RV General Budgeting Tips

Above, Double J RV Park near Springfield, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the primary things to do when planning an RV vacation trip is to come up with a budget.

It is a lousy feeling to not budget one's expenses and find themselves out of cash in the middle of a trip, I would imagine. Thankfully, ATMs and online banking are available while on the road (provided your bank is where you're traveling and there's WiFi access). 

Gail Marsh at RV Travel provides some tips on how to budget and budgeting tips.

She begins with:

My husband and I often take work camping jobs that allow us to live in our RV for several months at a time. I’m not going to lie. It took a while to figure out how to budget for us RVers.

Yesterday, I published an article about budgeting for unexpected fun. Things like special events, activities, festivals or fairs, museums… things you might not have planned to stumble across on your travels.

Today, I’ll focus on some more general budgeting tips. Read on.

To read more, go here. 

The Lincoln Home Through the Years

Above, the Lincoln Home in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the more interesting places I visited during my 2016 trip to Metropolis, Illinois for actress Noel Neill's celebration of life was Springfield, Illinois.

Springfield was the hometown of President Abraham Lincoln. There, visitors can visit the Lincoln home, Presidential Library and Museum, the Lincoln tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery along with other places.

Above, one of the rooms inside the Lincoln Home. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The National Park Service has a website focusing on the Lincoln Home through the years. Along with photos, the page describes in detail highlights of the home over the years.

They begin it with:

For seventeen years, the house at Eighth and Jackson Streets in Springfield, Illinois was home to Abraham Lincoln and his family. Purchased shortly after the birth of their first son Robert, the home sheltered the family through the birth of their remaining three sons and the death of their son Eddie, and had been the center of Lincoln's life as a husband and father. Abraham Lincoln was elected to be the 16th President of the United States on November 6, 1860. The family had three short months to prepare for their move to Washington, D.C. As they made the many decisions related to such a significant move, they had to decide if the home would be a part of their future, as well as their past. The home was rented rather than sold and their best furniture placed in storage for their eventual return. But on April 15, 1865, an assassin's bullet took the life of President Lincoln. Mary Lincoln faced a lonely future and wrote that she "could not bear to return to the scenes of the happiest times in my life without my family." The Lincoln Home remained rental property until Lincoln's son, Robert, donated the home to the State of Illinois in 1887 to be protected and preserved for future generations. In 1972 the home was conveyed to the United States of America, which through the National Park Service continued the State's work in preservation and restoration of the home, along with acquisition and restoration of the surrounding four-block neighborhood. This photographic essay captures images of Lincoln's house, showing that his home, like his legacy, has survived the years well.

This page provides an overview of the photographic essay. Click on the thumbnail views to download the full-screen pictures.

To read more, go here. 

160 Years Since Lincoln Assassination

Above, Lincoln's Tomb in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Next month will mark 160 years since the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

In 1982, I visited Ford's Theater and the Peterson House in Washington, D.C. I visited Lincoln's Tomb, Home, Presidential Library & Museum in Springfield, Illinois in 2016.

Above, the Presidential box at Ford's Theater in 1982. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last night, I was viewing some YouTube videos of Lincoln's tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield. 

Most of them were informative and they mainly covered the same ground, but one in particular made the biggest impression on me.

 

It was,  "The Secrets of Lincoln's Tomb - A Memorial for the Ages" by Grave Explorations (above). It was an hour-long documentary on Lincoln's final years, funeral and tomb along with many other historical tidbits. 

Above, the burial chamber of the Lincoln Tomb. He is not directly
 under the red marble cenotaph, he is ten feet under the floor and six
 feet from the north wall. His head faces the west. Photo by Armand Vaquer..

After a foiled attempt to steal Lincoln's body in 1876, Lincoln's coffin was encased ten feet in concrete under the floor by the orders of son Robert Lincoln. This followed the second of two renovations of the tomb. 

Above, Lincoln's Tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my 2016 visit to Lincoln's Tomb, I was the only visitor there. I was able to get a personalized tour with a cemetery docent. He provided me with interesting details on the tomb.

Above, yours truly in front of Lincoln's Tomb in 2016.

Visitors to Oak Ridge Cemetery can also see the receiving vault that housed Lincoln's and one son's remains after arrival from Washington. 

