20 Minutes In Arizona

Above, the Manuelito Visitor Center, which is five miles from the Arizona border. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After dropping off Larry Lucier off at his physical therapist's, I headed off to Lupton, Arizona (only 16 miles from Gallup) to pick up some stogies at the Tee Pee Trading Post. 

Along the way, I noticed that the Manuelito Visitor Center rest area was finally open after more than two years of being closed. 

Above, outside of the Tee Pee Trading Post.

When I was done with my business at the Tee Pee Trading Post, I headed back to Gallup, but I did stop at the Manuelito Visitor Center to pick up a soft drink. It looked the same as it did before it was closed down.

After buying a Coke, I did get some literature of some of New Mexico's attractions. 

Tee Pee Trading Post and Gallup

Above, Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, I headed down to the Flying J to see if my shipment of cigars (Oliva Serie G) arrived.

The USPS Tracking on it hasn't been updated since April 28.

Sure enough, the package hadn't arrived. I called Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona (they have the best selection of cigars in the region and they're just at the state line) to see if they were open. Luckily, they were. So I headed from the Flying J to the trading post. They are only 40 miles away from Jamestown.

I have requested an USPS investigation on what happened to my package. It should have arrived already since I pay extra for expedited delivery.

Above, Tee Pee Trading Post. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I got there, I thought it odd that they were open for business as usual, then I caught myself. They're in Arizona, not New Mexico! That makes all the difference in the world.

So I picked up about 24 stogies (of various brands) and headed back home.

About an hour or so before, the governor put the entire city of Gallup on lockdown, allegedly due to a big spike in coronavirus infections. While driving to Gallup en route to Lupton, I noticed state police stationed at different locations, mainly at the off-ramps into town from Interstate 40. People can still drive through Gallup on I-40. It is really getting to look like a police state around here with the state police and National Guard stationed at different locations.

I am glad that I didn't buy a home in town! Being about 20 miles outside of town was the better option, and it is even more so now.

Denny's New Look

Above, the view looking towards the entrances and the Flying J beyond. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After a week of being closed for remodeling, Denny's down at the Flyng J reopened today.

It looks nice, albeit a bit dark as the ceiling tiles were painted a chocolate color. I found the display of state license plates to be interesting.

Bo and I were first to arrive and we ordered some breakfast. The remaining four arrived ten minutes later and the manager told them that a pipe broke and they had no water, so they couldn't take any more orders. One of them eventually was able to get some pancakes.

Above, from the wall in the background, we know where we are. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Denny's has a history of pipe breaks. It doesn't seem to affect the Flying J. They must be on a separate water system.

Above, the map marking that "you are here" in Jamestown. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After Denny's I headed into Gallup to pick up a few things. Stops included the Tee Pee Smoke Shop (to pick up a purchase item that was accidentally left a few days ago) and Boot Barn.

I learned something new today. Jamestown used to be known as Ciniza.

*****
UPDATE:

I went back Denny's for dinner this evening (the pipe was fixed) and took this photo:

Chief Yellowhorse Family Backs Trump

At the Arizona-New Mexico border at Interstate 40 stands the Tee Pee Trading Post and Tee Pee Smoke Shop. It is there that I occasionally pick up some cigars as they have the best selection in the Gallup, New Mexico area. Officially, it is in Lupton, Arizona.

Today, while heading to the Tee Pee Smoke Shop I noticed a sign at the Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post, which is a quarter mile up the road from the Tee Pee Trading Post on Route 66.

After my business at the Tee Pee was completed, I drove up to Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post to take a photo of the sign. The trading post store sits smack dab atop the Arizona-New Mexico borderline.

Here's the photo:

Above, the sign that caught my attention is on the right. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post is operated by the Yellowhorse family.

Speedy's Truck Stop

Above, Speedy's Truck Stop convenience store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After our usual coffee/breakfast gathering at Denny's in the Flying J, I headed west to Lupton, Arizona to pick up some cigars at the Tee Pee Trading Post.

Once that was done, I decided to head "next door" (on the other side of a field) to Speedy's Truck Stop. I have never stopped in before, so I decided to take a look and get some lunch. Speedy's is located next to Interstate 40 on historic Route 66.

Above, Speedy's Truck Stop restaurant. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Inside the main building, there's a convenience store, laundromat, showers and a restaurant for travelers and truckers to take a break.

Above, today's lunch/dinner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I went to the restaurant and had a plate of four tacos with beans and rice. Not bad! I enjoyed it.

Following lunch, I headed on home. I should have had a little less food as I was fighting off a "food coma". But I made it.

I'll probably skip dinner, or just have enough to take my meds.

Arizona and Back

Above, Tee Pee Trading Post this morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After coffee this morning at Denny's in the Flying J, I headed west (at least for 40 miles) to Lupton, Arizona to pick up some cigars to tide me over until my order comes in. Since I had to go into Gallup to pick up some groceries anyway, I decided to do all at once.

It was a nice drive with clear skies.

