Posted on 10/15/2003 11:03:50 AM PDT by diotima
The Albuquerque International Ballon Fiesta was held October 4-12, 2003. The star attractions of the event, in my humble opinion, were the America One and Patriot special shape balloons, owned by freeperess Abner and her husband (and America One pilot) Victim of Circumstance.
Bob J and I flew to Albuquerque on Wednesday to attend the festival.
On Thursday morning we gleefully woke up at 3:30am (that is 2:30am Los Angeles time) to attend the mass assension of the special shape balloons. We drove to the field with abner, VOC, and their very dedicated crew (including FR's own Taxman, Crew Chief of Patriot.) Unfortunately, the wind was not working in our favor and the balloons did not fly. It takes at least an hour to prepare the balloons for inflation. The crew was amazing! Later that night, we returned for The Glow, which is where the balloons are lit up on the ground. It was an amazing site. I believe there was about 80 special shape balloons at the event.
The next morning, same time, we woke up and headed down to the field for the special shape assension. I wanted to fly in the balloon if the weather permitted. (Aside: I don't know why I wanted to fly in the balloon as I hate flying in planes...go figure.) As luck would have it, there was no wind and we got ready to roll! I flew in America One with Victim of Circumstance at the healm. We were up in the air for over an hour and a half! (What was going through my head: WOW this is amazing! I hope my hair doesn't catch on fire.)
The balloon landed softly off the field and people came out their houses to see the balloon and take pictures. The chase crew arrived with in a minute of our landing and packed up the balloon. Later that night we returned to the field for the evening glow.
We had such a fabulous time and I had a terrific experience. When the balloon season starts up again next year, I urge people to go and see abner and VOC's balloon as it showcases at events around the country. Looking at pictures does not do the balloons justice!!!
Many, many pictures can be found at
www.usflagballoon.com and
Dio's Pictures
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. :)
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
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 :)
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
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. :)
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
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