U.S. Airlines Most Likely to Delay or Cancel Your Flight

Above, Twin Falls Magic Valley Regional Airport in 2020. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The past several airline trips have soured me to flying.

With the exception of the Dallas/Fort Worth trip in January (in and out of Love Field in Dallas), I've had flights delayed (causing me to miss my connection flight) or outright cancelled. I don't (somewhat) count my overnight stranding in Salt Lake City in July as all airlines had to deal with severe thunderstorms practically everywhere.

Travel + Leisure has posted an article on the airlines and airports that are more likely to delay or cancel flights.

They start it with:

It's been a rough few weeks for airlines. Between bad weather and crew shortages, some major air carriers have made headlines, as they've had to delay or cancel hundreds of flights, leaving passengers stranded. As travel revs up ahead of the holiday season, potential passengers may be wondering where to hedge their bets when it comes to avoiding a vacation-ruining delay.

That's where The Family Vacation Guide comes in. Using data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), the website's newest study reveals the U.S. airlines and airports that most often experience delays. For frequent fliers and newbie alike, it may come as no surprise that even the biggest and most equipped airlines and airports are still prone to these scheduling issues.

To read the full article, go here. 

White House Say Illegal Alien Payments "Happening"

The Biden Administration cannot seem to get their act together, which is not a surprise since it is comprised of leftist lunatics.

Now they have mixed messages on whether or not illegal immigrants are receiving $450,000 from the govenment.

Rep. Yvette Herrell (R-NM) posted this on Twitter:

 

When You're Fully Vaccinated

Two weeks have passed since I received my Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot.

I became curious about the vaccine and booster and decided to check the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.

In a nutshell, in regards to the vaccine, the CDC says:

COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting you from getting sick. Based on what we know about COVID-19 vaccines, people who have been fully vaccinated can do things that they had stopped doing because of the pandemic.

These recommendations can help you make decisions about daily activities after you are fully vaccinated. They are not intended for healthcare settings.

In general, people are considered fully vaccinated: ±

• 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 

• 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

If you don’t meet these requirements, regardless of your age, you are NOT fully vaccinated. Keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated.

 In regards to the booster (from Johns Hopkins Medicine):

What is a COVID-19 vaccine booster?

A COVID booster shot is an additional dose of a vaccine given after the protection provided by the original shot(s) has begun to decrease over time. Typically, you would get a booster after the immunity from the initial dose(s) naturally starts to wane. The booster is designed to help people maintain their level of immunity for longer.

 

ELVIS and The USS Arizona Documentary On PBS This Month

PBS will be airing a new documentary, Elvis and The USS Arizona this month.

According to Elvis News Examiner:

This year, Presley will finally get the historical recognition he deserves with a new documentary by the World War II Foundation called Elvis and The USS Arizona. In addition, filmmaker Tim Gray, the president of the foundation, is organizing the creation of a memorial plaque to be displayed in Honolulu to bring awareness to Presley’s role. Funds for the plaque will rely on public donations. 

Above, the USS Arizona Memorial in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

And from the Always Elvis Fan Club:

Elvis was already heading to Hawaii to film a movie called Blue Hawaii. Col. Parker asked Elvis if he would consider holding a benefit concert at Pearl Harbor to help move the USS Arizona Memorial project forward. Elvis did not hesitate and said “yes” right away. Elvis already had a strong connection to Hawaii and was just coming out of the United States Army himself. The planning commission’s work continued.

On March 25th, 1961 Pearl Harbor’s Bloch Arena, which had hosted the “Battle of the Bands” between the battleships anchored at Pearl Harbor on the evening of December 6th, 1941, was chosen as the location to host the Elvis Presley USS Arizona Memorial benefit concert. The ghosts still echoed in old Bloch Arena from the “Battle of the Bands” on Battleship Row, especially since the entire USS Arizona band died on December 7, 1941, during the attack on battleship row.

