Two Articles On RV Winterizing

Above, a snowstorm's aftermath. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We're creeping into winter. Although it is now autumn, some areas will now start getting freezing temperatures (particularly at night). At my home in New Mexico, I've already noticed some nighttime temperatures going down to freezing (32°).

Even though I store my motorhome in a garage, winterizing is still necessary.

RV owners in colder climates need to winterize their rigs.

Do It Yourself RV has posted two articles on winterizing. The first one is on the risks of not winterizing. The second one is on winterizing in different climates.

The first one begins with:

Most RV owners have been told just how important winterizing an RV is at one time or another. That said, not everyone fully understands why this task is so important. What happens if you don’t winterize your rig, and how will it affect you? 

In this article, we will answer that question so you can get a better understanding of why winterizing your RV is so important. We’ll also give you some options for avoiding these problems in your RV. 

To read the full article, go here. 

The second article on preparing your RV in any climate begins with:

Preparing your RV for winter is more than a seasonal task; it’s an investment in the life and performance of your motorhome, 5th wheel, camper van, or travel trailer. Regardless of climate, there are a few things every RVer should do each year when the leaves begin to fall. The following guide breaks down essential steps for both colder and warmer climates to help you prepare your RV for winter.

To read the full article, go here. 

RV Tire Lifespan and Climate

Above, I keep my RV tires protected from UV rays and
temperature extremes in the RV garage. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A typical Class C recreational vehicle has six tires. Multiply $300 per tire (on average) by six, that's $1,800 for a new set of tires for the RV.

Prolonging tire life is essential to saving that amount of money. 

Do It Yourself RV has an article on how climate affects RV tire lifespans.

They begin it with:

HOW DOES CLIMATE AFFECT YOUR RV TIRES?

Climate plays a significant role in the lifespan of RV tires. Extreme temperatures, humidity levels, and weather conditions can all impact the durability and performance of your tires. Understanding how climate affects your RV tire lifespan is crucial for maintaining safety and maximizing the longevity of your tires.

EFFECTS OF HOT CLIMATE ON RV TIRE LIFESPAN

Every tire is composed of rubber compounds tailored for specific performance characteristics. These compounds are sensitive to temperature. In extremely cold conditions, rubber becomes rigid and less flexible. Conversely, in extremely hot conditions, tires can become softer.

To read more, go here. 

Outside RV Storage A Bad Idea

Above, the RV in its garage. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I bought my 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R that year, I was living in the Los Angeles area where the climate is not harsh.

Since then, I have moved to New Mexico and now live in a semi-arid area at about 7,000 feet above sea level. The winters get very cold and snowy and the summers can cause damage to an RV due to the altitude's UV rays.

That is why I had a RV garage (called the GOCO Beast Barn) built. It protects my motorhome from the harsher aspects of the climate. Thankfully, I was able to do so as I have a two-acre ranchette.

With the above in mind, RV Travel has posted an article on why storing an RV outside can be a bad idea. 

The begin it with:

Every year hundreds of thousands of RV owners all across the country need to store their RVs. Whether it is due to harsh winter conditions or because work and school activities limit the time we can “recreate,” RVers must find the best method to put their unit into hibernation. Trying to find a nice, heated, indoor facility can be difficult and very expensive. So most of us are forced to store our RVs outside, which is not always a good idea and can create some very expensive issues.

To read more, go here. 

10 Worst U.S. States To Retire In 2022

Above, the mesas across the valley from Jamestown, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Money Inc. has posted a list of ten states they consider the "worst" U.S. states to retire to this year. One of which is my state of New Mexico.

They begin with:

The desire to retire and do all of the things you enjoy is something that almost everyone has. Who wouldn’t want the opportunity to retire to a place where they can truly enjoy life without the need to worry about getting up and schlepping off to work everyday. The truth of the matter is that it can be so easy to get caught up in dreaming about retiring that it’s easy to forget about the stark reality sometimes associated with it. These days, it’s harder than ever to make ends meet and it doesn’t get any easier when you retire. Choosing the right location to retire to is one of the most important decisions you could ever make. In fact, it makes a dramatic difference in the amount of money you’re likely to be spending during those years.

Below are 10 of the worst states you can possibly retire to. There are plenty of reasons why these aren’t exactly safe havens for retirees. If you’re curious, scan through the list below and figure out if the place you plan to retire has ended up on the list. If it has, it might be time to rethink things.

This is what they posted about New Mexico:

3. New Mexico

New Mexico has a lot of things up against it right now. It’s not always the best place to retire because it has a lot of hot, dry days and it’s desert-like climate simply doesn’t work all that well for every retiree. If you love that type of weather, good for you. If it’s something you’ve always dreaded, you’re not going to enjoy it there because it’s like that for most of the year.

