How To Mount A Flag On Your RV

Above, flying my Gadsden flag at the Lava Hot Springs KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I am camping at a campground for more than one night, I usually put my flag up on the rear RV ladder bracket.

There are many ways to displaying a flag while camping. Do It Yourself RV shows the many ways of doing so.

They begin with:

A flag can make an RV campsite easier to spot, more personal, or just a little more fun. But once you move beyond a tiny garden flag, the question gets trickier: where do you safely mount the pole?

RV walls are not house walls, rear ladders vary in strength, and a tall pole with a full-size flag can catch more wind than people expect. That is why RVers have come up with so many different mounting solutions, from ladder brackets and hitch receivers to under-tire bases, pin box mounts, and homemade PVC setups.

To read more, go here.

The Sport That Still Respects Our Country

Above, rodeos don't start without a flag ceremony. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Normally, I would watch the Olympics, winter and summer games.

Well, this year, thanks to all the woke B.S., I haven't bothered to watch the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan this week. 

Radical leftists have already ruined baseball, so I have decided to cut the sport from my interests. I have never been a fan of the NFL or the NBA. 

There will be 2 or 3 rodeos in Gallup next month for me to enjoy.

So now, the only sport I'll bother with is this:

 

Interesting Clouds

While putting out the American flag for Memorial Day, I glanced over to the west (towards Gallup) and noticed an interesting cloud pattern.

It looks like rain is coming down but not reaching the ground. We have a 30% chance of scattered thundershowers today.

Anyway, I thought it looked interesting and took a few pictures.

The clouds:

And, of course, the flag:

 

2A Flag

After the flagpole being up for several months and the last flag I flew on it was taken down in January, it was about time I put up another flag.

The one I chose is a 2nd Amendment flag that I got last year.

So...up it went!

 

First Full Day In Lake Havasu

Above, the flag's up! Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While Mitch was out to breakfast with another friend and doing errands, I decided to hang out at the Crazy Horse Campground and enjoy the lake.

Above, Mitch in his back yard. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As is usually the case, I slept great in the motorhome and woke up to a warm and clear day. My next door neighbor is out boating with his black labrador and I sat out in the lake with a cigar and a bottle of Alien Amber Ale.

Above, a view looking toward the lake from Mitch's front yard. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After a while, I went back to the RV to dry off and the holding tank emptying truck came by to empty my holding tanks. There are no sewer facilities at the beachfront campsite as they are close to the lake (drinking water, y'know). The emptying truck works with suction, so RV holding tanks get a good emptying.

Above, The Beast this morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Earlier I was over at Mitch's and helped him change a bulb to one of his outdoor light fixtures. He's a bit leery about being on ladders. 

Above, the holding tank emptying truck. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After that was done, we headed back to the RV park to drop me off. We'll be rejoining later once he's done with his errands. I think there will be a parade in town tomorrow, in which we'll be participating. 

Above, the beachfront campsites. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When we arrived, I set up my flagpole with my "Trump: No More Bullshit" flag. Lake Havasu City has a lot of Trump supporters and there's even a Trump store in town, which we'll be going to later today.

The boat and jet ski rental place on the property is closed (probably for the season), otherwise I would consider renting a jet ski. I did it here five years ago.

Flyin' The Flag

Above, the flag went up yesterday and will remain
up through the election. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

By the way, Trump will be in New Mexico within the next few weeks.

NM Extraordinary Session Needed To Curb Governor's Abuse

Dear Friend, 

I wanted to bring to your attention some very important news. 

In response to the overreach of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham during the COVID pandemic, there is now an effort to reign in her emergency powers. 

As you know, during the last three months, Governor Grisham has targeted Southeast New Mexico for unfair and unjust treatment. 

She has singled out our area of the state. She has chastised us publicly, criticized our local officials, and punished our businesses who are trying to make an honest living during this incredibly tough time. 

This is not leadership. It is an abuse of her executive emergency powers. 

Emergency power has specific provisions within the New Mexico Constitution and is not meant to be abused nor applied capriciously. It is especially not meant to be used as a political weapon against one’s political opponents. 