A photo of Lincoln in his coffin was discovered in 1952 by a 14 year old Lincoln enthusiast,  Ronald Rietveld, among the Nicolay-Hay Collection of Lincoln papers. The photograph was originally kept by Edwin M. Stanton, Lincoln's Secretary of War. It was the sole surviving photo of Lincoln in his coffin after others were ordered destroyed by Stanton. 

Above, the discovered photo of Lincoln in his coffin in New York City on April 24, 1865.

For more information on Lincoln's Tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery, go here.

Coal Lincoln Bust

Last week, when I went into Gallup with Larry Lucier to have the new tire mounted for the Jeep, Larry saw a vendor selling bags of coal across the street from the tire dealer. He bought one.

At the time, I mentioned that I have a piece of coal carved into a bust of President Abraham Lincoln. I bought it in 2016 at a gift shop near the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois, the site of Lincoln's Tomb.

As today is Lincoln's Birthday, here's a photo of the coal Lincoln bust:

 

Abe's Day

Above, Abraham Lincoln depicted in a display at the Abraham Lincoln
 Presidential Museum in Springfield, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today is Lincoln's Birthday.

This is the day that the birth of the 16th president, President Abraham Lincoln, is commemorated. Some states still recognize it as a holiday, while others just observe Presidents' Day.

According to Wikipedia:

Lincoln's Birthday is a public holiday in some U.S. states, observed on the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth on February 12, 1809, in Hodgenville, Kentucky. Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, California, Missouri, and New York observe the holiday.

In many other states, Lincoln's birthday is not celebrated separately, as a stand-alone holiday. Instead, Lincoln's birthday is combined with a celebration of President George Washington's birthday (also in February) and celebrated either along with the Federal holiday of Washington's Birthday or as Presidents' Day on the third Monday in February.

History

The earliest known observance of Lincoln's birthday occurred in Buffalo, New York, in either 1873 or 1874. Julius Francis (d. 1881), a Buffalo druggist, made it his life's mission to honor the slain president. He repeatedly petitioned Congress to establish Lincoln's birthday as a legal holiday.

Above, the Lincoln Family at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In many areas, the Republican Party commemorates Lincoln's Birthday with Lincoln Day Dinners as Lincoln was the first Republican president. 

Warners Hit With New Superman Lawsuit

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

Here we go again!

A new Superman lawsuit has been filed, this time by the estate of Superman co-creator Joseph Shuster.

Reuters reported:

Jan 31 (Reuters) - The estate of one of Superman's co-creators has filed a copyright lawsuit in a U.S. court against Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD.O), opens new tab ahead of the release of its new movie, "Superman," part of a planned reboot of the DC Comics superhero film franchise.

The lawsuit, opens new tab was filed on Friday in federal court in New York City by the estate of Superman illustrator Joseph Shuster, who created the famous superhero along with writer Jerome Siegel.

The lawsuit noted that Shuster and Siegel had licensed their rights to the character to Detective Comics, the predecessor of DC Comics, now a subsidiary of Warner. The lawsuit claims that under British law, Shuster's rights reverted to his estate in 2017, 25 years after his death.

The estate accused Warner of unlawfully failing to pay royalties to use Superman in Britain, Canada, Australia and other countries outside the United States.

The new Superman movie, directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet, is set to be released in theaters in July. The new litigation could complicate the international distribution of the film. It marks the latest salvo in a long-running legal battle over the rights to the character.

Shuster's estate is seeking monetary damages and a court order blocking Warner from depicting Superman without a license. 

To read more, go here. 

Jim Hambrick, R.I.P.

Above, Jim Hambrick in his younger days. Photo from the Super Museum Facebook page.

Sad news arrived before I left for Christmas in Lake Havasu. 

Super Museum founder Jim Hambrick passed away Sunday at age 70.

According to WPSD:

METROPOLIS, Ill. — Longtime Superman collector and founder of the Superman Museum in Metropolis, Jim Hambrick died on Sunday, Dec. 22, at 70 years old. But his family and community members say his lasting impact will survive for decades to come.

Hambrick died from heart complications after suffering a heart attack in 2016. His daughter, Morgan Siebert, said since his heart attack in 2016, Hambrick grew weaker. However, she said running the museum improved his morale, and it gave him purpose to keep it open for travelers and the Metropolis community. 

