Yellowstone and Grand Teton See Record Visits

Above, Grand Teton's Mount Moran is reflected on the waters of Jackson Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This comes as no surprise.

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in Wyoming are recording record visits since the trending down of the coronavirus pandemic. People suffering from "cabin fever" for over a year are heading out to those parks.

The Casper Star-Tribune reported:

If you visited one of Wyoming’s national parks recently, you’re hardly alone.

This year, Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks reported their highest first quarter visitation numbers since they started collecting such data roughly 30 years ago, a state report says. Yellowstone recorded almost 108,000 visits and Grand Teton saw over 194,000. Those represent increases of 20.7% and 22.8% from 2020, respectively.

While it’s not surprising that more people visited the parks in 2021 because of “the trending down of the pandemic,” this year also recorded significant increases compared with 2019. Until this year, 2019 had generated the highest first quarter visit numbers for the two parks. But compared with 2019, visits were up 14% and 17% this year for Yellowstone and Grand Teton, respectively.

To read more, go here. 

Electric RV Awning Conversion

Above, my fully deployed electric awning at camp in Quartzsite, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whether camping with a chapter of E Clampus Vitus or at a private or public campground, it is always a bit entertaining watching people trying to deploy their manual awnings.

This is especially true if they don't know what they're doing and it ends up looking like a Laurel & Hardy short. The process may be frustrating for them, but entertaining to watch for me.

Fortunately for me, my 2015 Minnie Winnie came with an electric awning. Deploying it is only a "push button away" for me. I did have to replace the awning fabric three years ago as the original one got a tear that was getting progressively worse over time. 

Do It Yourself RV has an article on converting manual awnings into electric ones. 

They begin it with:

Just because your RV didn’t come with an electric power awning doesn’t mean you can’t have one. Continue reading to discover how to convert your manual awning to an electric awning.

Whether you are buying an RV with a manual awning or the manual awning on your current RV needs repair, upgrading to an electric awning is a great idea.

To read the full article, go here. 

RV Life: 10 Best Towns and Cities Along Route 66 To Explore

Above, Old Town Albuquerque is a short drive from Route 66. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since we're now in the summer vacation season, if one is contemplating a trek following along Route 66, RV Life has posted an article on the ten best Route 66 towns and cities to explore.

They begin it with:

Route 66 is a legendary road that every RVer should experience at least once. Along the way, there are towns and cities of all sizes with various attractions, landmarks, restaurants, hotels, campgrounds and more to stop and explore. These are 10 of the best Route 66 towns and cities to visit on your memorable trip down this iconic road.

 To see what they are, go here.

How To Make Camper Travel More Comfortable

Above, The Beast at Lake Havasu, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Many people are taking to the open road in recreational vehicles (trailers, motorhomes, etc.) now that most states are lifting pandemic restrictions. Some are doing so for the first time, either as RV renters or first-time buyers.

The Washington Times Herald (Idaho) has an article on how to make camper travel more comfortable.  

They begin it with:

The open road beckons millions of people across the globe every year. People’s idea of the ideal getaway varies depending on the individual, but few can deny the appeal of a road trip that allows travelers to move at their own pace.

Campers can give road trips a more liberating feel. When taking to the road in a camper, drivers are not beholden to checkout times or many of the other restrictions that can govern how people spend their time on vacation. Campers may not have all the creature comforts of a five-star hotel room, but travelers can take steps to make their campers more comfortable.

To read more, go here. 

Missing Person From Coolidge, New Mexico

This hits a little too close to home.

A 20-year-old woman has been reported missing. She is from Coolidge, New Mexico, which is a village between Jamestown and Continental Divide. Coolidge is about 8 miles east of Jamestown off Interstate 40.

The McKinley County Sheriff posted on Facebook:

Deputies are currently looking for RAELENE CHARLEY (20years old) she was last seen this morning leaving her residence on County Road 27 in Coolidge. She was leaving to attend classes in Albuquerque NM. She was last seen driving a 2017 maroon Ford Fusion (like the one pictured below) with NM plates AYRD02 and tinted windows. RAELENE was last seen wearing light blue medical scrubs and a black Nike shirt. Her left forearm does have a butterfly and Bible scripture and her right forearm has a quote. 

Please contact Metro Dispatch (505)722-2002 if you see her or her vehicle.

If you know anyone in New Mexico, particularly the Gallup area, please pass this blog post to them.

