Well here we are in Santa Fe New Mexico after what seems like a whirlwind 36 hours. We picked Jerry and Brenda up at 10 am Tuesday eastern time headed for the Raleigh airport and we were eating dinner in Albuquerque @ 8:00 pm mountain time last night. This morning we were up at 04:30 am to head for the International Balloon Fiesta Mass Ascension, and then around 11:00 am we left Albuquerque headed for Santa Fe. We arrived at Santa Fe about 4:00 pm and are safely checked into our rooms at the Sage Inn. In between we experienced a lot of stuff.
Arriving at Raleigh, we were greeted by a significantly cheerful TSA staff. I presented myself with my now perfected drill, which involves: removing everything from my body except minimal clothes (I’d go nude, but it would probably clear the airport), stepping up to the metal detector and politely declaring, “I need an assist, I have medical prostheses”. The nice man passed me quickly through the metal detector to the assist holding cell. A nice fellow named Jamal came over quickly, and waved his magic wand all over me, and then patted me down. As soon as he was done, I sprinted for the “person reassembly area” and got all my stuff back on and in. I surged ahead and beat both the girls and Jerry out of the reassembly area. This was a first for me ever.
We proceeded to locate our gate, and then on to the nearby Delta Crown Room. We have a pretty cool deal with American Express that gets us several free companion airfares a year along with admittance to the great airline lounges for frequent travelers. The Delta Crown Rooms offer complimentary adult beverages, tasty snacks, and all manner of daily reading materials. We availed ourselves heartily of their hospitality until it was time to adjourn to the boarding gate. The flight to Atlanta was uneventful but during some brief turbulence somehow the plane’s bouncing motions got in time with the video showing on the overhead screens. It seemed to make the video motionless to my eyes. It was an odd metaphysical moment. (prescription drugs could have been involved)
Upon arriving in Atlanta we were fortunate to have our connecting gate be in the same concourse (anybody who has flown through Atlanta will appreciate not going from A to D). We located our new gate and all agreed lunch was probably in order. There just happened to be a Krystal Burger just down the concourse from us. We availed ourselves of their fine fare and a few sliders later we boarded the plane for Albuquerque. The flight was long, cramped, and full, just the way I like it. We arrived in Albuquerque, collected our baggage without fanfare and made what seemed like a fifteen-minute bus ride to the rental car complex. We arrived at the Dollar Rental Car counter to find a long waiting line. Jerry had the Dollar Member’s Express privileges and slid right in ahead of everybody. We were significantly impressed. As we headed out to the rental car it just happened to be sunset over the mountains in Albuquerque, which was a beautiful vista. We collected the Dodge Charger that we were assigned and engineered all our luggage into its commodious but not user-friendly trunk. We carefully inspected the car noting any damage and headed out to find our motel, which ended up being perfectly located for the next days activities.
After checking into our motel (A Super 8 that was surprisingly spacious and nice) we were looking for some supper. The desk clerk suggested a place just down the street that served Mexican fare. (as opposed to New Mexican fare??) We took his suggestion and ended up at Cazuelas, which actually was in Rio Rancho NM instead of Albuquerque. We had an interesting experience there. When we arrived, there were cars in the parking lot, and the sign was on, but it looked like it was closed. As we were checking the open hrs on the door a young hostess came to the door and unlocked it to let us in. They had been closing early for lack of business, but opened up for us. We were glad they did, and had a fine and tasty meal. We then headed back to Mr. 8 to hit the hay for an early wake up call.
Reason for the early call was a discussion we had with a knowledgeable person in the motel lobby about what we need to do to effectively attend the International Balloon Mass Ascension at the International Balloon Fiesta Wednesday morning. According to this person and a couple other bystanders, we had to leave the Motel by 05:00 in order to beat the traffic and actually make it to the start of the Ascension. At 04:30 the clock went of and we headed out shortly after 5. (after grazing on the marginal “continental breakfast”) We arrived at the Balloon Fiesta Park smartly avoiding all the traffic and got a ride by some lovely young girls in a courtesy cart from the handicapped parking to the festivities. When we got there, we realized it was dark, cold, and the wind was blowing. We weren’t freezing but it was definitely chilly. Jerry was hungry and got a giant tasty looking breakfast burrito, and I settled for a mucho biggo coffee. Vickie just had to have cotton candy as soon as she spied it.
Soon however, the “Dawn Patrol” started warming up. What this means is a small group of hot air balloonists take to the air just at dawn. It was amazing to see them get filled up and take off. Every time one of them fired their propane burners, the balloon lit up like a great big light bulb. What’s really amazing is you can get right down amid the flight preparations. They encourage you to mingle and talk with the balloonists and crews. The heat from the burners as they fired them was really great.
