***America One and Patriot Debut at Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta (ABNER'S BALLOONS!!!)***

US FLAG BALLOON ^ | 10/15/03 | Diotima

[Taxman]

We missed you!

But had a grate time in spite of your absence!

[NRA2BFree]

Sorry to hear that you got hurt on your first hot air balloon flight and glad to hear that you still crew.

Yes, it was a bummer, but I've got it out of the way now. lol It should be clear sailing from here on out! :)

Lot of fun, isn't it?

Yes, it's a blast! I will go up again. I just need to make sure the pilot's sober. lol THAT would be a huge improvement. :)

Are the heuvos rancheros at the Gallup airport restaurant still the best in the West?

No, they're the best at my house. lol :) Actually, there are a lot of excellent Mexican Food Restraunts in Gallup. I just moved back over this way from Albuquerque last year and I haven't tried them out. No need. :)

[Taxman]

Fly with Captain Barry. You will be safe!

Well, then, I'll just have to drive out there and find out if your heuvos rancheros are better than the ones at the Gallup airport restaurant, won't I?

LOL!

[Syncro]

Thanks for the personal response Taxman.

I like it when people are Frank with me...LOL

I wish I could have driven out there, but could not take time off from work and family issues.

I hope they come closer to the West Coast some time so I can chicken out of going up in the balloon...

Just wearing shoes makes me askarit of heights.

[NRA2BFree]

Fly with Captain Barry. You will be safe!

I'm not sure who he is but if you say he's safe, I'll take your word for it. :)

Well, then, I'll just have to drive out there and find out if your heuvos rancheros are better than the ones at the Gallup airport restaurant, won't I? LOL

Yup! I drove to VA in 1998 and it's a long way. I guess I better practice. :) I'd hate for you to wring my neck. LOL Nah, they're excellent. Not to worry! :) I make good red chili pork enchiladas too. Combo burritos. Yum. I'm making myself hungry. LOL

[Taxman]

Why, ma'am, I am pleased to inform you that Captain Barry is the world famous 1/2 owner (Commander Teri owns the other 1/2) and pilot of the US Flag Hot Air Balloon, "America One." See post #64. He is the "Blues Brother" on the right in the second picture.

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed my "USA Driveabout." So I'll do it again, probably in the spring, before the balloon season starts. There is a lot of America that I have not seen, and I intend to go see it after the snows melt!

That give you enough time to get up to speed on your Mexican cooking?

[When I was flying for Peabody coal out of Flagstaff, AZ, we voted the Gallup restaurant the Grand Prize winner of our best huevos rancheros contest. I ate a lot of huevos rancheros in 1980 and 1981! And I ate most of them in Gallup!]

[Taxman]

Flying in a hot air balloon is the most fun you will ever have with your clothes on!

I, too, hope that some day we can fly America One and Patriot on the West Coast. Both balloons are big-time crowd pleasers.

Until then, see if you can find a balloonist in your local area looking for a "Crew Dog." Try it. You most certainly will get hooked and you will probably overcome any fears of flying you may have.

FReegards,

FRank

[NRA2BFree]

Why, ma'am, I am pleased to inform you that Captain Barry is the world famous 1/2 owner (Commander Teri owns the other 1/2) and pilot of the US Flag Hot Air Balloon, "America One." See post #64. He is the "Blues Brother" on the right in the second picture.

OK, great. He looks sober. LOL That's really an awesome balloon. It would be my honor and patriotic duty to fly in that balloon. Remind me of these words if I balk. :)

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed my "USA Driveabout." So I'll do it again, probably in the spring, before the balloon season starts. There is a lot of America that I have not seen, and I intend to go see it after the snows melt!

Those USA Driveabouts are so much fun. :) I've been coast to coast and border to border, but not to the upper north eastern part of the country. I didn't want to go beyond VA alone. I was afraid I'd get lost in the "wrong part of town." I heard they don't like guns in DC and I don't go anywhere without mine. :)

When I went to VA I drove up to see the changing leaves and I drove back through that tunnel under the ocean. That was kinda scary. (Almost like riding BART under the bay at San Francisco.) Then I drove on down to Atlanta before coming home. That was a beautiful trip.

That give you enough time to get up to speed on your Mexican cooking?

Sure! I've never stopped cooking Mexican food, but since I'm competing with a "famous restaurant", I'd better practice. :)

[When I was flying for Peabody coal out of Flagstaff, AZ, we voted the Gallup restaurant the Grand Prize winner of our best huevos rancheros contest. I ate a lot of huevos rancheros in 1980 and 1981! And I ate most of them in Gallup!]