In addition, New Mexico doesn’t manage their state budget particularly well. In fact, they’re usually in the red. That means that there are less services for you to take advantage of, should you need them. A lot of people point out that New Mexico has a lower cost of living than a lot of states, but it won’t do you any good if you’re stuck somewhere trying to get health care and you can’t access it because the state can’t afford to provide it in the first place.

Yes, the state does have its problems. It has been under control of the Democrat Party for years with their mismanagement and corruption. So they are correct about the state budget. And, it does have a lower cost of living.

I am one who likes the climate. It is actually cooler in August in New Mexico than it is in Los Angeles. During monsoon season, it is not all that dry. This year's monsoon has been a wet one. The winter snows aren't that bad either. The food here is great.

I do have to disagree on health care services. Since I am on Medicare, I have been able to get decent health care since I live near Gallup. I have no complaints. Friends here with health issue have good access to health care services. On occasion, they have to drive to Albuquerque for it, but they don't seem to mind the drive (which is actually a nice drive).

I live in a community with a lot of retirees. All enjoy the lifestyle in New Mexico. So it isn't as bad as Money Inc. makes it out to be. It would be a lot better if the Democrats are voted out this coming November.

To read more, go here.

6 Reasons Why You Need To Visit Arizona

Above, a stop at Grand Canyon National Park is an obvious choice in an Arizona visit. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The state of Arizona has much to offer and that is why every RVer should pay a visit.

If one is an RVer and is not familiar with Arizona, Do It Yourself RV has posted an article with six very good reasons for going there.

They start it off with:

If you’ve never visited Arizona, you’re missing out. This beautiful state is a prime RVing location that every RVer should see at least once, and we have more than one reason for thinking that. In fact, we have 6 fabulous reasons for saying that Arizona is a must-see place.

Below, we’ve listed these reasons. Hopefully, they will not only help you see why you need to plan a trip to the state of Arizona but also what you must look for while there.

To see what Arizona has to offer, go here. 

HOW DARE YOU?!

New "Breck Girl" Martin Heinrich Endorses Green New Deal

Above, Martin Heinrich.

New Mexico Senator Martin "New Breck Girl" Heinrich has endorsed the so-called "Green New Deal" socialist climate change scam.

It is really earth-shattering news that Heinrich is steadfastly opposed to cow farts.

The New Mexico Journal reported:

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich became the second member of the New Mexico congressional delegation to endorse the Green New Deal. 

Heinrich made his announcement Friday, on the same day students were marching around the world for action on climate change, including here in Albuquerque as part of the New Mexico Youth Climate Strike. U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, who represents most of the Albuquerque area, endorsed the Green New Deal months ago. 

The U.S. Senate earlier this year voted 57-0 against the Green New Deal resolution put on the floor by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who dismissed the deal as a “far-left science fiction novel.” Democrats, including Heinrich and fellow New Mexico Sen. Tom Udall, labeled the vote as a political stunt. They voted present. 

Critics of the Green New Deal believe it would devastate fossil fuel industries — including the oil and gas industry, which is the top industry in New Mexico.
Power the Future, a conservative energy advocacy group, criticized Heinrich’s endorsement. 

“The Green New Deal would be a disaster for New Mexico’s families costing each household nearly $72,000 in the first year alone,” Power The Future Western States Director Larry Behrens said. “When given the opportunity to vote for the Green New Deal, Senator Heinrich instead voted ‘present’ so it appears his newfound support has nothing to do with the environment and everything to do with appeasing eco-left special political interests.”

Gee, if the "Green New Steal" should become law and devastates the fossil fuel industries, how would Gov. Lujan Grisham be able to pay for her free college plan? Out of our pockets, of course!

To read more, go here.

Monster Hybrid Tumbleweeds In California

Above, attacking tumbleweeds from the Outer Limits.

In October 1964, the Outer Limits television show broadcast the episode, "Cry of Silence". In this episode, tumbleweeds possessed by an alien intelligence are attacking people in a rural area.

Every time I see a tumbleweed, I think of that episode. It's one of my favorites.

Now, here's a story from Newsweek concerning monster hybrid tumbleweeds that are taking over California.

They wrote:

Monster Hybrid Tumbleweed Species Is Taking Over California, Scientists Say 

August 27, 2019 A new invasive species of tumbleweed that can grow up to six feet in height is taking over parts of California—and scientists are warning it could spread even further as climate change makes its growing conditions more favorable. 

Salsola ryanii was first identified in California in 2002. It is a hybrid made up of two other invasive species—Salsola tragus, which is native to Russia and China, and Salsola australis, from Australia and South Africa. The latter, scientists say, is "one of the world's worst weeds" and is currently found in 48 U.S. states. The new species, is however, far bigger and faster growing than its parents, reaching about six feet in height.  

Maybe these tumbleweeds will gobble up more than a few radical leftists.

"We control the vertical. We control the horizontal."