UPDATE (7/6/21):

The McKinley County posted the following:

UPDATE!! RAELENE has been found and is back home with her family. 

Inside Six Mile Canyon Today

Above, at the Six Mile Canyon windmill and tanks. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For the past several weeks, Six Mile Canyon Road has been undergoing construction work on the culverts on the road that go under Interstate 40 and adding several cattle guards. Since this has been going on, I haven't been able to go into Six Mile Canyon of the Cibola National Forest.

Today, there were no work crews or heavy equipment to contend with. So, I took a drive into the canyon to the windmill.

The recent rains, although meager, have helped the canyon get a little greener than it had been. We can use a lot more (in fact, as I am writing this, storm clouds are coming into the area). 

There were several campers and trailers inside the canyon of people enjoying the Independence Day weekend. 

It was nice getting out to drive in Six Mile Canyon today.

Aaron Lewis - "Am I The Only One"

This song should be shared by everyone and everywhere.

 

Toby Keith - "Happy Birthday America"

Here's a new song by Country star Toby Keith that everyone should share.

 

4th of July In Gallup

Above, a burst from the Gallup fireworks program. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last night, I spent the evening of fireworks-watching at the Gallup home of historian Martin Link. The attendees were the monthly dinner group members.

Above, the group getting some munchies before nightfall. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

His hilltop home overlooks the western section of Gallup, which gave us a good view of the city's official fireworks display. Link has a gazebo in his backyard and that is where we congregated.

Above, the gazebo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Interestingly, we were able to see the fireworks display of Window Rock, Arizona, which is 25 miles from Gallup. The fireworks from Window Rock were just at the horizon.

Above, a fireworks burst off in the distance from Window Rock, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Most of us were concerned over possible wildfires caused by careless people. Some were also concerned over the welfare of their pets and livestock from the explosions. 

Above, Martin Link had some fireworks in his barbeque, but it was
 decided to not use them due to the dry brush. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We had an enjoyable time at Link's and on our way back to Jamestown, we saw more fireworks along the way (some originating from odd places).

Above, another burst from the Gallup show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Do's And Don'ts Of Preparing For A Trip To Japan

Above, at the Toho Studios Godzilla statue in Setagaya.

Eventually, we'll be able to travel to Japan for a vacation again. When that happens all depends upon when the Japanese government gets its act together on dealing with the pandemic and the citizens are vaccinated.

Oddly enough, there are some Godzilla fans who have a Japan vacation on their "bucket list" of things to do but still haven't made the trip. So much of this is targeted to them.

There are some unwritten do's and don'ts of Japan travel and The Travel has posted some basic ones.

They begin with:

A trip to Japan is one of the most thrilling trips a person can take in their lifetime. There's a sense of wonder, fascination, and genuine curiosity when it comes to this country, and it's part of the allure that brings millions of people there year after year. Some parts of Japan, such as Tokyo, will always seem like a futuristic world while others, such as Kyoto, seem to be frozen in time, perfectly quaint and beautiful.

No matter where a traveler chooses to go in Japan, etiquette rules will follow. Each country has its own (somewhat unspoken) rules when it comes to showing respect and Japan has many. With that being said, it's not the end of the world if a traveler accidentally does something impolite - but being aware and conscientious goes a long way in this incredible country. Here are some do's and don'ts to know before even booking a trip to Japan.

To read more, go here. 

CBR.com: While America’s Godzilla Gets Stupider, Japan’s Grows Smarter

Above, Shin Godzilla (2016). Toho Co, Ltd.

Today is a good time to be a Godzilla fan.

Warner Bros./Legendary Pictures has their Monsterverse series going and Toho Co., Ltd. in Japan released Shin Godzilla in 2016 to positive reviews.

Above, Godzilla vs. Kong. Warner Bros./Legendary Pictures.

CBR.com took a look at the differences between the Japanese and American approaches to the King of the Monsters, calling the American version "stupider" and the Japanese version "smarter".

They begin with:

With a steady flow of releases from either side of the globe, there's never been a better time in the franchise's almost 70-year history to be a Godzilla fan than right now. Beginning in 2014 with Godzilla, Warner Bros./Legendary Pictures' MonsterVerse has grown into a fully-fledged kaiju world of its own, while Toho's new homegrown Reiwa era, kicked off by 2016's Shin Godzilla, has been similarly evolving, albeit on a very different scale.

