Stopped At Jack Rabbit Trading Post

Above, the big Jack Rabbit was decorated with Christmas decorations. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, I drove home from Lake Havasu City, Arizona after spending Christmas with Holly & Mitch Geriminsky.

Along the way on Interstate 40, I made a few stops. One of which was at Jack Rabbit Trading Post. While there I chatted for a bit with the proprietors Tony and Cindy Jacquez. I has been a while since I last visited. I mentioned that we lost Russell Azbill in October as he enjoyed stopping at their trading post. He liked their t-shirts.  I mentioned that I finally was able to see the inside of the dome of Meteor City Trading Post. 

I picked up a miniature replica sign of their iconic sign that sits out on Historic Route 66. They said that it is one of their biggest sellers.

Above, my new Jack Rabbit Trading Post sign in the den. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After visiting for a while, I then headed off towards home, with a stop at the Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona for cigars. 

Northern Arizona’s Quirkiest Roadside Attractions

Above, Jack Rabbit Trading Post in St. Joseph, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I moved to New Mexico seven years ago, I have found myself in northern Arizona several times. Most of my trips there have been to Lupton, Arizona to buy cigars at the Tee Pee Trading Post. Lupton is right at the Arizona-New Mexico border.

I have also driven through northern Arizona, primarily on Interstate 40, to go to a clampout or visit friends in Lake Havasu. Along the way, I have made stops at such places as Jack Rabbit Trading Post, Meteor Crater, Wigwam Motel, Standin' On The Corner Park (in Winslow), Petrified Forest National Park and Geronimo's Trading Post.

Above, yours truly with my mini mileage sign at Jack Rabbit Trading Post. Photo by Cindy Jaquez.

Only In Arizona has posted a list of several places can visit while on a road trip on Interstate 40. They refer to the attractions as "quirky". 

They begin it with:

Living in Arizona can be quite an adventure for tourists and residents alike. There are countless things to see, do, and experience, and road trips are often the most incredible way to see the best parts of the state. While adventuring along the open roads of the Grand Canyon State, I usually have a destination in mind, but I'm also open to the spontaneous roadside stop when something calls my name. I've often done entire road trips with only roadside stops in mind! If you'd love to see some of the most unusual attractions in the state, here is a road trip to some of Northern Arizona's quirkiest attractions.

Above, Standin' On A Corner park in Winslow, Arizona. Photo by Russell Azbill.

To read more, go here. 

Rain and Snow Showers

Above, The Beast at Tee Pee Trading Post in Luption, Arizona in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On the calendar, it is supposed to be spring, but the weather is a little more like winter. It rained a bit yesterday.

At least that's the forecast for the Gallup/Jamestown area according to the National Weather Service. 

We're supposed to get rain or snow showers through Thursday. We'll see if that actually happens.

The forecast:

 Overnight

Isolated snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday

A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 8am, then rain showers likely. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Tuesday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday

A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wednesday Night

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a slight chance of showers between 9pm and midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 66.

T.C.B.

Above, the motorhome at the clampout in Quartzsite last weekend. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today was a busy day.

After our Tuesday coffee/breakfast at Denny's down at the Flying J this morning, I headed into Gallup to do a few things.

First, I went and got myself a haircut. I was a bit overdue for one and was looking a bit unshorn. When I arrived, my barber noticed my motorhome and he expressed interest in getting one when he retires. He's now 64 and figures retiring in about four years from now.

After the haircut, I headed to a coin-operated car wash to wash the motorhome. It needed it as much as I needed the haircut. 

Once that was completed, I went 16 miles to the west of Gallup and back into Arizona. I went to the Tee Pee Trading Post in Luption, Arizona (right on the border) to pick up a few Oliva cigars.

After that, I headed back into Gallup to have dinner at Jerry's Café. I had my usual No. 3 (enchilada and chile relleno combo). 

After dinner, before heading home, I made a quick stop at Albertson's to pick up a few items. 

The day went by quickly while T.C.B. (Taking Care of Business).

