Tokyo Olympics Spur Hotel Development

Above, a view of Tokyo's Sumida River from the Skytree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The tourism boom in Japan is currently exceeding the current supply of accommodations in the country. The upcoming 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo is creating a sense of urgency in getting more hotels built.

The Japan Times reported:

With Japan in the grip of a tourism boom in the run-up to the 2020 Summer Olympics, many domestic and foreign hotel operators are capitalizing on the growing demand for accommodations. 

Marriott International Inc.’s top-end Edition brand will debut in Japan with two luxury hotels opening in Tokyo’s Toranomon and Ginza areas in 2020. The Maryland-based company is entering the market in partnership with real estate developer Mori Trust Co. 

“Japan has an extremely short supply of luxury hotels,” said Miwako Date, president of Mori Trust.

To read more, go here. 

Yellowstone: Bold Plan To Save Us From The Super-Volcano

Above, one of Yellowstone's hot springs. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This may be a case of wishful thinking, but scientists are planning to prevent an eruption of the super-volcano that lies beneath Yellowstone National Park by siphoning heat to generate electricity.

According to NBC News:

Humans have witnessed many cataclysmic volcanic eruptions, from the one that destroyed Pompeii in 79 A.D. to the extraordinary Krakatoa eruption of 1883. But around the world right now there are about 20 so-called “supervolcanoes” that could outdo them all. 

One of these monster volcanoes lurks beneath Yellowstone National Park. The Yellowstone Caldera is an enormous craterlike depression measuring 30 miles by 45 miles and filled with molten material (magma). If it were to blast its innards out in a super-eruption, it’s no exaggeration to say that the human race could be imperiled. 

But scientists at NASA have sketched the rough outlines of a plan that they say would not only spare us from a deadly super-eruption but also turn the Yellowstone supervolcano into a source of electric power. In a write-up of the plan first shared with the BBC, the team argues that we could siphon heat from the caldera until it becomes too cool to erupt — and convert the geothermal energy into electricity.

The mentioning of Krakatoa gave me a chuckle. In 1969, a Hollywood movie about the cataclysmic eruption of Krakatoa was produced: Krakatoa, East of Java. Whomever titled the movie didn't check his geography books. Krakatoa is actually west of Java! 

To read more, go here.
   

Hiking and Camping In Lassen Volcanic National Park

Above, Lassen Peak. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After visiting Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, I headed down into Northern California to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park. It was my second visit to the park and the first since 1968.

The Bend, Oregon newspaper, The Bulletin, has an article on a recent visit to Lassen and the writer's experience was much like mine. He noted that he escaped the smoke from the fires near and at Crater Lake and found clear skies in Lassen. He also camped at the Manzanita Lake Campground.

Above, The Beast at the Manzanita Lake Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The article begins with:

LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK, Calif. — 

From the summit of Lassen Peak, we took in the clear blue sky and the surrounding vista of smaller mountains and numerous lakes. 

To the north, a gray wall of smoke from rampant Oregon wildfires was visible. 

A recent trip to Lassen provided a chance to escape that smoke, explore this national park that features all four types of volcanoes — shield, cinder cone, plug dome and composite — and a wide range of volcanic activity, including gurgling mud pots, boiling-hot steam vents and the rotten-egg smell of sulfur springs. 

Aside from Crater Lake National Park, Lassen is the closest national park to Bend by vehicle. At little more than a five-hour drive, the park makes for an ideal camping and hiking destination over a long weekend.

To read more, go here. 

The Beast's National Parks

Above, The Beast in Yosemite Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Beast is tallying up a number of national parks it has taken me to since I bought it two and a half years ago.

It is still running like new. It performed like a champ during the last trip. It now has a little over 22,000 miles on the odometer (the engine is broken in now). I actually managed to camp in three parks: Yosemite, Joshua Tree and Lassen Volcanic.

Also, I am making good use of my Senior Park Pass since I bought it in 2016.

So far, I've been to the following national parks in The Beast:

2015

Above, in Zion National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Zion National Park, Utah
Joshua Tree National Park, California


2016

Above, at the Grand Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yosemite National Park (twice), California
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona


2017

Above, at Lassen Volcanic National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

I am considering a little jaunt in November to Redwoods National Park on the California coast, along with a side trip to the Napa Valley to "raid" the wineries. I haven't done that in ages.

