5 Tips For Saving Money At Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea

Above, Mount Prometheus erupts at Tokyo DisneySea. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my last trip to Japan, one of the things I did was to visit Tokyo DisneySea. I heard much about it and wanted to see it for myself.

The visit was on a Saturday (big mistake) as it seemed that half of Tokyo's population was there and the lines for the rides were very long. But, it was a fun excursion anyway. Your best bet for fewer crowds is going during the work week.

Tokyo DisneySea is next door to Tokyo Disneyland. Like all Disney parks, they're both pricey. But there are ways to saving money and Tokyo Cheapo has five tips on saving your yen.

They begin with:

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are bucket-list destinations for many, and while prices will always be high, there are some easy methods to save some yen—maybe for a second helping of that delicious caramel popcorn. Japan isn’t exactly a deal-a-minute, but with some wily ways and a few tricks up your sleeve, you can get the full Tokyo Disney experience with money to spare.

Above, my sole glimpse of Tokyo Disneyland was during the monorail ride to Tokyo DisneySea. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To find out what the five tips are, go here. 

After The Storm

Above, the remaining clouds behind the mesas to the north. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The thunderstorm went through here in Jamestown, New Mexico and gave the ground a good soaking and left us with beautiful skies and scenery.

Above, looking east. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, similar view, but during the storm hours before. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After the storm passed, the temperatures went up into the 70s. I had dozed off during the storm while watching television and woke up to clear skies. The remaining clouds were behind the mesas to the north and I couldn't resist taking some pictures.

Above, another shot of the mesas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Downpour

Above, a view of the mountains from the deck. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Just minutes after moving the food I put out for the stray cats to under The Beast, a downpour of rain and accompanying thunder started.

I was going to go to the Flying J to pick up a couple of items, but the rain was too heavy for me to attempt a trek.

But I did get the camera out to take a few pictures:

Above, the view from the front porch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the front yard. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, there's no sitting out on the deck today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the yard is getting a good soak. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

New Mexico: Vote Republican, Or Else!

Hotel Gracery Asakusa Opening

Above, Godzilla "threatens" the Hotel Gracery in Shinjuku. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Most Godzilla fans are familiar with the Hotel Gracery in the Shinjuku Ward of Tokyo.

Now Fujita Kanko (the parent company) has announced the opening of the Hotel Gracery Asakusa.

According to the press release from PR Newswire:

TOKYO, Oct. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Fujita Kanko Inc., a leading Japanese hospitality company headquartered in Tokyo, has announced the opening of Hotel Gracery Asakusa, the fourth Gracery property in Tokyo, scheduled for October 4th. The most recent Tokyo opening was Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, the company's celebrated Godzilla-themed hotel. 

Asakusa, with its nostalgic downtown atmosphere reminiscent of old Tokyo, and known for its venerable temples and shrines, traditional eateries, and artisan shops, is a popular sightseeing area especially with international visitors. Notable Asakusa sites include Sensoji, Tokyo's oldest temple built in the 7th century, and Nakamise Dori, a long shopping street leading to Sensoji packed with traditional crafts and street food. The nearby Sumida River is a perennial favorite recreational spot for Tokyoites. Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in Japan with an observation deck, stands across the river. 

The 125-room hotel stands minutes from Asakusa stations on the Ginza and Asakusa subway lines. With easy access to/from Narita and Haneda airports and other key shopping/entertainment districts of Tokyo, (16 minutes by subway to/from Ginza, 4 minutes by Tsukuba Express train to/from Akihabara), it provides a perfect base to explore Tokyo.

To read more, go here.

Going Back To Hawaii's Big Island

Above, a double waterfall on the coast near Hilo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Big Island of Hawaii is back.

After several misfortunes, the island is again a popular destination and Travel + Leisure has a new article on what visitors can expect, with a focus on the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.

They begin it with:

The Island of Hawaii has been pummeled by misfortune this year, with the false missile alert, followed by the eruption of Kīlauea, followed by the less-terrible-than-expected onslaught of Hurricane Lane. The recent reopening of Volcanoes National Park provides fresh reason to think about a trip to the Big Island, where there's no better place to stay than the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. 

