El Rancho Hotel's New Gift Shop Opens

The new gift shop at the El Ranch Hotel in Gallup has opened. It is in the former location of the hotel's restaurant. It looks great!

It is much larger than the former location across the hall from it. I asked but nobody knows what the gift shop's former location is going to be used for. Apparently, they haven't decided. 

The new gift shop has a lot more items to choose from. 

Here's what it looks like: 

Meteor City Trading Post To Open Memorial Day

Above, Meteor City Trading Post in July 2020. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The new owners of Meteor City Trading Post have been hard at work in restoring the old trading post on Route 66 outside of Winslow, Arizona.

The previous owner was only getting started on the restoration when cancer cut him down. The new owner picked up the torch and is proceeding with the restoration. The area is called Meteor City due to its close proximity to the famous Meteor Crater.

The best news is that they are planning a grand opening on Memorial Day. I am seriously considering attending. If I do, I'll have to wear my Meteor City Trading Post t-shirt.

To see their Facebook page, go here. To go to their website, go here.

Freeport

The first stop after leaving Miami was at Freeport, Bahamas.

Freeport basically consisted of shops of various toursty goods. We docked alongside of where the shops were located and we were there until about 4:30.

I bought a few things, including a travel bag to replace the torn Clamper bag. 

Some photos of our Freeport stop:

Above, some Freeport shops with our ship in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, passengers disembarking at Freeport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Harley-Davidson shop sign. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, inside the Harley-Davidson shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a pirate statue in one shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, another pirate statue in a different shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Freeport shops. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a view of Freeport from our ship. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, having a cigar before sunrise in Freeport. 

Do You Collect National Park Mementos?

Above, yours truly at a gift shop at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park/

Do you collect national park mementos from each park you visit?

That is the question in an article and poll posted at RV Travel.

I have a few things from some national parks such as a throw blanket from Yellowstone National Park and a wood napkin holder from Zion National Park. I tend to go for things that are useful whenever I do.

RV Travel begins with:

Wow! That was my reaction when I stumbled upon the National Parks online collectibles store. I had no idea there were so many different ways to remember our visits to the various National Parks throughout our country.

Available memorabilia

The collectibles range from figurines to drinking mugs and everything in between. You’ll find medallions, patches, pins, and decals. Trek on over to the NPS posters page and you’ll discover posters, playing cards, and even NPS jigsaw puzzles! Many posters and prints are great for framing and many other items make terrific gifts.

 To read more, go here.

Indian Ruins Indian Store

Above, the Indian Ruins Indian store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While en route from Arizona yesterday, I stopped at the Indian Ruins gift store in Sanders, New Mexico off Interstate 40.

I was wondering if there were any Indian ruins to see, but I saw none (maybe they have them hidden somewhere). In any case, I did some browsing around the store. 

I saw some things made in Indonesia. If I were a smart-ass, I would have asked, "What tribe is in Indonesia?" But since discretion is the better part of valor, I didn't,

There were many items on display such as pottery, jewelry, Navajo rugs, moccasins, handmade items from Native American artisans and many other things. 

I have passed by the store many times but this was the first time I stopped in. The pandemic of the last two years was the primary reason. I purchased a couple of things while there. 

To access the Yelp reviews page, go here.

Best National Park Gift Ideas

Above, I picked up this blanket for my RV bed in Yellowstone National Park in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Part of the fun when traveling whether to a foreign country or to a national park is to pick up souvenirs for yourself or for family and friends.

Travel Awaits posted an article on 21 unique national park gifts one can buy.

They start it off with:

From Acadia to Zion, our 63 national parks can only truly be appreciated in person. As a love letter to our natural treasures and the U.S. National Parks Service, we’re celebrating National Park Week with national park-themed presents that are perfect for any national park enthusiast. Plus, a portion of many of these purchases goes to preserving our parks, promoting park programs, and protecting these destinations for future generations to enjoy.

Get a gift for the national park lover in your life, or look for a souvenir for yourself. We promise these presents are much cooler than a keychain and probably less expensive than what you’ll find at the gift shop!

To read more, go here. 

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:

Jewels & Java Native American Arts & Crafts

Above, the Jewels & Java store in Gallup, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following my dinner tonight at Genaro's in Gallup, I did a little cruising around historic downtown Gallup.

I eventually found my way on Route 66 and spotted the Jewels & Java Native American Arts & Crafts store. I've passed by it many times and never stopped in. Until now.

Inside are lots of Indian arts and crafts from the Navajo, Zuni and other tribes. They have very nice things in the store.

Merchandise includes carved knives, paintings, kachinas, jewelry, pottery, stone carvings and other items. I picked up a small stone carving of a corn tower.

Here's some photos:

Above, a general view of the store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, carved knives. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, silver & turquoise bracelets. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly. 

Above, the corn tower stone carving. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly with an eye-catching mural. 

If you are a collector of Native American art, or even if you're just a tourist passing through Gallup, be sure to stop in Jewels & Java.

Their address:

100 West Historic Highway 66
Gallup, New Mexico, 87301

Phone: 505-722-4545

Up At The Continental Divide

Above, Indian Village Gift Shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This afternoon, after picking up my mail at the Flying J, I decided to take a little drive (about 8 miles) east along I-40 to where there are three Indian stores.

I browsed around for a while at the Indian Market (I had purchased a kachina there a couple of months ago), but this time I didn't see anything that caught my eye.

Above, Indian Market. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I then went next door (about 150 yards) to the Indian Village Gift Shop. Again I browsed around and, this time, something did catch my eye. And, it was reasonably priced!

It was a Navajo ceremonial rattle with a white bison (buffalo) at the head:

Above, the Navajo ceremonial rattle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to Mission Del Rey.com:

Native American rattles and shakers as they are known to Native Americans are very important to the Native American western Navajo culture as well as other tribes. An Indian rattle may be used as a dance rattle or to accompany the rhythm of the Native Indian drums. Navajo people as well as nearly every other tribe use rattles in Native American ceremonial rituals.

After purchasing, I wandered a bit and spotted a monument next to the freeway (the stores are on Historic Route 66).

It was commemorating the Continental Divide:

Above, the Continental Divide monument. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As I just mentioned, the road where the stores are located are on what was Route 66.

Here's a view looking east:

Above, looking east on Historic Route 66. I-40 is at right. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Funny thing about Indian gift shops, whenever I see a sign about Indian blankets, I am reminded of an old movie (it might have been an Abbott & Costello movie) in which an Indian was hawking blankets. Only he was saying, "Get your genuine Indian electric blankets!"

Oh, Fancy That!

Above, the English bulldog bank I bought. Photo by Armand Vaquer..

In a shopping center in Tarzana is a store called Oh, Fancy That!

It is a British foods, gifts and more shop owned by Jean Karasek. I have passed by it for years but have never stopped in. Until today.

I browsed around and found a nice little English bulldog bank. It reminds me of the one James Bond inherited from M in Skyfall. I bought it.

The store is located at 18339 Ventura Blvd., #11, Tarzana, CA 91456. Telephone: (818) 996-4405.

They do have a Facebook page, by the way.