Monsoon storm tears apart iconic Route 66 sign near Winslow video by Arizona’s Family (3TV / CBS 5).
Summary:
A monsoon storm tore down the iconic “Here It Is” sign at the Jack Rabbit Trading Post on Route 66 earlier this week, splitting the nearly 80-year-old sign in half and knocking out chunks of original wood dating to the 1940s. The Jack Rabbit Trading Post, located between Winslow and Joseph City, has been a stop on Route 66 since 1949. Reporter Mason Carroll has the story.
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| Above, the yard yesterday. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
It looks like we're getting a break today with the monsoon-generated thunderstorms.
According to the National Weather Service, today will be sunny in Jamestown, New Mexico. I am sure Gallup will definitely be grateful for the break since the town got flooded twice this week.
My yard looked a bit swampy during yesterday's rain (photo above).
The forecast:
Today
Yesterday's monsoon storm caused massive flooding in Gallup. The area hasn't seen such a storm in years.
We got about a half inch of rain in a short period according to a friend with a rain gauge. Luckily, we're on a hill and no flooding occurred.
Here's a couple of videos on yesterday's flood.
From KRQE News:
The second round of monsoon rain this week hit the Jamestown/Gallup area yesterday late afternoon and evening.
It was actually more precipitation than on Tuesday.
I didn't know it was raining until I got out to put the Jeep into the garage. Before doing so, I took the below photo. Luckily, the Jeep was facing south and the rain came in from the west, so my seat was still dry.
We're expecting more rain this week. Which is what we need.
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| Above, monsoon rain clouds over Jamestown yesterday evening. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Finally, at long last, we got some rain yesterday and last night.
This was the first monsoon rain we received in weeks. We need a lot more, but we'll take it.
According to the National Weather Service, the week looks like this for Jamestown:
Monsoon season is definitely here!
We had a nice electrical storm last night. It took me a while to fall asleep as we had lightning and thunder show for a while after I went to bed. That was fun to watch.
We also had accompanying downpours to go along with it. This is most welcome as the Gallup/Jamestown area is a bit parched from the ongoing drought. I am sure my trees like it!
According to the National Weather Service, the weekend looks like this:
Overnight
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| Above, at El Cafecito Mexican Restaurant at Grants. |
Yesterday, I went to Grants (about 45 miles east) for my annual check-up with my cardiologist.
The drive wasn't bad. It did rain (a downpour) near Thoreau, but that only lasted a couple of minutes.
At the doctors, I was weighed (149 lbs.) and had a cardiogram done. I also had my blood pressure checked (111/71). So far, so good. The doctor told me that he reviewed all the tests (lexiscan, stress test, etc.) I took last year and I came out better than expected and for my age.
We decided that rather than coming in once every year, I would come in six months. This is nothing bad, but since I am getting older, it is best that I get examined so that if anything develops, we catch it earlier rather than later. He asked if this is a problem, I told him that since I am retired, it is fine with me. So, my next appointment will be in December.
He noted that since I gave up cigarette smoking ten years ago, I am still alive and kicking. He said if I still smoked cigarettes, I would likely not be here. He wasn't concerned about the cigars. I told him I came down with bronchitis back then and used that as an opportunity to quit.
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| Above, the chile relleno plate at El Cafecito Mexican Restaurant in Grants. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
We discussed my activities and showed him photos of the Jeep. I told him we have OHV roads in nearby Six Mile Canyon and I enjoy driving them. This is a lot better than sitting in a rocking chair.
After the exam and everything was done, I headed out to the El Cafecito Mexican Restaurant in town. It was a bit of an effort getting there as there was roadwork being done and I had to take numerous detours.
One I got there, I had the chile relleno plate. Following dinner, I headed back to Jamestown.
After getting home, we had a good downpour, which gave my trees a good soaking. We needed this. Monsoon season is definitely here.
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| Above, the Jeep in Six Mile Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
After having my usual Sunday breakfast at the Silver Screen Restaurant at the El Rancho Hotel and doing some grocery shopping this morning, I relaxed on the deck with a beer (Alien Amber Ale, of course!).
When I was done with that, I decided to take a drive into Six Mile Canyon of the Cibola National Forest.
I saw only one vehicle there and he was leaving the canyon. I headed in.
After a little while, I noticed a big black cloud coming in from the Southwest. We're nearing Monsoon Season and I know they can (and do) produce heavy downpours. It was getting windy and some rain drops started falling as it approached.
I decided to make a u-turn near where the windmill is located and head out. I don't need to get drenched and possibly have the road washed out.
Other than that, I enjoyed the drive, even though I had to cut it a little short.
Some photos:
Well, it did rain yesterday, which we needed.
I ended up grilling hamburgers inside instead of barbecuing. I used one of my mom's cast iron frying pans that she had ever since I could remember. They came out good (with some original Stubb's barbecue sauce).
Since Denny's at the Flying J has been closed for two weeks due to a fire, out coffee group will be heading to Lil's Cafe in Thoreau today. I haven't seen any activity at Denny's to get it reopened yet. Wonder what's keeping them?