To read more, go here. 

Well, I Tried

On the way back from the Flying J, I spotted a rainbow over the valley. I stopped to take some photos of it, but it didn't show up too well. It was a lot more visible as I was leaving the Flying J parking lot but there was no place to stop.

But here they are anyway:

Above, this is from the road to our community. I-40 is in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above and below, this is from the intersection of Whispering Cedars Road and Six-Mile Canyon Road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We Got Rain!

It is no wonder that I slept great last night. We are getting a good steady rain this morning and the yard is nicely soaked.

A couple of shots:

Cartoonist Mike Ramirez Scores A Bullseye!

Nomadic Fanatic: Become A South Dakota Resident In 24 Hours

Above, Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Many RVers are full-timers. Meaning, they are always on the road and don't have a permanent residence in a house or apartment.

However, the problem is that for mail, taxes, insurance and other essentials, a physical address is necessary.

But there's a way to get around that.

Eric Jacobs, the Nomadic Fanatic became a South Dakota resident in 24 hours. I found this to be quite interesting, although I am not interested in this for myself, but thought I would share it.

How was this done? Check out the video below for the answers.

USS Arizona Memorial Boarding Dock Sinks

Above, the USS Arizona Memorial. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

First, the National Park Service closed walk-on tours of the USS Arizona Memorial for several months for repairs.

Now, all that changed again as the floating dock for shuttle boats to the memorial sank.

According to U.S. News & World Report:

HONOLULU (AP) — The National Park Service says the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor will be closed for the rest of the week after the floating dock where visitors board vessels to the site became partially submerged. 

Boat tours to the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument in Honolulu stopped Sunday after the 180-foot (55-meter) concrete dock dipped below the water overnight. 

Park service spokesman Jay Blount says repairs have been estimated to take a week. He says crews were working to pump out the dock's chambers, but the cause of the damage was not yet known.

To read more go here.

Thunderstorms Today?

Above, the view from the deck about ten minutes ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last night's rains were a bit on the disappointing side.

Yes, we had rain, but it amounted to a little more than a trace. No thunderstorming. But, at least the rain was somewhat steady overnight and The Beast did get most, if not all, of the dust from the clampout washed off.

A few minutes ago, I checked The Weather Channel and it forecasts scattered thunderstorms for about the next seven hours. We'll see.

Above, the wet deck and patio furniture. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At least right now we are having light rain in Jamestown. Of course, Arizona is getting the brunt of the remnants of Hurricane Rosa and we are just getting basically the edge of it. Since we need rain here, we'll take it.

THE OFFICIAL JOHN WAYNE HANDY BOOK FOR MEN

Source: Press Release

MASTER THE LIFE OF A RUGGED INDIVIDUAL WITH 100+ ESSENTIAL SKILLS EVERY MAN SHOULD KNOW: THE OFFICIAL JOHN WAYNE HANDY BOOK FOR MEN OUT OCTOBER 2 

Ultimate Guide For Men Filled With Tips From The Great Outdoors To Emergency Tactics, The Home And Everything In Between

Being a man means different things to different people, but for generations one individual has been idolized as the epitome of manliness. John Wayne’s name has become synonymous with masculinity, and now men can turn to a new guidebook for over 100 essential skills to live their lives with his signature confidence, grit and style. Released on October 2, The Official John Wayne Handy Book for Men will guide readers to become the “stuff men are made of.” A great gift for any man this holiday season, the Handy Book aims to make men more self-sufficient and honorable. It’s packed with step-by-step lessons covering a wide range of topics, including building a shelter, kicking down a door, cooking over an open flame, fixing a leaky faucet, giving a good handshake, writing a letter, thanking a veteran and much more. The book also features step by step illustrations and photos of John Wayne in action.

The Official John Wayne Handy Book retails for $16.99 and is available for sale at Amazon, as well as book stores nationwide and select mass merchants.

About John Wayne Enterprises

John Wayne Enterprises’ mission is to preserve and protect the name, image and likeness of John Wayne by associating the John Wayne brand with quality and timeless products and experiences that embody the spirit of JohnWayne and give back to the community. To further its mission, John Wayne Enterprises enters into selective licensing or partnership agreements in merchandising, cancer research, treatment and education as well as public facilities, institutions and agencies. For more information, please visit www.johnwayne.com.