Crater Lake's North Entrance Closed Due To Fire

Above, haze from smoke inside Crater Lake National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It appears that I visited Crater Lake National Park just at the right time. I stayed north of the park (about 5 miles) at Diamond Lake RV Park and used the park's north entrance. There were fires going on then, but it didn't affect my visit.

According to the National Park Service:

North Entrance and West Rim Drive Temporarily Closed Due To Spruce Lake Fire 

The park's North Entrance and West Rim Drive are temporarily closed, along with many hiking trails west of the lake. Most of the park (and all park facilities) remain open and are safe to visit, although smoky skies and poor air quality are possible. 

To read more, go here. 

Hwy. 41 Closed Between Oakhurst and Yosemite National Park

Above, Yosemite's South Entrance. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This has been one awful fire season for several western national parks. Unfortunately, Yosemite National Park is one of them.

The Railroad Fire has affected the park so much so that Highway 41 is closed.

According to the National Park Service website:

Highway 41 closed between Oakhurst and Yosemite; no access to Yosemite via Hwy 41 

There is no access to Yosemite via Hwy 41 from Fish Camp, Oakhurst, or Fresno, due to the Railroad Fire. From Oakhurst, use Hwy 49 to Mariposa, then Hwy 140 to Yosemite. 

That means the South Entrance (the one I used last year) is closed.

Beware! Highway 49 is a long road with many hairpin turns. It will be a challenge to those driving a Class A RV.

To read more, go here. 

National Parks Lessons Learned

Above, Bryce Canyon National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my recent trip to Idaho to view the eclipse and to visit two national parks, I received a couple of cuts and scrapes. Those didn't happen at any national park, but from banging into something in a truck stop.

However, one man received a few minor injuries while visiting some national parks and he wrote about it in The Huffington Post.

The article by Michael Stark begins with

Somewhere around the halfway point up Zion National Park’s Observation Point trail, which leads to the park’s highest point above the canyon, I took a wrong step, used my right arm to brace myself against the canyon wall, and in the act my left foot slammed against a rock on the path. 

Thankfully, the start to my 10-day trip in Utah’s national parks did not begin with any broken bones or a sprained ankle. My right toenail, however, took the brunt of it. Three months later, it is still a gnarly black bruise. Incurred at my first park of the summer, the “Zion” toenail has left its mark with me as I traveled to nine other parks this summer. 

These types of wounds – bruises, cuts, blisters, scratches – are common. They are the holy marks nature provides. Each wound tells its own story. Yet all are part of the larger, grand narrative that the outdoor space tells: Nature is beautiful, but unrelenting. It demands respect.

To read more, go here.

Western Wildfires In National Parks

Above, smoke obscures this view of Wizard Island at Crater Lake National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The summer season has not been to kind to several western national parks. Wildfires have been raging at several and historic structures have either been lost or threatened.

According to NPR.org:

Wildfires burning in the Western U.S. are threatening some of America's most treasured national parks – and in some areas, the damage has already been done. 

Last week in Montana, a 20-square-mile blaze burned the historic Sperry Chalet, a hotel and dining room built in 1914 and only reachable by trail.

Fires have been burning in Crater Lake National Park for weeks and the smoke settled inside the crater. Other fires have been burning in Yosemite National Park and one swept through an ancient grove of sequoia trees. Thankfully, those survived.

I saw a wide area of a burned out forest in Lassen Volcanic National Park. I wanted to take photos of it, but there were no turnouts to do so.

To read more, go here.

Yoshio Tsuchiya Dies At 90

Above, Yoshio Tsuchiya in Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991).

We've lost another Toho great.

One of the more interesting actors to appear in Toho's Godzilla and other science-fiction movies, Yoshio Tsuchiya, has passed away at age 90.

He was born in Kofu, Yamanashi on May 18, 1927 and played quirky characters. Tsuchiya appeared in such movies as Godzilla Raids Again, Monster Zero, The Mysterians, Destroy All Monsters, Seven Samurai, Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, Matango, The Human Vapor, Battle In Outer Space, Red Beard, Space Amoeba and many others.

He had said that he enjoyed appearing in science-fiction films, saying, "Most actors get comfortable with a certain genre, and they stick to that. But as far as I was concerned, it was equally prestigious to appear in science-fiction films or in Kurosawa movies."

UPDATE:

According to Celebrity Icons, Tsuchiya passed away several months ago, but due to other health issues, his family delayed making an announcement until now.

How Not To Look Like A Tourist In Tokyo

Above, a filming shoot in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If this is your first trip to Japan or even your fifth, you may want to check out an article by Condé Nast Traveler on how not to look like a tourist in Tokyo. Even if you're an old hand at Japan travel, it is good to periodically refresh yourself.

They begin with:

If you don't want to stick out in Tokyo, here's what you need to know: how to greet people, how to dress, and what you definitely shouldn't say to locals in Japan's capital.

To read more, go here.

More Cleaning Completed

Above, during the wood cleaning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Thanks to the rainstorm we had early this morning, conditions were a lot more comfortable to continue cleaning the interior of The Beast.

To clean the woodwork, I used a bottle of Old English. For the stove and other surfaces, I used Formula 409 cleaner.

It is a good thing I got done when I did. The temperatures were beginning to rise and the humidity was starting to get unbearable.

The only thing left to do is the bathroom. That will only take about a half hour at the most.

North Korean Nuke Test Causes Dollar To Drop In Tokyo

There is some fallout from North Korea's recent nuclear bomb test. 

The Japan Times reported:

The dollar fell to around ¥109.50 in Tokyo trading Monday, amid heightened geopolitical risks following North Korea’s sixth nuclear test the previous day. 

At 5 p.m., the dollar stood at ¥109.47-48, down from ¥110.17-18 at the same time Friday.

To read more, go here. 

Happy Labor Day!

Here's a good reason to begin your Labor Day with a smile:

Photographing The Eclipse: How I "Dood" It

Above, the total eclipse in "Automatic" setting. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have been asked by several people how I managed to take the photographs of the Great American Eclipse on August 21.

It was actually easier that I would have imagined.

I used my Canon Rebel EOS T5i camera. I decided to use the most powerful zoom lens I have: the Tamron 18mm-270mm f/3.5-6.3 lens. I had the stabilizer setting switched to on. I also used my lens hood.

Prior to heading to Idaho to experience the eclipse, I did see some websites on how to photograph the eclipse. One of the things suggested was to always wear eye protective glasses, especially while looking through the camera's viewfinder. This I did. 

Above, the total eclipse in "P" setting. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

That was a little bit difficult. Without the glasses, it is easy to aim the lens at the sun, but with the glasses on, finding the sun was a little difficult as it made everything all black and the sun a smaller object to train the viewfinder on as part (or most) of it was covered by the moon.

Above, as the sun emerged from totality, we got the "diamond ring" effect. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I had a tripod to use, but didn't. All I did was use the hood of the motorhome as a rest and brace for my elbows while shooting the photographs. I alternated between the "Automatic" and "P" settings on the camera. I had to shoot fast as the total eclipse only lasted about two minutes in duration.

I couldn't be more pleased with the results I got.

I was located north of Roberts, Idaho (where the red line of the eclipse's path crosses Interstate 15, just below Highway 33 in the map below).

A RVer's Eclipse Story

Above, The Beast at the viewing spot I selected. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As many of you regular readers of this blog know, I headed off to Idaho to view the eclipse.

Getting to the viewing site was no problem as I left Lava Hot Springs campsite at about 5:00 AM. I got to the viewing area near Roberts, Idaho at about 7:00. I spent the next few hours relaxing and munching.

The drive back to Lava Hot Springs after the eclipse was something else. As I reported earlier, it took me 4 1/2 hours to get back to my campsite.

RV Life has posted another RVer's eclipse story. They went to view the eclipse in Oregon and ran into traffic in the mountains before the eclipse.

Here's a snippet of the story:

Arriving within miles of the area I wanted to camp, I thought it wise (with all the traffic) to drop the travel trailer off the side of the road while my wife and I checked out each of the campsites I had documented in advance via Google Earth. 

The road to the primary campsite I had selected was a bit rough, so we went to check out the second, which was perfect! It had a good gravel road to it, it was on a ridge with a view to the east for watching the eclipse along with a nice breeze blowing over the top, would easily hold two RVs (level sites) and was close to the activities we wanted to enjoy while waiting for the eclipse. It even had a bit of cell service which we didn’t have while driving up to the area. 

Fearing someone else might come along and steal our site, I left my wife with a camp chair, bottle of water, bag of trail mix, puzzle book for entertainment, and headed back to get our travel trailer. There was still traffic coming up the road while I headed down to get the trailer, but there were gaps between groupings of vehicles and it was still moving near speed limit. 

Arriving back at the trailer I quickly hooked on and headed back to the campsite my wife was holding, maintaining the speed limit for the first few miles until I came around a corner just a little over a mile from the side road to our campsite and came to a complete stop. In front of me was a line of vehicles that were stopped, shut off, and the occupants were exiting their vehicles.

This was only the start of their problems. If Idaho was bad enough, it sounds like Oregon during the eclipse was even worse. Still, it was worth it as it was one of those "once in a lifetime" kinds of things.

Above, the big payoff for the trip to Idaho. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Golden Spike National Historic Site

Above, the 1869 "Golden Spike" ceremony gathering.

After leaving the Brigham City/Perry South KOA to go on the final leg to Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, I seriously considered taking a bit of a detour west (about 32 miles) from I-15 to visit the Golden Spike National Historic Site in Promontory Point, Utah.

I decided not to go there as I didn't feel a 32 mile detour was justified and I wanted to get to Lava Hot Springs. Besides, there will be other times I will be in the area, I thought.

After reading a new article by Do It Yourself RV (aren't they timely?), I now regret not taking that little detour.

What's the Golden Spike National Historic Site?

Here's what the article says:

At 2:47 PM on May 10, 1869 a single word was transmitted by telegraph from Promontory, Utah to Chicago:  “Done.”  This solitary word signified the achievement of one of the most important milestones of the building of the United States, the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad.  A monumental feat, six years in the making, was finally at an end.

Today, there is a visitor center (with replica steam engines) and tours of the area put on by the National Park Service. There are also reenactments of the "Golden Spike" ceremony and other things to see. To see the NPS website for the Golden Spike National Historic Site, go here.

To read the article, go here.

Brad Sherman Admits To "Trump Derangement Syndrome"

The Looney Left Report

Rep. Brad Sherman doesn't seem to play with a full deck, if at all.

The latest is his admission of his Trump Derangement Syndrome when he spoke recently with the Los Angeles Times editorial board (they don't play with full decks either at times).

According to Breitbart:

This week in an interview with the Los Angeles Times editorial board, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), who filed articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, said “Trump derangement syndrome” was so strong with his Californian constituents, he would be forced to oppose Mother’s Day if Trump endorsed it.

Above, Brad Sherman.

I happen to live in Sherman's district. I know quite a number of pro-Trump voters in the district. Sherman probably just hangs out with his fellow loons in the area.

To read more, go here. 

Welcome Center In Ontario, Oregon

Above, some of the literature I picked up at the Welcome Center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After a long drive from Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, I entered Oregon at Ontario, Oregon on Interstate 84.

Just after crossing into the state, I spotted signs indicating a rest area with a visitor center. I decided to stop into the Visitor Center to pick up a few things.

The Ontario, Oregon Visitor Center had maps, booklets and brochures on the state's attractions. They also had a nice and friendly staff who are there to help out visitors.

I asked them if they had any maps and information on Crater Lake National Park. They did (although the Crater Lake information "newspaper" was the 2016 edition). They also provided me with a map on how to get to Vale, Oregon and U.S. Highway 20 and an Official Oregon Visitors Guide book.

This was the first time in all my years of traveling in different states that I went into a state's visitor center. It was an interesting experience and I left with plenty of useful information.

The Ontario Visitor Center does not have a website, but they do have a Facebook page. To access it, go here.

The Trumps Are A Hit In Texas

Above, President Trump by Asya.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania appear to be a hit among those displaced due to Hurricane Harvey, especially with children.

The Tribunist reported:

President Trump and First Lady Melania set out from the White House again today to check in on victims of Hurricane Harvey. The couple’s first visit was criticized becasue the President made mentions of the “turn-out” for his speech. First Lady Melania Trump faced scrutiny for her choice of  footwear. This trip has gone more smoothly. 

This trip was more focused on service. The Trumps visited the NRG Stadium in Houston, where thousands of flood victims are taking shelter. And they jumped right in, helping with the work.

To read more and to see a video of the visit, go here.

Yellowstone Seismic Activity In Record Levels

Above, the Clepsydra Geyser. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The last volcanic eruption at Yellowstone National Park was likely about 70,000 years ago. But recent seismic activity in the park has people keeping watch.

According to The Epoch Times:

A cluster of earthquakes at the Yellowstone Park volcano is the most active it’s been in recent history. The earthquake count is up to 2,357 since June. The largest was a magnitude 4.4. The majority of the earthquakes were magnitudes of 0 or 1, as Newsweek reported. 

Swarms of earthquakes do not necessarily reflect a forthcoming eruption. Yellowstone hosts thousands of earthquakes a year. The type of earthquake swarms that are occurring at Yellowstone are different from a regular earthquake, that indeed may signal an approaching eruption.

To read more, go here. 

Grand Teton Facilities Get Fixed

Above, the Grand Tetons. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like much progress has been made to improve or fix tourist facilities in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

The Jackson Hole News & Guide reported:

Across Grand Teton National Park, restaurants, lodging areas and other infrastructure have been renovated recently, but it wasn’t just the National Park Service that made the investment. 

The Grand Teton Lodge Company and Signal Mountain Lodge — two of the park’s primary concessionaires — put up funds to overhaul attractions like Jackson Lake Lodge’s Pioneer Grill, Signal Mountain Marina’s boat docks and the many dozens of cabins at Colter Bay Village. Separately, the park will soon reconstruct the front porch roof at the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center. 

“The renovations improve park facilities for visitors and protect cultural resources for future generations,” Teton park officials wrote in a statement.

To read more, go here. 

Why Full-Time RVing Is Becoming Popular With Younger Generations

Above, Wizard Island in Crater Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When people think of full-time RVers, they generally think of retirees.

However, the demographics of full-timers is changing with middle-aged and young people joining the ranks.

There are reasons for this and Do It Yourself RV has them covered in an article.

They begin with:

Full-time RVing has really taken off in the last few years.  Traditionally, the full-time RV life has belonged almost exclusively to retirees. 

Traveling the country at a leisurely pace has historically been seen as a reward for having lived a productive life.  Now, however, there is an ever-increasing number of full-timing folks who do not match that particular demographic, and whose motivations are somewhat different. 

While it is still more likely that you will run into people 65+ who are indefinitely on the road, the number of full-time middle age couples and singles is on the rise.  There is even a newly-emerging demographic of young families in their 20s and early 30s who have joined the ranks.  So why the sudden shift?

To see why, go here. 

Should There Be Free Wi-Fi In Our National Parks?

Above, the only really useful Wi-Fi in Yosemite I found was in the former Ahwahnee Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Should national parks provide free Wi-Fi access?

Some already do, but they are generally at visitor centers, lodges and other facilities. Last year, I was in Yosemite National Park. I found that cell service was minimal to non-existent at best. Although several places advertised Wi-Fi service, the only usable one I found in Yosemite was at the Ahwahnee Hotel (now called the Majestic Yosemite Hotel).

During my recent trip, I stopped in Crater Lake and Lassen Volcanic National Parks. I didn't bother with Wi-Fi and my phone was useless in both parks.

RV Life tackles the question in an article with pros and cons.

They begin with:

“If a camper visits a national park and doesn’t actually post about it on Facebook, did it really happen?” 

When the National Park Service was established in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson wasn’t looking for ways to provide high-speed internet.  Visitors didn’t need to check their Facebook or upload selfies from the Grand Canyon to their Instagram. 

Rather the NPS was created to preserve our nation’s most beautiful landscapes.  Our now-58 National Parks provide a way to explore vast wilderness and completely immerse ourselves in nature.  After all, what’s the point of being outdoors if you still constantly have to stay connected? 

However times are a lot different than back in 1916.  The internet has not only been invented but it has become a necessity for many fulltimers on the road. 

It’s now the easiest accessible resource for information.  Maps and directions are at our fingertips and can be effortlessly pulled up on something as small as a smartphone. Restaurants and attractions can not only be located but we can read reviews and determine if stopping in is truly worth the time and money.

It would be nice to have some reliable cell phone service in our parks (for safety and emergency reasons). I think we can do without Wi-Fi for a few days, can't we?

To read more, go here.

The Dreaded Las Vegas Resort Fee

Above, The Beast at Circus Circus RV Park in those pre-resort fee days. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I was planning my recent trip to Idaho to view the total solar eclipse, I decided that I would spend the first night in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Two years ago, my daughter and I stayed at the Circus Circus RV Park on the Las Vegas Strip. It seemed like a reasonable place to stay (although not much to look at as it is essentially a parking lot with hook-ups), so I went about to make a night's reservation at the RV park.

They had a special going on for the night I wanted to reserve. It was listed as $31/night. That was reasonable. But then I got a bit of a shock.

