Yesterday, we had our usual Saturday coffee/breakfast at Grandpa's Grill in Gallup, New Mexico.
The day started out beautiful. It was clear with a few clouds.
The Lucier brothers couldn't attend as both Greg and Larry came down with head colds. But Bob Weekes, Victor Gomez and Roger Slape and I attended.
Here's our group yesterday:
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| Above, left to right, yours truly, Bob Weekes, Victor Gomez and Roger Slape. |
Yesterday's breakfast gathering of the gang from Jamestown was a rare occurrence. We had all 6 from Jamestown attend plus Bob Weeks from Gallup at Grandpa's Grill. For one reason or another, we don't often get everyone present.
It was such a rare event that we had the waitress take a group photo.
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| Above, starting at the back row from left going clockwise are Bob Weeks (waving), yours truly, Roger Slape, Greg Lucier, Larry Lucier, Russell Azbill and Victor Gomez. |
One of the best restaurants in Gallup for breakfasts (and anything else) is Grandpa's Grill.
The Jamestown gang met up there for breakfast yesterday morning.
Here's a photo of the group (courtesy of Russell Azbill):
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| Above, the El Rancho lobby this morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
This morning, I had to go into Gallup to do some grocery shopping.
Before doing my shopping, I stopped first for some breakfast at the Silver Screen Restaurant at the El Rancho Hotel & Motel.
When I arrived at the El Rancho lobby, it was already adorned with Christmas decorations. I think they will add more as the month progresses.
I had my favorite El Rancho breakfast dish: Monument Valley Enchiladas.
Here it is:
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| Above, the Monument Valley Enchiladas had more green chile peppers than usual. It was actually better, not that they were ever bad. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
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| Above, the El Rancho's Monument Valley enchiladas. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The Gallup area will not be within the umbra (or path) of the eclipse (maybe we'll get a partial eclipse) anyway, so I will be enjoying a hearty breakfast and doing a little grocery shopping. I already made out my list.
Some friends are now in Texas awaiting the celestial event. One posted a photo of himself and his wife at the Alamo in San Antonio. Maybe they're looking for the basement? At least if there's cloudy skies, they will take in some attractions in the Lone Star State to make the trip worthwhile.
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| Above, the El Rancho's lobby had more Christmas decorations yesterday. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Yesterday was rather interesting.
I had to go into Gallup to do some grocery shopping. Before doing so, I stopped at the Silver Screen cafe at the El Rancho Hotel for a breakfast of their Monument Valley Enchiladas. They were good (as usual).
In case I didn't see my waitress again before Christmas, I gave her a monetary Christmas bonus with her tip. I made her day, especially since business had been slow yesterday.
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| Above, the Silver Screen cafe's Christmas tree. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Before leaving home, I was somewhat concerned over the starting problems with my 1989 Mustang. But it had been starting good for this past week, so I decided to chance it. In back of my mind, if it should act up in Gallup, it would be near enough to my mechanic's so that if probrems should arise, they could finally find out what's causing the problem. They can't diagnose it if it starts.
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| Above, another view of the El Rancho's lobby. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
From the El Rancho, I headed to the market and got my groceries, including dairy and frozen foods.
Well, after loading the car with the groceries, the car tried to start but something choked it off and it wouldn't start. Luckily, it was only a few blocks from the mechanic, but I had to wait for Auto Club's tow truck to arrive, which ended up being a hour and a half later. Thankfully, the market put my perishables in their cooler. Greg Lucier came to give me a ride home.
Finally, the tow truck arrived and it was towed to the mechanic's.
The way the car was acting, I suspect the problem lies with the fuel system. In any case, I am having the fuel filter changed. Hopefully, the starting problem will finally be fixed.
When I got home, waiting for me on the porch was the 6" Godzilla Minus One vinyl figure by Bandai that I ordered on December 5. It arrived from Japan. Nice, fast service!
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| Above, the Bandai 6" Godzilla Minus One figure. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Now for the wait to find out what ails the Mustang. Thank God I have the Jeep to drive around here.
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| Above, this morning's breakfast burrito. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
This morning, I set up an appointment at the Gallup Pep Boys for buying and installing two tires for the Mustang along with a wheel alignment.
I just needed two front tires as they were badly worn. The rear ones were okay. I can't complain as they lasted five years.
I got down to Pep Boys just before my appointment time and was told that they could not get to my car until later in the day. They claimed they tried to call me, my phone indicated otherwise. I decided that this wouldn't work for me and so I left. They lost my business.
I then went to a tire dealer that Larry Lucier recommended and they got me in and out within 25 minutes. I have to go back tomorrow or the wheel alignment.
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| Above, Grandpa's Grill in Gallup. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
As I had to go back into Gallup tomorrow anyway to pick up a prescription and a case of Alien Amber Ale that I ordered, going back for the alignment was no big deal.
Oh, yes. The breakfast burrito was great.
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| Above, the group at Grandpa's Grill last November. |
Last night, I went to Denny's at the Flying J for dinner.
I ordered the salmon dinner and coffee. Then I was told that the manager of the restaurant "forgot" to order coffee and they only had decaf available. They won't get any coffee in until Friday, unless a sister Denny's in Gallup gives them some.