About Media Lab Books

Topix Media Lab is a magazine and book-publishing house in New York City. Creating more than 100 high-end bookazines and trade books per year, our expanding list of brand partners includes John Wayne, Hasbro, Newsweek, Nickelodeon, World Wrestling Entertainment, Dreamworks and more. Media Lab Books specializes in books devoted to a wide range of subjects, including pop culture, cooking, history, games, self-help, children’s titles andmore. For a sampling, please visit www.OnNewsstandsNow.com.

Sign Arrived

While I was at the Lost Dutchman Chapter's clampout in Kingman, Arizona, the street sign I ordered arrived. It was waiting for me at the post office at the Flying J.

Here's the sign:

Now all I have to do is to decide how I am going to mount it. It will either be mounted on a post or on the GOCO Beast Barn.

I have to say that I received great service from BuildASign.com. And, it was only $10.00! Maybe my neighbor Nandoh should use them for his "Hekawi tribe" sign?  😉

Newt Gingrich: Texas Special Election A Blueprint For GOP

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has penned an opinion piece on the upcoming November elections for Fox News.

The Republicans in Texas won a special election in a district that has not seen an elected Republican in almost 140 years. It is a victory that Gingrich suggests the GOP should take a good, hard look at.

He wrote:

I have been writing a lot about the power of a big-choice election in November. 

This week, Texas Republicans won a special election for a state Senate seat in a district along the Mexican border. Every Republican campaign in the country should study this race carefully. 

You may not have read about this GOP victory, because the liberal national media is not exactly excited to report that Republicans reclaimed a seat they had not held in 139 years. The liberal media is especially shy about reporting on a Republican victory in a district that Hillary Clinton carried by nearly 12 points in the 2016 presidential election. 

From the left’s standpoint, this victory is even more frightening because the district is 73 percent African-American and Hispanic. 

Furthermore, at a time when people are touting gigantic Democratic voter turnout and lagging Republican participation, this special election runoff had twice as many voters as the last Texas state Senate special election runoff in February 2015.

To read more, go here.

California Bans Gun Sales To People Under Age 21

The latest in California liberal/leftist Democrat actions took place Friday when Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill prohibiting adults under 21 from purchasing any guns.

Every time the Democrat-controlled government dictatorship infringes on our constitutional rights, the more glad I moved out of Commiefornia.

American Military News reported:

On Friday, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a law that will prohibit anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing a gun in the state, with a few exceptions. 

The new law, which goes into effect in 2019, does not apply to military members, law enforcement, or licensed hunters, NBC News reported. People under the age of 21 were previously prohibited from purchasing handguns, but the new law bans the purchase of all guns. 

The bill was brought forth by Sen. Anthony Portantino, who cited the Parkland school shootings as the primary reason for the ban on gun sales.

Persons under age 21 can serve in the military, but they aren't worthy enough to be able to buy a firearm. Crazy!

To read more, go here.

Wet Night?

Above, a photo taken about 10 minutes ago. The lights in the distance near
the mesas is the Navajo community of Iyanbito. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The remnants of Hurricane Rosa are heading north-northeast crossing through parts of California and in Arizona. The Four Corners area (which we in northwestern New Mexico are a part of along with Arizona, Utah and Colorado) is expected to get some thunderstorms.

From what I am hearing, rains are hitting from California to New Mexico.

I checked The Weather Channel website a little while ago and thunderstorms are expected here around 9:00 this evening.

It is sprinkling right now. At least The Beast is getting the clampout dust washed off from the rain. It has been raining for the past couple of hours.

I stepped outside and took some pictures.

Here's a couple:

Above, the wet deck. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Sierra watching me take pictures. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

New Trade Deal With Canada, Stocks Soar

President Trump fulfilled one more campaign promise: to renegotiate a new NAFTA agreement.

It was announced today that Canada has joined the new trade deal with the U.S. and Mexico and the stock market closed nearly 200 points higher.

