Some Americans Find Hawaii Vacations Less Appealing

Above, the Sheraton Waikiki is where I stayed in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have only been to Hawaii once in my life. I mainly stayed in Waikiki on Oahu and Kona, on the Big Island.

That was ten years ago this coming May. It appears that I visited Hawaii just in the nick of time before prices skyrocketed.

Nowadays, some American travelers find Hawaii less appealing as a vacation destination.

MSN posted a slideshow article on why this is so.

They begin it with:

Hawaii is becoming one of the most expensive vacation destinations in the U.S., and travelers are noticing. Hotel rates, flights, and daily expenses have all climbed sharply over the past few years.

What once felt like a special but manageable trip now requires a much larger budget. Many repeat visitors say the overall experience no longer matches the price they are paying.

The islands are still beautiful, but the total cost of getting there and staying comfortably has reached a point where people are reconsidering. This growing gap between expectation and reality is changing how travelers view Hawaii as a destination.

To read more, go here. 

First-Timer's Guide To Joshua Tree National Park

Above, camping at Cottowood Campground in Joshua Tree National Park in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Years ago, Joshua Tree National Park was known as Joshua Tree National Monument. It became a national park in 1994.

I had been there several times since I was a kid. My Boy Scout troop camped there back around 1966. I remember we camped in Jumbo Rocks Campground. We had a great time there climbing the huge rocks.

I last visited it in 2015 and camped at Cottonwood Campground.

Cleveland.com posted a first-timer's guide to Joshua Tree National Park. 

They begin it with:

JOSHUA TREE, California – The trees here get all the glory. But the rocks may be the coolest part of Joshua Tree National Park.

Don’t get me wrong – the trees are also special, with their Seuss-like branches and spiky leaves.

But you can’t climb the trees.

The rocks, on the other hand, are open for exploration.

Unlike some national parks, where visitors are discouraged from getting too close, explorers here are encouraged to hike, scramble, climb up, rappel down and otherwise fully experience the hundreds of igneous rock formations that dot the landscape.

To read more, go here. 

Dollar At ¥159 In Tokyo

Happy April Fool's Day!

Yes, today is April 1 but the following is not an April fool joke. 

As we're in a new month, it is time to take a peek at how the U.S. dollar is faring against the Japanese yen in foreign exchange for those planning a vacation in Japan.

According to The Mainichi:

The U.S. dollar briefly weakened to the lower 158 yen range in Tokyo, as buying on flight-to-safety demand subsided amid speculation of a cease-fire, dealers said.

At 5 p.m., the dollar fetched 158.79-80 yen compared with 158.66-76 yen in New York and 159.62-64 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

To read more, go here. 

Norwegian Confirms Return of Beverage Packages to Private Island

Above, yours truly having a drink aboard the Norwegian Sky in 2024.

After "holy hell" was raised by cruise passengers and travel partners, Norwegian Cruise Lines is dropping their planned additional drink package for Great Stirrup Cay.

According to Cruise Industry News:

Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed that it will continue to honor all of its beverage packages in its private island destination of Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.

In statements sent to booked guests, the company announced that it will not implement a new policy requiring passengers to purchase an additional package to order alcoholic drinks at Great Stirrup Cay.

“After receiving feedback from our guests and travel partners, guests with Free at Sea or More at Sea beverage packages will continue to enjoy the same beverage package inclusions as they do onboard,” the company said.

“This means your beverage experience flows effortlessly from ship to shore,” Norwegian added, noting that packages can be acquired up to 24 hours before cruises.

As reported by Cruise Industry News, the company had previously advised travel agents of the change in plans.

The company first revealed that it would stop honoring its beverage packages in Great Stirrup Cay in October 2025.

When Mitch Geriminsky and I took a Bahamas cruise in 2024 with Norwegian, I didn't bother buying a drink package. I just confined myself to have one to two drinks per day out-of-pocket. Following some jet skiing, I bought one cocktail while in Great Stirrup Cay. 