Election Week Weather

Above, Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Election week will bring snow showers to Jamestown, New Mexico.

Funny thing, when I looked at this week's forecast of the National Weather Service, it stated that snow showers may begin tonight through Monday. But on Election Day (Tuesday), it will be sunny with a 50° temperature. Then, possible snow showers (40% chance) will hit on Wednesday and the rest of the week. 

Today, I did manage to drive the Jeep down to the Flying J and around the community. It was the first time in days I did so.

Right now, the area is socked in with clouds, so maybe we will get snow showers tonight (40% chance).

The forecast: 

Tonight

Scattered snow showers after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Sunday

Rain and snow showers likely before 1pm, then rain showers likely between 1pm and 3pm, then scattered rain and snow showers after 3pm. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Sunday Night

Scattered rain and snow showers before 9pm, then scattered snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Monday

Scattered snow showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 41. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 21. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest after midnight.

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 50.

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Wednesday

A chance of rain and snow showers before noon, then a chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday Night

Snow showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday

Snow showers likely before noon, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 37. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night

A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20.

Friday

A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.

A Little Trek To Lupton, Arizona

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

Yesterday, I headed over to the Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona (40 miles away) to pick up some stogies. Lupton is at the New Mexico-Arizona border.

Since gasoline is at $3.049/gallon (with my Good Sam discount, I only paid $2.989.gallon at Flying J), it was a good time to go to Lupton.

I am waiting on an order of Olivas and it seems to be delayed, hence the trek. I was able to get $25 discounted from the total at Tee Pee Trading Post as I am a member of their discount program. 

After this, I headed into Gallup for an early dinner at Genaro's. I got the chile rellenos plate. I was able to finish the first one and part of the second one (the chile peppers they use are big, almost twice the size of the ones at Jerry's Cafe). I will finish the second relleno this morning for breakfast. 

Above, yesterday's chile rellenos at Genaro's. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I noticed a work crew working on the railroad tracks as the site of April's train derailment on the way to Gallup.

I did stop at the market for a few things before heading back home. All in all, it was an enjoyable little ride.

Stopping At Tee Pee Trading Post

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

Along the way to Williams, Arizona yesterday, I stopped in the Tee Pee Trading Post to pick up some cigars for the clampout.

While there, I chatted with one of the clerks and he said that they had to close and be evacuated when the derailment fire was raging. 

According to CNN:

Evacuation orders were issued for residents within a two-mile radius of the derailment and fire along the New Mexico state line with Arizona, according to an update from BNSF Railway. All evacuations were lifted Sunday, according to a Facebook post from McKinley County Fire & Rescue.

All he heard when the explosion occurred was something like a muffled pop. The trading post was about a mile from the derailment.

This incident will be talked about for years to come.

Interstate 40 Now Open In New Mexico

Above, a view of the derailment from the eastbound lanes of I-40.

Interstate 40 is slowly getting back to normal in New Mexico.

Both directions (east and west) of the major thoroughfare are now open. 

From the photo above, I know exactly where the derailment took place. It is just beyond the eastbound on-ramp of Interstate 40, fairly near Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post. I've been there many times while going to Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona.

Many people posting on the Facebook New Mexico Road and Weather Reports Updates have been posting warnings to others such as this:

I-40 near NM/AZ Stateline by Lupton is opened EB, WB! Just be careful of some traffic backup!

FYI: Seen people try to stop or slow down on i40 to take pictures of the crash site, pls don't. You're might cause an accident!!

Good advice!  

Rain and Snow Showers

Above, Tee Pee Trading Post is about three miles from the derailment. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Given the fiery train derailment of yesterday, perhaps this will come as good news for the firefighters at the scene near Lupton, Arizona.

According to the National Weather Service, we're to get rain and possible snow showers overnight and today.

It is currently snowing in Flagstaff, Arizona.

