What's The Future of Good Sam?

Whenever I had an RV of some sort (folding camping trailer, micro-mini motorhome or Class C), I have been a member of the Good Sam Club.

The organization's member campgrounds and RV parks provide members with discounts, which makes membership worthwhile. Along with that, members get five cents per gallon discounts at Pilot/Flying J travel centers. Five cents per gallon may not sound like much, but when one has an RV with a 55 gallon gas tank, the savings add up.

But since the organization (now called just "Good Sam") was acquired by Camping World mogul Marcus Lemonis, some are wondering if its days are numbered. Good Sam members get discounts at Camping World as well.

An article in RV Travel has been posted on this and it begins with:

In early 2021 we wrote questioning the future of Good Sam club members. At that time, Good Sam Enterprises, the parent group, basically suspended all membership social gatherings, including chapter meetings and larger rallies. It also “put on hold” the responsibilities of state and provincial directors, oversight posts held voluntarily by men and women in the organization. All this was said to be related to the COVID-19 pandemic. But at the time we wondered if this was the final straw for a social group that had been active since founded by Art Rouse back in 1966.

‘AND SO IT WAS, THE SOCIAL-MINDED GROUPS OF RVERS UNDER THE GOOD SAM UMBRELLA SIMPLY BECAME GOOD SAMS. NOT MEMBERS OF THE GOOD SAM CLUB.’

“The Club” ceases to be

Following the slowdown of the COVID pandemic, things got “back to normal” for the group. Rallies and chapter meetings went ahead, bringing a sense of normalcy to folks who’d been isolated for a long time. Still, there was a quiet undertone going on, particularly for the “club’s” directors. We put club in quotes, as while the Good Sam organization was begun as a club with a heavy social aspect, after company boss Marcus Lemonis came on board the “club” ceased to be.

Lemonis explained the drop of the word “club” to state directors this way. The newer generation, he said, was not interested in joining clubs. If the Good Sam organization was to grow with the help of younger ones, the “club” would have to go. And so it was, the social-minded groups of RVers under the Good Sam umbrella simply became Good Sams. Not members of the Good Sam Club.

While the psychology of all this might have sounded good at the time, in practice, dropping the term “club” did nothing to arrest the problem. Colorado Good Sam state director Rick Smith told us clearly that Lemonis’ approach flopped. Club or no club, Colorado’s membership is “aging out,” in his words. As older ones hang up the keys, new blood simply isn’t there to replace these older ones.

I remember when the Good Sam Club had its headquarters in Agoura, California. I would occasionally stop in to pick up literature on different things. But that was 40 years ago, before it was gobbled up by Lemonis.

The article ends with a section where Good Sam members can comment. 

To read the full article, go here. 

The Incredible Disappearing Lake Mead Via Satellite

Above, Lake Mead just behind the Hoover Dam in November 2018. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

NASA satellite photos of Lake Mead has been released and they show a slowly withering lake in a time span of 22 years.

Naturally, there are those who blame "climate change". 

Here's how Lake Mead has slowly disappeared during the past 22 years:

Trump's Get Well Message To Joe Biden

 

A fabricated image made to look like a statement from former president Donald Trump about President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 diagnosis has been shared online, fact-checkers at The Associated Press, Snopes and CNN say. A spokesperson for Trump confirmed that the statement is fabricated, and it does not appear on his website or on social media.

The above is the fake statement.

RV Park Camping Annoyances

Above, at the Cedar City, Utah KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Everyone who RVs in public and private campground have been annoyed by neighbors. Usually, the problem is noise or people walking through one's campsite.

I remember a neighbor's kids running around in my campsite at the Cedar City, Utah KOA. Fortunately, their parents got them under control and we actually later got together and had a good visit.

RV Life has posted an article on annoying things people do in RV parks.

They begin it with:

We have all been in a campground where at least one of these annoying activities occured. If not, you might be the perpetrator and not even be aware of it.

Commiserate with me as I list off these actions that we all wish would stop in order to make our camping experience more pleasant. This is not an exhaustive list, but here are some of the annoying things people do in RV parks.

To read more, go here. 

Biden Has COVID-19

His Fraudulency Joe Biden may or may not have cancer, but he definitely has coronavirus. Did he sniff the wrong person and caught it?

USA Today reported:

WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 Thursday, something the White House had taken extra steps to avoid as highly transmissible strains struck top aides, Cabinet members and the vice president.

Biden, 79, is experiencing "very mild" symptoms and is taking the antiviral drug Paxlovid, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. 

While Biden's vaccinations should protect him against serious illness, the infection is a blow to the administration's efforts to show the president is on top of the pandemic that has disrupted the country for more than two years.

 To read more, go here.

Biden and Cancer: He Didn't, Did He?

 Did His Fraudulency Joe Biden announce he has cancer?

From the Daily Caller:

BIDEN: "I and so many other people I grew up with, have cancer."

Did Joe Biden just announce he has cancer?

Elvis "Not Racist" Says Ex-Wife Priscilla

Above, Elvis with Junior Parker (left) and Bobby Blue Bland (right) in a display at Sun Studio in Memphis. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Revisionist "historians" today try to paint Elvis Presley as racist. But according to his ex-wife Priscilla, that couldn't be further from the truth. She should know.

She recently appeared on Piers Morgan's show and set the record straight.

According to Insider:

Elvis Presley's ex-wife Priscilla appeared on "Piers Morgan Uncensored" on Tuesday to discuss the iconic singer's legacy.

Asked how Elvis would fare in "this weird cancel culture," the 77-year-old businesswoman said Elvis was "not prejudiced in any way" and "not racist in any way."

"He's never been a racist. Elvis had friends, Black friends, friends from all over," she said. "He loved their music. He loved their style. He loved being around, you know, Black musicians."

Priscilla cited his friendships with two Black musicians, Fats Domino and Sammy Davis Jr., who she said would "always come into the dressing room" when Elvis performed in Las Vegas.

"He loved, loved being around Blacks and being around anyone actually," she said.

To read more, go here. 

El Rancho Hotel Restaurant's "New Digs" Now Open

Above, John Wayne on the left, a poster of Santa Fe Trail and Humphrey Bogart & Lauren Bacall. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After months of construction work, the new location of the historic El Rancho Hotel's restaurant is now open. It opened two days ago. 

Above, Larry and I enjoying the "new digs". The stained glass and mirror is in the background.

Larry Lucier and I went there for dinner after I picked up Larry from his physical therapist. We were impressed with the "new digs". It is more than double the size of the former location, which will be converted to retail space.

Above, the restaurant now has its own bar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The new restaurant has windows, a bar and a beautiful stained glass and mirror. 

The new restaurant is very nicely decorated with photos and posters of Hollywood stars of yesteryear who frequented the El Rancho Hotel. The new restaurant embraced the hotel's history with Hollywood, whereas the former one didn't. The old one was nice, but this is much nicer.

Above, Larry and his taco plate. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Additionally, we no longer need to use flashlights to read the menu as we had to do in the former location. Larry went with tacos (the Jill Biden Special?) and I had my usual chile rellenos. We both had a Margarita.

Above, my chile rellenos plate. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We really like the "new digs".

20 Minutes In Arizona

Above, the Manuelito Visitor Center, which is five miles from the Arizona border. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After dropping off Larry Lucier off at his physical therapist's, I headed off to Lupton, Arizona (only 16 miles from Gallup) to pick up some stogies at the Tee Pee Trading Post. 

Along the way, I noticed that the Manuelito Visitor Center rest area was finally open after more than two years of being closed. 

Above, outside of the Tee Pee Trading Post.

When I was done with my business at the Tee Pee Trading Post, I headed back to Gallup, but I did stop at the Manuelito Visitor Center to pick up a soft drink. It looked the same as it did before it was closed down.

After buying a Coke, I did get some literature of some of New Mexico's attractions. 

G-FEST Grumblings

Above, J. D. Lees and Akira Takarada at G-FEST XXVI in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A surprising thing came to light while I was perusing Facebook on posts concerning COVID-19 popping up at G-FEST last weekend.

I didn't attend as I have a guest coming over for a visit next week, which includes some travel while she's here. The funds at present are finite.

A post was left by Sean McGuinness that stated J. D. Lees wasn't attending the convention this year as he refuses to get vaccinated in order to cross the U.S.-Canadian border. This was the first I heard of this. I was wondering why there there were no photos of J. D. at the convention. Now I know. That was a surprise to me! 

Here's the post:

This is from the G-FEST program book. JD Lees, the originator of G-Fest, will not attend his own convention because he refuses to get the vaccine to cross the Canadian border.

He has done "considerable research" and fails to provide any sources for that research. He says "his body his choice" as every woman in the United States has had their choice stripped away from them.

He talks about "societal divisions" are symbolic of these times and have caused harm to families, referring to discussion of the pandemic. Just like when the official G-Fest Twitter account would make light of COVID, claim it's mostly a foreign problem, a disease which would kill over one million Americans.

He wants to encourage us to put aside such divisions, such as when the official G-Fest Twitter account would block any and all concerns about how it was spreading deadly misinformation. We gather at G-Fest for our love of Science Fiction, and apparently Science Fact has no place there.

If necessary, we should "turn the other cheek", but the guests, artists and fans who were blocked by the G-Fest Twitter account are still blocked, no cheek turned. I expect this to be the G-Fest response to artists being refused entry to sell their legally protected fan art and the money they lose out on, as well as if they ever drop the "no mass produced fan art" rule that exists in no convention in the United States, except here.

We should keep our commitment and passions burning like the "Cherenkov Light", a radiation that is of Russian origin. Russia is currently invading Ukraine and torturing, raping and killing its citizens, men, women and children. Maybe he refers to the Monsterverse Godzilla and his blue glow, but Monsterverse guests are mysteriously absent from multiple G-Fests, but they are showing up at All Monsters Attack Expo in September.

I present these facts without opinion, I present them as facts with facts.

I haven't read the referenced program book, so I can't vouch for what was said or the accuracy of McGuinness's post.

Well, I don't think that J. D. has any obligation to anybody to provide his sources he used in his coronavirus research in making his decision. I am sure it was a tough decision for him to make. 

As for the "his body his choice" dig, McGuinness is mistaken that women had their "choice stripped from them" by the U.S. Supreme Court. They just ruled that there's no constitutional right on the federal level for abortions and ruled that it was for the states to decide. Women can still get abortions, they just have to go to a state that legally allows them or have their state change their laws if they don't. 

I disagree with J. D. on not getting vaccinated. I have been vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine (two shots) and two boosters. I experienced no ill effects except soreness at the injection sites. I was not about to take chances since I have two stents in a coronary artery. Even those who are fully vaccinated can still get the virus, the vaccine only lessens the severity. Still, that was his own personal decision.

On the fan art matter, since I haven't spoken to J. D. on the restrictions, I suspect that Toho Co. had a hand in this since Godzilla and related characters are their trademarked property. Historically, whenever occurrences like this had happened before, I was due to a Toho demand. J. D. would not pull the rug out from anybody unless he was forced to by Toho. 

As far as the G-FEST Twitter matter is concerned, I haven't seen any such postings and McGuinness didn't quote any. 

Frankly, I am not at all surprised that COVID reared its ugly head at G-FEST. People came from all corners of the country and world. A friend in the UFO research community told me last week that at a recent meeting/gathering, COVID was spread among the attendees. 

Could this be a new variant? G-Variant? I had a feeling this may happen at G-FEST. 

Apparently, it did. 

Gonna Be Hot Today

Above, Larry on his bus lift. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today is gonna be a hot one at about 91°. Plus, we have a chance (around 30%) of thundershowers.  

I will be spending half of today in Gallup as I have to drive Larry Lucier to his physical therapist. Luckily, his bus has air conditioning. 

According to the National Weather Service:

Today

Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday

Isolated showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Light and variable wind becoming north 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

KOB 4 Poll: Most New Mexicans Don’t Want More Anti-gun Laws

Above, the 2020 Second Amendment rally at the New Mexico State Capitol. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

New Mexico may be a predominantly Democrat state, but many Democrats are of the traditional kind (and not the leftist liberals found in Albuquerque and other areas) and value their Second Amendment rights. 

A poll conducted by KOB 4 found that most New Mexico citizens don't want more anti-gun laws.

Piñon Post reported:

On Monday, KOB 4 ran a poll asking New Mexicans if they believed there should be more gun restrictions in the wake of recent mass shootings. 

New Mexicans spoke, and a large majority of respondents gave an emphatic “no,” with 58% saying there is no need for increased firearm restrictions.

41% of respondents said there should be harsher restrictions, while only 1% of New Mexicans were unsure.

Interestingly, yesterday, following breakfast with other Jamestown, New Mexico locals, we headed over to the post office and every one of us had either the latest issues of American Rifleman or American Hunter in their mailboxes. Some of the group are Democrats.