To read more, go here.

Best Campgrounds Along Route 66 Revealed

Best campgrounds along Route 66 revealed video by KOAT.

Summary:

Best campgrounds along Route 66 revealed

The video features my favorite Albuquerque RV park, the Route 66 RV Resort. 

RV Travel: Are Love’s RV Stops Worth It?

Above, a Love's RV campsite in Oklahoma. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There are several chains of truck stops/travel centers around the country. Buc-ee's, Pilot/Flying J and Love's are ones that immediately come to mind.

Love's is making special efforts to accommodate RVers. Some have set up overnight campsites with hook-ups. I saw one of them last December while driving from Des Moines, Iowa to Orange County, California.

RV Travel has posted an article on Love's RV Stops asking if they're worth it.

They begin it with:

If you’ve been on the road lately, you may have noticed that more and more Love’s Travel Stops are putting in accommodations for us RVers. In fact, many of you weighed in on a poll saying that you have already dipped your toes in staying at a Love’s.

The company has committed to RVers with a variety of things, including offering overnight accommodations with hookups at some of the company’s 670 locations in 42 states. These accommodations range from flat pads with water and electric to full RV parks with a number of amenities, including pickleball, dog parks, and laundry facilities.

To read more, go here. 

Geronimo Indian Store "Temporarily Closed"

Above, Geronimo Trading Post in 2018. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the trading posts along Interstate 40 in Arizona is the Geronimo Trading Post in Joseph City.

I stopped there and bought a few things back in 2018 following a clampout.

Unfortunately, there is some sad news about the trading post. It comes from Jack Rabbit Trading Post, also from Joseph City.

They posted on Facebook:

Just wanted to get this out there.  The Geronimo Trading post is closed at this time. We do not know the outcome for this store.

We are not related in any way to this store. The owners have both passed away & for the last year or so, family members have been opening it off & on. But, it has been completely closed since December.  I can imagine how hard it is for family members who are not from here & do not know this business to keep this kind of business afloat.

We have had many customers complaining about them being closed. We try to explain the situation but sometimes people are still upset about it. 

Since we are not in any way connected to this store or family, we cannot assume it is easy. And we are not to blame for them being closed!!

It would be sad to lose this trading post. Hopefully, the family can find a buyer who can operate the store successfully. 

Google indicates that it is "temporarily closed."

California RV Show Returns

Above, motorhomes on display at the 2017 California RV Show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the last things I did just before moving to New Mexico was to attend the California RV Show in Pomona in October 2017.

After this, the California RV Show was cancelled when COVID hit. It hadn't been held since, until this past week. 

According to the following article in Woodall's Campground Magazine, it was a big success.

They start the article with:

Despite rising gas prices and war, the California RV Show, held March 20-22, drew more than 20,000 paying visitors. The event, which took place at the Pomona Fairplex, was the first major RV show in Southern California in almost six years.

“Given there hadn’t been anything in California for years, I thought anything over 10,000 attendees would be a success,” said RV Supershows President Rob Lynch. “The fact that we exceeded my expectations by more than double truly excites me for the future. Pomona is back – Pomona’s back in a big way.”

Exhibiting dealers and OEMs included: Aboard RV, Airstream, Beaumont RV, Best RV Center, Blue Compass RV, Ford Motor Company (Towing Bootcamp), Galaxy RV, Giant RV, Marjon RV, Pebble RV, Rovikk, Sport Truck RV, The RV Super Store and Venture Explorers.

It is nice to see the California RV Show return.

To read more, go here. 

KOA Invites RVers To Experience Route 66’s 100-Year Legacy

Above, Elk City, Oklahoma KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As 2026 is the centennial of Historic Route 66, Kampgrounds of America is focusing their marketing to those KOA Kampgrounds along the historic route for the celebration.

