Albuquerque Sunport Sees Thousands of Labor Day Travelers

Above, the Albuquerque Sunport was like a ghost town last year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Happy Labor Day!

This marks the end of the summer vacation season and there are thousands who have suffered from "cabin fever" over a year and a half and are taking to the skies.

The Albuquerque Sunport is seeing more people traveling than during the 2020 Labor Day weekend.

According to KRQE:

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – This Labor Day weekend people are on the go and travelers at the Albuquerque International Sunport say there are plenty of full flights. Kirsten Maliny is visiting New Mexico and she shares, “The first plane I was on was very crowded, so there was no possible way to social distance but everybody kept their mask on.”

The Sunport says its most recent seven-day average of passengers traveling through is about 11,000 per day. That’s still significantly down from pre-COVID numbers but a jump from last year. “In the early to mid-summer, we were seeing really big increases but now, they’re starting to level out,” said Jonathan Small, a Sunport spokesperson.

Some travelers say they are still taking extra precautions while flying to stay safe from COVID-19. Officials say the Albuquerque Sunport is keeping up all of the same COVID-safe procedures they implemented at the start of the pandemic. Small shares, “Additional hand sanitizer stations, plexiglass partitions on every counter, social distancing indicators throughout the terminal.”

To read more, go here.

Harassment and Court Orders Force Backstreet Grill To Go Out of Business

Above, Backstreet Grill forced to go out of business by tyrants. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When governmental dictators, maniacal courts and a hostile puppet media band together against a business, the outcome that Albuquerque's Backstreet Grill tried to avoid becomes inevitable.

After an eighteen month fight, Backstreet Grill has announced that it will close for good today. They had no other choice.

Piñon Post reported:

Backstreet Grill, an Albuquerque restaurant that put up a valiant 18 month-long fight against Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s extreme pandemic edicts, is now saying goodbye after losing a battle with the State.

On Friday, Judge Franchini reportedly dealt the death blow to the restaurant, ordering the small business to close voluntarily following the Albuquerque city attorney Robyn Rose making an “outrageous” request for the Court to terminate Backstreet Grill’s utilities.

The City of Albuquerque and the liberal media have harassed the struggling small business for months, with Backstreet Grill refusing to close their doors and deprive their employees of work, even when the city’s Environmental Health Department took them to court to try to force closure.

According to a press release reviewed by Backstreet Grill’s attorneys, “​​Even after the mask mandates were lifted, the city continued its relentless attacks. They filed for a temporary restraining order without giving notice to the attorneys they KNEW were representing Backstreet Grill. The harassment and intimidation [were] intensified by local news outlets and journalists. Managers have had to call in police to remove those harassing their clientele.” 

Above, yours truly at the Backstreet Grill in June.

It is too bad this had to happen, I dined there back in June and enjoyed my meal.

I hope people remember this and other abuses by the government during next year's election. Simply put, tyranny won. I hope the Backstreet Grill's owners sues the crap out the tyrants.

To read the full article, go here.

Noise Pollution and Camping

Above, in Barstow, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of my pet peeves is having to camp near noisy neighboring campers.

The noise pollution could be from their RV's engine, generator and even their brats. 

RV Life has posted an article on noise pollution and what can be done to reduce it.

They start it with:

Many people who love to camp have a deep respect and love for the outdoors. It’s great to spend some time out in nature and detach from the busy world. Because this natural escape is so rewarding, it’s only fair that we all do our part to minimize our impact on nature when we camp. Things like picking up trash and lighting fires safely should be second nature, but one area of camping that’s often overlooked is noise pollution.

Humans (whether we like it or not) leave an impact everywhere we go. Sometimes these consequences are easy to see, but sometimes they’re more nebulous. Noise and light pollution are two types of impacts that can cause bigger problems than you might think. These effects are not as obvious as contaminated water or smoky air, but they can still have major impacts on the surrounding wildlife.

To read more, go here. 

How To Visit The Navajo Nation

Above, a female Navajo hogan in Monument Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This year's summer vacation season is drawing to a close (although people can still travel during autumn) but the following is an idea for next year's summer vacation season.

The Navajo Nation is a vast area with plenty of recreational opportunities and historical sites of interest. There are hotels and campgrounds for overnighters.

Above, a male hogan in Monument Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Travel has posted a guide to visiting the Navajo Nation that will prove to be useful for vacation planning.

They begin it with:

The Navajo Nation is a very large area extending into the states of New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona (mostly in Arizona and a great place to visit). It has a long history going back to pre-historic times and spans the arrival of the Europeans and the Spanish. Today it is the home of the Navajo people and has more than a dozen national monuments, historical sites, and tribal parks. The large Lake Powell provides the Navajoland with some 186 miles of shoreline. It is certainly worth exploring and the Navajo invite people to come and explore their lands through a range of guided tours to get a great understanding of this piece of America.

Above, Goulding's Lodge Campground near Monument Valley Tribal Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read the guide, go here. 

California Recall: Biden Coming To Aid Newsom

Above, the reception His Fraudulency Biden could be receiving when he arrives in California.

His Fraudulency Joe Biden is expected to campaign for Gov. Gavin Newsom before the September 14 recall election.

According to Politico (some snippets):

SAN FRANCISCO — President Joe Biden will campaign for Gov. Gavin Newsom in California ahead of the Sept. 14 recall vote, Newsom said Thursday.

“I'm humbled by the fact the president will be out here soon," Newsom told reporters during a campaign stop in San Francisco's Chinatown district.

While the White House pledged last month to offer Newsom campaign support with expected visits by Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the unraveling situation in Afghanistan upended those plans.

The optics of a cross-country campaign appearance could be poor for Biden as the president continues to face heavy criticism over Afghanistan. The president's poll numbers have plunged nationally after the Taliban seized control of the country as American troops exited.

 To read more, go here.

Saturday of Labor Day Weekend

Above, along with a fire, enjoying a glass of gewurztraminer.

Saturday of this Labor Day weekend was a relaxing and enjoyable one for me.

The day started with the Jamestown gang gathered at Denny's at the Flying J and breakfast. Following that, I did some Jeep driving around the community. 

Later, I headed into Gallup for some sushi at Zen Steak & Sushi restaurant. It had been a while since I was last there. After dinner, I did some grocery shopping before heading home. As expected, traffic was all tied up on eastbound Interstate 40 due to the road construction near our Exit 39. The work is expected to be completed this month (I'm not holding my breath on that). Since I anticipated that, I took Historic Route 66 to the Iyanbito bridge from Gallup and saved a lot of time in getting home.

That evening, I was looking over Barking Spider Acre to see if it needed mowing. I figured it could wait another week. While outside, I had a nice chat with my neighbor Mike, who was mowing his yard. 

Above, it was a perfect evening for a fire. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Once our chat was done, I decided that a fire in the firepit was in order, so I started one. I sat out by the file with a glass of Gewürztraminer wine. 

Since it was the last fire log I had, I will probably head into Thoreau to pick up some more today.  

Double-decker Shinkansen Cars To Be Retired

Above, a cleaning crew waits to be given the go-ahead to clean the Joetsu Shinkansen
double-decker train in the background at Tokyo Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my 2010 trip to Japan, I took an excursion to Niigata to see the Sea of Japan side of Honshu for the fun of it.

I rode the Joetsu Shinkansen to Niigata. It was a double-decker train.

The Japan News (Yomiuri Shimbun) reports that the double-decker Shinkansen cars will be retired October 1.

They wrote:

The E4 series of Shinkansen trains — known for their Max Toki and Max Tanigawa services on the Joetsu Shinkansen line — will retire after their final run on Oct. 1.

The E4 are the only double-decker Shinkansen trains in Japan. Social media accounts operated by East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) have been flooded with messages from passengers and fans, describing their memories of trips and expressing their appreciation.

JR East is planning events and selling commemorative goods on an unusually large scale. Fans and the railway company are united in their desire to send the trains off in style.

The E4 series Shinkansen trains were first introduced to the Tohoku Shinkansen line in 1997 and to the Joetsu Shinkansen line in 2001. The 16-car trains had a seating capacity of 1,634, the most of any high-speed train in the world.

Age and speed were cited as the reasons for retiring the double-decker cars.

To read more, go here. 

San Francisco's "Cash For Criminals"

California constantly lives up to its "Land of Fruits and Nuts" image.

The latest is an insane "pilot program" in San Francisco (the looniest city in the state) to pay people not to shoot other people. In other words, "Cash For Criminals".

The city of Richmond already has a similar program.

From Fox News:

San Francisco is rolling out a pilot program that will pay high-risk individuals to not shoot anyone as gun crimes tick up in the city. 

"These small investments can transform the lives of individuals, but they can also transform communities," Sheryl Davis, executive director of the Human Rights Commission, told Newsweek.

The Dream Keeper Fellowship will pay 10 individuals who are at high risk of being on either end of a shooting $300 each month to not be involved in such crimes. 

I bet the taxpayers there are very happy over this!

In Dirty Harry (1971) the mayor of San Francisco (John Vernon) said:

The City of San Francisco does not pay criminals not to commit crimes. Instead, we pay a police department.

When I heard about this "Cash For Criminals" program a few days ago, the above lines came immediately to mind. A lot has sure changed since then.

To read more, go here. 

Buyers' Remorse: 20% Regret Voting For Biden

There's a lot of buyers' remorse going on.

As His Fraudulency Joe Biden bumbles along creating crises after crises, people who actually did vote for him (not counting the bogus votes) regret doing so.

A new Zogby Poll is out and it is not good news for His Fraudulency.

According to the Washington Examiner:

Millions of people are reconsidering their vote for President Joe Biden last year as they see him hobble through a growing stack of national problems.

The latest Zogby Poll provided to Secrets said that 20% “regret voting for President Biden.”

Remarkably, 21% of Democrats expressed regret, as did 29% of his Republican voters. The overall hit to Biden was tempered by independents, of which just 14% said they wanted their vote back.

The Zogby Analytics survey is rich with details of who is abandoning Biden.

Actually, I think the numbers of people regretting their vote is higher.

People may regret voting for Biden now, but they only provide proof to the old saying, Stupid People Shouldn't Be Allowed To Vote. 

As pundit Laura Ingraham put it:

If Trump were here, gas would be $2.00/gal, the border would be enforced, 13 service members would be alive, unemployment would be down…just for starters.

To read more, go here.

10 Things That May Shock Foreigners In Japan

Above, the famous Shibuya Crossing (or Shibuya Scramble) in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of these days, COVID-19 will be history and people will be able to travel again to Japan. Until then, all we can do now is look over different articles on Japan travel and yearn for the days when we all can experience them for ourselves.

With that in mind, Sugoii Japan has posted an article on ten things that may shock foreigners when they visit Japan.

They begin it with:

Japan is a country of contrasts. It’s one of the most densely populated countries in the world, but it also boasts some of the largest expanses of uninhabited land. The culture is steeped with tradition, but Japanese society has changed rapidly over the last few decades. It’s also one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world with innovations such as bullet trains, robots and talking toilets. But what do you really know about this fascinating country? 

We’re going to take a look at 10 things that (might) shock foreigners in Japan.

To see what they are, go here. 

How 9/11 Changed Air Travel

Above, Godzilla at the 2001 Tokyo International Film Festival. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One week from today, it will be 20 years since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the U.S.

As the attacks were carried out by using airline planes as weapons, drastic security changes at the nation's airports were implemented and they are still with us today.

My first trip to Japan was a month later in late October 2001. At that time, the airports had National Guard soldiers stationed in the terminals. My mom told me that travelers had to be at the airport four hours before boarding. Well, that was unnecessary, as it turned out. So I spent over three hours in the United Airlines terminal at LAX bored stiff. LAX was almost like a ghost town in the terminal.

At least the rest of the trip went well (even despite getting a 24-hour flu bug while there) and I attended the Tokyo International Film Festival's premiere screening of Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack.

Japan Today posted an article on how 9/11 changed air travel and how we have more security and less privacy.

They start it with:

DALLAS - Ask anyone old enough to remember travel before Sept 11, 2001, and you're likely to get a gauzy recollection of what flying was like.

There was security screening, but it wasn’t anywhere near as intrusive. There were no long checkpoint lines. Passengers and their families could walk right to the gate together, postponing goodbye hugs until the last possible moment. Overall, an airport experience meant far less stress.

That all ended when four hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania.

The worst terror attack on American soil led to increased and sometimes tension-filled security measures in airports across the world, aimed at preventing a repeat of that awful day. The cataclysm has also contributed to other changes large and small that have reshaped the airline industry — and, for consumers, made air travel more stressful than ever.

Two months after the attacks, President George W. Bush signed legislation creating the Transportation Security Administration, a force of federal airport screeners that replaced the private companies that airlines were hiring to handle security. The law required that all checked bags be screened, cockpit doors be reinforced, and more federal air marshals be put on flights.

There has not been another 9/11. Nothing even close. But after that day, flying changed forever.

To read more, go here. 

Ice Cream Run To The Flying J

This evening, I had a sweet tooth attack and decided to hop into the Jeep and head down to the Flying J to pick up a pint of ice cream.

After selecting it (Breyer's vanilla), I went over to the casher to pay for it.

When it was my turn to pay, the conversation between the clerk and I went like this:

Clerk: Just the ice cream?

Me: Yes, that's all.

Clerk: Would you like a spoon?

Me: No thanks. Just a bag, please. So I can feed it to my horse.

Clerk: Laughing. 

She must've believed me. She gave me a large shopping bag.

Air Force One: 20 Years At The Reagan Library

Above, Air Force One on Father's Day 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is hard to believe that 20 years have passed since the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library took possession of Air Force One 27000.

I have visited Air Force One at the Reagan Library at least four times over the years.

Above, after a job interview in Thousand Oaks, I stopped in at the Reagan Library.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute posted the following on Facebook:

This September 8th marks the 20th anniversary of the Reagan Foundation taking ownership (via permanent loan) of Air Force One 27000, which now proudly sits on display in the Reagan Library’s Air Force One Pavilion. Join us virtually on September 8th for a panel discussion as we commemorate this historic day. The panel includes Jim Hooley, President Reagan’s Director of Advance, LtCol Steve Chealander, one of President Reagan’s Military Aides, and Jim Robinson, the Air Force One Pilot who flew 27000 on September 8, 2001.

https://www.reaganfoundation.org/.../online-at-the.../

The program promises to be an interesting one.

Labor Day Weekend Weather

Above, the corral at the entrance into Six Mile Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As usually the case, I am spending Labor Day weekend at home instead of trying to fend off crowds at some campground somewhere.

What I will likely do is drive the Jeep in Six Mile Canyon, since it is so handy. We have two and a half months left to be able to drive into Six Mile Canyon before it is closed for the winter on December 15.

The weather is starting to cool down here. It is most noticeable at night, but now the daytime temperatures a cooling a bit as we head towards autumn (September 22).

At least Labor Day weekend will be comfortable.

According to the National Weather Service:

Today

Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Saturday

Isolated showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 81. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 53.

Labor Day

Sunny, with a high near 83.

Anybody Google Taliban Leaders Lately?

This is interesting.

Travel + Leisure: 10 Best Fall Vacations

Above, Jackson Hole and the Snake River. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The autumn equinox arrives on September 22, but that doesn't mean that taking a vacation then is out of the question.

On the contrary, it is a great time to take a vacation.

Travel + Leisure has posted an article on the 10 best fall vacations for every kind of traveler.

They start it with:

Crisp, cool weather and brightly colored foliage make fall the perfect time to travel. Whether you head to the mountains to spot the changing leaves or flock to sunny shores to soak up a few more days on the beach before winter sets in, we've rounded up the best fall vacations for every type of traveler. Cooler temperatures and fewer tourists make destinations like New York City and Maui ideal for fall getaways, and outdoor adventures await near Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Flagstaff, Arizona, where you'll be just a short drive from some of the country's best national parks.

Travel restrictions and guidelines are changing as the coronavirus pandemic continues to evolve, so be sure to check with any destinations, hotels, or attractions to ensure they'll be open when you visit.