CNBC reported:

Stocks closed higher on the first day of the fourth quarter as investors cheered news of Canada joining a trade deal with the United States and Mexico. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 192.90 points to 26,651.21 on Monday as Chevron and Boeing outperformed. The S&P 500 gained 0.4 percent to 2,924.43, led by gains in energy, materials and industrials shares. The Nasdaq Composite closed 0.1 percent lower at 8,037.30, however, as declines in Facebook and Intel capped gains in tech.

To read more, go here. 

California Democrats Threatened By $4.00/Gallon Gas Prices

The Looney Left Report

Democrats in California should be panicking. With the November elections just a month away, now is not a good time for gasoline prices to skyrocket to near $4.00/gallon.

The reason is that they passed a gasoline gas tax hike as well as hiking vehicle registration fees (supposedly for road repair, but we all know they will dip into it for other things) despite the fact that road maintenance was supposed to be paid for by gas taxes and registration fees that have been around for decades.

This is the result of the one-party dictatorship in the former Golden State. The Republican Party in Commiefornia is almost non-existent, so the Democrats can do anything they want.

Thank goodness I moved out of California this year. It is not a friendly state for free enterprise or for retirees. Small wonder that middle class people are moving out.

The Daily Caller posted:

Gas prices in Southern California are hovering around $4 per gallon as Golden State Democrats attempt to defend an unpopular gas tax outgoing Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown signed in 2017. 

The average pump price for regular gas in the Los Angeles area is hovering around $3.736 a gallon Thursday, up nearly 19 percent from a year earlier, according to the American Automobile Association. It’s an unwelcome development for Democrats who are fighting for their political lives. 

The average price in California stood at $3.683 a gallon, up 18 percent from $3.11 in 2017, the AAA said. A portion of the increase stems from the unpopular 12-cent increase in California’s fuel excise tax that went into effect in November. The state tax now sits at 41.7 cents per gallon and is one of the highest in the country. 

Nearly 58 percent of voters oppose the tax increase, including 39 percent who say they strongly reject the legislation, according to a survey the University of California, Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies conducted shortly after the measure was passed in April 2017. Only 35 percent of voters surveyed at the time favored the law, which also hikes vehicle registration fees to fix roads.

If you thought Jerry Brown is bad, just wait and see what happens if Gavin Newsom becomes governor. He's 1,000 times worse than Brown.

To read more, go here.

Tokyo Cheapo: Guide To Sensoji

Above, the Kaminarimon Gate that leads to Nakamise Dori and Sensoji Temple. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was during G-TOUR in 2004 that I discovered the Asakusa section of Tokyo. G-TOUR was the second time I visited Japan and, as of this date, I've been there six more times. During each subsequent visit, it has been my practice to hang out in Asakusa.

Asakusa itself has no connection to kaiju movies (unless you want to count some toy stores who sell kaiju toys or the Ultraman department inside of Rox department store.

Above, the Hozomon Gate. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

But, that doesn't lessen the enjoyment in wandering around the district, particularly the Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Dori.

Above, Sensoji Temple. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one is planning to visit Japan, an excursion to Sensoji and Asakusa is a must. Tokyo Cheapo has posted a guide to visiting Sensoji.

They begin it with:

Everybody knows Tokyo doesn’t really have landmarks (think quick: what is Tokyo’s Statue of Liberty, Big Ben or Eiffel Tower—there isn’t one, right?). If it did, though, it would have to be Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, a 15-minute train ride from Tokyo Station, (20 from Shinjuku, 30 from Shibuya or just 5 from Akihabara). In a city full of temples, Sensoji is the eldest, boasting almost one and a half millennium of history, Tokyo’s biggest souvenir market and perhaps the gaudiest rendezvous point: its Kaminarimon Gate with the huge red chochin lantern.  

Sensoji Temple was the reason the insignificant village of Asakusa became a town. Ieyasu, the Tokugawa shogun who created the great city of Edo and made it Japan’s de facto capital in the early 1600s, saw in Sensoji a very convenient symbolism. Being the toughest warlord of his time, he needed all the help he could get from the gods and Buddhas. According to ancient geomancy, potential invaders come either from the northeast or the southwest, the front and rear “demon gates”. Sensoji Temple was the guardian of the northeast gate and Zojoji Temple in Shiba, near Tokyo Tower took care of the southwest; Ieyasu made them both his family temples.