According to RV Business:

BILLINGS, Mont. — As Route 66 marks its 100th anniversary, the historic “Mother Road” is once again at the center of American travel. New data from Kampgrounds of America (KOA) shows the centennial is helping fuel a resurgence in road trips driven by a desire for slower, more intentional exploration.

In a special preview of research soon-to-be released as part of KOA’s annual Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report, 43% of campers say they plan to take a heritage or Americana-focused road trip, with growing interest in longer, multi-stop journeys that prioritize small towns, historic landmarks and roadside attractions.

“The Route 66 centennial is the perfect moment to finally take that iconic road trip you’ve been dreaming about,” said Diane Eichler, senior vice president of marketing at KOA. “This year, we’re seeing a real shift toward slower, more intentional road trips. People aren’t just driving Route 66, they’re stopping, exploring and spending time in the small towns along the way. Camping makes that kind of immersive travel easy.”

Also, according to the article:

Nearly 30 KOA campgrounds are located within an hour of Historic Route 66, stretching from Illinois to California.

The nearest KOA along the route is in Grants, New Mexico.

To read more, go here. 

Delta Airlines Suspends Congress Special Treatment

Kudos to Delta Airlines!

Thanks to the Chuck Schumer/Democrat-led partial shutdown, the airline is suspending the special treatment accorded to members of Congress.

Reuters reported:

WASHINGTON, March 24 (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines said on Tuesday it would suspend special services for members of Congress, citing the impact ​of a partial government shutdown that has disrupted U.S. air travel.

"Due ‌to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta. Next to safety, Delta’s ​no. 1 priority is taking care of our people and ​customers, which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment,” ⁠the Atlanta-based U.S. air carrier said in a statement.

Other airlines should also follow suit and suspend perks accorded to members of Congress during the shutdown. They should have a big taste of their own medicine.

To read more, go here.

Albuquerque Sunport TSA "Normal"

Above, the TSA checkpoint at the Albuquerque Sunport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A trip is planned for next month to go to Houston, Texas for the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits. Mitch Geriminsky and I will be flying out of the Albuquerque Sunport.

How is Sunport faring during this Chuck Schumer-led Democrat partial shutdown?

KRQE News 13 reported:

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The ongoing partial government shutdown has resulted in longer-than-average wait times at airport security checkpoints operated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) around the country. As a result, the federal government has deployed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to aid with security at some airports.

Despite the major travel shifts being seen at airports across the country, as of Monday, operations at the Albuquerque International Sunport remain unchanged.

“The Sunport has not experienced staffing shortages related to TSA, and checkpoint operations continue as normal,” said Albuquerque International Sunport Spokesperson Diana Lopez.

Getting back from Houston may be a different story if the shutdown has not ended by then.  

To read more, go here.

How To Make Cowboy/Campfire Coffee

Clamp-out season is almost upon the chapters and members of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus.

This means The Bretheren will be out dry camping. An important ingredient for camping, is having coffee. Some of us have RVs with stoves and percolators. But there are others who will be "roughing it" while camping in tents and cooking over campfires or Coleman stoves.

The video below tells how to make Cowboy/Campfire coffee by Horse Pen Ranch.

Summary: 

We will show you how to make cowboy or campfire coffee from start to finish. We will even share some helpful tips along the way!

1. Fill coffee pot with water to just below the spout

2. Heat water, add coffee (about a 1/4 cup of coffee to every quart of water)

3. Once it boils let it boil for about 4 min

4. Remove from heat and add about a cup of cold water to the pot and enjoy!

Seven Swell (and Free) Things To Do In DFW, Texas

Above, twice daily, visitors can see the Fort Work Stockyards cattle drives for free. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my lifetime, I have been to Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas twice.

The first was in 1984 when I attended the Republican National Convention in Dallas as an Alternate Delegate with the California Delegation.

The second was in 2021 when a friend and I went there to see the newly-opened John Wayne: An American Experience museum in the Fort Worth Stockyards.