To read more, go here. 

French Revolt Against Macron's Carbon Tax

The left in the United States have been clamoring for carbon and other taxes on the American driver for years to fight global warming, now called climate change. The whole thing is a fraud. It is a plot by the left to gain control over energy and thereby the people. If they had their way, the leftist Democrats here would impose the same taxes on us.

The French president did just what the left has been clamoring for, and all hell has broken loose in France. The middle class are revolting and rioting. If this tax goes into effect, the French will be facing gasoline prices in excess of $7.00/gallon.

What's happening was best described by Rush Limbaugh yesterday:

You know who’s protesting in France? The middle class. You may not know this. They’re sometimes called the yellow vest crowd. The reason is, in France, you are required to have a yellow vest in your car in case your car has a breakdown or an accident, you’re to put that on so that you’re seen at night by emergency personnel or others. It’s for your safety. So everybody’s wearing the yellow vest. 

It’s the middle class, and they’re protesting over climate change! They’re protesting this carbon tax, which is exactly what the worldwide left wants to happen in the United States. They’re protesting this massive increase in the price of gasoline. And it is the worst protests that have taken place in Paris in all of France since 1968. It is devastating. And it’s happening in the elite sections like near the Champs-Elysees. 

And it’s got this new French president totally nonplussed because he thought this was the route to instant love, to instance popularity. Why, everybody believes in climate change. Everybody wants to save the planet, everybody hates fossil fuels, everybody hates pollution, everybody this, everybody that. This young, impressionable little guy has been led to the trough by a bunch of worldwide leftists, and he’s bought hook, line, and sinker this literal bilge and drivel that they’ve been teaching him. 

So he slaps this massive tax, and now he’s got the middle class in his country revolting. Boston had its problems with tea, the French are having problems with gasoline. I think energy prices are probably more important to people than tea. Now, this is gonna be an interesting winter in Paris. And I hope it doesn’t get too cold because a lot of people use fossil fuels to heat their homes. And when people can’t afford to heat their homes as well as drive their cars, they tend to get grouchy.

The latest news is that President Macron has put a six-month delay in implementing the tax. Yes, he blinked. But the French people don't want a delay, they want the tax eliminated.

To read more, go here. 

Earth Has Been Cooling, Media Ignores It

Above, Jamestown, New Mexico back in February. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The news media is as phony as the mythical climate change/global warming scenario.

The planet has been cooling for years and the past two years saw global cooling at a record rate. Yet the media has been ignoring the story. Maybe it's because it doesn't fit their political agenda?

They're not even curious!

According to Investors Business Daily:

Inconvenient Science: NASA data show that global temperatures dropped sharply over the past two years. Not that you'd know it, since that wasn't deemed news. Does that make NASA a global warming denier? 

Writing in Real Clear Markets, Aaron Brown looked at the official NASA global temperature data and noticed something surprising. From February 2016 to February 2018, "global average temperatures dropped by 0.56 degrees Celsius." That, he notes, is the biggest two-year drop in the past century. 

"The 2016-2018 Big Chill," he writes, "was composed of two Little Chills, the biggest five month drop ever (February to June 2016) and the fourth biggest (February to June 2017). A similar event from February to June 2018 would bring global average temperatures below the 1980s average." 

Isn't this just the sort of man-bites-dog story that the mainstream media always says is newsworthy?

To read more, go here. 

Climate

Above, winter in Jamestown. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In seeing my pictures of last evening's downpours, a friend marveled, "Now I understand why trees can make it in such an otherwise arid place."

Which led me to check on the climate of the area. Since Jamestown is 17 miles east of Gallup, New Mexico (and roughly the same elevation), Wikipedia has this to say about Gallup's climate:

Gallup, like most of the interior Mountain West, has a cool semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk). The summers are hot during the day, but the high altitude and low humidity means that nights remain distinctly cool: as late as July 2 of 1997 the temperature fell to 31 °F (−1 °C). Despite the large diurnal temperature range, most rain falls in the summer from afternoon thunderstorms. Despite the dry atmosphere, hot sun and an average of only 7.4 days with maxima below 32 °F (0 °C), winter nights are so cold snow is common and sometimes heavy: the maximum in a month is 29.10 inches (0.74 m) in December 1992 and the most in a year 65.10 inches (1.65 m) between July 1990 and June 1991. Actual snow cover, with the hot sun at Gallup’s altitude, however, has never exceeded 13.1 inches (0.33 m), and for no day averages over 3.5 inches (0.089 m).

Above, spring in Jamestown. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A neighbor used a GPS elevation device to see what our elevation is, he found that we are at exactly 7,000 feet. Our homes are roughly 300 feet higher than the Flying J down in the valley.

Above, summer in Jamestown. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For more, go here.