The concert was sold out. Even the opening acts before Elvis took the stage (such as Minnie Pearl) had to buy their tickets. It was Elvis’s return to performing and there was no better cause one could imagine.

Airing on PBS stations throughout November check your local PBS listings for dates and times in your area.

 

The New Mexico (where I live) PBS will be showing it Monday, November 8 at 8:00 PM

"A Fistful of Dollars" Dubbed In Navajo To Be Screened

Here's something interesting I've come across.

Clint Eastwood's A Fistful of Dollars (1964) has been dubbed in Navajo and is to play in venues in the Navajo Nation starting November 16.

According to Tucson.com:

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Manuelito Wheeler isn't sure exactly why Navajo elders admire Western films.

It could be that many of them were treated to the films in boarding schools off the reservation decades ago. Or, like his father, they told stories of gathering around a television growing up to watch gunslingers in a battle against good and evil on familiar-looking landscapes.

Whatever the reason, Navajo elders have been asking Wheeler to dub a Western in the Navajo language ever since “Star Wars IV: A New Hope” was translated into Navajo and released in 2013.

The result? “Béeso Dah Yiníłjaa’” or “A Fistful of Dollars,” an iconic Western starring Clint Eastwood who plays a stranger — known as “The Man With No Name” — entering a Mexican village among a power struggle between families. The 1964 flick is the first in a trilogy of spaghetti Westerns produced and directed by Italians.

Unlike many other Westerns produced in the U.S., it has no Native Americans in it. That appealed to Wheeler, the director of the Navajo Nation Museum.

“A Fistful of Dollars” is the third major film dubbed in Navajo, an effort financed by the tribe to preserve the language. Elbert Jumbo voiced Bruce the shark and another fish in the Navajo version of “Finding Nemo,” released in 2016.

To read the full article, go here. 

Back From Albuquerque; No Signs of Any Gas Shortage

A little while ago, I got home from a trek to Albuquerque to pick up my mini-bike.

While we were in town, we also stopped at Cabela's where Larry Lucier exchanged a vest that was too large that he bought last week. When he was doing that, I bought 100 rounds of 9mm ammo (they had about 4 boxes of 9mm on the shelf).

After Cabela's we went to the nearby (or somewhat nearby) Cracker Barrel restaurant for turkey dinner.

When we finished dinner, we then got on the road to head back to Jamestown.

A friend posted Richard Griffin's Facebook post about gas shortages along Interstate 40 (the highway we took back home) between Texas and California.

It reads:

Happening now at all TA/Petros from Texas to California might just be across I-40 because Amarillo Santa Rosa and Holbrook were only allowing 60 gallons even though Kingman was out of fuel Monday night and Tonopah Arizona was out of fuel last night. not sure about any other fuel stops

We didn't have any problem getting fuel on this trip on Interstate 40. We stopped at Dancing Eagle Casino's travel center after leaving Albuquerque for fuel and saw no signs indicating any gas shortage or limitations for same. We drove Larry's bus on this trip as it had plenty of room for the mini-bike.

But, it is worth keeping an eye out for. 

Basic RV Etiquette

Above, Marin RV Park in Greenbrae, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As in all things in life, there's good, courteous people and then there's some schlubs in the RV travel world.

Thankfully, there are more in the the former category than in the latter one. When people are packed in RV parks like sardines, having thoughtful people around makes things more pleasant.

RV Travel has an article on basic RV etiquette that isn't always talked about.

They start it off with:

We all learned the “magic words” as a kid. Do you want a piece of pie? What are the magic words? “Please” and “thank you.” “Magic words” and other proper manners were taught to most of us as we grew up. In the spirit of “never stop learning new things,” I recently learned a few rules of etiquette about RVing that I hadn’t known before. Here they are. (Please. Add to my list. Thank you!)

 To see what they are, go here.

