Whiskey Glass

Jessica, my former roommate, sent me this whiskey glass with a cigar rest for the 30th anniversary of my 39th birthday.

 

Why Do Cigarettes Cost So Much?

Several years ago, I came down with bronchitis and used that opportunity to quit smoking cigarettes. I do have an occasional cigar. But I don't smoke them nearly as much as I did cigarettes. Plus, I get no cravings. I don't smoke them in the Jeep. There are two reasons for that: the gas tank is directly under the driver's seat and I keep a full gasoline can inside. 

The below picture from Facebook got me wondering how much does a pack of cigarettes cost these days. I remember cigarette vending machines selling them for around 35 cents to 45 cents per pack. That was back in the late 1960s to the early 1970s.

A pack of Marlboro cigarettes at the Flying J cost around $9.00/pack.

There are factors as to why a pack of smokes cost so much. 

According to Balancing Everything:

Americans spend an average of $6.96 for a cigarette pack. Not all US residents, however, pay the same price to satisfy their smoking habits. New Yorkers, for example, pay double the price paid by those in Missouri. Meaning, smoking two packs per week will cost you circa $1,308 a year in the Empire State. Missourians, by contrast, pay only $546. How much money does an average cigarette pack cost? What is the state with the cheapest cigarettes? Why do some states have more expensive tobacco products? Find all the answers in this guide on cigarette prices by state.

What Affects Cigarette Prices?

Before we list the states, let’s learn why the price of cigarettes varies. Several factors affect how much residents pay for cigarettes in their state. Taxes, for instance, account for 44.3% of the total cigarette retail price per pack.

To find out what a pack of cigarettes now cost in each state go here.

Labor Day Drive To Arizona

Above, Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This has been a sedate Labor Day for me.

I had no plans for anything particular to do. However, I did decide to take a little drive to Lupton, Arizona to the Tee Pee Trading Post. Lupton is just inside the Arizona-New Mexico border. I picked up a few cigars in their big cigar humidor room.

I did some browsing around their gift shop. I didn't see anything I wanted, so I headed to Gallup for a little grocery shopping since Gallup is only 16 miles away and is on the way home. Luckily, traffic was light in both directions. 

The only other thing I did this weekend was watch a couple of John Wayne World War II movies. The first was Flying Leathernecks (1951) and the other was Operation Pacific (1951).

I'll probably wrap up the day with a fire in my fire pit tonight.

Key West—America’s Original Cigar City

Above, the Cigar City USA store in Key West. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Two years ago, I stopped in at the Cigar City USA store in Key West, Florida to pick up a few Oliva cigars before our cruise continued on down to Havana, Cuba.

While there, I chatted a bit with the store's owner, Mark Cesani about cigars and his cigar store Indian. I posted a blog about the visit.

This morning, I found that Key West was once known as Cigar City USA, not just the name of a cigar store. Cigar Aficionado posted an article on the history of cigar-making in Florida, focusing on Tampa and Key West.

They begin with:

Tampa’s Cigar City Brewing has won numerous awards and gold medals, and you can order its draft beers at bars all over Key West. While the beers are quite tasty, the irony of this libation is lost on most visitors. While Tampa’s Ybor City, a neighborhood rich in Cuban American traditions, is known as America’s cigar industry epicenter, the earlier version of Cigar City, U.S.A. was not Tampa, but rather the nickname for Key West, the southernmost point in the nation. At its height in 1890, there were at least 80 factories and estimates of cigars hand rolled here run as high as 100 million annually.

To read more, go here.

Agents Hope Biden Win Signals An easing of Cuba Travel

Above, our ship, Majesty of the Seas, in Havana Port last year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When President Obama re-established diplomatic relations with Cuba, he did so without getting any concessions out of the communist government.

That, plus the money Cuba was getting from tourists to fund dictatorships in places like Venezuela, led President Trump to tighten up tourism to Cuba. I managed to take a cruise to Cuba in April 2019 before the Trump clampdown took place two months later.

However, if Biden prevails and is inaugurated as president on January 20, things may go back to the way they were before the Trump clampdown.

Travel agents are happy that Biden "won" in November.

According to an article in Travel Weekly:

When Peggy Goldman, owner of InsightCuba, heard that Joe Biden had won the presidency, she felt she'd "died and went to heaven."