Since our group in Jamestown goes to Denny's on Tuesdays for coffee and breakfast, an alternate plan was made. We're heading to Grandpa's Grill in Gallup today.
This plan doesn't upset any of the group as most feel Grandpa's Grill has better food at more reasonable prices.
So we're all going to hop into Larry's "magic bus" and head into Gallup.
Yup, somebody f*cked up!
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| Above, the gang at Grandpa's Grill in Gallup this morning. |
Today started out interestingly.
After getting most of the gang (one decided to drive himself) into Larry Lucier's bus to head down to the Flying J, we arrived at Denny's only to find a couple of McKinley County Fire Department vehicles in front of Denny's.
One of the workers of Denny's told us that they will be closed for a "short time" due to a small kitchen fire. The workers put it out before the fire department arrived.
So, we decided to head into Gallup to have our coffee/breakfast gathering at Grandpa's Grill.
It actually worked out better for us. We got better food at a lower price.
Later, after dropping off everyone, I headed down to the post office at the Flying J and found that Denny's was still closed (that was around 1:00 this afternoon). It was a good thing we didn't wait around.
This morning, our coffee/breakfast group gathered at Denny's at the Flying J for our usual Saturday coffee and breakfast.
Joining us today was Nandoh Munoz. There was one of our group missing, Roger Slape, who was in Heber, Utah.
I had our waitress photograph the group.
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| Above, (left to right) Nandoh Munoz, yours truly, Larry Lucier, Greg Lucier, Russell Azbill and Victor Gomez. |
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| Above, a morning campfire in Colorado. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Before my heart attack three years ago, I would start the day with a good breakfast of eggs, bacon (or sausage) and toast. Since then, I usually have just oatmeal and orange juice.
On occasion, I do indulge with a big breakfast.
When camping with the gang at E Clampus Vitus clamp-outs, we would make a breakfast with Coleman stoves or (rarely) campfires or they're cooked by the cook crew or catered.
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| Above, preparing breakfast at the Keene Ranch near the Tehachapi Loop. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
RV Life has an article on three campfire breakfast ideas.
They begin it with:
We all know breakfast is the most important (and often most delicious) meal of the day! If you’re trying to wake up after a long night, a hot and fresh breakfast can work wonders. On a chilly morning, an easy and quick way to whip up a meal is to use a campfire breakfast recipe. Many people enjoy warming up by a campfire while they wake up, and you can easily cook your breakfast at the same time.
Some breakfast recipes require extensive prep and take a long time to fully cook. But below we’ve collected 3 great campfire breakfast ideas that are delicious and quick to make. There are savory and sweet options, and you can always put your own unique twist on them if you have certain ingredients you want to incorporate.
With just a fire, a few ingredients, and a bit of time, you’ll be ready to enjoy a proper campfire breakfast.
To read more, go here.
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| Above, preparing breakfast at camp. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Since my heart "issue" took place three years ago, I just generally have a glass of orange juice and a bowl of maple and brown sugar oatmeal. A bowl of oatmeal (about one and one-half cups) a day can lower cholesterol by 5 to 8%.
Occasionally, I will break away from the same-old thing and make waffles or chorizo and egg breakfasts.
For camping breakfast, RV Life has some cheap and easy ideas to try out.
They begin with:
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and hungry travelers need some tasty options while they’re camping. Although it gets the job done, it can get boring to eat granola bars, pastries, and cold leftovers every morning.
To help add a little more flavor to your next RV trip, check out our favorite camping breakfast ideas below!
To see what they are, go here.
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| Above, the Hotel Asia Center of Japan in Minato-ku, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
The Japan Tourism Agency will lift a decades-old requirement that hotels must serve western-style meals to be registered as "international tourist hotels," effective Friday, agency officials said Thursday.
The decision was made because "washoku" Japanese cuisine has been added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, while nearly 70 percent of tourists visiting Japan come from Asia, the officials said.
Under the registration system launched in 1949, offering western-style meals was among criteria aimed at meeting western standards, but the requirement was eased in 1993 to serving western-style breakfasts.I do hope that hotels such as the Hotel Asia Center of Japan continue to serve western-style breakfasts, even though they will no longer be required to do so. Otherwise, I'd have to go to a local McDonald's (no problem here, they're all over the place) or hunt down a Denny's Restaurant if I want a western-style breakfast. I don't mind having Japanese food for lunch and dinner. I just prefer a western-style breakfast.
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| Above, the Hotel Asia Center of Japan, their restaurant buffet features both styles. Photo by Armand Vaquer. You're in Japan and it is breakfast time on your first morning there. What should you have for breakfast? American-style or Japanese-style? |
Please close your eyes for a second and think about your idea of the perfect, most delectable breakfast you could have. Think about every nuance. Are you eating it at a restaurant that really makes your tummy smile every time you go? Perhaps it’s at your Mom’s house or another family member. What breakfast foods are running through your mind?
What exactly does a Japanese breakfast consist of? Well, much like back home, it depends on who you ask, but the standard breakfast that I’ve heard Japanese friends and co-workers mention consists of the following: miso soup (味噌汁), natto (納豆), steamed rice (ご飯 or gohan), and grilled fish (焼き魚 or yakizakana).