Hawaii Loosens International Tourist Requirements

Above, performers at a Honolulu luau. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In four more days, the state of Hawaii will be welcoming international tourists

But, there will be some required things to do before one can board a flight to the islands.

According to CTV News (Canada):

The U.S. state of Hawaii will accept all vaccinated international travellers under new federal requirements that are set to come into effect Nov. 8.

A statement Tuesday from Hawaii Gov. David Ige says non-U.S. citizens travelling directly to the state from an international destination must show both a vaccination record and negative COVID-19 test result – either a NAAT (nucleic acid amplification test) or antigen – within three days of boarding a flight.

Airlines will screen passengers prior to their departure. Foreign passengers who fail to meet both requirements will not be allowed to board their flight.

However, the state will not apply any other requirements for passengers flying directly into Hawaii from an international destination.

Similar rules will apply for U.S. citizens flying to Hawaii internationally.

 To read more, go here.

Today Is Godzilla Day!

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios in Setagaya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 1983, my mom grumbled about King Kong's 50th anniversary. You see, she and Kong arrived in 1933. She groused, "I wish they didn't make such a big deal of this, it's reminding me of my age!"

Well, I had somewhat a similar feeling in 2004 when it was Godzilla's 50th anniversary. I was born in 1954 and Godzilla arrived on the scene (in Japanese theaters) on November 3, 1954. Since I was involved in some of the stateside festivities in 2004, it really didn't bother me too much.

Well, this year (today, to be exact), Toho International and Godzilla fans are celebrating Godzilla's 67th anniversary (or birthday, if you prefer).

According to The Pop Insider:

Today, Nov. 3, is all about The King of the Monsters — It’s Godzilla Day!

This year, Toho International is celebrating this iconic kaiju with a variety of new products and events for fans. To start, today kicks off a month-long series of Godzilla screenings at Alamo Drafthouse locations across the country — Learn more about that here!

So, let's raise a glass to the King of the Monsters!

To read more, go here. 

RV Snowbirding Tips

Above, The Beast at Lake Havasu, which is a popular snowbird destination. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tuesday, December 21, 2021.

What's the significance of this date? It is the first day of winter. For those in northern latitudes, that means cold and snowy weather. Before that hits, many people head south for the winter to warmer climates.

They are called snowbirds.

RV Life has some tips (ten of them) for those who plan to snowbird this winter.

They begin with: 

The definition of an RV snowbird is someone who moves from the northern area of the country to a southern state in the winter. Snowbirds can be retired people, work campers, or anyone who moves back and forth seasonally.

RV snowbirding used to be made up of primarily retired people, but these days, it can be just about anyone. We move our “home” from one place to another about every six months, avoiding any winter weather if we can. There are, however, a few things that I don’t have to be concerned about since my home is always with me.

Check out these RV snowbirding tips to make your trip safer and less stressful, whether you are full time in your RV or spend part of the year in your home.

To read more, go here. 

There's Some Good Election News In Albuquerque

 

DAN LEWIS RECAPTURES ALBUQUERQUE CITY COUNCIL SEAT   REPUBLICANS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HOLD MAJORITY ON COUNCIL   Albuquerque, November 3—Former Albuquerque City Councilor Dan Lewis is heading back to City Hall. Lewis defeated incumbent Cynthia Borrego last night with 52% percent of the vote.    Lewis’s victory means another conservative voice will be on City Council. He represents District 5 in Northwest Albuquerque. Lewis served as City Councilor from 2009-2017.   Lewis says he’s honored voters put their faith in him again and pledges to bring more accountability to city government.   “I look forward to working with the administration, but we must make sure we have checks and balances,” said Lewis. “We must hold the administration accountable and really take a look at spending and priorities. I also really want to improve road infrastructure in my district and to work at getting my constituents a better quality of life.”   Lewis’s win swings Council to the right, and there’s now an opportunity for a power change. Republicans have a chance to hold the majority of seats.   Two other Republican candidates ran strong campaigns and will be in runoffs next month.    City Councilor candidate Lori Robertson in District 7 received 32% of the vote. That district is in the Northeast Heights.     “We have a great opportunity for big change at City Hall,” said Robertson. “We need to get people to go out and vote in the runoff election. There’s never been a greater opportunity for conservative voices to be heard on City Council. It’s so important to make sure people get out and vote.”   City Council candidate Renee Grout in District 9 got 43%. That district is in the Southeast Heights and Foothills.    “I’m so grateful to my family, our volunteers and all the voters who supported me. We still have a lot of work to do,” said Grout. “We will continue to campaign hard, and I look forward to serving our great city.”   Both Robertson and Grout ran strong campaigns and got out their conservative message.   If Robertson and Grout win their runoffs, Albuquerque’s City Council would hold a Republican majority for the first time since 2013.   The runoff election is December 7.

