near 31. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 14. South wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the evening.

Monday

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 41. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

Monday Night

A 20 percent chance of snow showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 15. West wind around 10 mph.

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 32. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Brake Work Done

Above, the Jeep back home in the garage last evening. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Jeep's finally home.

I picked it up yesterday after having a new master cylinder installed and other brake work done. The break pedal is now firm, so firm that I described it as "pushing down on a brick."

Thanks to Nandoh Munoz for taking me into Gallup to pick it up and following me down Route 66 back to Jamestown. Route 66 goes from Gallup to the Iyanbito bridge. From there, we took Interstate 40 two miles to our exit.

The Jeep ran like a champ during the drive back (about 20 miles).

I will likely take a drive into Six Mile Canyon today. We have a little over two months left before the Forest Service closes it for the winter on December 15.

Travel + Leisure: Ultimate Route 66 Road Trip Guide

Above, this section of Route 66 dead ends in Continental Divide, New Mexico, but it
can be resumed again two exits west on I-40 near Iyanbito. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

People these days are shunning air travel and cruise ship vacations thanks to the coronavirus and are focusing on road trips, especially in recreational vehicles (RV). There's currently a boom in RV sales and rentals.

With that in mind, Travel + Leisure has posted their "ultimate" Route 66 road trip guide.

Route 66 is just down the hill from where I live and I recently dined at the El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico, one of the places featured in the Travel + Leisure guide.

They begin it with:

Route 66 doesn’t always surface on Google Maps, but it’s there. The most celebrated stretch of asphalt in America rolls out from the heart of downtown Chicago and begins its epic journey west toward the Pacific. So-called “Mother Road” slides through endless farmland, forgotten towns, and the spectacular desert of the American West. The scenery is a thrill, but it’s the stops and sights along the way — each seemingly more mind-blowing than the last — that make the Route 66 road trip. There’s the infamous 1858 penitentiary from Beat literature and Prison Break. You can tour it the day you set off. A barbed wire museum? Texas has one, complete with the recreation of a diner serving 20-cent pie. A landmark “soda ranch” is the pick-me-up pit stop you didn’t know you needed in the Oklahoma plains. Read on for a state-by-state, Chicago-to-L.A. guide for the ultimate American road trip.

Above, the El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico on Route 66. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read the guide, go here. 

Doctors Without Borders In New Mexico To Aid Tribes

Above, the Iyanbito Chapter House of the Navajo Nation. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Native Americans in New Mexico have been hit hard by the coronavirus.

Much of the problem is due to the lifestyle of the tribe members where several people crowd into small dwellings, thereby passing on the virus to each other along with other factors (poor to non-existent water systems, sparse health facilities, and the government's long history of deprioritizing investment in Native communities and broken promises, just to name a few). Traditional gathering of tribe members is working against the Navajos in particular.

However, Doctors Without Borders have been attending to the Native American communities.

According to The Hill:

Two teams from Doctors Without Borders are working with Native American communities in New Mexico to help with the coronavirus outbreak in the region.

Also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in French, the organization told CNN one team arrived in mid-April north of Albuquerque, where they are assisting the Pueblos. Another arrived late April in Gallup, where they are working with the Navajo Nation, the largest tribe in the United States. Both teams plan on staying until June.

"At the moment, MSF is focusing on providing technical guidance to health care facilities and communities with infection prevention and control. We are also actively engaged with community leaders and other actors to increase access for communities to health promotion and practical education," Jean Stowell, who heads the organization's US Covid-19 response team, told CNN.  

Almost one-third of New Mexicans who contracted COVID-19 were Native American as of April 12, according to one report, in a state where they make up about 11 percent of the population. The Navajo Nation has reported 3,122 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of May 11, more per capita than any other state in the United States. Some tribes have taken drastic measures, closing their borders and adopting strict self-isolation measures to keep the virus out of their communities. 

As Gallup is right next to the Navajo Nation, with much of the Navajo Nation is in McKinley County, it is no surprise that the numbers of COVID-19 cases are so high.

To read more, go here. 

Page, Arizona Mayor Makes "Insensitive" Remarks About Navajos

Above, a map of the massive Navajo Nation at the Navajo Museum Library
 & Visitors Center in Window Rock, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As we are almost two months into the lockdown and stay-at-home orders in various states, it is understandable that nerves are frayed a bit and some things are being said and done that shouldn't be and normally wouldn't be.

The latest involves the mayor of Page, Arizona and the Navajo Nation.