The forecast:

 Overnight

A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Southwest wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Saturday

Scattered snow showers before 10am, then scattered rain and snow showers between 10am and noon, then rain showers after noon. Some thunder is also possible. High near 46. Southwest wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday Night

Scattered rain showers, mixing with snow after 9pm, then gradually ending. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 33. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Train Derailment Closes Interstate 40

Above, the train derailment near Lupton, Arizona. Photo by the McKinley County Sheriff.

As today is Friday, I headed into Gallup for dinner at Jerry's Cafe.

On the way, I (and everyone else going westbound on Interstate 40) were diverted off the freeway at Exit 20 in Gallup. That was my intended exit anyway. The Interstate was closed by the New Mexico State Police.

Above, tonight's dinner at Jerry's Cafe. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Once I got seated at Jerry's, I checked online and found that a train carrying gasoline and propane derailed near Lupton, Arizona. Both eastbound and westbound Interstate 40 lanes were closed. At least this closure didn't involve a semi truck.

Lupton is where the Tee Pee Trading Post is located. They have the largest cigar humidor in the region.

I had Number 3 at Jerry's Cafe, which is the chile relleno and cheese enchilada plate. It was good, as usual. 

Visitors Today

Above, at the Silver Screen Café in Gallup.

Today turned out to be a good one as friends Mitch Geriminsky and Dwight Kuntz stopped in Gallup en route to home in Lake Havasu, Arizona. They were visiting a friend in Colorado. They were going to return home tomorrow, but decided to head home today.

We met up for breakfast at the Silver Screen Café at the El Rancho Hotel.

While in Arizona, they did take in the railroad museum at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad station in Durango. They also went to, upon my recommendation, the Durango Bagel shop.

We talked about anything and everything while at breakfast.

Above, Dwight and yours truly in the cigar humidor room
 at Tee Pee Trading Post. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Afterwards, we migrated in separate vehicle to the Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona to pick up some stogies. While there, we had a nice conversation with a long-haul trucker about cigars.

From there, they headed for Lake Havasu and I headed home to Jamestown.  

Cigar Run At Tee Pee Trading Post

As I mentioned previously, after having the Jeep towed to the mechanic's shop in Gallup yesterday, I headed another sixteen miles west to the Arizona-New Mexico border on a "cigar run" at the Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona.

Their section of cigars is probably the largest in the Four Corners region and big walk-in humidor was recently enlarged to an even bigger size. Once a rectangle, it is now "L" shaped.

Below is a shot of me inside the humidor and one of the outside of the trading post:

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. 

Gallup and Lupton

Above, breakfast at Grandpa's Grill in Gallup.

Yesterday started out with Mitch Geriminsky and Dwight Kuntz at Grandpa's Grill in Gallup. They had never been there before and it was a better choice for breakfast than Denny's.

They liked the ambiance of the restaurant and the waitress. 

From there, we headed through Gallup and ended up in Lupton, Arizona at the Tee Pee Trading Post, which is right at the Arizona-New Mexico border.

Above, Dwight and Mitch at Tee Pee Trading Post. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Dwight picked up a few stogies and Mitch bought some t-shirts. I received two cigars from the store in graditude for bringing in some new customers (yes, they know me there). 

Afterwards, we headed back into Gallup and stopped at Walmart where they both bought a few things ing the grocery department. Both are on diets and needed some diet-related items. From there, we went to Albertson's where I picked up my case of Alien Amber Ale that I had ordered.

Above, yours truly and Mitch at Tee Pee Trading Post. Photo by Dwight Kuntz.

After Albertson's, we headed back to my place and we watched some Laurel & Hardy shorts and their feature film, Sons of the Desert. 

We had dinner down at Denny's and wrapped up the evening watching My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys.

Today, we're heading to Albuquerque.

People's Convoy Route and Timetable

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

The People's Convoy, protesting COVID-19 mandates in the U.S., is heading east along Interstate 40 today. What's even more interesting (to me) is that it will pass through my neck of the woods.

According to Newsweek:

A convoy of American truckers will leave from Adelanto, California, on Wednesday to complete an 11-day journey to the nation's capital, where the group plans to hold a protest demanding that all COVID 19-related mandates are lifted across the country.

