Kaiser Willys Jeep Recognizes Presidents Day

One of the businesses I patronize for parts for my 1952 Jeep is Kaiser Willys Jeep.

I received an email from them and it includes an advertisement for their Presidents Day sale. With the ad is a photo of President Ronald Reagan driving his 1962 CJ-6 Jeep. 

Here's the ad:

 

As this coming Monday is Presidents Day, major banks will be closed and there will be no mail service.

The Drive To The Post Office Is Getting Old

Above, the post office at Continental Divide. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To say that the 16 mile round trip to the post office at Continental Divide is getting old is not an understatement. This is especially so if there's no mail in one's mailbox.

I've noticed that I am going through tanks of gasoline quicker than before. Thankfully, the Mustang get around 30 miles per gallon. Still, it is adding up.

Above, Indian Market trading post is directly across Interstate 40 from the post office. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I will probably limit my trips to the post office to (maybe) three days a week, like Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (and maybe on Saturdays). 

I'll have to think this over.

Old Post Office Being Dismantled

Above, the old post office at the Flying J with the post office boxes removed. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, following our group coffee at Denny's, I went over to the Flying J to buy a few things and I noticed that the old post office is already being dismantled.

Gone now are the post office boxes. There is just only a big opening in the wall where the boxes used to be.

Now, we have to travel eight miles east to Continental Divide to pick up our mail. It is a pain in the ass. It'll be worse come winter.  

New Mailing Address

As of Monday, June 2, our little post office at the Flying J is closing.

They've already starting gutting it. 

So, my new mailing address will be:

P.O. Box 416

Continental Divide, NM 87312 

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan page has been updated with the new mailing address. 

Meetings On Fire Prevention and the Post Office

Above, the meetings were held in the fire station conference room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, our Whispering Cedars community held two meetings down at the fire station. The first was on fire prevention and the second was on the impending closure of the community's post office at the Flying J.

On the fire portion of the meeting, we had speakers from the U.S. Forest Service, McKinley County Fire Department and on insurance. The meeting covered fire prevention measures such as brush clearance and then on evacuation. planning.

I managed to get a few Smokey Bear items:

The second meeting pertained to the planned closure of the post office and what steps we can take to keep it open. 

Afterwards, Larry Lucier, Victor Gomez and I headed to Denny's for lunch/early dinner. 

Post Office Closing

Above, the post office that's closing June 1 at the Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was announced yesterday that our little post office at the Flying J will be shutting down on June 1, with the last delivery to our post office boxes will be on May 31.

This puts an end to the Jamestown zip code of 87347. 

The postmaster in Thoreau, Cassandra Tso, said that our only options are:

• Get a post office box in Continental Divide, which is eight miles to the east and its zip code is 87312.
• Have street delivery by letter carrier, if available [but it's not], to our street addresses.

So, from June 1 going forward, we will be known as being Continental Divide. 

Apparently, the contract between the Postal Service and the Flying J has terminated. I was told that this was decided by the ex-manager of Flying J.

After doing some banking in Gallup yesterday, I went to the Continental Divide Post Office and got a box and filed a Change of Address form. We'll have to drive eight miles to get our mail.

Some in our community are not happy with this and are talking about boycotting the Flying J, particularly buying gasoline. 

While I don't like the idea of going eight miles (16 miles round trip) to get my mail, it is better than having to go 25 miles to Gallup to get it. I guess this is what people have to contend with in rural communities.

Made It To The Post Office... And Back

I may have cancelled my cardiologist appointment due to the winter conditions, but that didn't stop me from getting the Jeep out and go down to the Flying J to pick up my mail.

The roads are pretty much thawed out, but wet. The Flying J parking lot was also thawed out.

It did start snowing on my way back home, though. Driving in these conditions is no problem with the Jeep, but I wouldn't trust driving the Mustang in it. The Jeep's tires are about twice the size as the Mustang's and it has 4WD. 

I did manage to take some pictures:

Made It To The Flying J

Above, after a trip to the post office at the Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Finally, after not being able to go to the Flying J yesterday to pick up my mail, I was able to drive there today. It is times like these that I am glad I bought the Jeep. The roads are snowy and icy today. 

They will stay icy until the temperature rises over freezing. It is currently 27° outside.

The snow is too deep on the concrete ramp to the garage for the Mustang. It is a cinch with the Jeep's 4WD. Even with that, it slid a little on the roads, particularly while going uphill.