As for yesterday's rain, we did have some evening lightning and thunder. I guess the monsoon season is starting early this year. That would be nice.
There may be some more rain coming today.
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| Above, the crabapple tree two days ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
It appears that we are in a cooling trend with the possibility of isolated thunderstorms in the Gallup/Jamestown vicinity. It did sprinkle a little bit yesterday afternoon. It lasted only a few minutes.
According to the National Weather Service, the next few days look like this:
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| Above, the crabapple tree is blooming. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
It looks like we may be getting some precipitation this coming week, starting tomorrow and Monday with a dry storm. A dry storm is a thunderstorm that produces less than 0.1" of rain. This is according to the McKinley County of Emergency Management.
It won't be long when we'll be in monsoon season.
According to the National Weather Service, the week is shaping up as follows:
Yesterday morning, I was awakened by strong winds hitting my bedroom window and a bathroom vent cover. This was about 3:00 in the morning.
About an hour later, I heard rain hitting my bedroom window. Sure enough, it was raining outside. Then, around 4:30, it started snowing. In all, we received about an inch of snow until it ended a few hours later.
The rain/snow were welcome. That, plus the rain we received last week, is a big help to the trees out in the yard. One pine tree is starting to revive.
I took the below photo after doing a little shoveling. It was almost melted away by late afternoon. We're supposed to get more in a couple of days.
First of all, Happy Valentine's Day!
Yesterday (Friday the 13th, by the way), we had steady light rain for most of the day. This will be a big help to the plants and trees.
It did snow a little bit after I got home from Gallup where I had dinner at Jerry's Café. But it was too warm out to last and it melted as soon as it hit the ground. Still, we are happy to get the rain. It rained all the way to and from Gallup. We got a good soak.
We aren't forecast for any real precipitation today, the next chance for rain/snow will start Monday night, according to the National Weather Service.
The forecast:
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| Above, Jerry's Café in Gallup. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
It looks like we may be getting some rain and snow showers this afternoon.
We sure as heck can use the precipitation.
According to the National Weather Service for the Gallup, New Mexico area:
This may hit while I am in Gallup for my Friday dinner at Jerry's Café. We shall see.
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| Above, the motorhome in the GOCO Beast Barn yesterday. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
It's a good thing that I got the motorhome inside its garage/barn yesterday. Overnight, we received some rain and it has been continuing this morning. It is around 40° outside, too warm for snow.
If I had waited, the motorhome would have to drive over muddy conditions and, possibly, get stuck. I've gotten the Mustang stuck in mud in Barking Spider Acre once.
According to the National Weather Service for Jamestown, New Mexico:
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| Above, New Years snow in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
For New Years Eve, I was considering going to Fire Rock Navajo Casino outside of Gallup tonight.
However, I am going to skip it as we may be getting some rain and snow showers tonight. We sure do need the water, but braving a trek in those conditions along with drunks on the road is not a great idea. So, I will remain at home.
According to the National Weather Service for Gallup/Jamestown:
A 40 percent chance of showers before 11am. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 49. West wind 10 to 15 mph.
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| Above, this is what I want to avoid tomorrow. This was seven years ago. |
I just checked the National Weather Service and it appears there's some good chance of rain and/or snow showers in the Flagstaff area. I have to take Interstate 40 through Flagstaff to get home. If I can drive through Flagstaff with no problem, the rest of the way should be a piece of cake.
According to the National Weather Service for the Flagstaff area:
Tonight
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| Above, I took this shot of the sunrise from the entrance to Petrified Forest National Park. I stopped there for a coffee break. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
I will be spending the Christmas holiday with Mitch & Holly Geriminsky. I have done so for the past several years.
I got into town at about 1:30 in the afternoon. This was after driving around 420 miles from home in New Mexico. I got on the road at 5:30 in the morning.
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| Above, a rancher put up this sign on his property ten miles east of Seligman, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Outside of some wind along the way, the weather was good. It did rain in the evening hours in Lake Havasu.
I decided to go to bed early as I was tired from the long drive.
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| Above, the front yard this evening. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
I had to go to Thoreau (about 14 miles east) to pick up some groceries and have an early dinner at Lil's Cafe. On the way, I did get some snow shower pelting in Coolidge, but that only lasted a minute or so.
I understand that another storm is coming in on Saturday. Maybe we'll get our first snow then. According to the National Weather Service, there's a 70% chance of rain/snow.
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| Above, following a 2019 snowstorm. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Whenever rain (or snow) hits Jack Rabbit Trading Post near St. Joseph, Arizona, I can usually tell that we would be getting it in a few hours.
Yesterday morning, Cindy at Jack Rabbit Trading Post posted on Facebook that it was raining there. Sure enough, a few hours later, it hit the Gallup/Jamestown area. The was the first rain we received in weeks. It was the same storm system that gave Southern California a big deluge.
According to the National Weather Service, our next chance for rain or snow will come later in the week (around Thursday).
Here's their forecast for this week:
