Arrived in Havasu

October 16, 2012

Spent most of the evening being sick, so this moring Bobby cleaned the lot, etc.   It looks great.   I spent most of the day laying on the coach.  Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow and can go see everyone.  
 
October 15, 2012

Left Albuquerque around 7:00 AM.  Stopped for breakfast at Denny's just outside of Gallup.   Drive is boring as there is not much to see.   About 30 miles from Flagstaff, I took over the driving.   At about 15 miles from Kingman, I started to feel bad.   We pulled into the Safeway to get diesel and while Bobby was fueling, I got sick.  Think I got food poisioning from restaurant.  Got home, Bobby had to do everything as I was useless.   Not a fun way to come home too.

New Mexico - last leg of our 2012 trip

October 14, 2012

Bugman

 It’s our last day at the balloon festival.  I was not feeling up to par, cold still bothering me, but I’m determined to go see the mass ascension.   It was the best yet!   It’s hard to put into words the feeling you have when you see 500+ balloons take off in 2 hrs.   You can’t watch them all, so you must watch the ones you want pics of.   I think that I got pics of most of the special balloons (characters, shapes, etc) but know I did not come close to the other balloons.  

Noah's Arc

My girlfriend Penny stated that the Mass Ascensions were her favorite part of the festival….I do agree.   It unbelievable the number of balloons you get to see.   No wonder they say this is one of the most photographed events in the world.   Not sure how many countries were here, but do no that USA was not in the top 6 for participants.   Hard to imagine, since it’s in our back yard!    Can’t imagine what it cost to ship a 750 lb balloon overseas!   Yes, the envelopes can weigh up to 750 lbs….not sure what the baskets weigh.

Some of the 500 that ascended

Once the morning session was over, we came back and helped Penny & Richard pack up and leave.   Then we headed to Costco with the Porters…..spent way too much!   It’s amazing how much stuff has gone up!   Good thing we have a frig in Havasu, will need it for everything we bought!

The remainder of the afternoon, we spent getting ready to travel home tomorrow.   That will be our last leg of our awesome summer trip!

October 13, 2012

Stagecoach

It's cold and I'm not feeling up to par, but I'm bound and determined to see my first morning glow and mass ascension up close and personal.  We were amazed at how they determined which balloon will go up.  With over 20 rows, sure it was hard.   They have individuals called "zebras" that get everyone away and allow the balloon to rise safely.   Very interesting to watch.   The balloons are so close together, it seemed difficult to inflate them, but they accomplished the task.

Stork

In the afternoon, we went to the local Apple store, wanted to see why I couldn't transfer Bobby's pics to my computer.   Appears it's a problem with my USB ports.....not sure what I'm going to do.   Don't want to purchase a new computer just to download is photos, but????

Spaceman, shark & Darth Vader

Later in the evening we went to the glow....only about 40 lite up, sure it was due to the wind.   Approx 5-6 special balloons participated, which is always the best part for me!   It wasn't wind on the field once we got there but up by the coaches, it was windy.   It's a mind boggling how the wind can be so different 100 yards away.  That's why they say this area is wonderful for flying balloons.



Came home and watched the fireworks from the coach....I was coughing and need warmth.   These were the best fireworks we'd seen since arriving in Albuquerque.   Guess they saved the best for last. 

October 12, 2012

At the balloon museum

Artwork in old town

No balloons today, shortly after we got up the raining, thunder and lighting came.   Hopefully we'll have a glow this evening.

We'll go see the museum and maybe downtown today, since weather is unpredictable for the balloons.

Weather turn out nice in the afternoon but later that evening it was horrible....no glow!  Did have fireworks however.

 
 October 11, 2012

These did not lift off

He was marvelous

Got up, the dawn patrol was out so I knew the special effect balloons would be coming.  

 We are catching colds, so did not feel like running around like I normally do.   Bobby made oatmeal, which helped immensely.    While he was drying the dishes, I went down to talk to the gang.   

Decided to walk closer to the balloons, there’s a bridge you can stand on and get great pics from.  

These were tethered

 I was there close to 15 min. when Bobby came in the PU.   Got in and we head to see the balloons….I was so excited.   Found a park on the south side of Alameda that we could stand on another bridge.  More great shots!   

Firetruck

Left this area as the wind has increased and we could see that the large balloons would not lift off….drat’s!   Drove over the VIP checking area, they told us we could move over anytime.   Called Steve, they’ll get there coaches ready to move.   Got to the balloon grounds around 10 AM, so of the regular balloons were landing all around us…fascinating to see them land.

Once settled in, Penny, Kat, Steve and I headed to the balloon field.   Lots of the booths have closed until this evening night glow but we found enough open to buy stuff.   Actually only Penny bought, Kat and I window shopped!