Here are the 10 best fall vacations for your next autumn getaway.

To see them, go here. 

Zion's Old Shuttles and There's No Money To Replace Them

Above, a shuttle bus comes into view as I was photographing The Watchman. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Zion National Park in Utah has shuttles available for park visitors to use and to keep the canyon unclogged from cars.

It is unknown how long the shuttles will be available. They are at least 20 years old and the park desperately needs to replace them.

According to the Associated Press:

ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) — Every day, packed shuttles chug through Zion National Park carrying thousands of hikers, bikers, tourists and locals into the country’s third most visited National Park.

The nearly 40 buses they have on hand have carried passengers since 2000, and haven’t been replaced since, much to the dismay of visitors and park officials alike, the Spectrum newspaper reports.

Between the upkeep and many repairs, 79% of all park entrance fees go toward just keeping the shuttles running, totaling to about $5 million a year. Though, new estimates suggest that number is nearing closer to 65%.

These buses are not even manufactured anymore, forcing the rangers to cannibalize broken down buses for parts, or even buy them off of eBay.

Not to mention the noise and emissions caused by running that many propane buses up and down a scenic, serene canyon, which disturbs wildlife.

Zion is not ignorant of these problems. They’ve been desperately trying to secure federal funding to replace the shuttles since 2017.

But Zion has been repeatedly denied this urgent funding by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and Zion’s partners don’t know why.

To read more, go here. 

Rainy Season Unleashed With Fury

Above, the monsoon season brought out interesting and plentiful wildflowers. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Until this year's monsoon season (June through September) kicked in, we were pretty parched in the Southwest.

Once it did kick in, it seemed as if we'd be needing to build arks.

Spectrum News posted an article on this year's monsoon, which turned out to be the best one in years.

They begin it with:

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — After two bone-dry years that sank the U.S. Southwest deeper into drought, this summer's rainy season unleashed with fury.

Monsoon storms have brought spectacular lightning shows, bounties of wildflowers and mushrooms, and record rainfall to the region's deserts. They've also brought destruction, flooding streets and homes, and leading to some swift water rescues and more than a dozen deaths.

It's a remarkable reversal from 2019 and 2020, when the annual period known simply as “the monsoon” left the region parched. The seasonal weather pattern that runs from mid-June through September brings high hopes for rain, but the moisture isn't guaranteed.

“That traumatized a lot of us here in the Southwest, really worried if the monsoon was broken,” said Mike Crimmins, a climatologist at the University of Arizona. “And then here 2021 monsoon comes along, and it’s almost like we’re trying to make up for the last two seasons.”

Will this year's monsoon season mean that we'll be having heavier snows this autumn and winter? We shall see.

To read the full article and see a photo gallery, go here.

Bull Rider Amadeu Silva Tribute

On Sunday, a young bull rider from Brazil was killed in Fresno, California by a bull. 

I posted about it in a post on how dangerous bull riding is and how some steps are being taken to make it safer. 

Yesterday, The Punk Rock Farmer posted this memorial tribute (with the above image) to Amadeu Silva on Facebook:

A few days before his 23rd birthday Amadeu Silva was fatally injured in a rodeo accident. Rodeo has its roots in Agriculture and still maintains that relevance today. Prayers go out to his friends, family and all of the PBR Family.

“Amadeu was a dreamer even before he started competing as a bull rider.

He was 7 years old when he approached a ranch owner in Brazil in search of work. Amadeu may have always been a somewhat shy little boy, but he was extremely polite and could become friends with anyone.

The 7-year-old had learned his family was about to be evicted from their home, and he wanted to see if he could help milk the cows on the ranch so that his family could live in an empty house that he saw on the property.

The owner approached Amadeu’s parents and asked if this was true, and he decided to give the family work and a home.

“His father told us Amadeu was born a man,” said Vieira, who was one of a group of riders who visited and prayed with Amadeu’s parents in Sunset, Texas, on Sunday night once the family was informed of their son’s tragic passing.

“Amadeu has always been responsible since he was young,” Vieira continued. “He always helped the family. When he started earning money he would come home and ask his mother, ‘What do we have to pay for? I have money here.’”

