Cigar Stores On The Trip

Above, in the cigar lounge at Smoker Friendly in Cody, Wyoming.

While on the trip to Wyoming and South Dakota, we managed to find a couple of good cigar shops.

In Cody, Wyoming, we came across Smoker Friendly. It appears to be a chain retailer of cigarettes, cigars & pipe tobacco, plus electronic smoking supplies & accessories.

After making our purchases, we relaxed a bit in their cigar smoking lounge.

Above, Deadwood Tobacco Company. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In Deadwood, South Dakota, we found the Deadwood Tobacco Company. It is a tobacco bar offering premium cigars and pipe tobaccos, as well as live music and a bar. It is housed in the Masonic Lodge building on the first floor. As a Mason, this pleased Mitch Geriminsky. It is a relatively new business on Main Street in Deadwood. 

Dinner and Cody

Above, at Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel in Cody, Wyoming.

Rather than unhooking the RV, we took an Uber transportation ride to downtown Cody for dinner.

We went to Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel, once owned by Buffalo Bill Cody and named it after his daughter Irma.  

Above, at the Smoker Friendly's smoking lounge.

I had prime rib and Mitch had a chicken pot pie. 

Afterwards, we wandered around the downtown shops. We spent the most time in Smoker Friendly tobacco shop in their cigar smoking lounge. 

We're going to head back to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West tomorrow.

Royal Caribbean Shares Rules Passengers May Not Know

Above, yours truly enjoying a stogie onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

As one goes through life, they learn that there are rules imposed by society, government and companies. 

This also goes for cruise lines. Some have lots of rules and some are more lenient. It is important to know what a particular cruise line's rules are. 

TheStreet has posted an article on Royal Caribbean's rules on board their ships. 

A friend and I took a cruise to Key West, Florida and Havana, Cuba with Royal Caribbean. I was able to enjoy my cigars without being hassled by the ship's crew. 

The article on Royal Caribbean begins with:

When you take a vacation, there are a lot of rules you typically need to follow. These are generally there to make sure all guests, including you, are safe and have the opportunity to enjoy their time. 

And if we’re honest, some rules are there to protect the interests of the company you’re paying for your vacation. For example, when you visit Walt Disney World, there are rules that prohibit you from allowing your children to swim in fountains or lakes in the theme parks, and ones that govern how many times you can visit each ride through the Lightning Lane entrance if you buy the service.

Cruising is no exception to this. And some of the rules cruisers have to follow are well-known, especially by people who have taken multiple cruises in the past. For example, you cannot buy liquor or wine while in port, or in the ship’s duty-free shop, and then take it back to your room to consume. And you cannot throw anything off of your balcony into the ocean.

On the other hand, there are some rules that aren’t as well known, especially when it comes to where and when smokers can enjoy a cigarette or cigar on a cruise ship. But there is one important rule that Royal Caribbean makes sure its cruisers know.

To read more, go here. 

Can Americans Travel To Cuba?

Above, 1950s U.S. vintage cars can still be seen in Havana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in April 2019, a friend and I took a cruise aboard the Majesty of the Seas of Royal Caribbean to Key West, Florida and Havana, Cuba.

It was a fun and interesting trip. The interesting part was our visit to Havana. Since I have never been in a communist country before, I thought a trip there would be educational. The Cuban people were friendly. One thing I found, Cuban cigars are overrated, the ones I bought were no better than the Olivas I normally buy. 

Then, two months later, President Donald Trump paused group and cruise ship travel. But, Americans can still travel to Cuba. It is "perfectly legal for US individuals to visit Cuba for one of twelve specific purposes defined by the United States Treasury Department, and to travel on one of the many daily commercial flights to Havana, which mostly depart from Miami," according to travel writer Tony Perrottet in Condé Nast Traveler. 

Condé Nast Traveler has posted an article by Perrottlet on the current ins and outs of travel to Cuba.

It begins with:

Even in 2024, the question “can Americans travel to Cuba?” is still frequently asked among US travelers. Few destinations create such simultaneous longing and confusion as this crocodile-shaped island only 95 miles south of Key West. It has held a mythic status since the early 20th century for its vibrant mix of Latin and Caribbean cultures, its hundreds of miles of pristine beaches, its African-influenced music, and its vintage charm; today, Chevrolets and Buicks from the ’50s rattle down Spanish colonial streets in Old Havana that have hardly changed since Ernest Hemingway was knocking back mojitos there.