Hambrick grew up in Los Angeles and moved to Metropolis in March 1993. His passion for Superman and collecting started when he received his first Superman lunch box at 5-years-old. Siebert said over the years, he became interested in buying comic books and collectibles. When Hambrick reached 19-years-old, he was known as the world's famous Superman collector.

Hambrick's favorite portrayal of Superman is by actor George Reeves.

Above, the Super Museum in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I visited the Super Museum in 2016 when I attended Noel Neill's memorial service in Metropolis, Illinois.

Above, the Kirk Alyn autographed photo I obtained at Hambrick's
exhibit at Chapman College. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I first met Hambrick around 1982 when he had a traveling Superman memorabilia show, which included an authentic George Reeves Superman costume, at Chapman College (now Chapman University) in Orange County, California. With Hambrick was the original live-action Superman actor, Kirk Alyn. I obtained Alyn's autograph at the exhibit. This was before his move to Metropolis and the founding of the Super Museum.

Above, a George Reeves color Superman costume
at the Super Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

His passing is a big loss to Superman fandom. Thanks to his family, the museum will continue.

To read more, go here.

Superman Statue Gets New Santa Hat

The Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois posted the following on November 30 on Facebook:

This reminded me of my trip to Metropolis in November 2016 to attend Noel Neill's Celebration of Life services.

Upon arrival in town, the first thing (besides the Super Museum) I saw was the Superman statue in the town square. I took photos of the statue with my Winnebago in the foreground. This was a day or so before the Santa hat was placed on it.

I took a few photos of it and had another tourist take one of me at the statue during my time there.

Alcohol Consumption In State Parks

Above, Fort Massac State Park on the Ohio River near Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I generally camp at private RV parks and campgrounds such as KOA Kampgrounds or dry camp with E Clampus Vitus (an historical drinking society or a drinking historical society, take your pick) in BLM areas. Having alcoholic beverages have never been an issue.

RV Travel has posted that some state parks have different rules pertaining to alcoholic beverages. It depends upon the state. I can only think of four state parks I've camped in: Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, Malibu Creek State Park, Navajo Lake State Park and Fort Massac State Park (near Metropolis, Illinois). Having alcoholic beverages in any of them was never an issue, especially at the Bothe-Napa Valley State Park that is nestled among the wineries.

The RV Travel article begins with:

Many RVers enjoy camping in local state parks. However, when it comes to bringing alcohol to state parks, the rules can vary widely. Much depends on the state and the specific park you’re visiting.

In general

Generally, state parks across the U.S. allow some form of alcohol, but with specific restrictions in place. Here’s an overview of what to expect, along with some essential guidelines to keep your outdoor experience enjoyable and respectful to both nature and other visitors.

 To read more, go here.

RV Laws You Should Know

Above, camping at Fort Massac State Park in Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the past few years, I have traveled in my motorhome into several states. During these inter-state travels, I have not encountered any problems concerning RV-specific laws. That doesn't mean they don't exist.

RV Life has posted an article on 11 RV laws that we RVers should be aware of. 

They begin it with:

When it comes to the law, what you don’t know can get you into a heap trouble. Ignorance is no excuse. With that being said, RV-related laws tend to vary greatly from state to state. So much so that it can be hard to keep up with exactly what the law is sometimes, especially as we travel through multiple states. It’s pretty safe to say that no RV traveler wants to unwittingly attract the attention of police or highway patrol officers. But not to worry, we’ve compiled a list of state road laws that are commonly broken by RVers.

To read what those laws are, go here.

Get Neutered For Kamala!

 Perhaps it's not a bad idea for all Kamala Harris supporters to get neutered 

G-FEST XXIX Write-Up

Above, inside the G-FEST Dealers Room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

An email came my way this morning with some news articles pertaining to Godzilla. One of them was about G-FEST that took place last week.

This came from Journal & Topics.

The article starts out with:

Since G-FEST XVIII last year, it’s been the biggest year for Godzilla since his 50th anniversary in 2004.

“Godzilla Minus One” from the original Japanese film studio was released in late 2023 and won Best Visual Effects at the 96th Academy Awards. Hollywood’s “Godzilla X Kong The New Empire” came out this year as one of the highest-grossing films, making Legendary Pictures’ “Monsterverse” a billion-dollar film series.