"I think that anybody in the travel space who's been looking for some direction to get out of this mess is celebrating," she said.

The "mess" Goldman was talking about is hinted at in her company's name. She and other Cuba specialists are hopeful that President-elect Biden will reopen travel to the island.

For cruise lines and airlines, hotel companies and tour operators, restrictions on travel to Cuba ordered by President Trump in 2019 crippled what had been heralded as one of the most exciting travel "openings" in the past 20 years after President Obama eased decades-old Cuba embargoes, including a travel embargo.

Now, those operators hope the president-elect stands by what they recall him saying when running for office.

"Biden said that he would go back to the thinking of the Obama administration, and we're hoping he's going to remember that," Goldman said.

To read more, go here. 

Tee Pee Trading Post and Gallup

Above, Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, I headed down to the Flying J to see if my shipment of cigars (Oliva Serie G) arrived.

The USPS Tracking on it hasn't been updated since April 28.

Sure enough, the package hadn't arrived. I called Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona (they have the best selection of cigars in the region and they're just at the state line) to see if they were open. Luckily, they were. So I headed from the Flying J to the trading post. They are only 40 miles away from Jamestown.

I have requested an USPS investigation on what happened to my package. It should have arrived already since I pay extra for expedited delivery.

Above, Tee Pee Trading Post. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I got there, I thought it odd that they were open for business as usual, then I caught myself. They're in Arizona, not New Mexico! That makes all the difference in the world.

So I picked up about 24 stogies (of various brands) and headed back home.

About an hour or so before, the governor put the entire city of Gallup on lockdown, allegedly due to a big spike in coronavirus infections. While driving to Gallup en route to Lupton, I noticed state police stationed at different locations, mainly at the off-ramps into town from Interstate 40. People can still drive through Gallup on I-40. It is really getting to look like a police state around here with the state police and National Guard stationed at different locations.

I am glad that I didn't buy a home in town! Being about 20 miles outside of town was the better option, and it is even more so now.

Dinner At Fire Rock Navajo Casino

Above, Cheii Grill at Fire Rock Casino. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, I spent most of the afternoon doing yard work. The weeds here grow pretty fast.

I mainly used a Ryobi string trimmer to cut the weeds down (I'll have to invest in a lawn mower to get the job done faster). After several hours of this (with breaks for the lithium battery to charge), my arms felt as if they'd fall off. So I was in no mood to cook dinner.

I decided to treat myself to a green chile chicken Alfredo at the Cheii Grill at Fire Rock Navajo Casino near Gallup. It is only about nine miles from home on Historic Route 66.

Above, the green chile chicken Alfredo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I got there and ordered. While waiting, I did some reading on my phone and really didn't notice the time pass. The waitress came over and apologized about the long delay in getting my order. It must've been about 40 minutes since I ordered.

Eventually, my order arrived. Although I miss the linguine and clams they had, the green chile chicken Alfredo is a delicious alternative.

Above, eastbound on Route 66 just east of Church Rock, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The waitress returned with my bill and said that she talked to the manager and because it took so long for my order, they discounted the meal. The total (including tax and a drink) came to $7.37. Normally, the meal alone (before tax) is $11.95. Not too shabby!

Above, last night's fire. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After paying the bill, I wandered around the casino for a little while. Although I had good luck playing roulette at Casino Royale aboard the Majesty of the Seas during our Cuba cruise, I wasn't in a gambling mood. So, I headed back home on Route 66 and upon arrival, fired up the fire pit.

Today's agenda is just paying bills and doing laundry. Then, once that's done, relaxing on the deck with a cigar and some Alien Amber Ale.

Montecristo No. 2 Cuban Cigar

Above, trying out the cigar.

Finally, after being home for a week after the cruise to Key West, Florida and Havana, Cuba, I tried out a Montecristo No. 2 cigar I bought in Havana.

I caught some sort of respiratory bug during the last days of the cruise, which delayed trying out a cigar. I wanted to be free of the congestion before lighting one up.

Today was the day and it was quite good! I am glad I waited.