From The Middletown Press:

PAGE, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez called on elected officials in reservation border towns to work with the tribe to combat the coronavirus after one mayor made a comment he said was insensitive. 

The Navajo Nation has been hit harder by COVID-19 than any other Native American reservation and has one of the highest per capita rates in the country. As of Saturday, 2,292 people have tested positive and 73 have died. 

The tribe instituted nightly curfews and weekend lockdowns, closed its tourist destinations and tribal offices, and ordered people to stay home. 

Levi Tappan, who is mayor of nearby Page, Arizona, and isn't Native American, posted a comment online over the weekend that said, “I wish he would battle alcoholism as hard as COVID19.” It came after Tappan wrote a letter to Nez asking if he would consider reopening some popular recreation areas on the reservation. 

The comment has since been deleted, and Tappan apologized. 

“I know he’s devoted a lot of resources to combating COVID-19, and I think when the number settles, it will show that alcohol is still far deadlier for our residents, and so I just wish that we could work with those kind of resources on all of our diseases,” Tappan said Sunday. 

Alcoholism is one of the largest social ills on the 27,000-square-mile (70,000-square-kilometer) reservation that reaches into New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. The sale and consumption of alcohol largely is banned there, fueling bootleg operations or leading people into border towns that are hubs for basic household supplies, alcohol sales and water hauling stations. 

Albuquerque was sending water tankers to Gallup on Monday, a much smaller New Mexico city about two hours west on the fringes of the Navajo Nation. Gallup is on lockdown until Thursday to prevent nonessential travel after a rise in coronavirus cases was linked to an outbreak at a detox center.

A portion of the Navajo Nation is just across Interstate 40 from our community of Jamestown, New Mexico. The Iyanbito Chapter of the Nation is directly north of us.

I am pleased to read that water tankers are being sent to Gallup for the tribes in the area (the Zuni Pueblo is south of Gallup). Food and other provisions should be also sent to the tribes since Gallup is under lockdown and non-residents aren't allowed in.

To read more, go here. 

Power Outage: Doing Today What I Couldn't Do Yesterday

Above, doing today what I couldn't do yesterday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Thanks to the five-hours power outage we had yesterday, I am getting stuff done today what I intended to do yesterday.

The outage affected Jamestown, Iyanbito and Church Rock, New Mexico.

The power outage began while I was in the shower. That was no big deal. But afterwards, I had to shave in somewhat darkened conditions. I couldn't use the Mustang since the garage door opener for it was inoperable. So I used the Jeep. The garage door on the Jeep side of the garage is opened manually.

The only thing different I had to do, since there was no power to use the microwave to heat coffee, I migrated for a while to The Beast and used its generator to power my coffeemaker (five-cup) inside. What was left after having a couple of cups, was to bring the rest to the house and whenever I wanted to heat some up, use the stove. Since that's a propane stove, with no power the electronic burner lighting system wouldn't start the burners. So I had to go "old school" and use a match.

Today, I am just about done doing laundry. After that, I will likely take the Jeep out for a drive. 

Jeep Hill Climbing

Above, the Iyanbito bridge and I-40 in the background from the pipeline road on Navajo land. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To comply with the social distance policy of the government, I did some solo Jeep driving today (well, with the exception of a visit at Nandoh's).

One thing I did do today was try out some four-wheel-drive hill climbing. There's a hill just west of the shooting area and it is idea for a drive up. The previous owner of the Jeep, Victor, took me up that hill when he was demonstrating the Jeep to me before I bought it. As it did when Victor drove it up the hill, the Jeep worked just fine for me.

After that, I drove around the area a bit, including the Navajo area west of Six Mile Canyon Road. I drove in a couple of days ago, but I went in a little further. I was able so see the Iyanbito turn-off and bridge from a vantage point. I must have been about a mile from it.

It was a nice drive, even though it was windy out. If it weren't windy today, it would have been a warmer day. It is in the upper 50s now.

Before heading out for the drive, I brought along my Canon Rebel camera and took full advantage of it.

Now, I am taking a coffee break and uploading the pictures I took. It was a fun drive.