On top of all that, this year marks the 70th anniversary since the first Godzilla movie was released in 1954.

G-FEST XXIX was held this past weekend from July 12-14 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare to mark these milestones, as well as continue what is now a tradition in Rosemont and the foremost  out.meeting of Godzilla, Gamera, King Kong, Ultraman, and other monsters’ fans in North America. G-FEST continues to be independently held by Daikaiju Enterprises Ltd. — the Lees family from Manitoba.

Previous G-FEST attendance was reported to be more than 3,500. This year, around 5,000 made it out.

It was my guess that 7,000 attended. But since the reporter spoke with J. D. Lees, I would say he would be the one with more accurate data.

To read the full article, go here. 

Flight Delays, Etc.

Above, Saturday at G-FEST.

It is strange that during the past few years whenever I have flown to a destination for a vacation trip, those flights have been without any problems. But when returning home, my flights have either been canceled or delayed. Usually, they have been weather-related. I had to stay overnight twice due to flight cancelations. It happened at G-FEST in 2019 and Salt Lake City in 2020.

The trip going to G-FEST in Chicago has been the same. The flight there was on-time and without any problems. But coming back, my flight was delayed for three hours. I don't actually know the reason for this, but it would be safe guess it was also weather-related. I had a 10:00 flight on Sunday. 

We did have a thunderstorm come through Chicago Saturday night and it rained Sunday morning.

It looks like others who attended G-FEST had travel problems as I did. Yesterday, one was diverted to another Florida airport due to weather. Another had a flight delay going to North Carolina.  

Next month, I am going on a cruise to the Bahamas. Hopefully, the flight from Albuquerque to Miami (and back) will go without incident. I'm not counting on it.

G-FEST Day 2

Above, Jessica Tseang, Toshio Miike and interpreter Mariko Horikawa. Photo by Armand Vaquer. 

Right now, I am taking a breather from walking around G-FEST and attending this morning's sessions on the 60th anniversary Mothra vs. Godzilla (also known as Godzilla vs, The Thing), an interview with production designer Toshio Miike and an interview with Rie Ota, who played Baragon in Godzilla, Mothra & King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack. 

While attending the Toshio Miike interview session, J. D. Lees and I caught up on the latest happenings in the world of kaiju and other stuff.

Naturally, I took some photos of the various proceedings, most of which are for G-FAN.

Above, the Mothra vs. Godzilla session attendees. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Jessica Tseang and Rie Ota. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now At G-FEST 2024

Above, the Hyatt Regency O'Hare. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

What seemed like a longer flight than three hours, I made it to Rosemont (outside of Chicago) for this year's G-FEST.

Above, a view of the lobby from the 8th floor. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The convention moved to the Hyatt Regency O'Hare out of necessity. It simply outgrew the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

The Hyatt, as one might expect, is a lot more luxurious with prices to match. Since G-FEST is only once a year, I'm not complaining. I saw few people I recognized. 

Above, the dealers setting up their tables in the Dealers Room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I am up early as I went to bed early, plus my inner clock is out of whack. 

Above, having an after dinner stogie.

G-FEST officially starts today. The Dealers Room will open at 10:00 this morning.  

G-FEST 2024 Kicks Off This Weekend

Above, one of the vendors in the Dealers Room at the 2019 G-FEST. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

G-FEST 2024 will be kicking off this weekend at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. The is the big Godzilla (and kaiju) convention.

This will be the first for me at the new hotel. G-FEST simply outgrew the Crowne Plaza Hotel which necessitated the move to the Hyatt Regency. The last G-FEST I attended was in 2019. Then COVID and other stuff intervened.

Above, yours truly with Jessica Tseang at the 2019 G-FEST. Photo by Steve Ryfle.

I was lucky to get direct flights to and from the Albuquerque Sunport. The only drawback was that my return flight is in the morning.

As with the Crowne Plaza, shuttle bus service is available at O'Hare to the Hyatt Regency (and back).

Above, G-FEST founder J. D. Lees and the late Akira Takarada at the 2019 G-FEST. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It will be nice to see the ol' gang again even though we've kept on contact through Facebook. 

Tickets are still available online (or at the door) by going here.

Illegal Aliens Have Second Amendment Rights, Judge Rules

The world is getting crazier and crazier.

