Hillary Klug's "Howdy Y'All"

Above, Hillary Klug's "Howdy Y'All" CD. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, the CD I ordered arrived in the mail.

It is up and coming musician Hillary Klug's "Howdy Y'All", a collection of her favorite traditional songs inspired by her upbringing in the old-time musical heritage in Middle Tennessee.

It is a very pleasant album of songs such as "Old Suzanna", "Cotton Eyed Joe", "Allie Cat" and others. I listened to it following my Jeep jaunt in Six Mile Canyon yesterday.

Besides being a singer, she is a top-notch fiddle (violin, for those in Rio Linda) player and buck dancer.

She has appeared on the Mike Huckabee Show on Fox.

She is definitely a rising star in the music scene.

To access her website, go here.

Here's a video of her version of "Oh Susanna":

Today In Six Mile Canyon

Above, Six Mile Canyon Road about three miles from McGaffey. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For the first time in weeks, I took the Jeep into Six Mile Canyon of the Cibola National Forest. 

I gave the Jeep (and myself) a good workout during the drive. I saw a few cows in the canyon.

Before doing so, I stopped by Buddy's and Christmas's pens to give them some carrots. I spoke with Christmas's owner, who told me that she is up for sale. I told him I would talk to my neighbor about it as he is planning to get another horse.

After stopping at the post office in the Flying J, I headed into the canyon. Fall colors have begun, giving Six Mile Canyon a golden color. Naturally, I took a few photos.

Above, at the tanks called "the three sisters". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, in the valley area of Six Mile Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, on Six Mile Canyon Road about three miles from McGaffey. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Lujan-Ronchetti Debate Video

Last night, the candidates for New Mexico's U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Tom Udall held their first televised debate on KOB Channel 4.

I missed it, but fortunately for us the station has the complete debate video on their website.

To view it, go here.

No More Trailer Life and MotorHome Magazines In January

Above, the current issue of MotorHome with the announcement.

The November issue of MotorHome magazine arrived in the mail yesterday.

During my perusal of the issue, the most interesting thing that caught my attention were the subscription cards inserted for RV Magazine. My initial thought was, "Hmm. A new magazine?"

Well, yes and no.

Looking further, I saw on page 8 an announcement of RV Magazine and a website, RV.com, that will "launch in tandem" in January 2021.  

But, the kicker was this:

RV Magazine will replace our legacy publications, Trailer Life and MotorHome. 

Replace?! This means that Trailer Life and MotorHome magazines will cease and they will be consolidated into the new RV Magazine.

Existing subscriptions to the soon-to-be former magazines will be replaced by RV Magazine.

At this point, I don't know what my feelings are about this. This has the "fingerprints" of Marcus Lemonis all over.

Brake Work Done

Above, the Jeep back home in the garage last evening. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Jeep's finally home.

I picked it up yesterday after having a new master cylinder installed and other brake work done. The break pedal is now firm, so firm that I described it as "pushing down on a brick."

Thanks to Nandoh Munoz for taking me into Gallup to pick it up and following me down Route 66 back to Jamestown. Route 66 goes from Gallup to the Iyanbito bridge. From there, we took Interstate 40 two miles to our exit.

The Jeep ran like a champ during the drive back (about 20 miles).

I will likely take a drive into Six Mile Canyon today. We have a little over two months left before the Forest Service closes it for the winter on December 15.

Lujan-Ronchetti Debate: RPNM Press Release

Above, Mark Ronchetti.

For some reason, I was expecting the KOB Channel 4 debate between Rep. Ben Ray Lujan and Mark Ronchetti to be held tomorrow night. (That's what I read.)

Instead, it was held this evening.

Here is a press release by the Republican Party of New Mexico:

ALBUQUERQUE, OCTOBER 5 — Tonight Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark Ronchetti was the clear winner in a KOB-Santa Fe New Mexican debate against Rep. Ben Ray Lujan. The face-off also included Libertarian candidate Bob Walsh.

The debate demonstrated why Ronchetti deserves to be our next U.S. Senator. He focused on crime and the economy, providing specifics and a precise vision of where he wants to take New Mexico for the next six years. Lujan seemed lost and desperately tried to defend his record in Congress but failed to convince anyone that he has achieved any meaningful accomplishments for New Mexicans while in Washington.

Lujan seemed flustered and often evaded the questions. Ronchetti was confident, sharp and on target with his points.