Metropolis Five Years Ago

Above, The Beast at the Superman statue in Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is hard to believe that it was five years ago today that I reached Metropolis, Illinois to attend the memorial service/celebration of life for Noel Neill.

This was the longest trip to date (and it still holds that record for me) I have taken anywhere. It totaled three weeks long. I drove from L.A. to Metropolis in The Beast and it was this trip that I became enchanted with the Gallup, New Mexico area. I returned a year later and ended up buying my ranchette.

From Metropolis, I headed down to Memphis, Tennessee to visit Graceland and Sun Studio and then back to Illinois to see the Lincoln attractions.

From there, I went to Topeka, Kansas and met with Greg Smith and then to Abilene, Kansas to see the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library.

After that, I went to Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon before heading back home.

That was quite a trip.

Standard Time Returns Sunday Morning

For those insomniacs out there, you'll get an extra hour of tossing and turning or sleep come this Saturday night/Sunday morning when we turn our clocks back one hour.

Yes, that's when Standard Time returns.  

Officially, it changes at 2:00 am.

Tim Keller Re-Elected Albuquerque Mayor

It has been said that people get the government they deserve.

Well, that's not entirely true since there are those who steadfastly oppose the elected officials who manage to screw up their lives with crazy laws and regulations.

Such is the case with the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico where incumbent Mayor Tim Keller was re-elected to another term last night. Bear in mind that Albuquerque is the most populous area in New Mexico and a Democrat stronghold.

KRQE reported:

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Incumbent Tim Keller has secured the victory in the Albuquerque mayoral race taking a swift lead over opponents, Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel Gonzales and Conservative radio host, Eddy Aragon, with nearly 60% of the vote. 

Just before 9 p.m. on Tuesday, KRQE News 13 called the race with Keller gaining well over 50% of the early voting numbers which is enough to avoid a runoff. Voters came out in strong support, electing Keller for another four-year term. Unofficial results show incumbent Keller pulling off the win with 56% of the vote with Sheriff Gonzales coming in second with 26%.

I'm just glad that I don't live in Albuquerque.

To read more, go here. 

Republican Glenn Youngkin Wins Virginia Gubernatorial Race

 

Mail From Bond, James Bond

 A little while ago, I returned from picking up my mail at the post office in the Flying J travel center.

Included in the stack of mail was an envelope from Sweden. It was the management company who handles former James Bond actor George Lazenby, who starred as Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969). On Her Majesty's Secret Service is considered to be one of the best Bond movies produced by Eon Productions/United Artists.

Inside the boarded envelope was an autographed 8 x 10" photograph of Lazenby as James Bond from the movie.

Lazenby was picked to play Bond after Sean Connery stepped down from the role (but he returned in Diamonds Are Forever).

Here's the photo:

I will have the photo framed when the autographed photo of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans arrives. I won that one through an online auction.

Fight Back Facebook's Climate Change Propaganda

It little while ago, I posted about New Mexico Governor "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham's trip to the UN climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland.