Yet Cuba has long been a metaphorical forbidden fruit due to political rifts. A web of travel restrictions imposed in the 1960s made it difficult for Americans to make the journey, an idea that still lingers today. And while the limits on tourism were largely lifted in 2016, many still find the prospect daunting.

For some insider knowledge, I spoke to Johnny Considine, founder of the travel agency Cuba Private Travel, a Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist, and a long-term resident of Havana. We discussed the steps American travelers need to take when visiting Cuba, as well as the best times to go, what to see, and more.

To read more, go here.

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.

Graycliff G2 Cigars Arrived

My order of 20 Graycliff G2 Churchill cigars arrived in today's mail.

These cigars I discovered in Nassau, Bahamas as we were heading back to our cruise ship after taking a boat and bus tour. Graycliff is based in Nassau.

I found several dealers who sells them online, most were out of stock and on backorder. One sent me an email telling me that got some in.

Flavor-wise, these compare favorably to the Oliva Serie G Churchills I normally get.

Cruise Ship Smoking

Above, yours truly enjoying an Oliva cigar and a screwdriver aboard the Norwegian Sky.

It appears that different cruise lines have different smoking policies.

Recently, I took a cruise with a friend to the Bahamas and found that the only area Norwegian Cruise Line allowed smoking aboard their ship, Norwegian Sky, was at the pool deck level in a small area. 

Above, the Norwegian Sky smoking area's bar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2019, we took a cruise to Key West and Havana, Cuba aboard Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas. At the time, I was able to enjoy a cigar anywhere outside on the ship without being harassed by any crew members. 

Above, having a cigar at the top deck of the
Majesty the Seas. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Even though the smoking area was limited in size (there were about 15 tables with umbrellas in the smoking area arranged in a semi-circle), we had our own bar and we saw the same people everyday, which allowed for making friends easier. I met a couple from Pennsylvania. We even had barman service at our tables. 

Above, Mitch Geriminsky enjoying a cigar aboard the Norwegian Sky. Photo by Armand Vaquer

Although I preferred the freedom with Royal Caribbean, I liked having our own area and bar with Norwegian.

By the way, the biggest gift shop aboard the Norwegian Sky does sell cigarettes and cigars. I brought my own cigars.

Graycliff Cigar Company of Nassau

While in Nassau, Bahamas, we were on our way back to our cruise ship after our boat and bus tours and along the way were some shops. I found one that sold cigars. So I went inside and bought some from Graycliff Cigar Company. 

One was the Graycliff G2 and the other was Graycliff Grand CRU. Both were good, but the G2 cigars impressed me the most. It compares very well with the Oliva Serie G Churchills that I usually get.

Graycliff is a Nassau-based cigar company.

From their website:

Graycliff Cigar Company

The Garzaroli family founded the Graycliff Cigar Company when Enrico Garzaroli fell in love with cigars but was unable to find that “perfect” cigar to complement what Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant has always been known for — excellent cuisine, fine wines and luxurious accommodations.

The Graycliff Cigar Company, beginning production in January 1997 with a single roller in foyer of the Graycliff Restaurant, has now expanded to an award winning boutique Cigar Company with 16 master rollers, each an expert in the art of cigar rolling. The Graycliff Cigar Company produces five brands of cigars: Graycliff, G2, Bahiba, Cabinet Selection by Graycliff and the newly introduced B-Cuz by Graycliff.

Visitors to The Graycliff Cigar Company, in addition to witnessing first-hand skilled torcedores at work, may also take a Cigar Rolling Lesson or a Cigar and Rum pairing session with our expert craftsmen.  Scroll down for more info.

The Graycliff Cigar Company is currently open Daily from 9am to 5:00pm.  Except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.  

I just placed an order for some of their G2 cigars. It wasn't an easy task as many cigar dealers were sold out and put on backorder.

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:

Why Do Cigarettes Cost So Much?

Several years ago, I came down with bronchitis and used that opportunity to quit smoking cigarettes. I do have an occasional cigar. But I don't smoke them nearly as much as I did cigarettes. Plus, I get no cravings. I don't smoke them in the Jeep. There are two reasons for that: the gas tank is directly under the driver's seat and I keep a full gasoline can inside. 

The below picture from Facebook got me wondering how much does a pack of cigarettes cost these days. I remember cigarette vending machines selling them for around 35 cents to 45 cents per pack. That was back in the late 1960s to the early 1970s.

A pack of Marlboro cigarettes at the Flying J cost around $9.00/pack.

There are factors as to why a pack of smokes cost so much. 