RV Travel posted a list of seven "swell (and free)" things to do in Dallas-Fort Worth.

They begin it with:

Calling all cowpokes! Hitch up yer britches, saddle yer RV, and git yerself to Texas. I don’t wanna hear no bellyachin’ cause I’m fixin’ to tell y’all about eight things you ken do for free while yer there.

Even if you’re not a cowpoke, you will appreciate this mix of Dallas-Fort Worth downtown green spaces, public art, free museums, and classic Texas sights. All for free!

To see what the free things to do are, go here. 

2026 WACA Gun Show Flyer

Up until recently, I was thinking about attending this year's Winchester Arms Collectors Association gun show in Cody, Wyoming. I was considering flying there instead of driving.

Well, as things happen, I had to re-roof my house with drained much of my savings. So, I am forced to forego the trip.

However, in someone reading this wants to attend, the Winchester Arms Collectors Association posted this:

Favorite RV Trip

Above, parked near Interstate 15 in Idaho waiting for the solar eclipse. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Travel posted a poll asking, "Do you have a favorite RV trip of all time?" 

That is a good question. Pretty much all my RV trips have been favorites. Two particularly come to mind: the 2016 trip to Metropolis, Illinois and the 2017 Great American Eclipse trip. I would give the eclipse trip a slight edge as being my favorite as it was without any mishaps. I hit a sharp-edge curb in St. Louis, Missouri and tore up two tires after swerving to avoid a collision with a driver who cut into my lane during the Metropolis trip. The eclipse trip was 100% fun.

An "honorable mention" is the trip to Yellowstone National Park with my daughter. That was a good trip.

Above, the Great American Eclipse in 2017. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following the eclipse, I visited Crater Lake National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park. All of the campgrounds were nice. 

Above, in Devastated Area in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The poll begins with:

Think back over alllll the miles you’ve traveled in your RV. The places you’ve seen, the campgrounds you’ve stayed in, the little moments that stuck with you long after the trip ended. For today’s poll, we want to know if you have a favorite RV trip of all time.

For some of you, the answer is an easy yes. One trip rises above the rest—maybe it was the destination, the people you were with, or just how everything seemed to fall into place. Perfect weather, great campsites, unforgettable views… the kind of trip you’re still talking about years later.

To read more and participate in the poll, go here.

Japan Tourism 2026 Transformation

Above, Fukuoka Tower in Kyushu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For years, Japan has endeavored to increase tourism to the country. Now that they have (with the Japanese yen adding a big incentive), they can't seem to handle the influx in foreign visitors.

This influx presents two differing patterns.

It is interesting to note that first-time visitors prefer visiting familiar cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. But, experienced Japan visitors are looking for something new and venturing out in the countryside.

Travel and Tour World has posted an article on this.

They begin it with:

Japan’s tourism sector is entering a new phase in 2026.  Travel behaviour is changing quickly. Visitors are no longer following the same fixed routes. Instead, they are making choices based on experience and familiarity. This shift is creating two distinct  travel patterns.

Industry observations show that first-time visitors prefer famous cities. Meanwhile, repeat travellers are exploring beyond them. This change is influencing how travel companies design packages. It is also shaping how destinations promote themselves.

Tourism planners now focus on offering both classic and unique experiences. This balanced approach helps attract a wider range of global travellers.

To read more, go here.

Heat Wave Over Weekend

Above, the Durango train departing the Durango Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today's high temperature is forecast to reach 80°. That's according to the National Weather Service.

The temperature is expected to reach 80° or more this weekend as well. I guess Spring came a little bit early this year.

Also, the National Weather Service posted the following:

Early Spring Heat Wave in the Southwest U.S.; Critical Fire Weather in the Central Rockies and Plains

An unusual early Spring heat wave will continue much above-normal temperatures over the Southwest U.S. through early next week. Many locations are likely to set records for the highest-ever March temperature. Periods of critical fire weather will persist from the central Rockies to the central Plains through Saturday as gusty winds and low relative humidity continue.