When I posted the link to the blog post, Facebook added this little notice to it:

Well, that doesn't bother me as we independent anti-propaganda thinkers can simply add this little notice in response (feel free to copy and save for future use and have some fun):

"Grishy the Clown" At UN Climate Change Conference

If there's one thing New Mexico's citizens can count on is Gov. "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham's fondness for living "high on the hog" at the taxpayers' expense.

The latest is her little junket to Scotland to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference. To get there, Her Majesty left a nice carbon footprint from her flight there.

It's really pointless for her to be there. All they are is a bunch of elitists sitting around echoing each other with their climate change bullplop.

According to Piñon Post:

On Monday, scandal-ridden alleged serial groper Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham tweeted from Scotland of her participation in the globalist “climate change” summit being held in Glasgow, which is features elites from other countries who no doubt flew there in CO2-consuming jets, just like the embattled Governor.

Lujan Grisham wrote on Twitter, “I’m honored to be at @COP26 this week, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, representing New Mexico and the work we’ve done to achieve climate solutions on the world stage.”

“I am so proud of the work we have done in under three years, including nationally leading emissions reductions rules for the oil and gas industry, requiring 100% clean electricity by 2045, implementing new energy-efficient building codes, and so much more.” This is referring to Lujan Grisham’s Green New Deal, also known as the“Energy Transition Act,” which aims to completely wipe out the oil and gas industry by 2045.

Lujan Grisham’s attendance at the elite event comes as multiple crises are exploding in New Mexico, including a crime epidemic in Albuquerque, one of the highest positive virus testing rates in the nation, one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, and a pivotal November 2 municipal election right around the corner. The Governor’s extreme pandemic orders still remain in place, including forcibly masking children at school and requiring masks at all times indoors, except when eating or drinking.

No, there's no truth to the rumor that "Grishy the Clown" is in Scotland to provide the entertainment.

To read more, go here. 

RPNM: Today Is Election Day

 

TODAY IS ELECTION DAY! GET OUT AND VOTE!

Election Day is here! Voters are flocking to the polls to cast their ballots in local elections to elect candidates and decide ballot referenda. It's vital you get out and vote. Let's get conservatives into office at the local level and help turn New Mexico red. Voters across the state are electing mayors, council members and school borad candidates in municipal elections. The Republican candidate for mayor in Albuquerque is Eddy Aragon. The GOP ABQ councilor candidates are Dan Lewis, Lori Robertson and Renee Grout. The Republican school board candidates are Ali Ennenga, Arthur Carrasco and Courtney Jackson.   This is an important election in that we must stop the wave of progressives who are hurting our state with poor policies and decisions. It’s time to bring conservative values and policies to New Mexico. Family, faith and freedom are building blocks of our great state and nation. The progressive Democrats have pushed their agenda for too long, and it’s destroyed our economy, shuttered our local businesses, overtaxed us, killed thousands of jobs, ruined our education system and stripped us of our coveted freedoms   This must stop, and your vote today can mean real change, and it starts at the local level. Local control and what happens in our municipalities are so important, and you can make a difference--VOTE! Polls are open now and close at 7pm. CLICK HERE to see a list of all the Republican candidates in today's elections.

RPNM Roundhouse Firearms Ban Statement

 

REPUBLICAN PARTY OF NEW MEXICO STATEMENT ON THE NEW RULE BANNING FIREARMS AT THE ROUNDHOUSE

Albuquerque, November 2—The following is a statement from RPNM Chairman Steve Pearce regarding a newly approved  Democratic rule barring firearms at the State Capitol:   “This hastily passed rule is another assault on New Mexicans’ constitutional rights by progressive Democrats. There’s no real attempt at addressing security here, but rather just a broad stripping of our Second Amendment rights. This is another example of Democrats imposing their authoritarian rule. People have a right to protect themselves, and progressives in Santa Fe are again ignoring the rights and freedoms of citizens.”