Today a billion-dollar franchise, the MonsterVerse has been taking up titanic space on cinema screens the world over, whereas the Japanese entries have so far been more geared towards television -- specifically, streaming giant Netflix.

Formatting and distribution aren't the only major differentiation. Upon the recent release of Godzilla Singular Point and Godzilla Vs. Kong before it, there are enough titles on either side of the geographic and cultural divide to spot more conceptual and creative patterns. Those being, as America's Godzilla gets bigger and dumber, Japan's gets smaller and smarter.

Are they right? 

To read more, go here.

A Stormy Fourth of July?

Above, one of our water storage tanks (the rusty one is not hooked up). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Right now, the skies are clear, but we may have thunderstorms coming in this afternoon.

At least that's according to the National Weather Service. If that's the case, the storms may prevent any wildfires in the area. 

The situation here is somewhat dire as we are down to one water well pump (we have two). The north one gave out a few days ago and we are trying to limit water usage to what's needed. The repairs will come Wednesday at the earliest. 

We should get a third well. Then we can say, "Well, well, well." 😄

It would be nice if we do get heavy rain today.

According to the National Weather Service:

Independence Day

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Tonight

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

National Parks Reaching Capacity Limits By 9:00 a.m.

Above, the South Entrance into Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is interesting that, despite warnings, people are heading to the national parks this weekend even though record crowds are expected this weekend.

It is tantamount to "getting away from it all" with hordes of others. Hardly something any rational person would want to do.

According to RV Travel:

A barrage of tourists has descended on the National Parks, particularly Utah’s Zion and Arches National Parks. The pandemic confinement has fueled the need to travel to top tourist destinations in a big way. Along with crowded campgrounds, the National Parks are experiencing crowding like never before. If you’re visiting during the park’s busiest times, summer afternoons, be prepared! You may want to take a rain check if looking for serenity and peace to experience these amazing natural wonders.

The parks are closing their gates when capacity numbers have been reached and not opening again until enough people have exited, sometimes not even until the next day. Arches often reaches their limit by 9:00 a.m. Waiting to get in can be several hours in a hot car.

That is why I prefer the off-season. Fewer people and an enjoyable time.

To read more, go here. 

Happy Independence Day!

Above, the opening flag ceremony at this year's Wild West Days Rodeo in Grants, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Happy Independence Day!

This holiday has more importance this year as we're coming out of the pandemic and with the divisions that seems to be intensifying among the people, led by radicals who have gained control of the government through chicanery.

I may be going into Gallup this evening to watch the city's fireworks show from historian Martin Link's hilltop home.

Have a safe Independence Day!

Along Yosemite's Tioga Road

Above, an early morning view of Tenaya Lake in Yosemite National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Five years ago, I took a "little" trip up the Owens Valley on U.S. 395 in California.

I stayed one night in Bishop and a couple of nights in Mammoth Lakes. Along the way, I stopped at Manzanar and Devil's Postpole National Monument. After this, I headed a little further north up 395 to Tioga Pass Road into Yosemite National Park.

This was the first time I have ever been in this part of Yosemite and it was well worth a road trip.

Travel Awaits has an article on the seven best experiences along Tioga Road.

They begin it with:

During the hottest days of summer, the best way to enjoy Yosemite National Park is to spend most of your time in the higher elevations, in the eastern side of the park, along Tioga Road. The area is open only in the summer, but when it is, it offers breathtaking views of the High Sierras and the High Country of Yosemite National Park. 

I visited the park with my family during the first week of June, just a few days after Tioga Pass opened. Since we ended up in the park during some of the hottest days of the early summer, Yosemite Valley proved too hot for us to spend much time in. So we spent most of our time in the High Country of Yosemite National Park, along the Tioga Pass Road. 

The scenery was just as stunning as in the more famous areas of the park, and the lower temperatures made our visit more enjoyable. The following are only a few of the many things to do in Yosemite’s High Country along Tioga Road. 

 To read more, go here.

Best Route 66 Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

Above, the Roadkill Cafe in Seligman, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since we're now in the summer vacation season and people are favoring road trips over flying and cruises, finding good grup along the way is essential for a fun time.

RV Life posted an article on the best Route 66 diners, dives and drive-ins. I've been to two they've listed.

They start it off with:

The Main Street of America is packed with restaurants, soda fountains, and diners. Route 66 stretches across 8 states and is more than 2,000 miles long. With all that space, it makes sense that a variety of restaurants have made a home for themselves along this historic highway. Some Route 66 diners, drive-ins, and dives have been there since the road was built, while others are much newer to the scene. 