“Mark Ronchetti demonstrated his strong political convictions and truly understands what New Mexico needs in these trying times,” said Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman Steve Pearce. “He exposed Lujan’s weak record in Washington and explained how the Congressman is two-faced when it comes to his actions in Washington and his desire to help his home state. Lujan failed to explain to New Mexicans what he’s done to improve their lives. He offered few specifics and played the blame game with others in Washington. It’s obvious that Ronchetti understands New Mexico and has real solutions. He knows what needs to get done to crack down on crime and to revitalize our economy.”

###

Yalta's Roosevelt Street

Above, translation: Roosevelt Street. Photo by Asya.

It has become a cliché, but the old saying, "You learn something new everyday!" certainly applies here.

I received this morning some photos from Asya of a street in Yalta, Russia that is named "Roosevelt Street" in honor of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

From WikiTravel:

Roosevelt Street (Russian: "Улица Рузвельта" /Ulitsa Ruzvjelta/) Not a tourist draw in and of itself, but interesting to see the plaque with Roosevelt's profile in relief and a short dedication in Russian and English. Add it to your list if you are walking around Yalta's old town.

Yalta is famous (or infamous, depending upon one's point-of-view) as being the site of a meeting of "The Big Three" (Roosevelt, Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin and Prime Minister Winston Churchill) in February 1945.

Above, the plaque. Photo by Asya.

I told her that it is interesting that a street in Russia would be named for Roosevelt. She replied, "Yes, indeed. Doesn't happen often in Russia."

Above, Asya at the plaque.

Who'd have thunk?

Navajo Nation Tribal Parks Closed Until 2021

Above, Ear of the Wind arch in Monument Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The following is not surprising. 

The Navajo Nation has announced that most, if not all, tribal parks will be closed due to coronavirus until 2021.

According to Lake Powell Life:

WINDOW ROCK, AZ –With the Public Health Emergency Order No. 2020-024 in place and with the number of Covid-19 cases on a rise on the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Parks and Recreation Department (NNPRD) would like to announce that they will remain closed until January 1, 2021, at which time a determination will be made if the park closures shall continue.

We ask that everyone stay home, stay safe, continue to social distance and wash your hands. Your safety is our main concern.

All Navajo Tribal Parks affected by the NNPRD closure include; Four Corners Monument, Tseyi Diné Heritage Area (Canyon de chelly), Bowl Canyon-Camp Assayi, Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, Marble Canyon, Upper/Lower Antelope Canyon, Little Colorado River Gorge, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park and Welcome Center, San Juan River (Navajo) and Window Rock Veterans Memorial Park. Which also includes, rivers, trails, canyons, historic sites and scenic roads into the tribal parks.

To read more, go here. 

Four Years Ago

Leave it to Facebook to remind me about things that took place years ago. In this case, it was four years ago that the unveiling of my portrait painting by Asya at the Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills, California was held.

Here is what Facebook posted:

Here's a larger version of the above photo:

Today, the painting is in my home in Jamestown, New Mexico:

Time sure does fly!

"Big Jake" Lynching Party

Above, John Wayne and Jim Davis in Big Jake.

Lynching Party Head (Jim Davis): Just who in the hell do you think you are?!

Jake (John Wayne): Jacob McCandles.

Lynching Party Head: Oh, I, uh, I thought you were dead, Mr. McCandles.

Jake: Not hardly. 

Elmer Bernstein John Wayne Movie Music

Last week, I was perusing around eBay and stumbled upon a CD collection of John Wayne movie music by Elmer Bernstein titled "True Grit". I have another CD collection of John Wayne movie music also called "True Grit", but it spans earlier Wayne movies. 

This collection is of Bernstein conducting the Utah Symphony Orchestra. It was put out by Varese Sarabande.

The movie music is from The Comancheros, True Grit, The Shootist, Cahill: United States Marshal and Big Jake.

It is a nice selection and I am glad I got it.

Dry Week Ahead

Above, Barking Spider Road and GOCO Beast Barn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Right now, the National Weather Service says it's 35° outside in Jamestown, New Mexico. But my yard thermometer says it is now 41°.

The week ahead indicates that we'll have dry weather conditions with no precipitation in the forecast.

According to the National Weather Service:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

Tonight

Clear, with a low around 46. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest after midnight.

Monday

Widespread haze after noon. Sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.

Monday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 43.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 79.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 45.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 77.

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 76.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 44.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 74.