The group, dubbed the People's Convoy, is inspired by the protesters of the so-called Freedom Convoy in Canada, who occupied Ottawa for 24 days and blocked various border crossings into the U.S. to protest the country's pandemic restrictions, particularly the federal vaccine mandate for cross-border commercial truck drivers. This past Sunday, Ottawa police cleared out the remaining demonstrators, arresting 191 people and towing 57 vehicles after more than three weeks of protests.

"To our brave and courageous neighbors to the North — our Canadian brothers and sisters who led the charge — we join your call to Freedom with THE PEOPLE'S CONVOY," the Canadian protesters' American counterparts wrote on a website.

Something else caught my eye. The convoy will rest up in Lupton, Arizona tomorrow night. Lupton is where the Tee Pee Trading Post (that I frequent) and Speedy's Truck Stop are located. I am sure both businesses will get some good business from the convoy participants.

Day 2: Thursday, February 24
Morning: Depart Kingman, Arizona, and head east on I-40 toward Lupton, Arizona
Evening: Arrive in Lupton for an overnight stay

Day 3: Friday, February 25
Morning: Depart Lupton on I-40 eastbound through New Mexico
Evening: Arrive in Glenrio, Texas, for an overnight stay

To read more, go here. 

Winter Weather Advisory

Above, The Beast at Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like the storm will be in the Jamestown, New Mexico in the afternoon today. We shall see.

Winter Weather Advisory

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
224 AM MST Wed Feb 16 2022

NMZ205-206-161730-
/O.CON.KABQ.WW.Y.0006.220216T1900Z-220217T1200Z/
West Central Plateau-West Central Mountains-
224 AM MST Wed Feb 16 2022

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 5 AM
MST THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 4
  inches.

* WHERE...West Central Mountains and West Central Plateau.

* WHEN...From Noon today to 5 AM MST Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Tire traction will be
  reduced. Extend the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle
  in front of you. This includes along portions of I-40. The
  hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. For the latest road
conditions, dial 511 or 1.800.432.4269, or visit http://nmroads.com.

A Little Trek To Arizona

Above, inside the humidor of the Tee Pee Trading Post today.

Today, I took a little drive to Lupton, Arizona to the Tee Pee Trading post to pick up a few cigars. They have probably the best selection of cigars in a big humidor in the Four Corners region.

This is the first out-of-state trip for me in 2022.

Lupton is only 40 miles from home with Gallup the half-way point. It is right at the Arizona-New Mexico border.

Following my stop at Tee Pee Trading post, I stopped in Gallup on the way back home to pick up a few groceries. 

It's a good thing I did, a snowstorm is expected in Tuesday night and Wednesday. I have all I need to get me through the storm, should it dump sizable amount of snow.

According to the National Weather Service:

An upper low will produce heavy snow in the southern Rockies. Temperatures will plunge much below normal behind this system.

Since I am in the southern Rockies (or at least the tail end), it is best to be prepared. 

I was talking with the clerk at Tee Pee Trading post and he agreed that this has been a cold winter, even though we've had minimal amounts of snow, with the exception of New Year's day when we got around seven inches. We'll have to wait until Wednesday to see what we get then.

Labor Day Drive To Arizona

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

This has been a sedate Labor Day for me.

I had no plans for anything particular to do. However, I did decide to take a little drive to Lupton, Arizona to the Tee Pee Trading Post. Lupton is just inside the Arizona-New Mexico border. I picked up a few cigars in their big cigar humidor room.

I did some browsing around their gift shop. I didn't see anything I wanted, so I headed to Gallup for a little grocery shopping since Gallup is only 16 miles away and is on the way home. Luckily, traffic was light in both directions. 

The only other thing I did this weekend was watch a couple of John Wayne World War II movies. The first was Flying Leathernecks (1951) and the other was Operation Pacific (1951).

I'll probably wrap up the day with a fire in my fire pit tonight.