Heading To Monument Valley Today

In about an hour or two, I will be leaving the Rocky Mountains and head west into the Utah desert.

It has been raining overnight and it is still raining. Monument Valley, where I will be headed to, has drier conditions with temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s. 

While at Monument Valley, I may partake again the sunrise tour or maybe even a tour on horseback. I haven't ridden a horse since I was 20 years old and that was on Santa Catalina Island. It depends upon the cost involved.

I could leave now, but since the route to Monument Valley is new to me, I prefer to see the road and the general terrain in sunlight.

I took the shot below as I was walking to the dumpster to dump my trash.

Today's Grit Series Marathon

Above, the marathon aid station I was assigned. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This year's Grit Series marathons are now in the history books.

I got up early this morning, thanks to my cat Sierra walking on me. But I had to get up anyway as volunteers are supposed to be at the marathon site by 7:00. When I got there, it was about 39° outside. That was cold enough. But once the sun rose over the mountains, it warmed up fast. 

Above, some of the 5K marathon runners. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For the most part, it was sunny and clear out with about 200 runners. But that changed around 12:30 when rain clouds clouded the area and dumped rain. This forced the marathon organizers to pack very fast. As I am writing this, it is still raining.

Above, some of the signs on the 5K route. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After leaving the marathon site, I headed into Ridgway and had dinner at the True Grit Cafe. I had a big bowl of chili along with a glass of wine. 

Above, inside the True Grit Cafe. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I didn't see Patrick Wayne at the marathon, he could have been there but I didn't see him. Ethan Wayne gave me a nicc pat on the shoulder. He looked busy getting things set up. 

At the marathon, I met the new owner of the ranch in which the locations were used in True Grit (1969). He seemed to be a nice fellow and is enthusiastic about the marathons. 

Above, yours truly trying to get warm at the marathon site. 

I may go to bed earlier as I have to drive to Monument Valley in Utah tomorrow. Hopefully, the weather there will be much warmer and dry.

No Temp Forest Service Jobs In 2025 Season

Above, in Six Mile Canyon of the Cibola National Forest. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since my subdivision is right next to the Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, the following story in RV Travel caught my attention.It looks like there will be no temporary jobs available for fiscal year 2025.

They start their story with:

Are you used to seeing Forest Service workers? They may be doing campground maintenance, improving trails, or working to prevent a wildfire. Many of these folks are temporary workers, hired on a seasonal basis. In a surprising move, no Forest Service temp jobs will be available for the Service’s fiscal year 2025. And that doesn’t mean sometime in January: the fiscal year begins in October. What’s behind the hiring freeze, and what effects will come from it?

Hopefully, we won't be seeing trash strewn all over the place in our national forests, especially in the campgrounds because of this.

To read more, go here.

Rains Coming After The Marathon (Hopefully!)

Above, the Last Dollar Ranch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It appears that the rains forecast to arrive in the Ridgway/Telluride region of Colorado will come after the John Wayne Cancer Foundation Grit Series half marathon and 5K today.

According to the National Weather Service:

Today

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. High near 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Tonight

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 1am and 4am. Low around 39. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Sunday

A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 64. South southeast wind around 5 mph becoming north northwest in the morning.

Fingers are crossed! 

Ridgway Grit Series Event Today

Above, the start and finish arch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today's the day that I will be heading about 11 miles west of Ridgway, Colorado to help with the John Wayne Cancer Foundation's Grit Series half marathon and 5k. 

It goes from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM today. 

I will be working one of the aid stations for the runners. I did this last year and had a great time. I was plagued with allergy issues last year, but I am prepared this year will allergy meds. 

The route include some locations used in True Grit (1969) for the Ross Family ranch scenes. Ridgway itself was also used in the movie and many locations there are still recognizable today. 

I have to head out early this morning to the marathon site near the Last Dollar Ranch.

Sasquatch Spotted From Durango Train

Over the years, I have ridden on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad trains several times. The views from the train as it travels on rocky cliffs along the Animas River are spectacular.

The following is something I have never seen while aboard the train. 

Some passengers were trying to spot some elk but they something else. Sasquatch! This took place last year in October.

Here's a video they shot:

Speaking of Sasquatch, there is a camping trailer company in Silverton called Sasquatch Campers. I spotted it today as I was driving to Ouray.

Colorado: A Bagless State

Above, plastic grocery bags get reused in my RV. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A few minutes ago, I got back from doing some food shopping at the KOA store.

I got everything I wanted and asked for a bag. I was told that Colorado is a bagless state. But, fortunately, the girl at the cash register had a paper bag that she gave me. 

According to Wikipedia:

There is no national plastic bag fee or ban currently in effect in the United States. However, the states of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii (de facto), Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico have banned disposable bags. Over 200 counties and municipalities have enacted ordinances either imposing a fee on plastic bags or banning them outright, including all counties in Hawaii.

I haven't had to deal with this nonsense since I moved out of Commiefornia. Note that all of the states listed above are Blue States (i.e., run by Democrats). Talk about majoring in the minors!

Whenever I get plastic shopping bags, I reuse them for my trash when I camp, so it's not that they are being discarded without additional use(s). 

See what happens when liberals get elected and control states? They have a knack to make life miserable in anything they touch. 

Made It Into Colorado

 

Above, the fall colors are evident along Hwy. 550 outside of Silverton. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Well, I made it into Ouray, Colorado. I am at the Ouray KOA Holiday. It was a 250-mile drive.

The site I was given has to be the nicest one of the three times I've stayed there. It is a nice back-in site right next to a creek. It is relaxing hearing the gurgling water as it flows behind my motorhome. 

Above, the campsite at the Ouray KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I reached the KOA at about noon. 

I did stop in Silverton for some coffee and a blueberry muffin at the coffee shop of the Grand Imperial Hotel. It was a nice little pit stop.

Above, the creek behind my campsite. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After that, I headed off for the 25 mile drive to Ouray. The John Wayne Cancer Foundation Grit Series marathon will be held tomorrow 11 miles west of Ridgway. Ridgway is nine miles from Ouray.

Above, the main drag of Silverton. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I am just going to spend today just relaxing at camp. 

On the way, I saw the 9:00 Durango train north of Durango. It is on its way to Silverton.

Above, inside Silverton's Grand Imperial Hotel during my coffee stop. 

The fall colors are very evident in Colorado. Many people stopped in turnouts to take pictures of the trees. I took some as I was heading out of Silverton. 

Above, the 9:00 Silverton train along Hwy. 550. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following the marathon, I will be heading to Monument Valley Tribal Park in Utah. 

Heading To Ridgway

This morning, I will be heading off to Ridgway, Colorado for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation Grit Series Marathon.

From there, I will be trying out a northern route from Colorado to Monument Valley Tribal Park.

 

Above, the "toys" parked in the front yard. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Video: Kamala Harris Wanted To Enter Gun Owners' Locked Homes

The woman is dangerous.

When she was district attorney in San Francisco, Kamala Harris wanted to enter the homes of gun owners to see if they are complying with gun safety laws.

A video of her comments with then-Mayor Gavin Newsom has surfaced. Of the two, Newsom, oddly enough, was the voice of reason.

It is presented by the Daily Mail.

They posted:

A newly resurfaced video of Kamala Harris shows her talking about law enforcement entering the locked homes of gun owners to make sure they are storing their weapons properly. 

Harris spoke about the issue in 2007 when she was the district attorney of San Francisco during a press conference on new gun control laws with then-Mayor of San Francisco Gavin Newsom and other city officials. 

'Just because you legally possess a gun in the sanctity of your locked home doesn't mean that we're not going to walk into that home and check to see if you're being responsible and safe in the way you conduct your affairs,' Harris said.

At the time, Harris repeated it was 'time' to enact the new laws and that it was 'the right thing to do.' 

Harris voiced her threat to check on gun owners even after Newsom argued earlier in the press conference that the legislation would not allow law enforcement to knock on everyone's doors to make sure they were following the law.

'We're not going to knock on everybody's door, we're not going to break in and inspect...' Newsom said when asked how he would enforce the law.  

But Harris seemed to relish the idea of using the new law to ensure better behavior from gun owners. 

Just imagine what she would try to do if she were elected president! The video is pretty damning!

To see the video and read more, go here. 

Trump On Gutfeld: Walz Story

 

Trump tells a hilarious story about how Tim Walz called him terrified during the 2020 riots when protesters came to his house

“He said ‘I think they’re going to attack me.’ He said ‘could you put out a word that I’m your friend?’ I don’t even know him” 🤣 pic.twitter.com/xi0gUM6MO9

— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) September 19, 2024

The Winchester Model 12

Above, picking up the Winchester Model 12 at Loeffler's Guns Etc.

The Winchester Model 12 shotgun first caught my attention in the Facebook Winchester groups. I was reading raves from different members on how they loved shooting it. 

Another reason why it caught my attention was that people were saying it worked great while trap and skeet shooting. I went trap shooting last year while visiting friends in Lake Havasu, Arizona. I bought a Remington 870 Express 12-gauge while there. However, its shorter barrel didn't seem suited for trap shooting when I tried it later. I had better results with a borrowed shotgun with a much longer barrel during a previous shoot.

As the Model 12 has a 30-inch barrel, it seemed to be better suited for trap shooting than the Remington. I still like the Remington. I found a Winchester Model 12 12-gauge made in 1919 for sale at Guns.com at a reasonable price and bought it. I had it sent to Loeffler's Guns Etc. in Grants, New Mexico. I shot it a couple of weeks ago and I found it as enjoyable to shoot as did the posters at Facebook. It was quite accurate as it hit what I aimed at (an old campaign lawn sign). Not bad for an antique made 105 years ago!

Above, my little Winchester collection. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Truth About Guns website posted a review of the Winchester Model 12. 

It begins with:

Oliver Winchester’s legacy won’t ever be tied to a specific gun. The Winchester Repeating Arms Company is one of multiple legacies and successes throughout its century and a half of production. They started life as a lever-action rifle company and won the West. They transitioned to one of the premier shotgun companies at the turn of the 20th century and ended as a bolt gun company. We are going to cling to the second legacy and focus on shotguns, specifically the Model 12.

I initially thought about doing an Obscure Object of Desire article, but what’s obscure about the Model 12? TTAG tends to write and review new guns, but why not step back and appreciate a classic? Almost two million model 12s were produced, so they aren’t uncommon these days. You’ll pay a pretty penny for a Model 12 that is in good shape, but if the condition is a bit ratty, they can be had for a reasonable price. A ratty Model 12 is still better than any Freedom Group 870 you might find on the used market. 

The Model 12 – The Perfect Repeater

The first successful pump-action shotgun was the Winchester M1897. This gun is legendary, and the Model 12 often lives in its shadow. However, the Model 12 is the superior shotgun. The M1897 was great but a bit complicated and fragile, and the exposed hammer and guts out of the bottom design weren’t the best. The Model 12 took the 1897 and fixed some of its flaws. The gun became known as the “Perfect Repeater.”  

Production of the gun began in 1912. Winchester was creative and innovative with its guns, but its naming conventions were a bit boring. Production lasted until 1964, with occasional special runs of the guns.  

Winchester enclosed the hammer, beefed up the forend and built a refined gun. It’s smooth as silk and was originally built to supplement the 97. Winchester released the guns in 20 gauge at first. They didn’t want to compete with their own 1897. However, in 1913, they dedicated to releasing 12- and 16-gauge variants. A .410 variant was never produced, but the Model 42 was a scaled-down Model 12 for the .410 crowd.

 To read more, go here.

Rains At The John Wayne Cancer Foundation Marathon In Ridgway?

Above, Patrick and Ethan Wayne at the 2022 Grit Series Marathon outside of Ridgway. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It appears that the John Wayne Cancer Foundation's Grit Series marathon outside of Ridgway, Colorado may see some rain.

According to the National Weather Service the weekend looks like this:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 73. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 38. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 43. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night

A slight chance of showers between midnight and 3am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3am. Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 67. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Sunday

A slight chance of showers before noon. Sunny, with a high near 68.

As I already have travel plans and reservations, I am heading up anyway. The marathon team has canopies for the aid stations along the marathon route, so I am not concerned. I don't know how this will affect the runners, if at all.  

From there, I will be heading into Utah to spend some "quality time" at Monument Valley. The temperature will be around 80° and sunny there.

Note: I posted this at Facebook, but they removed it, allegedly for "spam". Ridiculous!

Tucker Carlson Interviews Larry Elder and RFK Jr.

Here is a video of an interview by Tucker Carlson of commentator Larry Elder and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

I watched it last night and it is well-worth a viewing. I highly recommend it!

Harris Is The One Lying About Guns

The flip-flopping Kamala Harris tried to ease people's fears that she would try to dismantle the Second Amendment during her debate with former President Donald Trump. Anyone with half a sense is not impressed.

She lied during the debate about many things and that included her stance on guns.

David Codrea in Firearms News examines her debate lies on guns in a new article in Firearms News.

He begins with:

“And then this business about taking everyone's guns away,” Vice President Kamala Harris prefaced a rebuttal in September’s presidential debate, joining forces with ABC News “moderators” against Donald Trump. “Tim Walz and I are both gun owners. We're not taking anybody's guns away. So, stop with the continuous lying about this stuff.”

Walz being a Fudd, a politician with an A rating from NRA who then turned around and embraced the Democrat citizen disarmament agenda after he no longer needed the votes, is well known (albeit not acknowledged by Party apologists). But per Reuters, Harris’s admission to owning a gun was “a revelation that surprised some voters but carried a deliberate political message.”