According to Balancing Everything:

Americans spend an average of $6.96 for a cigarette pack. Not all US residents, however, pay the same price to satisfy their smoking habits. New Yorkers, for example, pay double the price paid by those in Missouri. Meaning, smoking two packs per week will cost you circa $1,308 a year in the Empire State. Missourians, by contrast, pay only $546. How much money does an average cigarette pack cost? What is the state with the cheapest cigarettes? Why do some states have more expensive tobacco products? Find all the answers in this guide on cigarette prices by state.

What Affects Cigarette Prices?

Before we list the states, let’s learn why the price of cigarettes varies. Several factors affect how much residents pay for cigarettes in their state. Taxes, for instance, account for 44.3% of the total cigarette retail price per pack.

To find out what a pack of cigarettes now cost in each state go here.

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.

Cuba Travel: The Latest

Above, a package containing cigars I bought in Havana last year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Travel to Cuba is tricky at best for Americans, but it still can be done.  (As of June 5, 2019, cruises to Cuba are no longer available due to travel restrictions imposed by the United States. I got to take a cruise two months before the ban. Source: Cruiseweb.com)

That said, due to the pandemic, Cuba has been closed off but is now starting to reopen.

According to Travel + Leisure:

After seven months of tight lockdowns, Cuba started loosening its coronavirus restrictions on Monday, hoping to restart its economy — especially its $3 billion tourism industry, according to the Associated Press.

In an announcement made last Thursday, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero said 13 of the country’s 16 provinces can start reopening for tourism this week, NBC reports. However, the capital of Havana will not be part of this initial move, as it suffered a spike in August, according to CNN. The Havana Airport will remain closed for now.

Strict mask and physical distancing measures remain in place, but those who may have been in contact with possible coronavirus cases will no longer be put in isolation facilities, as they had been, and can isolate at home, Marrero said.

Since April 2, all air and sea travel to the island nation had been banned, requiring government permission for anyone arriving or leaving the country. Travel restrictions were also put in place within the country, according to CNN, with tourism of any kind restricted, including the closure of bars, restaurants, hotels, and beaches.

To read more, go here. 

Above, yours truly and Mitch Geriminsky at the cruise line terminal in Havana last year before the ban.

Even if one is able to visit Cuba, Cuban rum and cigars cannot be brought into the U.S. at present. I happened to luck out in getting rum and cigars before the current restrictions were enacted last year. 

According to ViaHero:

There are 11 categories of approved travel to Cuba for Americans, all of which allow you to travel to Cuba legally. 

• To travel under any one of the 11 categories, including the Support for the Cuban People category (the most popular) you simply need to declare that category when booking flights and lodging (as well as during re-entry into the US). 

• To travel legally, make sure to adhere to the requirements of that category.

On September 23, Cigar Aficionado posted:

Americans will no longer be allowed to come back home with Cuban cigars, Cuban rum, or to stay in Cuban hotels, President Trump announced in a White House speech today. New U.S. sanctions leveled against Cuba have removed the permission for Americans traveling abroad to return with Cuba’s most famous exports, and also ban future U.S. travelers from staying at any government-owned hotels on the island—a restriction that essentially forces all future U.S. visitors to stay in Airbnb-style lodgings in private homes, since the Cuban state holds full or majority ownership in all Cuban hotels.

The new laws take effect tomorrow, September 24.

Above, the bottle of rum I bought in Havana before the ban. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There you have it!  

Cuba Gets New Restrictions From Trump

Above, inside a government-run cigar and rum store in Havana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

President Trump has announced new restrictions so not to fund the Cuban regime.

According to the Miami Herald:

Americans traveling to Cuba will not be able to buy rum or tobacco as souvenirs, nor will they be able to stay in government hotels, according to new restrictions announced by president Donald Trump on Wednesday.

“Today as part of our continuing fight against communist oppression, I am announcing that the Treasury Department will prohibit U.S. travelers from staying at properties owned by the Cuban government,” Trump said in a speech to honor Bay of Pigs veterans at the White House. “We are also further restricting the importation of Cuban alcohol and Cuban tobacco. This actions will ensure U.S. dollars do not fund the Cuban regime.”

As far as I've known, Cuban alcohol and cigars have not been available in the U.S. except, maybe, on the black market.

Frankly, I think Cuban cigars are a bit overrated. I bought some Montecristo No. 2 cigars (recommended by Rush Limbaugh) while in Cuba last year and I really didn't notice any difference in taste between them and the Oliva Serie G cigars I get here.  

To read more, go here.