Maybe I should go down there and try them out. They may need some pointers. :) I can see Murphy's Law coming over the horizon. :) I need to go out back and shoot some crow. I might want to learn how to cook them up real tender just in case I have to eat a side dish of 'em. LOL :)

[Taxman]

You will not balk. Repeat after me: "I will not balk!" Barry is a good, safety concious pilot. After all, hizownass is on the line, too! LOL!

This Driveabout was so much fun, that I might just drive to California to visit my kids at Christmas rather than fly -- it will cost more, but then, I'll get a chance to see more of this wonderful land. Maybe go poke around N. California and Southern Oregon some before I head back.

Start praciticin'! LOL!

But leave them crows alone -- I'm sure you won't needem atall!

[woofie]

Didnt know you guys were in Alb...I would have loved to meet you ...send a freep mail next year and I'll buy the burritos

[NRA2BFree]

Wow, you certainly do have a brave soul to come over the mountains in the dead of winter. :)

Now that yerownass is on the line, I better get you a little "survival kit" together so you will know what you need to bring to survive 48 hours in a snow bank. giggle

Oh No, it's not necessary to thank me. This is just a little bit of that Rocky Mountain High Hospitality that we provide for all snowbound motorists. LOL

Might I suggest you come by one of these? Mush! Do not balk. LOL

[Taxman]

Snow? In Gallup, NM? I only recall an occasional
"dusting" of snow there when I lived in Flagstaff. Perhaps my memory fails me in my old age and advanced state of decrepitude?

Survival kit will be gratefully accepted, howsomever. I'm think I'll leave here on Dec. 20th, or thereabouts. Perhaps earlier, to give me more time to "poke around" one or more of the interesting parts of this great country en route. Never can tell when a survival kit will come in handy. LOL!

Naaaaaahhhhh! My big, comfortable, decidely non-PC '91 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham is a better choice than a buncha '03 mushing huskies. LOL! But thanks for the tip.

[NRA2BFree]

Snow? In Gallup, NM? I only recall an occasional "dusting" of snow there when I lived in Flagstaff. Perhaps my memory fails me in my old age and advanced state of decrepitude?

We have terrible winters here but Flagstaff is even worse. I-40 gets closed down several times in the winter but not just here. I-40 east of Albuquerque and on through the TX panhandle has terrible snow storms and closes frequently in the winter.

I have driven from LA coming back to Albuquerque hitting snow at the foothills near Seligman, AZ and had snow packed/icy roads all the way back into Albuquerque. The worst being from Flagstaff through Gallup. I've also driven all the way from Gallup to KY in snow over Thanksgiving. I'm not kidding. It can be brutal, especially with all the semi drivers and their "stop on a dime" mentality. Blowing snow is another huge problem. I personally would not drive during the winter months if I were you. This is snow country and we are overdue for the big one. LOL

Survival kit will be gratefully accepted, howsomever. I'm think I'll leave here on Dec. 20th, or thereabouts. Perhaps earlier, to give me more time to "poke around" one or more of the interesting parts of this great country en route. Never can tell when a survival kit will come in handy. LOL!

I'll work on your survival kit next week. :) I have to meet my brother at my dads tomorrow as he's flying in from AL and I'll be gone for a few days with no computer access. Shudder. LOL Trust me, if you drive, you will NEED a survival kit. :)

Naaaaaahhhhh! My big, comfortable, decidely non-PC '91 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham is a better choice than a buncha '03 mushing huskies. LOL! But thanks for the tip.

I have an SUV now because I live in snow country. Does that tell you how bad it gets? LOL I laugh, but I'm soooo serious. It's very dangerous and it can ruin a trip when it snows. You should plan the trip through the mountains in the summer. :)

[Taxman]

LOL! I am not going to drive via I-40 in the winter -- been there, done that, got the T-shirt -- but no dings and no towing charges!

I'll be taking the Southren route -- I-10 to I-8 through El Paso and will be avoiding snow, blowing snow, ice, black ice, accidents, etc., etc.

Of course, if the Sirvival Kit is complete enough, I may consider tempting the winter weather gods. LOL!

[NRA2BFree]

OK, you asked for it. LOL :) Here are the first items that go into any good RMH Survival Kit.

This is what you need when you first land in the snow bank. It will take the edge off your nerves. LOL

This is what you'll need after 48 hours! It's still snowing, the freeway is closed, and there's no traffic. This could be the end, but what the heck. Who cares? You won't feel a thing. You'll be well preserved when they dig you out in March! LOL

[abner]

Here is one for ya'... VOC makes shelves...

[Interesting Times]

And to think, they say true craftsmanship is dead...

[abner]

Yea, go figure... Tonight he makes a house for a stray cat we have at the office...

[Taxman]

LOL!

Got all that. What else do I need?

[Taxman]

I gather that when they collapse into a pile of sawdust and miscellaneous debris, you will send us pictures?

LOL!

[You both had a lot of fun with this photo essay, didn't you?]

[So did I.]