Car

Penguin with spy glass

Had lunch at one of the vendors and then came back to rest of a few hours.   We are hoping that the wind allows the glow to occur, if it does, we’ll head to the field once again.   The field is 15 football fields…believe me, our legs tell us it’s true!

October 10, 2012

Darth Vader is huge

lifting off

Bobby cooked pancakes for breakfasts.....yummy!   Then we headed outside to watch the balloon challenge.  It was apparent that they were going away from us today, so we got in the truck and headed out in search of them.   We found them, got some create close up pics.   It's was amazing how fast they were traveling, we estimated at over 30 MPH.   Later on the news, we learned that do to the high winds, several had misfortunes.   Some crashed into fields, lamp posts, power lines, etc.  Thank goodness no one was hurt.

Came back and had lunch with the Porters at the casino.   Later Penny & Richard arrived, do glad to have them join us for the next 4 days.   They'll leave on Sunday, we are scheduled to leave on Monday.

Kat & I took Penny and Richard to casino to get their $25 card.   Richard won $50 profit and Penny $100.  Not a bad investment!

The zebra is one of my favorites

So many balloons

After about an hour, we came back to the coach.   Sat around and had drinks, then Kat cooked chili burgers...(Penny provided the chili...it was so good).  

Tomorrow we'll watch the mass ascension then head to the balloon field where we'll be up close and personnel with the balloons.   Can't wait.

October 9, 2012

Dairyland Cow

Bumble Bees

We got up and noticed that the special effect balloons were up, so I put on my robe and ran out to get pics.  People were laughing but I'll never see them again!   Got some great pics...I was so excited to see the cow, fireman, bumble bees, plus many others.

Afterwards we packed up the coach so Bobby could go dump and get water.   Want to make sure we have enough for when we head to the balloon grounds on Thurs.

Butterfly

Fireman

Went to the casino for lunch, they have excellent $2.00 hamburgers.  Then Kat and I went to get our toes painted, been way to long.

Came back and had drinks with the Porter's outside....weather is still very nice until the sun goes down, then it's put on coats or go inside.  We went inside.


Tomorrow our friends Penny & Richard arrive, we are looking forward to seeing them and spending the next 5 days with them.

October 8, 2012

Got up and decided we got out to breakfast, ate at Cracker Barrel.   The balloons are racing today, so not many were up at 7:00 AM.   After eating, we headed to the Elks, wanted to see how many rigs were there….only 4.   They have electricity for $15 a night and access to water.   

These were next to freeway

Headed back to coach on I-25, as I wanted to see all of the balloons that had lifted off.   We took a detour and went to the golf course Bobby will play this afternoon with Jim Kyle.   Nice course got to see more balloons.   We then went to the Giant Gas Station where we’ll dump and get water tomorrow, wanted to check how to get in and out.

So colorful

We decided to take a frontage road, as there are so many balloons in the sky.   We had the opportunity to see many lift off as we drove back.   As soon as Bobby parked, I was out and about taking pics, think I have over 300 for the day!  Yes, I love the balloons!!!!

This afternoon there is nothing going on in the skies.   So, Kat & I will go shopping, not sure what Steve is doing, Bobby will play golf.

October 7, 2012

Had over 300 today in the air

Got up at 6:00 AM, these early hours are killing me….lol.   The dawn patrol is going off at 6:30 so wanted to make sure I saw it!  Yes, we saw it….however, the pics did not work out.   Will have to figure something out for Wednesday when they do it again.   

Golf course at the casino

The Mass Ascension occurred around 7:30, it was so cool!   Never seen so many balloons in the air, there must have been 100+.   They stayed up for about an hour or more……believe me, it was awesome.   Weather is cold….42 degrees but has warmed up this afternoon.  Not sure if we are going to the night glow.

Steve wanted to go to Camping World, so we took a ride out there, stopped at Costco and Walmart on the way home. 

Did not do anything exciting the rest of the day!

October 6, 2012

Not the best petroglyphs we seen

Got up around 6:00 AM, could tell winds were strong.   Turned on the TV, sure enough, winds to strong for balloons to lift off, this morning events have been cancelled.  Hopefully we’ll see some balloons lift off this afternoon.   Not sure if we’ll go down to the park, I’m sure some balloons will be tethered.

Kat coming down the path

Decided to go look for a pottery store….Kat & I want to buy some pots.   Found one place, did not buy anything….seems prices have increased do to Balloon Festival.   We then tried to find another….poor Steve drove us everywhere, but darn, we could not find it.   Think he did it on purpose…LOL. 

   

Headed to the petroglyphs….we took a short hike, saw a few….seems like more were made in modern days vs. way back then!   

Had lunch at Panda Express…..was sooooooo good!   No we are home, Bobby’s taking a nap….6:00 AM too early for him!   