A judge appointed by Barack Obama in Illinois ruled that illegal aliens have Second Amendment rights like U.S. Citizens. 

Since we all have to go through a background check when purchasing a firearm, how will illegals be checked for criminal histories? Does our system have access to criminal records of foreign countries?

Newsweek reported:

A judge this month dropped gun charges against an illegal migrant in Illinois, sparking further debate about the rights associated with the Second Amendment.

U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Coleman of the Northern District of Illinois referenced lower court rulings in dismissing firearm possession charges against Heriberto Carbajal-Flores, who was illegally or unlawfully in the United States when he possessed a handgun in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago on June 1, 2020.

"The Court finds that Carbajal-Flores' criminal record, containing no improper use of a weapon, as well as the non-violent circumstances of his arrest do not support a finding that he poses a risk to public safety such that he cannot be trusted to use a weapon responsibly and should be deprived of his Second Amendment right to bear arms in self-defense," Coleman, who was appointed under President Barack Obama, wrote in her eight-page ruling filed March 8.

To read more, go here. 

Cross-Country RV Trips A Thing of The Past?

Above, Fort Massac State Park Campground in Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The closest thing to a cross-country RV trip was when I drove from California to Metropolis, Illinois to attend Noel Neill's (Lois Lane of the Adventures of Superman) memorial service.

It was quite an adventure for me as I got to see many states and attractions (Abraham Lincoln's home, tomb and Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois for example). The trip lasted three weeks.

A new article in RV Travel questions whether or not cross-country RV travel is becoming a thing of the past due to fuel and campground costs.

They start it with:

I have long dreamed of the day my wife and I could depart on a cross-country RV trip. Now that we are retired and able to travel more, I question if cross-country RV trips are still viable, or will remain just a dream.

Cross-country RV trips have long been a beloved way for individuals and families to explore the diverse landscapes and cultures of a country. The freedom of the open road, the comfort of a home on wheels, and the sense of adventure have drawn countless enthusiasts to embark on these journeys. However, the future of cross-country RV trips is facing challenges that may make them a thing of the past. In this article, we will delve into the changing dynamics of cross-country RV travel and explore how escalating fuel expenses, rising campground fees and the erosion of spontaneity are reshaping this cherished tradition. 

To read more, go here. 

How To RV Across America

Above, at the Double J Campground near Springfield, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I went cross-country from Los Angeles to Metropolis, Illnois for Noel Neill's memorial service in 2016, I made reservations at some RV parks along the way. That only scratched the surface in planning the trip.

I got plenty of maps and tour books from the Automobile Club. Before leaving Los Angeles, I made sure my refrigerator was fully stocked. What was planned for a two-week trip, ended up stretching into three weeks. I had one mishap in St. Louis, Missouri that necessitated the purchase of two new tires. That cut into the funds and I had to wait out the Veterans Day holiday in Topeka, Kansas before I could replenish my cash and proceed on. Despite that, it was a good trip.

RV Life has posted an article on how to RV across America.

It begins with:

So you finally have the time to RV across America? The sights you will see are going to create so many lasting memories! Before you leave, here are 12 things you need to know to avoid making memories of RV catastrophes. As a full-time RVer myself, I’ve learned that many cross country RVing problems can be avoided with a little planning. 

The Top 10 Things to Know Before RVing Across America

Most of your RV trip planning can happen before you get on the road.  Here is where you want to do a little research. My list of ten things to know before taking a cross-country RV road trip can make your planning easier.

 To read more, go here.

Fall Is Better — For Travel

Above, camping at Fort Massac in Metropolis, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Is fall a better time to travel?

That question arises every so often. I actually prefer autumn to summer. There are a number of benefits to traveling in the fall. The primary one for me is less crowds.

Albuquerque station KOAT has posted an article with the position that fall is better.

They begin it with:

Sure, an escape to the beach or cooler mountain air or the arctic air-conditioning of a museum comes not a moment too soon when summer really starts to heat up.

But if you can wait until the season winds down, the rewards can be significant – both in terms of savings and experience. And after the summer the world has had – with record heat, uncomfortably warm ocean water, devastating wildfires, epic crowds and high prices – the relative calm of traveling in September and October will be right on time for many travelers.

Is fall a better time to travel than summer?

To read more, go here.