Above, Nakamise Dori shopping street. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.

Rains Are Coming

Above, The Beast at last weekend's clampout. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some attendees at last weekend's clampout discussed the weather conditions in the Southwest portion of the country, including Arizona and New Mexico.

According to the today's forecast of the National Weather Service:

Heavy rain from [Hurricane] Rosa will bring flash flood conditions to the Desert Southwest, Great Basin, and Central/Southern Rockies through Wednesday. There is a moderate risk of excessive rain in portions of Arizona today and tomorrow.

Rains are supposed to begin in the Jamestown, New Mexico area later today and go through Wednesday. It is very cloudy outside as I am writing this.

This is good news for me as The Beast got very dusty during the clampout from periodic dust storms that swept through. At least it will get a good bath (provided the rains are hard enough) from all of this. 

Twin Arrows Casino Resort

Above, Twin Arrows Casino Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever I've gone deep into Arizona, I find that a food stop (usually breakfast) at Twin Arrows Casino Resort east of Flagstaff is a great respite.

As I was heading to Kingman, I stopped in. It turned out to be the halfway point between Jamestown, New Mexico and the clampout, about 175 miles.

Prior to the casino resort's construction, Twin Arrows, Arizona was known as a ghost town on Route 66.

From Wikipedia:

The area in which Twin Arrows is located was inhabited by the Hopi and Navajo tribes. The Navajo fought against the Apaches in the area. The first setters to arrive in the area of European descent were the Spanish conquistadores. The area became part of Mexico when Mexico gained its independence from Spain. 

The United States fought against Mexico in what is known as the Mexican–American War. The war ended officially when the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed and forced onto the remnant Mexican government. It specified its major consequence, the Mexican Cession of the northern territories of Alta California and Santa Fe de Nuevo México to the United States. 

Wagon roads routes between Flagstaff and Winslow were surveyed in the 1880s. The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad choose to build the railroad along it. The railway passed to the north of the modern alignment of the National Old Trails which would eventually become US 66. The U.S. Highway System established US 66 in 1926. US 66 served as a major path for those who migrated west during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. The road supported the economies of the communities through which it passed. 

Traffic began to flow through the Twin Arrows area because Route 66 was aligned along the National Old Trails Road. A business named the Canyon Padre Trading Post, named for the gorge that cuts nearby, was established in the late 1940s in Twin Arrows. Business was slow for the store and diner until the owners changed its name to "Twin Arrows Trading Post", inspired by nearby town of Two Guns and added a service station. Two 25-foot (7.6 m) giant arrows which were placed on the property were easily recognized by traveling motorist and the business began to fourish. 

The Twin Arrows Trading Post began to fail with the construction of the Interstate 40 (I-40), because motorists no longer had to take US 66. Business for the Twin Arrows Trading Post began to decline and it was not long before the store/diner/service station/gift shop passed through the hands of various owners. This continued until 1995, when it was finally closed and abandoned. The land where Twin Arrows is located is in the Navajo and Hopi reservations and owned by the Twin Arrows Navajo Casino.

The ruins of the Twin Arrows Trading Post still stands, along with the two giant arrows on the property.

Above, the giant twin arrows. Wikipedia photo.

I usually dine at the Four Elements Cafe. The prices are reasonable and the food is good. Last Friday, I stopped in and had their huevos rancheros. Very tasty!

Prior to this most recent trip, I stopped in for a rest break. This was after having the heart attack in Wells, Nevada and I drove home a few days later from Mitch Geriminsky's in Lake Havasu.

While there, I ran into a fellow clamper in the main lobby. I was wearing a clamper t-shirt and he approached me.

Twin Arrows Casino Resort is a nice facility and well worth a stop. They have a parking area for RVs. As yet, they have no RV park/campground.

To access their website, go here.

More Lost Dutchman Clamp-Out Photos

Here's some of the guys of Lost Dutchman Chapter No. 5917 + 4 at last weekend's clampout at Mountain View Cemetery in Kingman, Arizona.

It appears they are all having a grand time.