No matter what kind of food you’re looking for, you’ll find it somewhere along the Mother Road. There is a huge selection, from the quaintest mom and pop stores to massive chain restaurants. Even if you drove this route for a lifetime, there’s no way you could hit every stop or taste every menu item. 

So which places should you prioritize on your next trip down Route 66? Well there are a few famous stops you won’t want to miss, each with their own history, unique menu, and special gimmick. Don’t discount the hidden gems and smaller restaurants though! Keep your eyes open from Illinois to California and you might be able to find a few personal favorites that are off the beaten track. Roadtripping foodies will have no shortage of choices!

But if you’re looking for some good reliable food to power your next road trip, check out the following list of Route 66 diners, drive-ins, and dives (arranged by state).

To see what they are, go here. 

Things To Do In Grand Teton National Park

Above, the Grand Tetons are reflected on Jackson Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yellowstone National Park's next-door neighbor to the south, Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, is an interesting place in its own right. It is different than Yellowstone in many respects and there are plenty of things to see and do.

Another thing that's different about Grand Teton National Park from Yellowstone: it is a lot less crowded!

TravelAwaits has posted an article on the nine best things to do in Grand Teton National Park.

They begin it with:

Founded in 1929, Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park is named for the Teton Mountain Range that formed when tectonic plates collided 100 million years ago. The mountains are newer than that though, having risen from the valley floor about 10 million years ago after massive earthquakes caused the mountains to rise and the valley to fall. 

Two million years ago, glaciers etched and eroded the mountains leaving the jagged peaks you see today — 40 miles of them along the park’s western border. The mountains alone are worth the trip. 

But wait, there’s more! The valley, called Jackson Hole, is surrounded by the Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains and is home to wildlife and remnants left from homesteader days. The Snake River winds its way through the park and its floodplain is home to wildlife as well. As a bonus, moraines — the sediment and rocks pushed around by glaciers — dammed streams and rivers creating alpine lakes that are nestled in the Tetons. 

Many people visit the park in conjunction with a trip to Yellowstone National Park, located just 6.8 miles north via U.S. Highway 89/191. I made it my primary destination on a recent road trip, spending two days exploring the park.

If you opt to fly to Grand Teton National Park, the Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport in the area. It is located within the national park boundary, 7 miles north of the town of Jackson. Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, and United Airlines are the major carriers that service the area. 

Here are the nine best experiences in gorgeous Grand Teton National Park and the reasons I can’t wait to go back.

To read more, go here. 

Government UFO Report Fails To Impress Roswell Attendees

Above, the Roswell Internationa UFO Museum and Research Center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There are true believers. There are non-believers. And there are some in-between when it comes to Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO).

The annual UFO Festival in Roswell, New Mexico is happening this weekend and the recent government report on UFOs (or UAPs) failed to impress attendees.

The Washington Times reported:

ROSWELL, New Mexico — The federal government’s recent landmark UFO study failed to offer the clear answers many hoped for.

In fact, Joyce Rowell was left with the same question she’s always had.

“Why don’t they tell us the truth?” Ms. Rowell, 75, said Friday as she and her daughter, Debra Tucker, searched for the next clue on an alien-themed scavenger hunt inside a cozy coffeehouse in downtown Roswell. 

Ms. Rowell and Ms. Tucker, 52, traveled here from Tecumseh, Oklahoma, for the city’s annual UFO Festival, which has drawn a record crowd this year amid skyrocketing public interest in the subject and the release last week of the government’s widely anticipated unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) report.

Inside Roswell’s Stellar Coffee Co. — which boasts the “Spock Special,” “Martian Sunrise” and “Alien Soda” among its menu offerings — Ms. Tucker said she remains open-minded to all possibilities, including that at least some UFO sightings could be connected to extraterrestrial life.

“I definitely think it could be true,” she said. “I haven’t ever seen one but I think it’s definitely possible. There’s so much out there we don’t know about.”

To read more, go here. 

Grants Wild West Days Rodeo

Above, one of the barrel racing events this morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is this time of the year that I really enjoy living in New Mexico. This is the time that rodeos and other events take place throughout the state. 

At least, that's the case during normal times.

Last year, the only event I was able to attend was the Grants Wild West Days Rodeo. All other events were cancelled.