Above, the cigar and rum store in Havana, Cuba. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I bought ten cigars (they were around $9.00 each) and I received a free cigar for every five purchased. So I ended up with a dozen. I'd have bought more, but they were a bit too pricey.

At the same time I bought the cigars, I bought a litre of rum and tried some a few days ago.

Above, inside the cigar and rum shop in Havana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Special thanks goes to "El Rushbo" (Rush Limbaugh) for recommending the Montecristo No. 2.

Cuban Carved Wooden Indian

Above, the carved wooden Indian from Cuba. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the last things I would have ever expected to buy while touring Havana, Cuba was a 5" carved wooden Indian figure.

Our tour wound up at an indoor flea market/bazaar for some shopping. I had exchanged $130 in U.S. dollars for Cuban Convertible Pesos (CUC), which are used by foreign visitors to the country. By the time we reached the flea market/bazaar, I had about seven CUCs left after buying cigars and rum.

Above, inside the Havana flea market/bazaar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I did briefly contemplate buying a Cuban cap, but had second thoughts since it would not get much wearing use.

As I wandered around the aisles and looked in many vendor stalls with all kinds of souvenir goods, I spotted some wooden Indian figures of varying sizes. The 5" one had a price of five pesos. Since my home is mainly decorated in Southwest style, the Indian would fit in. So I bought it.

I ended up with two pesos (in paper currency) and some coins left over.

Touring Havana, Cuba, Part Two

Above, El Cristo de La Habana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During our tour of Havana, Cuba, we headed out of the main part of the city to visit the El Cristo de La Habana (Christ of Havana) statue and the Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña.

This massive statue of Jesus was completed in 1958, a year before the Cuban revolution. The statue overlooks the city from its hilltop plaza.

Above, our ship, Majesty of the Seas, at Havana Port. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While at the El Cristo de La Habana, I found a good spot to take some photos of our ship, Majesty of the Seas in Havana Port.

Above, a Cuban government faciity near the El Cristo de La Habana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Nearby, is the Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña, which is an 18th-century fortress complex featuring museums, cultural events & a nightly canon-firing ceremony. The only place we went to there was the cigar and rum store. At the fortress, wreckage parts of the U-2 spy plane that was shot down during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis were displayed.

Above, parts of the U-2 spy plane that was shot down during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Originally, I thought I didn't take a photo of the U-2 wreckage pieces, but while going through my photos, I found that I did take a picture of them.

Above, Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At the store, I bought ten Montecristo No. 2 cigars. For every five cigars purchased, they give one free cigar. So I ended up with a dozen cigars. I also bought the legal limit of rum (1 litre).

Above and below, a cannon and gun at Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After we made our purchases, we then made our way back into the city. Along the way, we passed Castillo De Los Tres Reyes Del Morro, which is an iconic symbol of Havana's seagoing past. The fort dates back to the late 16th century.

Above, vintage steam locomotives were displayed outside of the flea market/bazaar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in the city, we went to a flea market/bazaar for more shopping. Mitch Geriminsky bought some cigars there and since I only had seven pesos left, I ended up getting a small (3 inch) wooden carved Indian figure for five pesos.

Above, inside the flea market/bazaar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After shopping, we then headed back to the ship. It was a fun excursion. It was interesting to see Cuba. I found the people there to be nice and friendly, which is not surprising since our issues are with their communist government and not with them. It looks like some capitalism is slowly creeping back into Cuban life, which is a good sign.

Above, as we were sailing out of Havana Port, here's a shot of the port's entrance with Castillo
De Los Tres Reyes Del Morro and its lighthouse on the right. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Actually, I wouldn't mind going back to Cuba for a return visit.

Above, the entrance to the cigar and rum store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To see part one of our Havana tour, go here.

Above and below, inside the cigar and rum store. Photos by Armand Vaquer.

Cigar City USA and El Meson de Pepe Bar

Above, Mark Cesani and his Cigar City USA Indian. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While in Key West, Florida last week, I stopped at the Cigar City USA store to get a couple of cigars.

During my time at the store, I had a lengthy conversation with manager Mark Cesani about cigars and cigar store Indians. His Indian caught my attention as it was about five feet tall. He said he paid $3,000 for it. He isn't worried about anyone stealing it as it is quite heavy. It stands at the entrance to his store from the El Meson de Pepe restaurant and bar.

