Jack Rabbit Trading Post Now Open!

Above, the famous sign of Jack Rabbit Trading Post on Route 66. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Good news!

Jack Rabbit Trading Post off Interstate 40 (exit 269) in St. Joseph, Arizona has reopened for business.

They posted this on Facebook:

Our first week of reopening after 46 days has been really great. Lots of people getting out & about. It is not our normal, but that was to be expected. It has been more than we would have ever thought. But to see people walk through that door...It feels AWESOME to be back open again. Now, just have to get back in the groove of things. 

Thanks to everyone who came out to support us.

Above, Jack Rabbit Trading Post. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To access their website, go here. 

Jack Rabbit Trading Post Closed...For Now

Above, Jack Rabbit Trading Post. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one is traveling on Interstate 40 in Arizona, Jack Rabbit Trading Post in St. Joseph is a place to visit.

Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus, they issued the following announcement last night:

We will be closing for now....hopefully not for long.
There are not many travelers right now. Just not enough for us to stay open.
If you are through here & would like to stop by, just give us a call or mssg us.
You can still order at jackrabbittradingpost.com

They are good people, be sure to stop by (when they are open again) or order online.

Horns Hung

Above, the horns above the front door. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After several months looking in various trading posts and gift shops in the northwest New Mexico area and online, I've finally found some steer horns to go above my front door.

It used to be that these could be found anywhere, but I found some of the right size at the Jackson Mercantile in Jackson, Wyoming. And, the price was right.

Above, inside the Jackson Mercantile. The horns are on the wall in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I've seen some online, but they were too pricey or the shipping costs were too much.

These were the only souvenir (outside of a Blu-ray of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and a t-shirt from Grand Teton) I bought during the trip.

Above, the front of the Jackson Mercantile. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I had some years ago. But I either misplaced them or (which is more likely) sold them during a yard sale. They were slightly larger than the ones I bought in Jackson.

A little while ago, I hung them above the front door. 

Made Someone's Day

Above, Jack Rabbit Trading Post. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The other day, my "honorary sister" and I had a little discussion on rabbits. We had a prior one which included Jack Rabbit Trading Post in Joseph City, Arizona. She keeps pet rabbits at home.

When we finished the discussion, I got the idea to have a mileage sign from Jack Rabbit Trading Post sent to her as a surprise. Jack Rabbit Trading Post has a website where people can order gifts.

It was a simple thing to order after getting the mileage. (All one has to do is Google their home address to Jack Rabbit Trading Post and it will provide the exact mileage.) So I did that and placed the order and kept mum.

I received the following email today:

Started laughing the second I saw the return address of Jack Rabbit Trading Post.  That is awesome and very thoughtful, thanks!   

Things like that are really fun and make the day far more amusing.  I was lucky to be home at the moment because the internet and office computers didn't work at the office for what I needed.  It would have taken me forever to get to the post office otherwise to pick up anything I had to sign for.  Perfect timing!

She also included this photo of her sign:

Jack Rabbit Trading Post

Above, the big sign indicating one has arrived at the Jack Rabbit Trading Post. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I had The Beast out of the GOCO Beast Barn in order to have the floor lined with gravel last Friday, I decided to take a little overnight trek into Arizona over the weekend.

Since I have some planning to do for next month's trek to Wells, Nevada, I needed an updated KOA Kampground Directory. Since there's a KOA in Holbrook, Arizona, I stayed there and picked up a 2019 directory.

Above, the newly repainted Jack Rabbit Trading Post. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As I was in the "neighborhood", I headed over to the Jack Rabbit Trading Post in nearby Joseph City. They were already expecting me as I mentioned on a Facebook post of theirs that I would be over Saturday.

I had stopped there a couple of months ago, but they were not yet open. I didn't have time to wait, so I pressed on to Petrified Forest National Park 16 miles east.

Above, their rabbit collection in the antique display room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The owners are very nice people. They had a nice selection of Jack Rabbit merchandise (I picked up a magnet, t-shirt and a carry bag) while there. They have moccasins, cowboy hats, antiques, southwest/Indian decorations. They have a display room of antiques.

Above, some of the antiques on display. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

They just re-painted the exterior of the trading post as well as their big jackrabbit. Funny thing, as I was warming up The Beast at home, I saw the first jackrabbit over in the Barking Spider Acre this year. Must've been a good omen?

Above, yours truly with the sign and the giant jackrabbit. 

It is a bit of a tradition for visitors to pose with their custom-made Jack Rabbit Trading Post mileage signs (indicating the miles from home to the trading post). I mail-ordered mine a month ago, but I brought it along and some photos were made, one of which they posted on their Facebook page. Jamestown, New Mexico is 133 miles from the trading post. I have it hanging in the den.

Above, a bunny on board a vintage Jeep. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Visitors are made to feel very welcome at the trading post by the owners. They are quite hospitable. I would recommend a stop while on Interstate 40 in Arizona. They are on historic Route 66 right next to I-40.

Above, the newly refurbished giant jackrabbit. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Jack Rabbit Trading Post will be celebrating its 70th anniversary on July 6. If one should be in the area, be sure to stop in for the festivities.

Above, a view looking west on Route 66 from the front of the trading post. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For more information, go here.