Although we need more precipitation, the warmer temperatures are welcome as we've had to bundle up all Winter. 

As for the coming summer, as the new roof expense put a big crimp in my finances, I may just take short and local vacation trips. Durango, Colorado is at the top of my list. It is only a few hours away.

Is RV Travel Really Cheaper?

Is RV travel really cheaper? 

The recreational industry says yes. Experienced RVers say "it depends."

This is the topic of an article in RV Travel.

It begins with:

Is RV travel cheaper than other types of vacations? The RV industry says yes. According to the RV Industry Association (pdf), a family of four can vacation by RV for 27% to 60% less than trips that rely on hotels, flights, and restaurant meals.

The claim appears frequently in industry reports and promotional materials and is often cited as one of the major advantages of RV travel.

But ask experienced RVers about that claim, and you’re likely to hear a familiar answer.

It depends.

To read more, go here. 

Trump Administration In Talks With Cuba

Above, yours truly at the Plaza de la Revolución in Havana in 2019. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Back in April 2019, a friend proposed going on a cruise to Havana, Cuba. I thought it would be an interesting to place to see and so I agreed to go. Besides, the price was quite reasonable with Royal Caribbean.

About a couple of months later, President Trump halted cruises to Cuba. 

When Trump (supposedly) lost to Joe Biden in the 2020 election, it was rumored that the Biden Administration would resume cruises to Cuba. They never did.

Right now, talks are taking place between the Cuban government and Trump officials. 

According to USA Today:

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel on March 13 confirmed his government is holding talks with the Trump administration, in the latest sign that the communist-run nation is open to signing a possible historic economic deal with the United States.

Díaz-Canel made the announcement in a video broadcast on national television and he also spoke in a subsequent press conference, where he addressed Cuba's energy needs amid a U.S. oil blockade, saying no fuel has entered Cuba in three months. He said the talks with the U.S. have reached initial phases only.

"These conversations have been aimed at seeking solutions through dialogue to the bilateral differences that exist between our two nations," Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel on March 13 confirmed his government is holding talks with the Trump administration, in the latest sign that the communist-run nation is open to signing a possible historic economic deal with the United States.

"These conversations have been aimed at seeking solutions through dialogue to the bilateral differences that exist between our two nations," Diaz-Canel said.

If these talks bear fruit, there may be a possibility that an agreement would allow Americans to take cruises again to Cuba. 

To read more, go here. 

Key West Is A Literary Pilgrimage For Fans of Hemingway

Above, one of the many cats at Hemingway House. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2019, a friend and I took a cruise to Havana, Cuba. Along the way, the ship stopped for a day in Key West, Florida.

While there, I got off the shuttle bus to visit the Hemingway Home & Museum. I then took a self-guided tour of the former estate of Ernest Hemingway. There were many cats roaming around. They were descendants of a cat Hemingway had. 

Above, Ernest Hemingway's office. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A piece of trivia: The Hemingway Home was featured in the 1989 Timothy Dalton James Bond movie, Licence To Kill.

AOL posted an article on why Key West is a literary pilgrimage for fans of Hemingway.

They begin it with:

Hemingway's influence in Key West is so strong that it would be difficult to avoid hearing about the writer while visiting the island. The house he lived in with his second wife, Pauline, is now the Hemingway Home and Museum. Hemingway fans travel from all over the world to visit the beautifully preserved property and get a glimpse into the novelist's private life. Besides bedrooms and family rooms, you can go into the writer’s studio, where he worked on masterpieces like "To Have and Have Not" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls." While the house is great, the best part about the museum is seeing the true owners of the property roam around their kingdom: the six-toed cats that are direct descendants of Hemingway's beloved Snowball.

To read more, go here.