Old Town Albuquerque

Our Balloon Fiesta afternoons were free.  We were told that we should be back by 3:30 as after that time there is an influx of people for the evening events, so we were somewhat limited as to how far we could go.

We tried to go to Old Town the previous day but there was no parking to be had.  We were told there was shuttle service from the standard RV lot, so we got into our car and drove over there.  The shuttle tent was located in the center of that lot and we had to tell the lot “guard” where we were going.  The shuttle was $5.00 per person and it was worth it.  Shuttles ran every 1/2 hour and the last shuttle home was 3 p.m.  The shuttle stop was just off the square, convenient to everything. 

We headed to San Felipe de Neri Catholic Church where they were having a church festival. It was about lunch time so we purchased lunch from the church ladies.  We all had hamburgers but we did sample some spicy soup, which was too hot for our tastes.  

We walked around the square and in and out of many of the shops.  The guys tired of this and decided to take an earlier shuttle back to the park.  Sheri and I continued our browsing and made our way to the Candy Lady.  Mmmm, Mmmm.   The chocolate covered fruit was very expensive but I bought a quarter pound anyway.  We next found our way to a bead shop.  What a wonderful selection.  It was like going to a restaurant with too much on the menu and you can’t decide.  Well we couldn’t make a decision and went away empty handed. 

We went into a gallery with hand made jewelry which was very high priced.  The man said the business was family-owned.  We said that prices were too high so he brought us to a display where his nieces had some jewelry on display and prices were more reasonable.  Then the niece came by with more of her work, which was beautiful but we weren’t buying.  The Uncle said that this is how the girls put themselves through college.  Talk about pressure.  But we did not succumb. 

  There was a flamenco dancing exhibition in the center of the square.

We took the shuttle back shortly afterwards with only the candy. 

Balloon Fiesta Tidbits

The launch field is divided into over 250 spaces designed to allow room for balloons to inflate.  Over 500 balloons can launch during a mass ascension. The term mass ascension is deceiving because all the balloons are not launched at the same time.  Balloons begin inflating and launching in waves.

Balloon arrive in various types of vehicles—vans, pickups pulling trailers and RV-like specially designed vehicles.  They arrive at their designated spaces and the balloons and baskets are unloaded.  Permission to inflate and launch is the responsibility of “Zebras.”

On of the biggest attractions of this event is that you are among the balloons as they are readied for launch.  You can talk with the pilots and watch as the balloons come alive. 

For collectors, each pilot has cards of their balloon for the asking.

Balloon Fiesta Photos Day 3

Day three was, in my opinion, was the best. Pilots participated in a contest. Balloons were maneuvered into place using wind directions at various levels in order to drop sandbags with their number on to targets. This maneuvering filled the skies above the launch field with hundreds of balloons at all different levels, traveling in different directions.

Balloon Fiesta Photos Day 2

Vacation Theme: Dust, Sand and Dirt

Ever since arriving at Red Rock Park in Gallup, we have been in the Dust/Sand/Dirt.  You shower in the morning and the breeze blows dust on you and your shower is undone.  Grit gets in your teeth and eyes, your skin and clothes feel dusty.

Vacuumed the RV when we got to Amarillo last night.  We had been without electricity for four days and only had a chance to sweep.  We may (I hope) finally be rid of sand burrs in the RV.  I am sure there is still plenty of dust but will get to that as we come to it.

We are all looking forward to green grass and no dust.

Balloon Fiesta: A Little Dust Storm

So we walk down to the to the launch field to see the Twilight Twinkle Saturday night.  We are early and we walk the Midway.  As we walk along, clouds are gathering and there is lightening in the distance.  We are still optimistic that the storm will go around us. Balloons cannot inflate or fly if the weather is not ideal. As we go along it is obvious the storm is heading for us so we head for the RVs. 

We made it back before the rain.  There wasn’t any real rain, only sprinkles.  We see that they are firing some test fireworks so we take our chairs to the roadside so we have a clear view of the show.  Our neighbors Bill and Eileen join us too.  So the six of us are sitting there and without any warning the wind comes up.  The wind was strong enough to kick up a dust storm and send us running for cover.  We ended up watching the fireworks from our individual RVs.

We were lucky to have our awnings rolled up but others didn't fair so well.  We saw at least two RVs with ripped awnings and with thousands of RVs at the event I'm sure there were more.

Threatening skies.

Sunday we went to see the Balloon Glow.

Balloons in the Morning, Balloons in the Evening

Looking east toward the sun rising from behind the mountains.  The picture was taken from the launch field.

Our days begin by arriving on the launch field before 7 a.m.  Then walking among the inflating balloons.  It is hard to describe walking among the towering balloons.

 Wandering among the balloons.

The Midway

Saturday evening a Twilight Twinkle is scheduled and on Sunday a Balloon Glow, then fireworks both nights.