I spent this morning in Grants for this year's Wild West Days Rodeo. The events this morning included barrel racing and calf roping. The crowd was light. The weather was nice until the clouds parted, that's when the sun made things uncomfortable. More rain was expected in the afternoon.

After watching the morning's events, I headed back to Jamestown to get some chores done. The rodeo continues through Sunday. I may go back tomorrow. 

Next week, much closer to home in Gallup, will be the Wild Thing Championship Bullriding events at Red Rock Park. That's only ten miles from home. (Grants is about 45 miles from home.)

Below, some more photos from today:

Got A Soaking Yesterday

Above, Barking Spider Acre after the rain yesterday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, the ground in Jamestown, New Mexico got a good soak as a thunderstorm passed through during the afternoon, thanks to the annual monsoon season.

We could use a lot more rain, but at this point, we're grateful for anything we may get.

Actually, over the past several days, we got some sporadic rain, but it had been light and was over as quickly as it began.  

The main concern here is the national forest behind the community and the risk of fires. 

Today, I am heading over to Grants for their annual Wild West Days Rodeo. The show goes on, rain or shine.

According to the National Weather Service, more rain may be coming over the weekend:

Today

Scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday

Scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

New Mexico Lifts Pandemic Restrictions and Fully Reopens

Above, the 2019 Red Rock Balloon Rally. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Months too late in coming and after killing off 40% of New Mexico's small businesses by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, the state has finally reopened.

KTSM reported:

SANTA FE, N.M. (KTSM)–New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s announced the state of New Mexico could remove remaining pandemic occupancy restrictions on Thursday, including commercial and day-to-day activities and the color-coded county-by-county system.

This comes as the state reached the governor’s goal of 60 percent of eligible residents being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Sixty-two percent of eligible New Mexicans have completed their vaccination series as of Tuesday, according to Department of Health data. The agency reports almost 71 percent of eligible New Mexicans have received at least one dose. The state’s vaccination distribution and education efforts will continue.

Effective July 1, all pandemic-related occupancy restrictions on all forms of commercial activity have been lifted.

All businesses across the state may once again operate at 100 percent of maximum capacity. In addition, all limitations on mass gatherings are gone; businesses, large events and organizations may operate at 100 percent of maximum capacity, whether indoor or outdoor.

We're now at this point thanks to the vaccines made possible by the Trump Administration, not by anything good the governor has done.

To read more, go here. 

SCOTUS Upholds Arizona Ban On Ballot-Harvesting

This may prove to be monumental in stopping Democrat vote fraud in future elections!

The Epoch Times reported:

Arizona’s ban on ballot-harvesting and out-of-precinct voting does not violate the federal Voting Rights Act, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 this morning in a closely watched case with implications for future elections.

The court opinion split neatly along ideological and partisan lines with the 6 conservative justices nominated by Republican presidents voting to uphold the state law and the 3 liberal justices voting to strike it down.

The decision reverses a judgment issued by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and comes the week after the Biden administration filed a lawsuit against Georgia over the state’s new electoral integrity-promoting law claiming it amounts to so-called voter suppression. The state’s Republican governor, Brian Kemp, said the U.S. Department of Justice’s suit was “legally and constitutionally dead wrong.”

I saw earlier that National Public Radio (NPR) was upset over the Supreme Court's ruling. Aw, too bad! 

To read more, go here. 

Celebrate Chinese Communist Party's 100th Anniversary

Don't forget to celebrate the Chinese Communist Party's 100th birthday!

Above, the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution in 1966 (hundreds of thousands
 to millions killed nationwide over 10 year period—exact number unknown).

Thanks to Tom Logan.

Gov. DeSantis Deep-Sixes Key West Cruise Rules

Above, Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas at Key West. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The whims of some in Key West, Florida were thwarted when Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed some referendums limiting cruises lines that stop at the port.

I visited Key West two years ago as part of our cruise down to Havana, Cuba.

According to Florida Politics:

Gov. Ron DeSantis deep-sixed a series of referendums passed by Key West voters. Three local measures could have significantly limited cruising capacities there. The Republican Governor signed seaports legislation that makes clear ballot measures won’t set maritime rules in Florida.

Opponents of the new law (SB 1194) say this ensures a vital industry won’t be subject to political whims. Critics say the Governor just landed a blow to home rule and hurt an effort to save coral beds to boot.