The political message is “Trust me,” and evokes nothing so much as the fable of the scorpion and the frog. And as for it being a surprise, it shouldn’t be.  Even Dianne Feinstein “kept a revolver in her purse” (an elitist “privilege” denied to her constituents), and Harris’ carrying on the elitist tradition first gained wider attention when she admitted to reporters at a Moms Demand Action rally in 2019 that she did, too, “for personal safety. I was a career prosecutor.”

To read more, go here. 

Travel To Japan On The Cheap

Above, a view of the Sumida River and Asahi Beer Hall from the Tokyo Skytree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Thanks to the favorable exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen in Tokyo, Japan is not the expensive place to visit as it once was.

American visitors can even save even more money visiting Japan. 

Boing Boing has posted a video on how to travel to Japan "on the cheap."

They begin with:

Japan was once an expensive country to visit. It isn't any longer. Thanks to a favorable exchange rate, it's much cheaper to travel around Japan for a lot less than in the United States or most of Europe. Plus Japan is generally safer, cleaner, and has better food than the U.S. or Europe.

In this 30-minute YouTube video from Abroad in Japan, you'll learn how to stretch $1000 for two weeks in Japan  (excluding flights).

To see the video and read more, go here. 

Lonely Planet Guide To The Bahamas

Above, a view of Nassau from our cruise ship after docking. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last month, a friend and I took a cruise to the Bahamas aboard the Norwegian Sky of Norwegian Cruise Lines.

I have always wanted to visit the Bahamas and finally I got to go. 

We had a great time visiting the islands with stops in Freeport, Nassau and doing some jet skiing at Great Stirrup Cay (a private island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line). The weather was generally decent with some rain, but it didn't dampen our enjoyment.

Above, yours truly jet skiing at Great Stirrup Cay.

As things happen, Lonely Planet has just posted a guide to the Bahamas for first-timers. It is worth a look-see for those interested in going there.

It begins with:

The Bahamas, an archipelago of 700 islands and cays (though only 30 are inhabited), is celebrated for its dazzling turquoise and pink waters, pristine beaches, and balmy weather.

Yet, this island nation offers more than just picturesque scenery – it's a vibrant mosaic of culture and history. From the rhythmic beats of Junkanoo to the mouthwatering flavors of fresh conch and sweet guava duff, The Bahamas transforms every visit into a lively adventure.

Whether diving into blue holes, sailing across sparkling seas, or reveling in local parades, each island invites you to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Bahamian life. Our first-timer's guide has everything you need to know before you go.

To read the full guide, go here. 

Best Lever-Action Rifles of 2024

Above, a friend with his lever-action. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With the advent of semi-automatic rifles, it was thought that lever-action rifles are now just relics of the past.

Not so.

Lever-action rifles have seen a resurgence in recent years with new models being introduced by the likes of Smith & Wesson and Rossi among others. Personally, I have a pre-1964 Winchester 94 that I enjoy shooting.

Pew Pew Tactical has posted a list of the best lever-action rifles of 2014. 

Before getting into the nitty-gritty, they begin with:

Lever-action rifles have been around since the 1800s, putting food on the table and serving in many conflicts over the last two centuries. At the time, they were a technological advancement that enabled faster shooting than was previously possible.

As the decades advanced, they were surpassed by semi-auto rifles and largely categorized as relics from a bygone era. Thankfully, these old-school cool rifles have seen a recent resurgence in interest, with manufacturers offering remakes of old models as well as updated tactical versions.

Whether that interest is generated by restrictive gun laws or nostalgia, we’re happy to see it. Hold onto your hat, partner; we’re going to show you some of the best lever-action rifles you can still buy today! 

To read more, go here. 

Whistleblower: ABC Debate Collusion With Kamala Harris

While the debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump was in progress, I smelled a rat. She was just too good. 

Although her answers were evasive (to put it mildly) she seemed so ready that only someone who had the questions in advance could do.

Resist The Mainstream reported:

ABC News finds itself at the center of a controversy surrounding the recent Trump-Harris presidential debate.

The network vehemently denies allegations of collusion with Harris’s team, following the emergence of a document purportedly written by an anonymous “whistleblower.”

The unverified affidavit, allegedly sworn and notarized on September 9, claims that ABC News provided Harris with debate questions in advance and agreed to certain preconditions to give her an advantage over Trump. 

Daily Mail reported that the document, supposedly authored by a male staffer with a decade-long tenure at the network, has rapidly gained traction on social media platforms.

 
To read more, go here.