October 5, 2012

Sandia Casino

Arrived at Sandia Casino around 7:30, we knew it was going to get crowded and we were correct.   Porter’s came about 30 minutes later, they are parked next to us.   It’s just a parking lot with no hookups.  Spots are not level, but we have blocks so the tires are not off the ground like several other coaches around us.  

At the Sandia Tram

We drove around the area, found a dump station for the coaches, then went to the Sandia Tram.   The line to purchase tickets was blocks long, so we went to the bar had a drink, took a few pics then came home.   

Went to the casino around 7:00 PM, we want to win the car they were giving away….no, we did not win!!!   Came back around 8:00, I still have a few dollars left of the $25 they give you.   Everyone else has more!  LOL.

Watched a little TV and then went to bed, getting up early as the dawn patrol (balloons) occurs at 5:45.

October 4, 2012

Bobby getting into a Kiva

Left Las Vegas around 9:00 and drove to Pecos National Monument, approx 50 miles away.   What an amazing place….its always interesting learning about our history and this shows a great example of how the Spaniards  and his men learned to live with the Peco Indians.   Due to hard times, wars, etc. the last survivors left the pueblos in 1838.

Mission walls

The mission is in great shape considering its age.   At one time over 5,000 lived here…..the mission was built the 2^nd time in 1625.  We were able to walk around and thru parts of the mission, however you are not allowed in the pueblo except for the 2 kiva’s (these were ceremonial and social spaces located below the earth).  We were able to go inside the Kiva’s, the first one was the smallest and parts of the walls were crumbling, the second one by the church was in excellent shape….much larger than the first one. 

We were amazed at how many wild flowers we saw plus cactus.   Made us feel like we were back in AZ.

Encountered him near the mission

 Once we finished with the church, you walk thru another section where we saw a Rattle Snake (guess it was 3’ long) warming in the sun.   Bobby got closer than I did, I got up on one of the pueblo walls….wanted to make sure it did not get near me…..you’d not believe how fast my heart was plumbing….lol. 

Mission from a distant

We then head to San Felipe, NM where we are staying at the Casino.   Steve and Kathy Porter arrived yesterday, it’s  nice to have them to visit with.   We drove to Sandia Casino, wanted to see if we should move closer to the balloon festival.   After finding where we’ll park when we move to the festival on Thursday, we agreed we’d move to this casino tomorrow.

Drove back to San Felipe, we’ll got into the casino and have the buffet for dinner.   Steve won $50 and Kat won $10....beginners luck!!!!   LOL.

October 3, 2012

Wheel from Grist Mill in Mora, NM

Got up and went into downtown to look at Farmers Market....not much, so went to Charlie's Spic & Span Restaurant for breakfast.   Just OK.

Roller Mill in Cleveland, NM

Then we head to Mora, NM where we saw the Salmon Grist Mill....not a working mill.   They also had U-Pick raspberry's, so I picked some.   Boy are they good, we tasted them as we picked....OK, I tasted them.   Bobby doesn't like therm!  They have raspberry's until the first frost comes...this month usually.    We then drove into Cleveland, NM to see the Roller Mill, another Grist Mill.  It was closed for the season.

Fort Union

Next stop was Fort Union, it's along I-25, so we took the country roads (hwy 161)....very nice drive.   Got to see a herd of Buffalo.  Arrived at the Visitors Center, got my passport stamped, then watched the movie on the fort.   Afterwards we walked around, they don't allow you to get near the structures, as they are very unstable.   It was however very interesting to see what remains....mostly chimneys and parts of the outside walls. 

Montezuma Castle

We then headed back to Las Vegas, NM and went to the Montezuma Castle (now a private college).  You are not allowed to get close to the castle but we got some good pics from the guard shack area.   On the way to the Castle you drive past 3-4 hot springs, saw people swimming in them, we did not try them.

Home now, will spend the evening in, I might go to Beall's, it's just across the street.  Tomorrow we head to San Felipe, NM (just outside of Albuquerque).


October 2, 2012

Fall Colors just N of Las Vegas, NM

Left Colorado Springs at 8:40 AM and headed to Raton, NM.   We were going to spend the night but stopped at the visitors center and realized we'd seen almost everything around this area when we were here two years ago with my Sister and Brother-n-law.   So, we head to Las Vegas, NM.   It's about 100 miles south.   Arrived at the Elks and will spend 1-3 days, depends on when the Porters will arrive in New Mexico, as we'll catch up with them.

Snow in Mts west of Pueblo, CO

The drive down was uneventful, it's a fairly boring drive, accept in some spots trees were in full color...it was beautiful!  We did see lots of Pronghorns, that was nice.   Also so a semi and tractor burnt.   This was just south of Pueblo and then had the freeway closed, so we had to take a detour.  We could see the truck, there was absolutely nothing left of it.   Firefighters were working on the trailer, but it was totaled also.