This abuse must stop, and it must stop now. This is a bi-partisan issue that affects us all and is not limited to one party. 

The state legislature is the constitutional check on the Governor’s powers. It falls to us, as Representatives and Senators, to check her abuse of emergency power. 

I along with other members of the House and Senate are calling for an “Extraordinary Session” of the state legislature for the express purpose of limiting her emergency power. 

As prescribed by the state constitution, 3/5ths of the legislature (42 members of the House and 26 members of the Senate) can join together in calling for a session for this purpose. Upon reaching those numbers the legislature will be compelled to meet to curtail her emergency power. 

I am asking you to make other concerned citizens aware of this effort. More information can be found here: www.NMExtraordinarySession.com 

Now, I need to ask you for a favor. 

If you have friends and family in other parts of the state, please share this information and encourage them to contact their elected officials and lend their voice to this cause.
Your help is essential in getting the word out as far and wide as possible. 

We have allowed her abuse of power to continue long enough. Now we must act.
Please help us spread the word about this effort today. 

Sincerely, 

Rep. David Gallegos
Republican Nominee for State Senate, District 4

Dry Weather Continues

Above, the flags flown yesterday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Well, now that we've managed to survive Independence Day, despite the efforts of some loons in the neighborhood in shooting off fireworks in the dry conditions we have and past 10:00 last night.

This is supposed to be monsoon season in New Mexico, so far, we've barely had a trace of rain.

It looks like those conditions will continue this weeks, at least according to the National Weather Service.

The forecast:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 89. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 10 to 15 mph in the morning.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Monday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south after midnight.

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 90. West wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 89.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 59.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 90.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 59.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 93.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.

Relaxed 4th of July

Above, approaching Whispering Cedars Road from East Blue Cedar Loop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a relaxed Independence Day here in Jamestown, New Mexico. The temperature was warm (upper 80s) with some scattered clouds.

The day started out with a gathering of the gang at Roger's (before COVID-19 we would meet up at Denny's at the Flying J. We can meet up there, but there's a four-person per table limit. There's more of us than four.

Above, at Whispering Cedar Road. The house is where the flags are. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The new area (or throw) rug I got last night at the Wild West Days Rodeo is now Sierra's. She decided to take it over this morning and has been enjoying it all day. I guess it's hers now.

Above, Sierra enjoying her new rug. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I was going to go to the rodeo again, but the Mustang is acting up a little and I will need to get it tuned up, etc. before attempting any drive beyond Jamestown. I think it's the fuel injectors. It was fine after putting in Gumout fuel injector cleaner a week ago, but it slightly hesitated while on the road back home from Grants. I put more in last night after getting home.

Today, I confined my driving to the Jeep. It has been running fine since I put in Berryman's in the gas tank. So far, no problems.

So, beyond an occasional drive, I just stayed at home (mainly outside on the deck) relaxing.

Don't Forget To Fly Your Flag Today!

New Second Amendment Flag

New flag arrived in today's mail.

The price was right (free). Just had to pay for shipping.

Skymet Weather Doesn't Think New Mexico Is a State

Some people haven't a clue that New Mexico is a state in the United States (well, we have some doubts about California these days. A weather website seems to imply that New Mexico isn't a state.

I was reading a weather report about coming snows this Thanksgiving and a sentence caught my attention.

It is from Skymet Weather and here how it reads (I have put the sentence in question in bold):

Apart from widespread flooding and mudslides, travel woes are anticipated with the rounds of heavy rain over Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Diego throughout the week. 

Snow will also stretch into Arizona, starting in northwestern parts of the state late Wednesday night, then spreading across the North of the state by Friday. 

Not just the US, parts of New Mexico will also get to bear the brunt of this storm. Swathes of snow and heavy rain are likely over New Mexico and western Texas on Wednesday.

To read the full article, go here.

Don't Forget To Fly Your Flag Today!

Today, I am flying my U.S. and Gadsden flags.

Remembering...

Above, one flag for each victim at Pepperdine University. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Mini Bike Ride

Above, Meeko the llama in his yard. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This afternoon, I decided to take a ride around our Whispering Cedars subdivision on the mini bike.