Hopefully, the temperature will be over 32° tomorrow, at least enough for the snow and ice to thaw out.

Before Tomorrow's Storm

Above, heading up Whispering Cedars Road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A little while ago, I got back from the Flying J for picking up my mail and to get a couple of gallons of water for my coffeemaker.

Since we are expecting another snowstorm late tonight, I thought it best to have everything I need. 

Above, after getting back home. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While there, I also filled the Jeep's gas tank. Their posted price for unleaded regular is $2.669/gallon. With my Good Sam discount, I got it for $2.619/gallon. Not too shabby.

I am sure glad I am no longer in Commiefornia. The average price of regular gasoline in Commiefornia is $4.635/gallon according to the AAA.

So all I have to do now is hunker down and wait for the storm.

Finally Got Out of the House; Wayne LaPierre Resigns

Above, the Jeep after returning from the Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For the first time since Wednesday, I was able to leave the house and go down to the post office at the Flying J. The sun melted some of the snow on the roads, but they were still slushy and icy and I had to use the Jeep. 

Interstate 40 (eastbound) was all snarled for hours due to multiple accidents in Coolidge involving tractor-trailers. Truckers speed too fast for the conditions and they end up in accidents. Then, trucks and cars pack the off-ramps to go to the Flying J and the parking lots are all congested. So I waited until the eastbound lanes were moving again before heading to the Flying J.

*******

Just read that Wayne LaPierre, executive vice-president of the National Rifle Association, has resigned his position effective January 31. This comes before the New York civil trial that alleges LaPierre and others violated nonprofit laws and misused millions of dollars of NRA funds for lavish lifestyles for themselves. 

LaPierre cited health reasons for his resignation.

Back From The Post Office

Above, after getting the Jeep out of the garage. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A little while ago, I returned from the post office at the Flying J to check my mailbox and mail my bills.

Although we had more snow last night/this morning, there was less slush on the roads than yesterday. My thermometer says it's 40° outside. The snow is melting. 

Since I put the Jeep into 4WD to get it into the garage yesterday, I am now doing it automatically. I had no problem in getting it up the garage ramp today. 

We're supposedly going to get more snow this afternoon. At least that's what the National Weather Service says (30% chance today and 40% chance tonight).

Today

A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Patchy blowing snow between 1pm and 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 36. West wind around 15 mph. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tonight

A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 17. West wind around 10 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

We shall see.

Made It To The Post Office (and Back)

Above, after getting the Jeep out of the garage. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is days like these that I'm glad I got the ol' Jeep!

I drove it down on the slushy roads to the Flying J to go to the post office. Interstate 40 looked nice and clear, but the side roads are still icy and snowy.

Above, on the way to the post office at the Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Jeep handled the roads just fine with its big tires. I wouldn't drive the Mustang in these road conditions (it is having starting problems anyway).

Above, heading back up my street to the house straight ahead. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The only issue was getting it back into the garage. The garage ramp was covered in snow and the Jeep fishtailed to the side as I was trying to drive it up the ramp. It veered backwards and to the right, almost to the edge. I put it into 4-wheel-drive and it went up the ramp with no problem. Whew!

Actually, the whole trip was fun.

Postage Going Up Tomorrow

Above, our local post office at the Flying J Travel Center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If postage wasn't already high enough, it is set to go higher tomorrow (which is odd since tomorrow is a Sunday and post offices are closed).

RV Travel posted:

The cost of postage is headed up on July 9:

• Forever Stamps will increase from 63 cents to 66 cents

• A 1-ounce letter will increase from 63 cents to 66 cents

• Domestic postcards will increase from 48 cents to 51 cents

• A 1-ounce letter mailed to another country will increase from $1.45 to $1.50

• Postcards mailed to another country will increase from $1.45 to $1.50

You'll probably want to load up on stamps today before prices go up tomorrow. 

In The Mail

According to today's forecast, it will begin raining at around 1:00 this afternoon. It will later turn into snow showers as the day goes on.

So I took the opportunity to head down to the post office to get my mail. 

Since it will be either raining or snowing, it is a good thing a number of magazines to read arrived. They included Outside, Wine Enthusiast, Travel + Leisure and COINage magazines. Also in today's mail were a new set of two John Wayne whiskey glasses (photo below). They are nice and patriotic, just like Duke himself.

 

"Invaders From Mars" (1953) Blu-Ray Home At Last

Above, after opening the package. 

Finally, I was able to get my Blue-ray of Invaders From Mars (1953) from the post office.