Check out this link to read about his life and passion for rodeo: https://pbr.com/.../the-pbr-community-reflects-on-the.../... #farmordie

1Armand Vaquer

Avoiding 6 Common RV Buying Mistakes

Above, my motorhome was just the right size and fit in my parking space with my car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A lot of people when making a big purchase jump in feet first without doing some research and live to regret it later. This includes buying an RV.

The Florida News Times has posted an article on "6 Common RV Buying Mistakes and How To Avoid Them". 

Thankfully, I avoided those mistakes as I was a RV owner before and knew what I wanted. Before even making an offer on my 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R, I went out to my parking space at the apartment building I was living at with a tape measure to see how much space I had available. I bought accordingly.

I knew what I wanted to spend and the dealer and I settled on a price only $1,000 over my initial offer. I was very pleased. 

The article begins with:

The Recreational Vehicle (RV) industry in the United States is on fire. In fact, the RV market is valued at more than $42 billion. Experts forecast that the industry will grow by 7% over the next four years.

This should come as no surprise given the dynamics of the travel industry since 2020. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, people are avoiding crowded airports and travel destinations. Instead, they are turning to the great outdoors and an RV is the perfect mode of transportation.

Read on to learn about avoiding RV buying mistakes. Explore 6 common mistakes that consumers make when purchasing new and used RVs.

To read more, go here. 

Biden's "Extraordinary Success" Left Americans Behind

Whatever His Fraudulency Joe Biden is smoking, we should all have some in order to endure the worst humiliation in our history.

Joe Biden called his withdrawal from Afghanistan an "extraordinary success", but Americans were left behind and pled to be rescued.

That's according to an angry Army colonel.

The Gateway Pundit reported:

Joe Biden on Tuesday said his botched withdrawal which resulted in the deaths of 13 US service members and hundreds, if not thousands of stranded Americans was an “extraordinary success.”

However, text messages between US military commanders and private citizens paint a different picture.

“We are fucking abandoning American citizens,” said an Army colonel assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division in secret text messages leaked to Just the News:

The text messages and emails were provided to Just the News by Michael Yon, a former Special Forces soldier and war correspondent who was among the private citizens working with private networks and the military to rescue stranded Americans.

Yon told Just the News that a group of Americans were abandoned at the Kabul airport, pleading for help as military officials told them they were finished with evacuations.

“We had them out there waving their passport screaming, ‘I’m American,'” Yon said Tuesday while appearing on the John Solomon Reports podcast. -Just The News

To read more, go here. 

Barking Spider Road Came Through The Storm Unscathed

Above, Barking Spider Road after today's rain. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today was a rainy day for the most part.

Generally, it was a light, but steady rain. But we did get some downpours lasting several minutes. This was good for the plants outside. But it concerned me as I just got Barking Spider Road resurfaced.

After the rains stopped, I went out to see how well the new surfacing held up.

As it turned out, it was just fine. There was some water collected in the drainage ditches along the road. 

Above, Barking Spider Road came through the storm just fine. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a relief to see that Barking Spider Road made it through with flying colors.

The latest from the National Weather Service:

In the Southwest, remnant moisture from [Hurricane] Nora continue to aid in the development of heavy showers and thunderstorms that could lead to flash flooding in spots this evening. A Slight Risk is in place for much of the Four Corners region with Arizona, western New Mexico, and southern Utah most at risk for flash flooding.

Martin Link To Be On KYAT-FM Sunday Morning

Gallup historian (and host of our monthly dinner gatherings) Martin Link and the rest of the committee working to preserve Fort Wingate will be guests on "Impact" on KYAT-FM 94.5 to discuss the progress being made on their preservation efforts. The show starts at 6:00 AM.

Above, Martin Link. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I am an early riser, I should be able to listen to the program. Link told us last Sunday that progress has been made on their preservation efforts of Fort Wingate.

About KYAT-FM:

Today’s Navajo County is on 94.5 FM K-YA-T. This one of a kind station provides the best access to the predominant “buying demos” in this market. The audience is comprised of active consumers with both first-time big-ticket purchases and participation in entertainment activities. The format is full of energy and connects with its audience through Navajo language announcing 24-7. Navajo County blends currents, re-currents, and 70s and 80s country hits to create a mix that sizzles.