One can tell it is vacation season by the high numbers of RVs on the road.

After making my purchase at Tee Pee Trading Post, I headed back into Gallup to get a few groceries. I managed to finish everything by 12:40. Not bad.

It is just as well that I took care of everything today since it is forecast that we may be getting some monsoon thunderstorms this weekend.

From the National Weather Service:

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south after midnight.

Saturday

Partly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday

Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday Night

Isolated showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tee Pee Trading Post and USS New Mexico (SSN-779)

Above, the model of the USS New Mexico (SSN-779) at the Manuelito Welcome Center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After our usual gathering at Denny's in the Flying J, I headed off to Lupton, Arizona to the Tee Pee Trading Post to pick up a few cigars.

It is a nice warm spring day at about 79° outside.

Above, the Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I had to go to Gallup anyway to do some grocery shopping, so I went 20 more miles to the Arizona-New Mexico border where Lupton is located.

After making my purchases at the Tee Pee Trading Post, I headed into Gallup to go to Albertson's supermarket. But, I made one stop at the Manuelito Welcome Center to use the facilities and to pick up some literature. While there, I noticed a model of a nuclear submarine.

It is the USS New Mexico (SSN-779), a Virginia-class fast attack nuclear submarine.

Here's a little bit about the USS New Mexico (from Wikipedia):

USS New Mexico (SSN-779), a nuclear powered Virginia-class attack submarine, is the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the 47th state. She is the second of the Virginia Block II submarines to enter service. From March–April 2014, she participated in the ICEX 1-14, becoming the second Virginia-class submarine to surface at the North Pole. The homeport of New Mexico is Groton, Connecticut at Naval Submarine Base New London. 

Construction was awarded to Northrop Grumman Newport News in Newport News, Virginia on 14 August 2003. She is the Navy's sixth Virginia-class submarine, has one million parts and 140 shipboard systems. She was built by a joint agreement between General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) and Northrop Grumman Newport News (NGNN). Construction began in January 2004 at the Electric Boat Corporation, Groton, Connecticut and Quonset Point, Rhode Island facilities, for the construction of the straight sections. The individual components were shipped to Newport News for final assembly.  Her keel was laid down on 12 April 2008, and on 18 May 2008 the final hull welds were completed. She was christened on 13 December 2008, with Cindy Giambastiani, the boat's sponsor and wife of ADM Edmund Giambastiani. Representative Heather Wilson, 1st District-New Mexico, was present as the keynote speaker.

Above, relaxing outside after my errands were completed. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Surprisingly, there was no traffic jammed up at out exit in Jamestown due to the construction. After getting home, I made some guacamole and popped open a bottle of Alien Amber Ale.

It was nice to be outside in the warm air, especially after that long winter we had.

Cigar Run, Etc.

Above, The Beast before heading off to Lupton, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, I took a little drive to the Tee Pee Smoke Shop in Lupton, Arizona (at the Arizona-New Mexico border) to pick up a few cigars.

Today has been the "warmest" since the New Year's blizzard hit New Mexico. This was the first drive I took since the New Year's snows started. It was a good run to charge up The Beast's batteries.

Above, the Tee Pee Gift Shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Snow was still plentiful along the drive and I was amused by one thing. For the first six or so miles after getting on Interstate 40, I saw though my side view mirror the snow from he roof of The Beast falling on the highway. Some vehicles were swerving to miss the snow chunks.

Above, The Beast at the Tee Pee Gift Shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I arrived in Lupton, snow plows were operating at the Indian stores. They got plenty of snow there as well.

Above, the other Indian stores in Lupton on Historic Route 66. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On the way back, I stopped in Gallup to go to the Home Depot to see if their expected delivery of snow shovels were available. They had run out of them. As luck would have it, they had several boxes of them for $25 each and I grabbed on. People were snapping them up.

Above, after starting snow shoveling the walkways. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After I got home, I started shoveling snow from the walkways in front of the house. It was still pretty thick, not as thick as it was (around 14"), around 6". I just barely started and feel like I've burned more than a few calories.

Ready For The Storm

Above, the front yard this afternoon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After our usual breakfast & coffee gathering at Denny's in the Flying J, I headed of to Gallup to do some grocery shopping.

Since the forecast for tonight and tomorrow is rain and/or snow showers, I thought it best to do my shopping today. On the way, I noticed that there's still patches of snow on the ground from last weekend's snow storm.

I apparently made my checkstand clerk's day at the Safeway market in Gallup. I mentioned that since it will be snowing later, I decided to shop today. She groaned over the prospect of more snow as, she said, her car heater doesn't work. I told her that the Flying J has plug-in car heaters. All one has to do is plut it into the cigarette lighter. She was thrilled hearing that and will likely go there to get one.

While at the Flying J, I received some good news in the mail from the Social Security Administration. Us geezers on Social Security will be getting a 2.8% raise starting in January. It may not seem like much, but every little bit helps!