RV Water System Winterizing

Above, getting ready to put the RV into the GOCO Beast Barn last winter. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is funny that the following article mentions the recent winter storm that came through a couple of weeks ago at the time when Mitch Geriminsky and I headed to Colorado. We weren't affected by the storm (just some rain), although we did enjoy some snow scenes between Durango and Silverton in the San Juan Mountains.

That time of the year is fast approaching when RVers start winterizing their rigs in preparation for frigid temperatures that can ruin a RV's water system. Fortunately for me, I keep The Beast inside a garage that has 30 amp electrical power to power the RV's holding tank heaters. But I still do winterize the water system.

Do It Yourself RV has an article on winterizing recreational vehicle water systems.

They begin with:

We know that the weather can often change at the drop of a hat, but this is ridiculous. A weather system that recently dropped temperatures as much as 60 degrees in 24 hours brought powerful winds to Utah and heavy snow to parts of Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming.

While this is an extremely infrequent occurrence, it’s a stark reminder that winter is ready to pounce. For some RVers, that means camping season is coming to a close. Not all RVers, of course. For the year-rounders, the snowbirds, and the winter lovers, it may just be starting. But for a good number of us, the time to start winding down is rapidly approaching.

As a result, it’s not too early to think about winterizing your RV water system to ensure that it will be in tip-top condition when the flowers are back in bloom next spring.

To read the full article, go here. 

Best Time To Buy A RV

Above, upon arrival at the dealership, I was greeted by this sign in the lobby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was during the month of February five years ago (time sure does fly) when I bought my 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R. I got a good deal from La Mesa RV in San Diego and when it was ready, I flew down to pick it up. The dealer sent a driver to the airport to transport me to the dealership. The final sales price was only $1,000 over my initial offer, which was way below the unit's MSRP.

Do It Yourself RV has an article on when is the best time to buy a RV. From the article, February is a good month to make a purchase, even though sales start to pick up during that month.

They begin with:

Are you in the market for a new RV? We don’t blame you. Being an RV owner is a fabulous thing. It gives you the freedom to go out and explore the country on a whim, and you can do so without breaking the bank. Besides that, you have the ability to stay off-grid, and because you take your bed, bathroom, and kitchen along with you, you’ll be comfortable wherever you roam.

All that said, there are many things to consider before purchasing an RV. First, you’ll have to decide whether you prefer a driveable rig or a towable one. You’ll need to look at the various floor plans to figure out which is best for you, and you’ll want to consider the features in the RV you have in mind.

 One of the most important factors, however, is the cost.

Most people are going to be looking for the best deal they can get. After all, unless you’re made of money, you probably aren’t going to want to throw a bunch of it away unnecessarily. Fortunately, there are good deals to be had out there, and there are plenty of tricks that allow you to find those good deals. The best trick? Knowing the best time to buy an RV as well as where to get it.

Let’s dive in and discuss the very best time to buy an RV. From there, we can talk about the best places to shop as well, so you can mark your calendar and plan a trip to get the RV deal of a lifetime.

To read more, go here. 

Tokyo To Offer Virtual Travel Experience

Above, an early morning view of the Tokyo Skytree from Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is still closed off to foreign tourism due to the coronavirus, but that won't be a hinderance to people who want to see places in and around Tokyo.

Online tours will be offered by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

According to The Japan Times:

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will start offering online tours featuring sightseeing spots across the Japanese capital from this month, as a new way of traveling amid the coronavirus crisis.

Specialties from Tokyo will be sent to tour participants in advance to help them get a feel for their virtual destinations from home.

A total of 19 tours using the Zoom videoconference system will be organized between October and February next year. Each tour will feature different tourist spots, including those on Tokyo islands such as the island of Miyake in the Pacific island chain of Izu.

The tour itself is free but participants will be charged about ¥1,000 for the specialties.

To read more, go here. 

Silverton Jeep T-Shirt

During the recent vacation in Colorado, I did manage to pick up a couple of t-shirts. 

One is from Mesa Verde National Park for wearing while camping. It is in The Beast's closet.

The other one is a Jeep one from Silverton. Silverton (and Ouray) are meccas for Jeep enthusiasts. I have that in the house. I'll be wearing it next summer with the weather warms up.

Here's the shirt:

Zara Rahim: No Class

Zara Rahim, a national spokeswoman for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Presidential campaign, Tweeted the following on President Trump's COVID-19 positive test. She also was on staff in the Obama White House.

Obviously, she has no "moral identity".