Hawaii Welcomes Tourists Back

Above, the Battleship USS Missouri and the Battleship USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Hawaii is now welcoming tourists back, now that it's November.

According to Yahoo! Finance: 

Tourists can finally say “aloha” to Hawaii, as the state formally welcomes back visitors for nonessential travel.

In August, Hawaii Gov. David Ige called upon visitors to delay all nonessential travel through the end of October due to an accelerated surge in COVID-19 cases, which he said had been overburdening the state’s health care facilities and resources.

While that certainly didn’t stop travelers who were entering the state for purely leisure activities, it did signal that tourists weren’t exactly welcome by all in Hawaii. That changes now that it’s November.

"Our hospitals are doing better and seeing fewer patients," Ige said in a statement on Twitter. "This gives us the ability to move forward in our economic recovery and safely welcome back fully vaccinated domestic travelers."

To read more, go here. 

Kiyomizu-dera - Kyoto - 清水寺 - 8K

Above, the Kiyomisu-dera stage in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla II in 1993, while the King of the Monsters was down in Kyoto, Japan, he passed by Kiyomizu-Dera.

What's Kiyomizu-dera?

According to TokyoStreetView:

Located in the heart of Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera is one of Japan's most famous and celebrated temples thanks to its iconic 13-meter high wooden stage with a unique view.

Founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa waterfall, Kiyomizu-dera literally means, “Pure Water Temple.” It was originally associated with the Hosso sect, one of Japan's old Buddhism sects until 1965 when it formed its own Kita Hosso sect.

The article includes a video on Kiyomizu-dera.  

To read more and see the video, go here.

Japan To Ease Entry For Businesspeople, Students But Not Tourists

Above, the Asahi Beer Hall in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is easing entry into the country for businesspeople and students, but not for tourists.

This policy is due to the drop in coronvirus cases in Japan.

According to Nikkei Asia:

TOKYO -- Japan looks to let foreigners visit the country for short business trips, study abroad and technical training in an easing of its strict coronavirus-related entry rules, Nikkei has learned.

Tourists are not included in this round. The government is expected to announce the policy changes as early as this week, with implementation to begin this month.

With new COVID-19 cases down substantially from record levels over the summer, Japan aims to gradually loosen a de facto entry ban on foreigners that has become a source of growing frustration among businesses. Top corporate lobby Keidanren has been among the advocates of a more flexible approach.

The quarantine requirement for short-term business travelers will be cut to as little as three days for vaccinated visitors, from 10 days now. Companies and organizations receiving foreign nationals will be required to monitor their activities.

The shorter quarantine requirement will also apply to Japanese nationals returning from business trips abroad.

To read more, go here. 

Who Let The Dogs Out?

Above, one of the escapees. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last night, I was all set to spend the evening watching two hours of Antiques Roadshow when a pack of four dogs were running around our street.

I didn't recognize them but they were hanging around my neighbor's horse pen. Concerned that they may attack the horses, I fired of some firecrackers that sent them running to another neighbor's horse pen. I notified my neighbor, who was coming home from work in Arizona. He wondered if they were his dogs, I said I didn't think so as I heard barking coming from his yard. But, I decided to check. Sure enough those were his dogs running loose.

So, I spent the evening getting them back to his yard. I thought an unsecured gate was were they got out, but it turned out that a wooden fence around his house was broken through. They were running around the community near Nandoh's and the shooting range. There's a saying about "herding cats", but herding dogs isn't any easier either. Luckily, the area were in had new perimeter fencing installed, so there was little chance they would be able to get onto the highway from there.

I followed two of them from the road to the shooting area and up Whispering Cedars Road to West Blue Cedar Road and home in the car. 

Above, you can barely see them, but I am following a St. Bernard and a
German Shepherd up Whispering Cedars Road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After getting the dogs back in the yard, I waited for my neighbor to get home. After he got home, he found the spot where they got out.

Well, at least the dogs are securely at home now. At least last night wasn't too cold out during all this.