Here they are (at least some of them):

Above, approaching the hill. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, looking back after the hill climb. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the road that I took up the hill. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Jeep on the hilltop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a shot just before going back down. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a view of the road at the bottom of the hill. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, on the pipeline road with the Iyanbito bridge in the distance looking east. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, looking west on the pipeline road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, on a rise on the pipeline road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, old barbed wire fence posts at the Cibola National Forest perimeter. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Cibola National Forest perimeter fence and road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Cold and Windy

Above, Jamestown from the Iyanbito Chapter of the Navajo Nation. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The snow we had during past week is all melted away and it is going to be sunny or partly cloudy this week. The only problem is that it is going to be cold (17° tonight) during the day with tomorrow's high forecast at 31°. All that and wind.

It was in the 40s today and I was going to do some Jeep driving. But I decided against it due to the winds. Since it was so windy, I decided to take the trash container up to the road tomorrow for tomorrow's pick-up.

The next chance for snow is Sunday night.

From the National Weather Service:

Tonight

Clear, with a low around 17. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 31. Blustery, with a north wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Tuesday Night

Clear, with a low around 10. North wind 10 to 15 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 40. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night

Clear, with a low around 21. West wind around 5 mph.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 48.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 21.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.

Sunday Night

A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.

A Side Road From A Side Road

Above, a windshield's view of "The Bowl" in Cibola National Forest. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This afternoon, I took a little drive around Whispering Cedars and a side road of a side road in Cibola National Forest. I had not been on the road before and was in the mood to do some exploring.

The road splits off a side road that originates at the entrance gate to Six Mile Canyon. I've been on the side road a couple of times but not on the road that splits off from that.

Above, the Jeep on the hill overlooking "The Bowl". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before doing my exploring, I stopped at the Flying J to fill the gas tank. The Jeep took 10 gallons and with my five cent per gallon Good Sam Club discount, I only paid $2.449/gallon. (Eat your hearts out Californians!)

Above, on the side road of the side road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The road wasn't a bad one. It was relatively smooth and meandered up some hills covered with juniper and pinyon pine trees.

After a while, I came to a ridge that overlooked a bowl-shaped area that looked like a crater. I think this is what one of the guys here told me is called "The Bowl" (makes sense). After some viewing, I turned around and headed back towards Jamestown.

Above, the "Three Mesas", Iyanbito and Interstate 40 from the side road of the side road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Midway to Six Mile Canyon Road, I stopped and took in the view of the mesas across the valley with Interstate 40 and the Iyanbito chapter community of the Navajo Nation.

With possible snow coming tonight, I figured that today would be a good one for a drive. It was around 52° outside, but it seemed colder with the wind.

Good times!

Not Gonna Do It, Wouldn't Be Prudent

Above, the 1952 Willys Jeep M38A1. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A few days ago, my "honorary sister" asked me if the Jeep would get me to Grants, New Mexico (47 miles from Jamestown) for the Cowboys For Trump ride today.

It probably would, if only historic Route 66 was a continuous road from Jamestown. Sections of the old road are gone in long stretches and the only viable way of getting to Grants is on Interstate 40.

That presents another problem.

These 60-year-old-plus military Jeeps weren't designed for freeway driving. The general consensus on the Willys Jeep M38A1 (which is what I have) is:

With only 68-70 HP and 5:18 gears, top speed is 50 mph and they really like 40-45. These vehicles were designed to be cross-country tactical vehicles for the military, not "cars" per se.

The top speed limit on I-40 is 75 mph. The Jeep would be too slow for it. If I had a car carrier trailer, I'd bring it to Grants on that (towed by The Beast). I did drive it 2 miles (from the Jamestown on-ramp to the Iyanbito off-ramp) to go to Gallup after I first bought it to go to the motor vehicles department to get it registered. From Iyanbito, I took Route 66 into Gallup (thankfully, it goes all the way from Iyanbito to Gallup). I don't think it went over 40 mph while on I-40 during the 2-mile drive on it.

Yes, the Jeep would be great to drive in the Cowboys For Trump ride, but it is just not feasible right now. I'm taking the Mustang.

"Godzilla: King of the Monsters" Opens Tomorrow

Tomorrow's the day that Godzilla: King of the Monsters is released to worldwide theaters.

Yesterday, after our regular group coffee gathering in the morning, I headed over to Red Rock 10 Theaters in Gallup, New Mexico to purchase my movie ticket.

Above, the ticket. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I decided to try the 3D version. I have not seen any 3D movie with the new digital technology, so I figured I'd give it a whirl.

If I am unimpressed (provided the movie is a good one) with 3D, I can always go back to see the standard release.

After buying my ticket, I headed back home on Historic Route 66 until it ended at the Iyanbito on-ramp for the fun of it.