California Families To Be Hit Hard By Democrat Water Restrictions

The Looney Left Report

The leftist Democrat control-freak lunatics in Sacramento have passed a new law (which goes into effect in January) that greatly restricts the amount of water usage.

The Conservative Firing Line reported:

On Friday, the Los Angeles Times reported that far-left lawmakers in California have passed water usage restrictions to institute a per-person water use goal of 55 gallons per day until 2025.  According to the report, the “limit decreases to 52.5 gallons until 2030 and 50 gallons beginning in 2030.”  And it’s being done to fight “climate change.” 

“A lot of us have taken water for granted, but it’s not something we can take for granted in Southern California,” said Assemblywoman Laura Friedman, D-Glendale. “Climate change, drought — we need to make sure it doesn’t impact life and safety and the economic future of our state.” 

What the Times does not include, however, is the impact this new law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown — which goes into effect in January — will have on families.

According to the Times report:

An 8-minute shower uses about 17 gallons of water, a load of laundry up to 40, and a bathtub can hold 80 to 100 gallons of water.

I hope people read this before going into the voting booth today in California. Boy, am I glad I moved out of Commiefornia!

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Passes Law Implementing Paris Climate Agreement

Above, surfers and Diamond Head on Oahu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Hawaii is a beautiful state, but the state's government is about as screwy as California's.

NBC News reported:

HONOLULU — Hawaii has passed a law to document sea level rise and set strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The bill signed by Gov. David Ige aligns the state's goals with the Paris climate accord. 

Ige said Hawaii is the first state to enact legislation implementing parts of the Paris climate agreement. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would withdraw from that accord last week.

Well, since it's already expensive to live in Hawaii, I can't wait to see their reactions when energy prices go through the roof to meet targets.

To read more, go here. 

Old Fart Jerry Brown Signs Cow Fart Law

The Looney Left Report

As a friend put it, "The insanity in our state is extraordinary!"

Governor Jerry "Moonbeam" Brown signed a bill into law that regulates (you can't make this stuff up) cow farts.

According to CBS San Francisco:

SACRAMENTO (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation that regulates emissions from dairy cows and landfills for the first time as California broadens its efforts to fight climate change beyond carbon-based greenhouse gases.

Yes, Jerry Brown and the Democrat Party in California fear that methane gas from cow farts contributes to global warming (or, as they call it these days, climate change), despite the lack of scientific or any kind of proof of this.

Above, cows have joined humans as the cause of global warming by California Democrats. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The one-party government in California seems hell bent on driving out every industry from the state. Now it's agriculture's turn.

To read more, go here. 

NOAA Adjustments Correlate Exactly To Their Confirmation Bias

Global warming or climate change, whatever it's called, it is still a bunch of b.s.

According to the Deplorable Climate Science Blog:

Thermometers show the US cooling since about 1920, but NOAA massively cools the past to create the appearance of a warming trend.

 To read more, go here.

Out-Of-Touch Obama In Cartoons

Global Warming Fraud: Scandalous Fiddling With Data

Things are now coming out proving that the proponents of "global warming" or "climate change" will do anything and stop at nothing to feed us data that supports their contentions which, as they are turning out, are nothing but pure bullshit.

According to an article in the Telegraph, data showing that the Earth was actually in a cooling trend were doctored to make it look like the planet had been warming and the polar ice caps had been shrinking. All lies.

The article states:

When future generations look back on the global-warming scare of the past 30 years, nothing will shock them more than the extent to which the official temperature records – on which the entire panic ultimately rested – were systematically “adjusted” to show the Earth as having warmed much more than the actual data justified. 

Two weeks ago, under the headline “How we are being tricked by flawed data on global warming," I wrote about Paul Homewood, who, on his Notalotofpeopleknowthat blog, had checked the published temperature graphs for three weather stations in Paraguay against the temperatures that had originally been recorded. In each instance, the actual trend of 60 years of data had been dramatically reversed, so that a cooling trend was changed to one that showed a marked warming.

 To read more, go here.

Latest Pick-ups

The good folks at The Japan Daily picked up three blog posts for sharing with their readers.

They are:

To read The Japan Daily, go here.

Japan’s Three Climates

Above, a snowy street scene in Chiba Prefecture. What climate zone is this? Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ever wondered what the climate is like in Japan? Where are the cooler areas in summer? Where are the warmer areas in winter? What areas get the most precipitation or the least?

Tofugu.com has the answers for you in their new article, : Japan’s Three Climates: A Virtual Journey Through the Wilds of Japan."

In it, they wrote:

After some research, you discovered that Japan can be divided into three broad climatic zones: mild-summer continental (Hokkaido), hot-summer continental (northeast Honshu), and subtropical (central/southern Japan).

By the way, according to one of their maps, Chiba Prefecture is in the subtropical climate zone as is Tokyo.

Above, the Ueno section of Tokyo in February. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

 To read more, go here.