I did manage to catch one hour of Antiques Roadshow.

Do It Yourself RV: How Do You Use An RV Winterizing Kit?

Above, my RV garage, the GOCO Beast Barn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We're headed towards the cold temperatures of winter (in some places, they're already here) and that means getting the RV ready for it.

In climates where temperatures hit freezing (32°), RV water systems can get damaged when they freeze up. Steps have to be taken to protect them. I have one trip this month to take in the RV before I winterize. For now, I have heaters in the RV and in the RV garage to keep the water system from freezing. 

Do It Yourself RV has an article on how to use a winterizing kit. 

They begin it with:

With summer over and the temperatures dropping, it’s soon going to be time to winterize your RV. Winterizing is essential to protect your RV’s water systems from being damaged by freezing-cold temperatures. And this process is made easier with an RV winterizing kit. 

These handy kits will help you prepare your RV for storage over the winter months. But just what is an RV winterizing kit? And how do you use one?

To read more, go here. 

Best Places To Snowbird In Texas, Florida and Arizona

Above, Lake Havasu, Arizona made the snowbird destination list. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Autumn is here, which means (for some places) comfortable daytime temperatures, but cool to cold nights.

This is the time when people from northern latitudes start heading south to warmer places like Florida, Texas and Arizona in their RVs. These people are called snowbirds, as they are heading south to avoid snowy weather at home.

TravelAwaits takes a look at RV parks and resorts in these states and where one can rent an RV for the season.

They begin with:

Are you feeling a chill in the air as the leaves turn? Are you dreading the cold weather that’s coming this winter? Then drive south and be a snowbird in your RV this winter. The popular places are Florida, Texas, and Arizona. They are very different in their locales but surely you’ll find a place that works for you. 

To read more, go here.

20 Countries Where $150K Is More Than Enough To Retire

Above, American retirees can live in some foreign countries comfortably with
$150,000 in savings. Unfortunately, Japan isn't one of them. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Many baby boomers are hitting (or already in) retirement age. With inflation running high these days in the U.S., thanks to our irresponsible federal government, many are wondering if there's any alternatives to retiring in the U.S.

Actually there is.

MoneyWise has a list of countries where $150,000 in savings will provide a comfortable retirement. Some of them are quite surprising. 

They begin their list with:

In 2020, American retirees are collecting average monthly Social Security payments of $1,503, or a mere $18,036 for the year.

That's hardly enough to afford a decent life, particularly when seniors are facing out-of-pocket health care costs of more than $13,000 per year.

But what if you didn’t retire in the U.S.? Health care, housing and daily expenses cost significantly less in other countries.

We count down our picks for the cheapest — and safest — countries for retiring outside the U.S., places where even $150,000 or less in retirement savings would be enough to live comfortably. Our recommendations reflect local daily living costs, changes to visa programs and political developments.

To see what countries are great for American retirees, go here. 

U.S. Dollar At ¥114.175 In Tokyo Trading

We're now in a new month and although Japan has decided to keep their tourism freeze on, despite having a big drop in new coronavirus cases, it is time to see how the U.S. dollar is faring against the Japanese yen in Tokyo foreign exchange trading.

Well, it looks good (even though we can't go there to take advantage of the rate).

Reuters reports:

TOKYO, Nov 1 (Reuters) - The dollar traded near a 2 1/2-week high to major peers on Monday as quickening inflation in the United States boosted the case for earlier Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.

It approached a 1 1/2-week top to the yen after the safe-haven Japanese currency weakened as a strong showing for the ruling party in weekend elections reduced political uncertainty.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six rivals, was little changed at 94.166, hovering close to Friday’s peak of 94.302, a level not seen since Oct. 13.

The U.S. currency bought 114.175 yen, gaining 0.13% from the end of last week. Above 114.41 would be the strongest since Oct. 20, the day it hit a multi-year high of 114.695. 

To read more, go here.