I showed him photos of my cigar store Indian and he said I got a good deal for mine.

He had a good selection of cigars and I found his prices to be reasonable.

Above, the El Meson de Pepe bar. Yes, one can smoke cigars at this bar! Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following our visit, I headed to the El Meson de Pepe bar for some margaritas and to smoke one of the cigars I bought at Cigar City USA. Since the Key West area is considered to be Jimmy Buffett territory, I thought having a couple of margaritas would be appropriate. Buffett has recorded at a small studio near the marina.

Above, one of Key West's inhabitants wandering around the El Meson de Pepe restaurant. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Throughout Key West, there are chickens running loose everywhere, and that included this restaurant. El Meson de Pepe serves Cuban cuisine.

After my cigar and margarita break, I did some more wandering around.

Cuba Cruise Done

Above, yours truly after we arrived in Havana Harbor.

The cruise is now over. We got back to Fort Lauderdale this morning after sailing all the way from Havana, Cuba.

The only photos I can post at present are ones from my cell phone. For some odd reason, I didn't pack the cable that transfers photos from my Canon camera to the computer.

My initial impressions.

Above, Cigar City USA in Key West. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Key West was a fun place. I enjoyed wandering around the town and had a great conversation on cigars and cigar store Indians with Mark Cesani, manager of Cigar City USA. Then, next door to Cigar City, I had a couple of margaritas at the El Meson de Pepe. Cesani said I got a good deal ($450) on my cigar store Indian. His cost $3,000.

I did take a tour of the Hemingway Home and the Shipwreck Museum while in Key West.

Above, your truly at the El Meson de
Pepe restaurant and bar in Key West.

The next day we headed off to Havana, Cuba. I was not surprised to see a drab place. The buildings in the city don't look like they've been cleaned, painted or had any kind of maintenance for years. Our tour guide said that they haven't been maintained really since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the "money spigot" to Cuba dried up.

Above, the package containing 6 Montecristo No. 2 cigars. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the bottle of Cuban rum I bought. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was interesting seeing the old 1950s cars on the streets, many of which I haven't seen since I was a kid.

We did stop at the El Morro Castle to do some cigar and run shopping before heading to a flea market and our ship.

Above, one of the nightly entertainers by the glass elevators. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Cuban people were nice and friendly towards us, which is not surprising since our beef is with their communist government and not with them.

Majesty of the Seas, our cruise ship of Royal Caribbean, was a decent and comfortable ship. It is about 28 years old. The staff were quite friendly and efficient. The food was excellent and we had some good entertainment. I would take another cruise with them again.

Above, the grand finale to last night's show in the ship's theater. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Finally Found One!

Above, the wooden carved Indian. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There was a corner in my living room that cried out for something to fill the space.

For the past several months, I had been looking for a carved wooden Indian (commonly known as a "cigar store Indian") that would be perfect for the spot. Up to now, they were either too expensive or, if more reasonably priced, the shipping cost was prohibitive.

However, I found one locally at a Navajo-operated store and it was at a reasonable price.

Above, the perfect location for it. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This Sure Is Timely!

Above, yours truly having an Oliva Serie G Churchill last April.

In a few weeks, I'm going on a cruise that will include a stop in Havana, Cuba. While there, I plan on buying some cigars (and maybe some Cuban rum). 

Yesterday, a caller on the Rush Limbaugh Show asked Rush for some cigar recommendations. This is a rather timely topic for me. I was glad I listened!

Part of the discussion:

RUSH: I’d be more than happy to help you, sir. Do you happen to know…? Your CO, you said, is an avid smoker. Do you happen to know what he smokes?

CALLER: I think back in the day it was Montecristos if I’m not mistaken.

RUSH: Montecristo. Do you know if they were from Havana?

CALLER: I do not. I know when the ship would pull into foreign ports where they wasn’t the duty stuff where you could pick up the Cubans and stuff like that, he would get boxes and bring ’em back on board.

RUSH: That’s fine. As long as… Back then, as long as… You can bring ’em in now. It’s legal to buy them and bring them in. You couldn’t back then.

CALLER: Yes, sir.