The politicians in Santa Fe should take heed.

To read more, go here.

AOC's Fake Handcuffs

About 17 Democrat members of congress were arrested the other day when they held a protest at the Supreme Court.

One of them, Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez was photographed being led away by police supposedly handcuffed.

A closer look reveals that she was not handcuffed.

New Jamestown Real Estate Listing

A home has come on the real estate market in Jamestown, New Mexico recently.

I pass by the house whenever I head out of the community to go to Gallup or Flying J.

According to Zillow.com:

Better than Green Acres! You will love the views and acreage from this 3 bedroom 2 full bathroom home which is 2205 sqft and sits on 2.33 acres. This property also features a 3 car enclosed garage and carport. This would be ideal for your cars or for additional storage! The property is zone equestrian and the views of the red rocks from the porch will take your breath away! 

To view the listing, go here. 

Winnebago Launches Mobile App

Above, The Beast between Wolf Creek Pass and Pagosa Springs in Colorado. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Attendees at the Winnebago Grand National Rally in Forest City, Iowa this week were first to learn of a new mobile app by the Winnebago that will improve the ownership experience of Winnebago products.

Globe Newswire reported:

FOREST CITY, Iowa, July 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Winnebago, the flagship brand in outdoor lifestyle product manufacturer Winnebago Industries, Inc., announced a new mobile app at its annual Grand National Rally event for owners. The robust, customizable app provides reliable, relevant information for Winnebago owners on a secure platform, making it even easier to learn about their vehicle’s key features and systems and find a service provider. With this app, Winnebago owners can enjoy greater convenience and peace of mind during their travels and throughout their ownership experience.

“This app gives customers the information they need right at their fingertips to own and operate their RVs,” said Kim Weckert, director of digital customer engagement. “With a greater understanding of their vehicle systems and service needs, owners can travel with ease and more fully enjoy the benefits of RV ownership.”

To read more, go here. 

Red Skelton Autograph Project

Above, the card Red Skelton signed in 1972. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last evening, I was perusing the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy website.

While there, I remembered I have an autographed card that Red Skelton signed for me at the Century Plaza Hotel in 1972. 

I ran into him in the hotel lobby and asked him to sign the card, which he graciously did. We had a short conversation about his show's cancelation by CBS. He expressed his displeasure over that action by the network, despite his show still having good ratings. 

The Museum's website has a store link and I started checking it for photographs to accompany the autographed card. I didn't find any.

I then checked around via Google and found many. I settled on one that is an 8 x 10" black & white photo of Red as Freddie the Freeloader, my favorite Red Skelton character. I ordered it and it should arrive sometime next week. Once it does, I will take it to Frame 'n Art in Gallup to have it framed and matted with the autographed card. 

When finished, I will hang it in the den, probably near one from Clint Eastwood. 

L.A. Times: New Mexico Gov. Lujan Grisham and Democrats "In For A Walloping"

My former employer (circulation department), the Los Angeles Times, says New Mexico Governor "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham and the Democrats are "in for a walloping" this coming November during the general election.

Piñon Post reported:

In a recent Los Angeles Times article written by columnist Mark Z. Barabak, he chides Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham over her failures in office and gives insight from an outsider into why Republicans have a shot at winning back the New Mexico Governor’s Mansion. 

In the article, Barabak notes how abortion has become a hot-button issue in New Mexico but how Republican Mark Ronchetti has attempted to put Lujan Grisham on the defense due to her support for abortion up to birth policies.

He writes, “Some of the difficulty is Grisham’s doing, a result of scandals involving her personal use of public funds and a sexual harassment settlement she paid to a former staffer. But much of her vulnerability arises from issues like crime, the economy and Biden’s drag on Democrats across the country.”

Let's not forget the over 40% of small businesses that were permanently shuttered in New Mexico due to Lujan Grisham's orders during the pandemic that killed thousands of jobs, her war on the oil industry in the state and support of the "green energy fantasy". She danced in the streets like a buffoon while people suffered.

To read more, go here.

G-FEST XXVII A Success

Above, J. D. Lees and yours truly at G-FEST XXV1 in 2019. Photo by Reagan Lees.

From the myriad of postings on Facebook and elsewhere, it appears that G-FEST XXVII was a huge success.

One poster said that the two-year layoff due to COVID-19 "made the show stronger."