According to The Independent (U.K.):

Ms Rahim previously worked for the Office of Digital Strategy for the Obama White House from 2013 to 2014, and as a national spokeswoman for Ms Clinton's campaign in 2016. She has since been in the private sector working in communications departments for Uber, Vogue, and The Wing before becoming self-employed as a consultant in April this year, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Ms Rahim's message was met with immediate condemnation online, with Piers Morgan calling it "shocking and shameful".

Will Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama condemn this? Don't hold your breath.

To read more, go here. 

Painting: America's Prayers

 

Traveling With RVs, What You Should Know

Above, The Beast at the Ely, Nevada KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since the coronavirus hit the U.S., sales and rentals of recreational vehicles has boomed. A large percentage of renters and buyers are first-timers. Many of the first-timers haven't a clue what they're in for.

With that in mind Flux Magazine has an article on what people should know about traveling in recreational vehicles.

They begin with:

Recreational vehicles or RVs are a fantastic way to travel around the country while having the comforts of home right in front of you. They can turn any trip into an amazing experience and have tons of room for you to bring friends and family.

That being said, there are a few things that you need to know and consider when traveling with these vehicles. Here are some things you should know when you are on the road.

To read more, go here. 

"Elizabeth! It's The Big One!"

To quote Fred Sanford in the classic comedy, Sanford and Son, "I'm comin' to join you, Elizabeth! It's the big one!"

Seriously, I have to give Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham kudos for showing some class today, unlike others from the Left who are rejoicing over the President's and First Lady's positive COVID-19 test results.

The Governor Tweeted:

New York Times Steps In It (Again)

Leave it to the New York Times to spout something stupid. They are now getting slammed. Rightfully so!

Fox News reported:

The New York Times was slammed on Friday for suggesting that President Trump might not be able to remain on the ballot following his positive coronavirus test.

Trump announced that both he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19 and will quarantine at the White House. A White House source told Fox News shortly after the president’s tweet that he and the first lady are “fine” and are in the quarantine process at the White House.

NewsBusters managing editor Curtis Houck noticed the way the Times framed the story and swiftly blasted the paper.

“No big deal. Just The New York Times openly wondering if (read: rooting for) Trump should QUIT the election and thus preemptively concede to Joe Biden,” Houck wrote. “And yet, the national press don't want to be called the enemy of the people.”

To read more, go here.

Autumn Weather Is Definitely Here

Above, the ol' homestead last week. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One can sure tell we're in autumn.

It is funny how abruptly weather patterns change in northwest New Mexico. It all started when the early winter storm came through the Four Corners region a couple of weeks ago. That seemed to open the door for cooler temperatures.

Now, we are seeing highs in the upper 70s (with occasional low 80s), which isn't too drastic a change. The big difference is at night, where the lows get down into the 30s. It won't be a surprise if we see a snowstorm in Jamestown this month.

The evening temperatures have been great for firing up the fire pit outside.

The week's forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 79. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. North wind 10 to 15 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast after midnight.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 79. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 36.

Monday

Sunny, with a high near 79.

Monday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 38.

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 77.

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 37.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 79.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 40.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 77.

President Tests Positive For COVID-19

Above, the President and First Lady during the GOP National Convention.

President Trump announced a few hours ago that he and First Lady Melania have tested positive for COVID-19.

He Tweeted:

Naturally, the sick bastards of the left, who claim they want to "bring civility back to the White House", are rejoicing over this.

Where Yalta Took Place

Above, The Big Three at the Yalta Conference in 1945. Photo by Asya.

Asya made my day (since I am a World War II history buff) this morning when she sent me 13 photographs she took during a visit to Livadia Palace, where the Yalta Conference had taken place in Crimea. She is vacationing in Crimea.

According to Wikipedia:

The Yalta Conference, also known as the Crimea Conference and code-named the Argonaut Conference, held February 4–11, 1945, was the World War II meeting of the heads of government of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union to discuss the postwar reorganization of Germany and Europe. The three states were represented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Premier Joseph Stalin, respectively. The conference was held near Yalta in Crimea, Soviet Union, within the Livadia, Yusupov, and Vorontsov Palaces.

The aim of the conference was to shape a post-war peace that represented not just a collective security order but a plan to give self-determination to the liberated peoples of post-Nazi Europe. The meeting was intended mainly to discuss the re-establishment of the nations of war-torn Europe. However, within a few short years, with the Cold War dividing the continent, Yalta became a subject of intense controversy.

Yalta was the second of three major wartime conferences among the Big Three. It was preceded by the Tehran Conference in November 1943, and was followed by the Potsdam Conference in July 1945.

Above, the courtyard of Livadia Palace. Photo by Asya.