It had sprinkled about an hour before when a rain cell came over the area. Unfortunately, it didn't last long and it evaporated almost as soon as it hit.

But, it is a comfortable day in the mid-80s. One good thing about riding motor-driven bikes, the rush of cool air feels great as you're riding.

Along the ride, I spotted the Meeko the llama in his yard. He's been back for almost a month after being down at Nandoh's. I took a couple of photos.

A bit further up Whispering Cedars Road, I spotted a Trump campaign flag attached to a fence. I snapped a photo of it.

Above, a Trump supporter in our community. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my ride on Birch Road, I noticed friend Victor (from whom I bought the Willys Jeep) working on his new-to-him Toyota 4-Runner in his yard. He was scraping window tinting from the front passenger window. I stopped in and helped him to get it off. I got lucky and managed to peel quite a bit of it off. He bought the 4-Runner to replace the Jeep.

After that was done, I headed back out and eventually got back home.

Flags and Liberal Mental Illness

Above, the U.S. and Gadsden flags flying today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since left-wing liberals are having mental issues with Revolutionary War era flags lately, I am making it a point to fly my Gadsden flag along with the U.S. flag today, Independence Day.

Liberal Democrats are siding with Colin Kaepernick over his "offensive" cries about the Betsy Ross flag. It doesn't matter to them that she was an independent businesswoman and owned no slaves, the whining socialists are trying to re-write history and tailor it to buttress their agendas. The problem isn't the Betsy Ross flag, the problem is liberal mental illness.

They also are trying to re-write history on the Gadsden flag as well.

What the Strident Conservative says about the Gadsden flag:

The Gadsden flag, the yellow flag showing a coiled snake with the words “Don’t Tread on Me,” originated during the revolutionary war and was directed at England. Nothing racial, unless you’re Obama’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. A complaint has been filed claiming that the flag is a “historical indicator of white resentment against blacks stemming largely from the TEA Party.” Why did the EEOC decide to hear the complaint? Their response states that even though the flag originated “in a non-racial context … it also has since been sometimes interpreted to convey racially tinged messages in some contexts.”  

Under Obama and left-wing Democrats, PC agendas are a great thing. And they’re even better when you ignore or rewrite history to advance them.

That is why I am flying the Gadsden flag today.

To read more, go here.

Christmas and Flag Day

Above, Christmas coming over for her carrot treat. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After the delivery and smoothing out of the gravel for the GOCO Beast Barn, I headed down to Denny's at the Flying J for the usual morning gathering of the local coffee group.

After I got home from Denny's I spotted a large box on the porch. It is my new Celestron reflector telescope. I'll unbox and set it up on Sunday. I have other plans for this evening and tomorrow.

Above, the flag is out. I didn't fully extend the flagpole
 as it is gusty outside. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Later, I decided to take a ride on the mini bike over to Christmas's corral to give her a treat of carrots.

On the way back, I ran into Nandoh at his gate. I stopped and we chatted a bit, mainly about Meeko the llama that escaped and would up at Nandoh's.

After our chat, I remembered to put up the flag as today's Flag Day.

Above, Christmas eating her carrots. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tonight, I'll be attending tonight's performance of the Lions Club Rodeo at Red Rock Park. Today's turning out to be a nice day. It is about 81° outside.

Camping World Fights For Its Huge Flag In North Carolina

Above, the flag at Camping World in Valencia, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A big battle is brewing between Camping World in North Carolina and the city of Statesville over Camping World's enormous U.S. flag.

Camping World, an RV dealer and supplier, flies enormous flags at their stores to honor veterans and military members.

Statesville has filed a lawsuit and is fining Camping World over the flag.

According to The Daily Caller:

A North Carolina company is fighting fines and a lawsuit reportedly from the city over flying a huge American flag. 

Camping World flies a 40-by-80-foot flag outside of its Gander RV location in Statesville, North Carolina, as a way to honor military members and veterans. The city, however, believes Camping World is violating codes that say a flag cannot be more than 25-by-40 feet if it is flown 100 feet from a highway, WSOC reported Monday. 