Navajo Nation Coronavirus Cases Declining

Above, inside a Navajo hogan in Monument Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Navajo Nation is cautiously optimistic that they may have turned the corner as the number of new coronavirus cases decline.

According to Fronteras Desk:

The number of COVID-19 cases reported on the Navajo Nation soared throughout July and August, but the outbreak on the reservation now appears to be slowing. 

Two weeks ago, the reservation was averaging 49 new infections per day. Now the average is 39 cases per day. But the Navajo Nation still reports uncontrolled spread in dozens of communities on the reservation. 

"It’s not time to celebrate," Navajo president Jonathan Nez said in a town hall video Tuesday. "Continue to do what we’ve been doing for the past few weeks." 

The reservation still has a mask requirement, many business restrictions, and limits on in-person gatherings. Nez said those precautions are helping.

To read more, go here. 

Dollar At ¥110.40 In Tokyo

Now that we're in September, it is time to take a look at how the U.S. dollar is faring against the Japanese yen in Tokyo foreign exchange trading, not that anyone can go to Japan for a vacation trip just yet.

Japan is currently (again) under a state of emergency due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

But, according to Jiji Press:

Tokyo, Sept. 1 (Jiji Press)--The dollar strengthened to around 110.40 yen in Tokyo trading Wednesday, backed by higher U.S. interest rates and Japanese stocks.

At 5 p.m., the dollar stood at 110.40-40 yen, up from 109.81-82 yen at the same time Tuesday.

To read more, go here. 

Rainy Day

Above, the deck this morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It has been lightly raining all morning.

This is due to the remnants of Hurricane Nora coming into the area from the Gulf of Mexico. We are now under a Flash Flood Watch until midnight Thursday. 

The rains may get heavier as the day progresses. 

According to the National Weather Service:

 Today

Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 69. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9pm. Areas of fog after 3am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

BuzzFeed: 18 Overrated Tourist Destinations In America

Above, described as "horrific", Las Vegas made the list. Photo by ArmandVaquer.

Travel is the prime method for seeing the rest of the country and places around the world (that is, if you can afford it) for yourself.

Like anything else, some tourist destinations are better than others. Some should be avoided at all costs.

That's what an article posted by BuzzFeed is about. They have listed 18 destinations that should be avoided. One in the list I would have to disagree with, and that is the Roswell International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell, New Mexico. I actually enjoyed it. I visited it three years ago during the annual UFO Festival.

That aside, I don't have any other disagreements with their list. The first one listed is Hollywood Blvd. They titled it,  "Hollywood Boulevard. It's crowded and smells like pee." Yes, that is quite an accurate description!

They begin the list with:

The United States is one of the top-visited countries in the world. But are the popular tourist destinations that bring flocks of people — both internationally and domestically — worth the hype? Lets take a looksy at this Reddit thread started by u/EggsAndBeerKegs to find out! Here are 18 US tourist destinations people say you really shouldn't bother seeing:

To see the whole list, go here. 

Tips For First-Time RV Drivers

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

Over the years, different websites have posted tips on RV travel. For the most part, I've presented them here with links. Some are better than others and some are repetitious.

The Washington Times Herald (Indiana, not D.C.) has posted some good tips for first-time RVers.

They start off with:

Whether it’s the welcoming weather or the chance to follow a favorite football team or, of course, the awe-inspiring foliage, fall compels many people to hit the open road. A car or truck might suffice for a day trip or weekend getaway, but those who want to travel more extensively often do so in an RV.

Recreational vehicles, or RVs, provide a taste of home away from home for millions of people every year. RVs allow people to visit even the most remote locations without having to worry about finding food or lodging. As welcoming as the interior of an RV can be, it’s also easy for first-time RV drivers to feel a little intimidated. RVs are the largest vehicles many people will ever operate, and even long-time drivers will likely need some time to adjust. That adjustment period can go smoothly if drivers take steps to grow more comfortable behind the wheel before embarking on their trips.

To read more, go here.