At the end of the booking process, they wanted to tack on a $27 amenities (or resort) fee onto the price, making it nearly $60 for one night. I don't recall such a fee two years ago. I thought, "No thanks!" and looked elsewhere. Then I found the Riviera RV Park about 2-3 miles east of the Strip. It was only $22/night. So I booked a space. As it turned out, it was a much nicer RV park than the Circus Circus RV Park.

But what's with these amenities or resort fees?

I did some checking. It turns out that Circus Circus isn't the only hotel that's charging them. Here's a list of the Las Vegas hotels who are charging them and how much.

According to The Points Guy:

If you’ve stayed at a hotel on the Las Vegas Strip within the past few years, you’ve almost certainly been subjected to a resort fee. With tax, this daily charge ranges from $26.88 (Circus Circus) to just shy of $40 (Wynn and Encore), and includes some perks that you’d normally have to pay extra for (like water bottles and Wi-Fi), and others that you wouldn’t (such as pool towels and gym access). In almost all cases, amenities covered by a resort fee would otherwise be available free of charge to elite members, although even top customers are rarely able to get these fees waived (though there are some exceptions).

I was told that the Las Vegas resort hotels started this "resort fee" practice about two years ago.

Well, thankfully, I have a RV so I can avoid Las Vegas hotel resort fees by finding a RV park, such as the Riviera RV Park, who doesn't charge them.

To read more, go here.

Marcus Lemonis Indicative of A "Snowflake CEO"

Above, The Beast at the Valencia, CA Camping World. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

About a couple of weeks ago (just before I headed off to Idaho to see the eclipse), Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis inferred that Trump supporters not shop at his Camping World stores. This caused a public outcry (including one from a prominent NASCAR driver who cancelled a $150,000 RV order at Camping World) which led to an apology by Lemonis.

This has led to a sharp response by one of Lemonis's competitors.

Digital Journal posted:

Southaven, MS - A competitor to Camping World, Southaven RV & Marine, says the recent statement by Camping World CEO, Marcus Lemonis, is “very childish, petty, and an attempt at free publicity rather than tackling serious issues in our country,” says Mark Hixson, CEO for Southaven RV and Marine, the largest indoor RV & Marine showroom in the USA. 

“CEO’s are supposed to be ultimate leaders. They help bring large organizations through difficult times. They gather people around a cause, they do not divide. They don’t buckle under pressure and they don’t attempt to profit from racial or religious tensions. These CEO’s leaving Trump’s advisory board are leaving us, the American people. Rather than hanging tough and helping Trump continue this positive economic growth we are all experiencing, they are jumping ship on Americans over a political difference.  Not me. In fact, RVing is the perfect idea for all the craziness. Perhaps, if more people go RVing, we could all relax, come together, and enjoy this great country. Shop at our RV and Marine dealership regardless of your political views," said Hixon.

To read more, go here.

Accessible Tokyo

Above, the National Art Center as viewed from Tokyo City View. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Just because a person is disabled and confined to a wheelchair doesn't mean that he/she won't be able to enjoy many attractions in Tokyo.

Time Out Tokyo has an article on some of the more popular attractions in Tokyo that are accessible to those who are disabled.

They begin with:

Most Tokyoites would probably agree if we were to claim that accessibility and openness is one area in which the city can do better. But that's not to say Tokyo is entirely off limits for those with disabilities: determined to unlock Tokyo for absolutely everyone, we've taken up the task of creating a truly inclusive guide to the capital. Read on and find out how to see the city from a different perspective – and where to view art while sitting down, how to tour Asakusa in a wheelchair and much more.

To read more, go here. 

Post-Trip Cleaning Continues

Above, The Beast with Lassen Peak in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The exterior of The Beast was cleaned yesterday, so today is the start of cleaning the inside.

It is already 88 degrees outside, so I figured I'd better get the floor inside swept and mopped before the temperatures rise. I just finished the floor cleaning.

The next chore, probably to be done tomorrow, is to clean the cabinets and woodwork.

Dollar In ¥110 Range

The U.S. dollar is now in the ¥110 range in Tokyo trading.

The Japan Times reported:

The dollar moved in a narrow range around ¥110 in Tokyo trading Friday amid a prevailing wait-and-see mood before the release of closely watched U.S. jobs data. 

At 5 p.m., the dollar stood at ¥110.17-18, down from ¥110.49-49 at the same time on Thursday. 

To read more, go here.