I couldn't make it this year as my former roommate, Jessica, will be coming over next week and we will be doing some traveling during her visit to Durango, Colorado and Navajo Lake State Park. The funds are rather finite these days. 

However, I am planning on attending next year's convention. I last attended in 2019. Hopefully, I won't have airline issues like the last time.

From what I have been reading, the attendees liked the new hotel, the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont, Illinois (outside of Chicago). G-FEST simply outgrew the Crowne Plaza, necessitating a move to a much larger venue. When the numbers of attendees were smaller, the Crowne Plaza worked out just fine. But since the numbers grew to over 5,000 or so, that venue would not work out. 

The ballroom used for the Dealer's Room looked enormous. 

I found the architecture of the Hyatt Regency to be interesting, from the photos of it many have posted. Some likened it to the sets of Logan's Run. Yup, I can see that.

Anyway, I am glad that everyone had a great time. 

CDC Ends Its COVID-19 Cruise Ship Program

Above, dinnertime aboard the Majesty of the Seas in 2019 while en route to Cuba.

The CDC ended it COVID-19 program for cruise ships.

Never mind that cruise ships are floating petri dishes anyway. I've been on two cruises (one to Alaska and one to Cuba) and both times I've caught a bug. 

USA Today reported:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ended its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships on Monday.

"CDC has worked closely with the cruise industry, state, territorial, and local health authorities, and federal and seaport partners to provide a safer and healthier environment for cruise passengers and crew," the agency's website reads. "Cruise ships have access to guidance and tools to manage their own COVID-19 mitigation programs."

The CDC added that "while cruising poses some risk of COVID-19 transmission, CDC will continue to publish guidance to help cruise ships continue to provide a safer and healthier environment for crew, passengers, and communities going forward."

To read the full article, go here. 

The Hero of Greenwood, Indiana

 

Here is Elisjsha Dicken, the Greenwood Park Mall hero.

According to Greg Price on Twitter:

Here's another photo of Elisjsha Dicken, the 22-year-old hero who did what 400 heavily armed officers in Uvalde could not.

He took down the shooter at the Greenwood, Indiana mall with a pistol he was only allowed to have on him bc the state passed Constitutional Carry.

Of course, stupid dumbass liberals still refuse to get that his actions in taking down the shooter is precisely what the Second Amendment is for. To say otherwise to promote their cultish ideology is sick. 

Case in point:

There was nothing "illegal" about Dicken having a loaded gun with him.

Winnebago's Grand National Rally

One of these days, provided gasoline prices return to sane levels again, I will have to attend a Winnebago Grand National Rally in Forest City, Iowa.

This year's rally started two days ago.

According to RV Travel:

For more than 50 years, Winnebago, the flagship brand of outdoor lifestyle product manufacturer Winnebago Industries, Inc., has welcomed its owner community to Forest City, Iowa, for the Grand National Rally, a week-long celebration of Winnebago RVs and owners. This year’s event takes place July 17-21 at Winnebago’s rally grounds.

The theme is “Driving 66,” a tribute to the famous highway. Guests can explore this year’s lineup of motorhomes and towables, participate in educational seminars, tour manufacturing facilities, receive RV service, meet Winnebago team members, experience the e-RV, and enjoy evening entertainment.

Key highlights include:

• In-person product displays, including a first look at two limited-edition versions of the popular Solis and Vista/Sunstar models that come from Winnebago’s partnership with the National Park Foundation.
• Daily seminars on topics ranging from RV maintenance and travel to personal health and wellness and how to increase outdoor equity and inclusion in RV communities.
• In-person factory tours and opportunities to interact with Winnebago team members and leaders.
• On-site RV repair service through Winnebago’s Factory Service Center.
• e-RV Ride and Drive, an opportunity to experience Winnebago Industries’ all-electric, zero-emission prototype camper van.
• More than 150 vendors providing RV product and service information.
• Musical entertainment by Canadian blues artist The Soul Brothers and Eagles tribute band Hotel California.

To read the full article, go here. 

Scorcher Today In New Mexico

From the National Weather Service:

A Good Guy With A Gun Stopped An Armed Bad Guy

Yesterday's shooting at the Greenwood Park Mall in Greenwood (near Indianapolis) is a perfect example of why there's a Second Amendment.

It was simply a case of a good guy with a gun stopping a bad guy with a gun.