Besides grocery shopping in Gallup, I did head into Arizona to pick up a few stogies at the Big Tee Pee (it is just at the border). It was a nice enjoyable drive.

Now that I took care of business, I can hunker down for the storm later.

Good Ol' New Mexico Monsoon Season

Above, The Beast at the Tee Pee Trading Post and Smoke Shop in Lupton, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The good ol' monsoon season continues on in New Mexico.

This morning, I headed off in The Beast (so I can listen to Rush Limbaugh as the Mustang's radio has a loose wire) to Lupton, Arizona to the Tee Pee Smoke Shop to pick up some cigars.

It was cloudy out and I noticed that water was flowing in arroyos, streams and the Rio Puerco River. They had been pretty dry for months.

After conducting my business at the Tee Pee, I headed back home.

Along the way, I noticed an enormous black cloud heading in the direction of Jamestown. I could see it from Gallup.

Above, today's approaching storm cloud. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After getting off the freeway, I stopped and took the above photo of the cloud.

Within an hour, Jamestown was hit with lightning, thunder and rain.

Nothing like monsoon season in New Mexico!

Driving

Above, the Tee Pee Smoke (and Gift) Shop and the rocky cliffs behind it. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Moving out to New Mexico has made driving a pleasure for me again.

This morning, I headed out to Lupton, Arizona to the Tee Pee Smoke Shop to pick up a few cigars.

Above, the Tee Pee Smoke Shop humidor. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While inside, I snapped a photo of their humidor. This is only a fraction of the cigars they have for sale. They have the best selection (and at reasonable prices) in the Gallup area.

On the way back to Jamestown, I stopped at the Safeway market in Gallup to pick up a few groceries.

I managed to get back by noon. Not too bad!

Sunday Drive

Above, the Tee Pee Gift and Smoke Shop in Lupton, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, I took a nice drive to the Tee Pee Smoke Shop in Lupton, Arizona (at the border with New Mexico) to pick up a few stogies. The only place that sells cigars in Gallup has a poor selection and what they do have are overpriced.

While there, I browsed around and took a few photos.

It was interesting to see a mix of Indian and alien figures there.

Afterwards, I went down the road (historic Route 66) to the Chief Yellowhorse cliff dwelling cave and found that it was open.

I went inside the gift store there and found that it was built right on top of the Arizona-New Mexico border. The floor has the border line painted just inside the entry. Visitors can stand over it with one foot in Arizona and the other in New Mexico.

Photos below.


Tee Pee Gift and Smoke Shop

Above, an alien with his Arizona t-shirt. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, what's a cigar store without a cigar store Indian? Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a general view of the gift shop. The humidor is directly in back. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, another alien stands guard in the Tee Pee Gift Shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post

Above, the Chief Yellowhorse cliff dwelling cave. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, another view of things to see. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Chief Yellowhorse even has a dinosaur for you dino fans. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Chief Yellowhorse gift shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the main entrance to the gift shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the border crosses through the gift shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the view of Interstate 40 and Route 66 from the parking area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Make Chief Great Again!

This morning, I took a little jaunt to the Tee Pee Smoke Shop in Lupton, Arizona (at the Arizona-New Mexico border) to pick up some stogies for this weekend's clampout.

I've been there several times before, but not with my Canon camera. This time I brought it and took some photos.

The first stop was just down the road from the Tee Pee Smoke Shop where there are several Navajo gift shops operated by Chief Yellowhorse.

Above, Indian stores at the Arizona-New Mexico border on historic Route 66. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, above the Indian stores, we're being watched from above on the rocks. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Tee Pee Trading Post that contains the Tee Pee Smoke Shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to Roadside America, Chief Yellowhorse died September 27, 1999 of a heart attack. But the Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post near the Tee Pee Trading Post (down old Route 66) is still in operation. It is currently operated by the Yellowhorse family.

Above, this section of the Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post operations
 appears to be closed for the season. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the old Chief Yellowhorse fort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, there are cave dwellings at the Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, tee pees above the cave. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, looking west in Lupton, Arizona on Route 66. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Why is this blog post titled the way it is?

Here's why:

Above, signs to catch the eyes of tourists. Note the third sign from the left. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After visiting the Chief Yellowhorse landmarks, I headed back into New Mexico on historic Route 66 as far as this stretch of it lasts, before merging into Interstate 40.

Above, the sign on Route 66 welcoming drivers to New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in Gallup, I stopped at the Navajo Travel Plaza (on Route 66 at Exit 16 of Interstate 40) to pick up something to drink. Inside, a vintage Buick was on display. I asked the clerk if I may take a photo of it. He said okay. (Indians are somewhat touchy about photography in their businesses, so it is best to ask first.)

Above, a 1950 Buick on display at the Navajo Travel Plaza in West Gallup. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following my stop at the Navajo Travel Plaza, I made a quick stop at the Flying J to check my mail and headed home to pack up for the clampout.

Make Chief Great Again!

I couldn't resist:

Above, "Don't call me Chief!"