Meanwhile, city officials in Key West plan to meet next week, where they well could change the course of ships and start this battle for the seas all over again. The city announced a special meeting will be held Tuesday where City Commissioners will discuss local direction around cruise activity.

Lawmakers this year embarked on the seaports legislation in response to three voter-approved referendums passed last November in Key West. The measures in part prohibit ships with 1,300 or more passengers from docking there and limit visitors from ships to 1,500 cruise passengers per day.

That could have an enormous impact on cruise lines deploying to one of the most popular docks on the Eastern U.S. Seaboard.

To read more, go here. 

UFO Tourism Takes Off At "Hot Spots"

Above, vendors at the 2018 Roswell UFO Festival. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is rather timely that Forbes should post about UFO Tourism at this time since the annual UFO Festival is starting today in Roswell, New Mexico. I attended the 2018 festival.

The thesis of the Forbes article is that UFO Tourism is taking off in different "hot spots" around the world and the Forbes article lists them.

They begin with:

U.S. intelligence agencies recently delivered a report on “unidentified aerial phenomena” to Congress, compiled by the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Defense, to finally make public what the government knows about unidentified flying objects and data analyzed from the encounters.

In the nine-page report on the Pentagon’s UAP Task Force, officials recommend extending research and resources to explore existing unknowns. They also pointed to new ways the government can use new technology to investigate sightings. The report does not confirm or refute the existence of alien life.

Perhaps the most surprising part of the report is that “No standardized reporting mechanism existed until the Navy established one in March 2019. The Air Force subsequently adopted that mechanism in November 2020, but it remains limited to USG reporting.” Indicating that the government never wanted to acknowledge UFOs.

With thousands of UFO sightings in North America over the past year, Peter Davenport, Director of the National UFO Reporting Center, does not think there is any single location that is the most prolific. He tells me, “Everyone seems to talk about “hotspots” for UFO sightings, and many people believe they really exist, but I don’t believe our data support the notion. The only exception may be Horry County, South Carolina, from which NUFORC seems to have received an unusually large number of sightings of mysterious red, yellow, and orange light.”

To read more, go here. 

Facts About Yellowstone National Park

Above, Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since we're in the summer vacation season and many are flocking to Yellowstone National Park, there's some factoids that people are probably not aware of.

Treehugger has posted ten "fantastic facts" about Yellowstone National Park that are interesting.

They begin with:

Widely known as the world’s very first national park, Yellowstone National Park was established on March 1, 1872. Encompassing 3,472 square miles (over 2.2 million acres), Yellowstone stretches through Wyoming and into Montana and Idaho, bringing with it deep canyons, rivers, forests, hot springs, and geysers, including the famous Old Faithful.

Learn more about this hydrothermal wonder of the world that attracts millions of visitors each year with these 10 fantastic facts about Yellowstone National Park.

To see what they are, go here. 

Hawaii Rakes In The Tourist Dollars

Above, a Waikiki shopping mall. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With increased numbers of travelers along with souvenir and other shops everywhere one turns while in Hawaii, it is no surprise that the "Aloha State" is raking in the bucks.

According to TravelPulse:

Hawaii might have been one of the most cautious states when it came to allowing visitors during the last 15 months of the pandemic, but it knew this day – or month – would come.

Tourism is back on the islands, for sure.

According to preliminary statistics released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), a total of 629,681 visitors arrived by air service to the Hawaiian Islands in May 2021, mainly from the U.S. West and U.S. East. In comparison, only 9,116 visitors arrived by air in May 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and Hawaii’s quarantine requirement for travelers.

But the real eye-opening number to emerge from the month of May was this – visitors spent a whopping $1.1 billion on the islands during that time.

To read more, go here. 

Mesa Verde National Park Extending Hours

Above, one of several cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since it is getting hotter outside, hours are being extended at Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado.

According to National Parks Traveler:
 

Hotter summer temperatures and increased visitation have prompted Mesa Verde National Park officials to open access to the Wetherill Mesa earlier in the day as well as to the Petroglyph Point and Spruce Canyon trails.

The number of tour tickets available at Long House will also increase. 

Beginning July 4, Wetherill Mesa Road will open at 7 a.m. MDT. The gate at the Petroglyph Point and Spruce Canyon Trailhead will also open at 7 a.m. MDT.

“Providing opportunities to explore the park during the cooler morning hours will allow more visitors to access the trails and sites and make for a safer and more enjoyable visit,” Superintendent Cliff Spencer said. 

To read more, go here.