RUSH: Well, you can’t legally buy a Cuban cigar in the United States, but if you know somebody who is traveling internationally where Cubans are sold, you can ask them to pick a couple up. They can legally bring them back now. So, if you wanted to try to get your CO a Montecristo No. 2, I guarantee you that that’d be most appreciated. But, other than that, I would suggest for your CO — and, by the way, for all of you people in the cigar manufacturing business, this is a situation where I can’t mention everyone, and I don’t want to make any enemies here. 

But if you want to go mild for everybody else, get something by Ashton Virgin Sun Grown any size. But I’d get a decent size cigar, at least a 47 ring gauge and get something at least… Maybe even 52. Get a Robusto size, but get something seven inches long that’s gonna last awhile so you guys can have a good time doing this. You don’t want these cigars to go out in 10 minutes. For your CO, I would try… If you want a cigar that’s got a kick to it, try to find Fuente Fuente Opus X, or Opus “10.” It looks like a “10,” but it’s Opus X. 

It’s the only cigar in the world grown outside Cuba where the binder and the filler and the wrapper are grown in the same soil. Outside of Cuba it’s never been successfully done anywhere except by the Fuente family in the Dominican. Short of that, try the Fuente Don Carlos. There are three different sizes. One of them’s the “No. 2.” Then they have a Corona size, Double Corona size, about six inches, but those are cigars that will pack a punch. You can also look into the Padron from Nicaragua. 

Padron Cigars — and those have a good kick to them, as do the Olivas. Oliva had the Cigar of the Year two years ago in Cigar Aficionado magazine (one of my all-time favorite magazines), and they come in a number of different shapes. But if you find Padron, Oliva… Ashton Virgin Sun Grown is your mild one. If you really want to go mild, go domestic Montecristo. Not Havana, but domestic Montecristo. That’s a good starter and mild cigar. But, for your CO, Fuente Fuente Opus X if you’re not able to get him a Monte No. 2 from Havana.

It just so happens that I have an occasional Oliva, usually a Serie G or Serie O Churchill. That's why I highlighted a part of the discussion.

To read the full exchange, go here.

Cigar Run, Etc.

Above, The Beast before heading off to Lupton, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, I took a little drive to the Tee Pee Smoke Shop in Lupton, Arizona (at the Arizona-New Mexico border) to pick up a few cigars.

Today has been the "warmest" since the New Year's blizzard hit New Mexico. This was the first drive I took since the New Year's snows started. It was a good run to charge up The Beast's batteries.

Above, the Tee Pee Gift Shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Snow was still plentiful along the drive and I was amused by one thing. For the first six or so miles after getting on Interstate 40, I saw though my side view mirror the snow from he roof of The Beast falling on the highway. Some vehicles were swerving to miss the snow chunks.

Above, The Beast at the Tee Pee Gift Shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I arrived in Lupton, snow plows were operating at the Indian stores. They got plenty of snow there as well.

Above, the other Indian stores in Lupton on Historic Route 66. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On the way back, I stopped in Gallup to go to the Home Depot to see if their expected delivery of snow shovels were available. They had run out of them. As luck would have it, they had several boxes of them for $25 each and I grabbed on. People were snapping them up.

Above, after starting snow shoveling the walkways. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After I got home, I started shoveling snow from the walkways in front of the house. It was still pretty thick, not as thick as it was (around 14"), around 6". I just barely started and feel like I've burned more than a few calories.

Good Ol' New Mexico Monsoon Season

Above, The Beast at the Tee Pee Trading Post and Smoke Shop in Lupton, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The good ol' monsoon season continues on in New Mexico.

This morning, I headed off in The Beast (so I can listen to Rush Limbaugh as the Mustang's radio has a loose wire) to Lupton, Arizona to the Tee Pee Smoke Shop to pick up some cigars.

It was cloudy out and I noticed that water was flowing in arroyos, streams and the Rio Puerco River. They had been pretty dry for months.

After conducting my business at the Tee Pee, I headed back home.

Along the way, I noticed an enormous black cloud heading in the direction of Jamestown. I could see it from Gallup.

Above, today's approaching storm cloud. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After getting off the freeway, I stopped and took the above photo of the cloud.

Within an hour, Jamestown was hit with lightning, thunder and rain.

Nothing like monsoon season in New Mexico!