Big Texan Roadshow Route 66 Tour

Above, the Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery in Amarillo, Texas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last December, my ex-roommate Jessica and I stopped in Amarillo, Texas to visit the Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery. We were en route from the Des Moines, Iowa area to Orange County, California. We made the stop along the way.

The Big Texan is famous for their big 72 ounce steak challenge. If someone takes the challenge, and completely eats the entire steak, it is free. We didn't take the challenge, but browsed around for about an hour and a half before hitting the road again.

Well, as things turn out, in celebration of the centennial of Route 66, the Big Texan will be hitting the road along the Mother Road. They will be in Gallup on June 11.

From KOAT:

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Big Texan Steak Ranch will take its 72 ounce steak challenge to the Mother Road for its centennial celebration.

The Big Texan will make appearances in Gallup, Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Santa Rosa.

The Big Texan posted this on Facebook:

 

I hope to be at the Gallup McKinley County Courthouse to watch. It should be fun!

Dancers From Zuni Pueblo

Above, a dancer from the Zuni Pueblo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To close out the month, I headed back into Gallup this evening to have dinner at Zen Steak and Sushi. Following that, I headed over to the McKinley County Courthouse plaza to take in tonight's Indian dancing.

Tonight, the dancers were from the Zuni Pueblo. Each night, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the city of Gallup and the Gallup Chamber of Commerce sponsors nightly Indian dancing. Dancers from all tribes take part. The nightly event is free to the public.

Of course, I had my camera with me to take some pictures of the dancers. The dances photographed were the "corn dance" and "rainbow dance".

Here's some of them:

I Voted!

Above, yours truly back home after voting.

Since I will be busy on Election Day next Tuesday, I took advantage of New Mexico's early voting.

After our usual morning gathering of Jamestown neighbors at the Denny's in the Flying J, I headed into Gallup to vote at the McKinley County Courthouse.

Inside the courthouse rotunda, voting booths were set up. Thanks to modern technology (and me bringing my voter card with a barcode), the poll workers were able to get me a ballot within seconds.

The barcode on my voter card has all of my address and precinct information. Nice and convenient!

Red Wave!

2018 Season of Nightly Indian Dancing

Above, Fabian of the Zuni Pueblo on June 27. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today (what's left of it) is Labor Day and that marks the end of the nightly Indian dances at the McKinley County Courthouse Square in Gallup.

Due to the heart problem I was confronted with in late July, I was not up to par during the weeks immediately following it. I was hoping to attend one more before today, but the weather wasn't all that cooperative and I was also hanging with some of the neighbors in coyote hunting.

I, at least, over there three times this summer.

The nightly Indian dancing involving different tribes and pueblos begins on Memorial Day and ends on Labor Day. The dances are free to the public.

I am looking forward to next year's nightly Indian dancing in Gallup.

Some of highlights of different dances I did see:

Above, a pottery dance on Memorial Day. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, eagle dance on Memorial Day. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, another eagle dance, but by a different tribe on June 10. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a buffalo dance on June 10. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, friend Mitch Geriminsky took part in the circle dance on June 10. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Shelley of the Zuni Pueblo on June 27. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the circle dance of audience members on June 27. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The following are events that I am looking forward to attending:

Coming up in the Navajo Nation is the Navajo Nation Fair in Window Rock, Arizona on September 10 to 15. In Gallup, the 15th Annual UFO Film Festival on October 19 and 20. On November 30 to December 2, the Annual Red Rock Balloon Rally Mass Ascensions (this is second only to the Albuquerque balloon rally).

Jury Duty Tomorrow

Up to now, I have been pretty lucky not have to report in for jury duty. But I did have to check my juror portal online to get my reporting instructions, if any.

Well, I checked the portal this evening and I have report in tomorrow morning. Lucky me.

Above, Van Nuys East Courthouse.

Unfortunately, they don't pay for the first day one actually has to report in. Payment kicks in from the second day (if there is one) and each subsequent day thereafter.

So, I get to cool my heels tomorrow at the Van Nuys Courthouse. I'll have to remember to bring a book along. I've had some interesting (and occasionally funny) times while on jury duty. This will be the first in the San Fernando Valley for me. As I recall, I've served on jury duty at the downtown L.A., Torrance and Compton courts. My late mom used to enjoy serving on jury duty.

Since I did my jury duty orientation online over the weekend, I won't have to go through it tomorrow and that saves me two hours,

Here come da judge!