It was the Yalta Conference where a dying Roosevelt purportedly "sold out" Eastern Europe to the Soviet Union.

Above, the conference table with figures of (from left)
Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt are seated. Photo by Asya.

I wasn't aware that the historic location of the Yalta Conference was open to the public.  

Repairs Nearly Completed On Durango Train Track

Above, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad at Highline. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There's good news from the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad!

About an hour ago, they posted on their Facebook page the following:

All right, railfans, thousands of you have been asking us about this for months now, so here you go!

As many of you know, in late June, a severe rainstorm washed out a 45-foot section of Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad track on the north side of the Elk Creek Bridge, located five miles south of #Silverton (and NOT the bridge itself, as erroneously reported by dozens of media outlets). Because of this damage and other related issues, the #DurangoTrain was disappointingly unable to transport passengers to Silverton this year.

Today, we are pleased to announce this labor-intensive, time-consuming, and expensive repair is nearly complete. With the help of Durango-based civil engineering firm Bonds Construction, which provided all of these fantastic photos here, two 36-inch culverts have been installed to divert excessive water overflows from the creek in the event of similar storms, and the replacement rails are being put in place today.

As you can see, the #DurangoTrain will be fully prepared to once again take guests to Silverton once the summer season begins in May of 2021.

Although the current ride to Cascade Canyon and back was fun, it is even more fun to go to Silverton on the train! 

Joe Biden and Chris Wallace

 This has to be the funniest post-debate meme photo out there.

RV Sales and Rentals On The Rise

Above, The Beast at a KOA Kampground in West Yellowstone, Montana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When the coronavirus pandemic hit months ago, nobody expected to see a big boom in RV sales and rentals. Those in the RV industry expected to see quite the opposite.

San Antonio Magazine posted an article on the boom of RV rentals and sales.

They start it with:

Angela and Bernard Jolivette have plenty of reasons to travel. With a son and daughter in Dallas, Angela’s mother and sister living in California and Bernard’s family in Louisiana, the couple knows that maintaining cherished family bonds requires a certain amount of wanderlust.

But when COVID-19 hit, any thought of travel more or less evaporated. “My husband and I are high-risk because we are over 62 and we were worried about hotels and planes,” Angela says. “I just realized that is something I didn’t want to engage in.”

But when the Jolivettes really thought about it, they realized that doing all they could to avoid infection didn’t necessarily mean they couldn’t see friends and family. Friends from church were already enthusiastic RVers, so the couple decided to follow their lead. They visited Crestview RV and drove away with a 28-and-a-half-foot BTouring Cruiser RV. “We love camping and fishing, and I was a Girl Scout and he is retired military,” Angela says. “We basically felt we would use it during COVID but would have it for life.”

The desire to maintain some level of normalcy— which for many of us includes travel and time outdoors—while avoiding the inherent risk of exposure that comes from venturing away from home has spurred tremendous interest in RVs, both from renters and new owners. Indeed, according to a recent survey by RVshare, an RV rental marketplace, Labor Day bookings were up 50 percent compared to last year and rentals are expected to continue rising through autumn, which is unusual. “RV travel is a seasonal business and as we look toward the fall months, we usually see reservations drop off,” says RVshare CEO Jon Gray.

Purchases are also up, with the RV Industry Association reporting that shipments of RVs from manufacturers to dealers were up 11 percent this past June compared to the same month in 2019 and up 45 percent between May and June of this year. “Younger, first-time buyers are turning to RVs in droves,” says Monika Geraci, a spokesperson for the RV Industry Association, noting that there was also a 40 percent increase this year of smaller and towable RV purchases.

To read more, go here. 

RV Rentals: Things You Should Know

Above, RVs driving through a Yellowstone valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Fodor's, who puts out some excellent travel guides for U.S. travelers, has posted an article on 20 things people should know before renting a recreational vehicle (RV).

They begin with:

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to turn vacation plans to Swiss cheese, many travelers are eager to go on an adventure that still feels safe and responsible. “Go camping!,” seems to be the vacation rally cry of 2020, but what if sleeping in a tent sounds to you like the seventh circle of Hell? Or what if you just want to try something fun and unique after spending the last six months on your couch?

The answer you’re looking for might be a recreational vehicle—more commonly known as an RV. It’s a cross between a bus and a hotel room, and it can give you the flexibility to road trip without putting yourself or others at risk. Here’s everything you need to know to make your RV trip a vacation to remember.

To read the full article, go here.