Andrea Widburg in American Thinker wrote:

Even with the best will, training, and resources in the world, unless police are already on the scene when a shooting starts, there will be a lag time between the shooter’s control over the scene and the police’s arrival. The only thing that can change the dynamic during that interval before the police arrive is a legal gun owner willing to act. That’s what happened in Indianapolis, when a man started shooting in a shopping mall, killing three people and injuring two others, only to be stopped dead by an armed citizen.

As of this writing, a local Fox News affiliate has the most comprehensive report I’ve seen. According to that report, the shooting occurred in Greenwood, at the Greenwood Park Mall. A lone shooter entered the food court with a rifle and several filled magazines. He began to shoot into the mall, killing three people and injuring two others. Fortunately for all the other people in that mall, a 22-year-old man with a legal gun and a good eye killed the shooter. There is no news about the shooter’s identity or motive.

You will likely not see liberals discussing how fortunate that an armed citizen was on the scene before the carnage became worse. It does not fit their narrative.

To read the full article, go here. 

The Fox59 report.

A Break In the Rain

Above, last night's fire. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last evening, I fired up the fire pit outside for the first time in months.

Prior to monsoon season, we were in a fire restriction which forbade open fires. Now that we've been getting rain, we can have outdoor fires. We had a thunderstorm come through Jamestown yesterday afternoon. 

It appears that we are having a break in monsoon rains until Wednesday night. But we will be seeing 92° temperatures. 

The forecast for Jamestown, New Mexico by the National Weather Service is as follows:

Today

Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the morning.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 10 to 15 mph in the morning.

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the evening.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Thursday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.

Thursday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Friday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.

Friday Night

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Saturday

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.

Saturday Night

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.

Sunday

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.

Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist. 

To start off this week, we have Herman's Hermits and their "I'm Into Something Good", which was their debut hit from 1964 and written by Gerry Goffin (lyrics) and Carole King (music)

 

Tokyo Falls To Ninth Most Expensive City For Expats

Above, Hotel Asia Center of Japan in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Thanks to the weakening yen against the U.S. dollar and other currencies, Tokyo has fallen to 9th most expensive city for expats.

The Japan Times reported:

Tokyo has tumbled to ninth on the list of most expensive cities for people working abroad from third in 2021, partly due to the weakening of the yen against the U.S. dollar and other major currencies, according to an annual cost of living survey by a U.S. consulting firm.

The Mercer’s Cost of Living Survey comes as the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, varying exchange rates and surging prices put a squeeze on pay and savings across the world.

Hong Kong topped the list of the priciest cities in the world, a return to pole position after ceding it to Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat in 2021.

Hong Kong was previously named the most expensive city for three consecutive years to 2020.

To read more, go here. 

5 Most Confusing Train Stations In Tokyo

Above, Shibuya Station in 2010. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Unless a visitor wants to spend money on expensive taxi cabs in Tokyo, the only alternative to getting around the city is with the subway and train system.

Navigating the Tokyo subway and train system is, to me, a lot easier than the Amtrak system in the U.S. But, there are some train stations in Tokyo that are downright confusing, even to locals.

Time Out Tokyo has an article on five of the most confusing Tokyo train stations.

They begin with:

Let’s get one thing straight: some train stations in Tokyo are so confusing that even locals routinely get lost in them. So you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that when it comes to navigating the underground labyrinth of Shinjuku Station, or finding an exit at Shibuya Station other than the one that leads to Hachiko, everyone is in the same boat. 

To make things more complicated, in the midst of the city transitioning to remote work, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and general urban development projects, many of the stations are undergoing renovations that have partially altered station exits and train lines. That’s why we’ve outlined this guide to the five most confusing train stations in the city.

To read more, go here. 

Make Money While RVing

Above, Gallo Campground host's camp at Chaco Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The prominent way of thinking is that one cannot travel in an RV and also make money. Thousands are proving this to be false. 

Surprisingly, there are many ways to make money and travel.

RV Life posted an article on creative ways to making money while RVing.

They begin it with:

The transition to full-time RVing can reduce the cost of living, but it doesn’t make life free. We need money to eat, travel, and for all the other expenses on the road. However, with few exceptions, traditional jobs are not an option for RVing. So, what can you do to make money while RVing?   

People have come up with some amazing solutions that typically involve a lot of creativity, know-how, and confidence. In this article, we’ll discuss creative ways to make money while RVing that you might not have even thought of. 

To read the full article, go here.