Camping World, an outdoor supply and RV company, said it faces a $50 per day fine retroactive to Oct. 15, 2018. 

“I don’t care if it goes to $500 a day,” Marcus Lemonis, CEO and chairman of Camping World and Gander RV, said according to WSOC. “It’s not coming down.” 

A Statesville spokesperson said the city began fining the company after asking it to take down the flag several times, WSOC reported. City officials failed 3-5 to vote in an ordinance that would allow Camping World to fly a flag of its size.

Many RV enthusiasts, including me, have issues with some of Camping World's business practices. But in this matter, I am fully in Camping World's corner.

To read more, go here. 

Telescoping Flagpole

Above, the finished flagpole and stand. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

My little project for today is completed.

For quite a while, I felt there was something "missing" in the yard. And that was a means to fly the flag. Rather than drill holes in the house's siding, I decided instead to get a yard flagpole. Fortunately, they were being advertised on Facebook.

Above, the pvc pipe flagpole stand is solidly anchored in concrete. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Normally, telescoping yard flagpoles are over $200, but the sale offer was for $119.98 for a 25' pole. It comes with a stand (a pvc pipe) and a 3' x 5' U.S. flag. I already have flags (including a Gadsden flag), so now I have a means to fly them (I already have a 20' Flag Pole Buddy for the RV) in the yard. I thought that was a reasonable price.

Last night, I bought a 50# bag of Quikrete (concrete) formulated for posts. I didn't think I needed the entire 50 pounds, but it turned out I did.

I had to dig a 30-inch wide hole, 16 inches deep. I did that yesterday.

This morning, I got the pvc pipe stand firmly anchored in the Quikrete. It was fully set within 30 minutes. I waited a few hours and tested it. It was rock solid (the weren't kidding about being quick!).

Above, the flagpole from the deck. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

So, this afternoon, I put the flaqpole in with U.S. and Trump 2020 flags. Everything worked just fine. Today was a good test as the winds are really gusting today. Since we're headed for inclement weather tonight and tomorrow, I'll take it down this evening.

I got the flagpole kit through SHOP.STANDFLAGPOLES.COM. They also have 20' and 30' flagpole kits.

Interstate 40 Traffic Mess

Above, semi trucks lined up at a complete stop on I-40 with the mesas in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This evening, I headed into Gallup to go to Home Depot to pick up a few things, including concrete to anchor the stand for the flagpole (25') I bought.

Above, waiting at the Iyanbito on-ramp with the traffic in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On the way, I noticed a long line of traffic in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 due to he construction taking place at our off-ramp and bridge. I figured that it should ease after a while. If not, I would take Historic Route 66 to the Iyanbito on-ramp from Gallup, which is about a mile and a half from our exit.

Above, the moon peeking above the horizon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Sure enough, the traffic was as bad, if not worse, than it was earlier. A half mile from our exit, the I-40 freeway bottlenecks to one lane, and that's the big problem. There were a lot of semi trucks on the road.

After driving on Route 66, I went to the I-40 freeway entrance at Iyanbito and pulled over to the shoulder (a trucker had the same idea) to wait for the traffic to ease. By 9:00, it eased somewhat.

Above, the two lights to the left of the moon is our cell tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

But for the hour or so I sat it out, I entertained myself by texting and posting on Facebook. I also took some photos of the traffic and a rising full moon. When the moon started to rise, it was almost directly behind out cell and two other towers on a hill near Jamestown.

When I saw the traffic ease up, I headed onto the freeway (unfortunately, Route 66 ends at the Iyanbito bridge and ramps). I was able to maintain at least 15 mph after getting on the freeway.

Above, the moon a little higher up. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The construction work at the bridge and ramps is taking forever. The signs on the freeway that the scheduled completion time is Spring 2019. I think it is going to go on through summer, but I hope not.

I decided to go into Gallup tonight instead of tomorrow. The traffic would probably be a lot worse and I just detest sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic. At least I am home now, relaxed and having a cigar I bought in Cuba..