Either it snowed too much to risk the drive to the post office or the post office clerk didn't show up for work. 

The clerk has been terminated for too many "no shows".

Today, I was able to pick up the package and will watch the movie tonight during dinnertime. I think the last time I saw the movie was back in the early 1990s while I was working the graveyard shift at Indian Springs (formerly where the Iverson Movie Ranch was located). 

The movie scared the bejeezus me when I was a kid. When I saw it 30-something years ago, I laughed as the Martian costumes had visible back zippers showing. Now, with this Blu-ray and the new restoration, we can see the zippers a lot better.

We May Lose Our Post Office

Above, the little post office serving Jamestown, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, I went over to the post office at the Flying J and found it closed with no new mail in our post office boxes.

The p.o. mistress called off and the Flying J doesn't want to have Rihanna (who ran the post office until about a month ago) doing any back-up. 

I spoke with the manager and he said that they only get $10,000/year for the post office from the Postal Service and that doesn't cover the Flying J's costs.

Also, he said that it will probably be closed down in a month and we'll likely have to get our mail in Gallup. 

Unless the Postal Service forks over more cash, we'll lose our post office. If we have to go into Gallup for our mail, we're screwed unless they can have it moved to either Fort Wingate or Church Rock, where there are existing post offices. 

We'll have to wait and see what happens. 

Maybe we ought to hold a protest and block the road to the Flying J. 😄

Readin' Material For Snow Day

Above, readin' material from the mailbox today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since it is supposed to snow tonight (60% chance) and tomorrow (30% chance), it is a good thing that I received some readin' material in the mailbox today.

It'll probably be too cold to be outside tomorrow, so it is just as well I have things to read while holed up indoors.

Above, The Beast back in the GOCO Beast Barn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While down at the Flying J to get the mail, I also put some gasoline in The Beast so I don't have to spend as much the next time I use it.

After returning home from the Flying J, I put The Beast inside the GOCO Beast Barn. I will fire up the Jeep sometime this afternoon.

Still Almost Snowed In

Above, Barking Spider Acre and the GOCO Beast Barn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The snow we received on New Year's Day is still with us.

Yesterday, I drove down to the post office at the Flying J and it was an unnerving drive. Snow and ice are still on the roads in the community including Whispering Cedars Road, the main road. 

Near the entrance to Six Mile Canyon Road, the Mustang slid and almost spun out when it hit a big patch of snow and ice at the curve there, despite me driving slowly and not jamming on the brakes. I had a near-incident at that same location two years ago. If it wasn't for having to mail my bills, I would have skipped the drive.

The temperature yesterday did get above freezing (around 41°) for the first time in days, which helped somewhat. 

When I took my trash container to the side of the road yesterday afternoon, the thick snow (6 to 8 inches thick) made the task moving it difficult, despite the container's wheels. I was winded after that and likely burned a few calories.

While the snow does look beautiful, it does make some things hazardous to do or just difficult. I'll be glad when there's more thawing. Hopefully, today's drive to the post office will be uneventful.

It was interesting seeing different animal tracks in the snow. 

Today's forecast has the high a little warmer at 42°.

I did take a few pictures (notice the animal tracks in them):

Above, Barking Spider Acre and sign. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the house and GOCO Beast Barn from the road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Barking Spider Acre from the road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back From The Post Office

Above, back from the post office. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A little while ago, I headed down to the post office in the Flying J. There was no mail in my P.O. box but I did have a notice that a package arrived.

As soon as I saw the label, I knew right away what it was. It was a Christmas gift I ordered from Boot Barn (in case you didn't know, Boot Barn has other things besides boots).

My main concern at the moment I was handed the box was getting it home. I rode the mini-bike to the Flying J and have no rack on it.

I did manage to get a large bag with handles from Cinnabon to hang on the mini-bike's handle bar. That worked out fine. I'm still riding the mini-bike locally since the Mustang is still in the shop (should be ready by the end of the week) and the Jeep's brakes are out. I winterized The Beast and have it put away for the winter. I could use it in emergencies, but this wasn't an emergency.

Since the Mustang has been in the shop, the mini-bike has been getting plenty of use. Getting the bearings fixed on the mini-bike just before the Mustang's problems was rather timely.

Go Fund Me: Funeral Expenses For Janice Casamero

Our post office clerk down at the Flying J, Janice Casamero, passed away from COVID-19. Everyone in our community will miss her. A GO FUND ME page has been set up by her daughter to raise money for her funeral expenses.