Kamala Harris On Gun Confiscation In Her Own Words

Too bad Kamala Harris's nose doesn't grow like Pinocchio's nose whenever a lie is told. It would've been several feet long when she had her debate with former President Donald Trump.

One big whopper of a lie was on her position of gun confiscation.

The NRA-ILA posted an article on what she has said about gun confiscation in the past.

They begin with:

During the September 10 presidential debate, President Donald Trump correctly highlighted Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’s support for gun confiscation. A visibly defensive Harris claimed, “We're not taking anybody's guns away. So stop with the continuous lying about this stuff.”

Harris supports gun confiscation. Harris has repeatedly expressed support for a mandatory gun “buyback” program where Americans would be forced to turn over their firearms to the government for a set price – in other words: gun confiscation.

They then show her position on gun confiscation in her own words.

To read it, go here. 

"Goldfinger" Is 60 Today

Above, a 1964 French poster.

Today marks 60 years since (arguably) the best James Bond movie, Goldfinger, was released. Goldfinger had its world premiere in London's Leicester Square on 17th September 1964, according to an email I received from the 007 Store. It opened in the U.S. on December 22, 1964.

I saw the movie with my parents and two friends in downtown Torrance, California. I think the theater's name was the Stadium Theater. I was already familiar with James Bond after having seen a double-feature of Dr. No and From Russia With Love the year before.

The movie starred Sean Connery, Honor Blackman, Gert Frobe and Harold Sakata. 

This marked a beginning of "Bond Mania", at least among our group. One bought the Goldfinger soundtrack album, which we played to death.

Got Stuff Done In Gallup

Above, at Ouray, Colorado KOA Kampground two years ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday started out rainy. But it stopped about mid-morning.

I was going to get an oil change for the motorhome and fill its propane tank in the morning, but I thought that the ground at the RV garage would be muddy.

After getting mail from the post office around noon, I checked the ground and it was not muddy at all. So I decided to get the oil change (including trip check) and propane. Which I did. This is all in preparation for the trip to the John Wayne Cancer Foundation's Grit Series marathons outside of Ridgway, Colorado and, after that, a visit to Monument Valley Tribal Park in Utah. 

After the oil change and propane tank filling, I headed home, but I stopped first at the Flying J and filled the gas tank. Thankfully, the posted price for unleaded regular was $2.959/gallon. With my Good Sam discount, it was lowered to $2.909/gallon. Not bad!

Superman 1951 Location

During the 1951 season of the Adventures of Superman, in the "Secret of Superman" episode, there is a stock footage shot of a police car with the Barclay Apartments in the background.

Here is a screen capture from the episode:

I did some checking and the Barclay Apartments are still in existence. They are located at 706 S Normandie Ave, Los Angeles, CA near Wilshire Blvd.

This photo is from the Apartment Guide website:

Routh's Truck In Hawaii

 

Verbiage Calling Trump A Dictator Led To Assassination Attempts

 

"We’re becoming more and more uncivilized" pic.twitter.com/Kzocu8l0W3

— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) September 16, 2024

RV To Utah National Parks

Above, inside Zion National Park in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Utah is not too far away from home. It is home to several national parks. I've been to a couple of them: Bryce Canyon and Zion. 

Utah is also ideal for RV travelers. Do It Yourself RV has posted an article on unforgettable RV adventures in Utah national parks.

It begins with:

As work campers who love exploring different parts of the country, my husband and I found ourselves itching to spend some time in the western U.S. So, after a summer gig in Colorado, we packed up the RV and headed to Utah for nearly a month. It was the perfect chance to unwind, explore, and celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary. And let me tell you—we were not disappointed. If you’re planning a trip, here’s our take on some of the Utah national parks we visited, with a few tips thrown in for good measure.

To read the full article, go here. 

Fossil With Skin Uncovered From the Asteroid’s Earth-Shattering Strike

Above, Thescelosaurus neglectus. Image by Nobu Tamura.

A fossil with skin from a dinosaur that is well-preserved has been found. It also is further proof that a mass extinction of the dinosaurs were caused by a meteor or asteroid hitting the Gulf of Mexico.

From AnimalsAroundTheGlobe:

Scientists have just made a mind-blowing discovery: a fossil dating back to the day the asteroid caused the mass extinction hit the Earth 66 million years ago. Found in North Dakota, it includes the leg of a thescelosaurus, complete with skin still intact! This dino fossil is so well-preserved, that it looks better than I do after a full night’s sleep. It’s an incredible find that everyone in the science world is talking or doubting about.

To read more, go here. 

New details Revealed On 2nd Trump Shooter (Videos)