After the dawn patrol, came the first balloon up after it was actually light. This was the Continental Airlines balloon, one of the main sponsors. It got to carry up the American flag, and they play the star spangled banner. It was very exciting. Soon after that all the international balloonists start getting ready. What was surprising is that out of the darkness covering the balloon park there materialized hundreds and hundreds of trucks with crews preparing to launch balloons. The field is probably as big as 4 or 5 football fields, and covered with smooth grass.
The balloons are inflated with big fans first, and then start firing their propane burners to generate hot air and lift. Soon they are straining to rise against the strength and weight of the crew holding them in place. Each balloon must be cleared for take off by an official. All the officials (and there are a bunch of them) are dressed head to toe in black and white stripes and look sort of like clowns. They run around whistling the balloons to freedom in a never-ending stream. It seems when one balloon goes up there are three more preparing to take its place. Pilots from 26 different countries attended this event. We watched the entire lift off, and it was over 2 hrs. There must have been 750 huge balloons.
After the balloon ascension, we headed back and checked out of the Super 8, headed for Santa Fe via Los Alamos starting on the second part of this carazy day.
More later,
Arriving at Raleigh, we were greeted by a significantly cheerful TSA staff. I presented myself with my now perfected drill, which involves: removing everything from my body except minimal clothes (I’d go nude, but it would probably clear the airport), stepping up to the metal detector and politely declaring, “I need an assist, I have medical prostheses”. The nice man passed me quickly through the metal detector to the assist holding cell. A nice fellow named Jamal came over quickly, and waved his magic wand all over me, and then patted me down. As soon as he was done, I sprinted for the “person reassembly area” and got all my stuff back on and in. I surged ahead and beat both the girls and Jerry out of the reassembly area. This was a first for me ever.
We proceeded to locate our gate, and then on to the nearby Delta Crown Room. We have a pretty cool deal with American Express that gets us several free companion airfares a year along with admittance to the great airline lounges for frequent travelers. The Delta Crown Rooms offer complimentary adult beverages, tasty snacks, and all manner of daily reading materials. We availed ourselves heartily of their hospitality until it was time to adjourn to the boarding gate. The flight to Atlanta was uneventful but during some brief turbulence somehow the plane’s bouncing motions got in time with the video showing on the overhead screens. It seemed to make the video motionless to my eyes. It was an odd metaphysical moment. (prescription drugs could have been involved)
Upon arriving in Atlanta we were fortunate to have our connecting gate be in the same concourse (anybody who has flown through Atlanta will appreciate not going from A to D). We located our new gate and all agreed lunch was probably in order. There just happened to be a Krystal Burger just down the concourse from us. We availed ourselves of their fine fare and a few sliders later we boarded the plane for Albuquerque. The flight was long, cramped, and full, just the way I like it. We arrived in Albuquerque, collected our baggage without fanfare and made what seemed like a fifteen-minute bus ride to the rental car complex. We arrived at the Dollar Rental Car counter to find a long waiting line. Jerry had the Dollar Member’s Express privileges and slid right in ahead of everybody. We were significantly impressed. As we headed out to the rental car it just happened to be sunset over the mountains in Albuquerque, which was a beautiful vista. We collected the Dodge Charger that we were assigned and engineered all our luggage into its commodious but not user-friendly trunk. We carefully inspected the car noting any damage and headed out to find our motel, which ended up being perfectly located for the next days activities.
After checking into our motel (A Super 8 that was surprisingly spacious and nice) we were looking for some supper. The desk clerk suggested a place just down the street that served Mexican fare. (as opposed to New Mexican fare??) We took his suggestion and ended up at Cazuelas, which actually was in Rio Rancho NM instead of Albuquerque. We had an interesting experience there. When we arrived, there were cars in the parking lot, and the sign was on, but it looked like it was closed. As we were checking the open hrs on the door a young hostess came to the door and unlocked it to let us in. They had been closing early for lack of business, but opened up for us. We were glad they did, and had a fine and tasty meal. We then headed back to Mr. 8 to hit the hay for an early wake up call.
Reason for the early call was a discussion we had with a knowledgeable person in the motel lobby about what we need to do to effectively attend the International Balloon Mass Ascension at the International Balloon Fiesta Wednesday morning. According to this person and a couple other bystanders, we had to leave the Motel by 05:00 in order to beat the traffic and actually make it to the start of the Ascension. At 04:30 the clock went of and we headed out shortly after 5. (after grazing on the marginal “continental breakfast”) We arrived at the Balloon Fiesta Park smartly avoiding all the traffic and got a ride by some lovely young girls in a courtesy cart from the handicapped parking to the festivities. When we got there, we realized it was dark, cold, and the wind was blowing. We weren’t freezing but it was definitely chilly. Jerry was hungry and got a giant tasty looking breakfast burrito, and I settled for a mucho biggo coffee. Vickie just had to have cotton candy as soon as she spied it.
Soon however, the “Dawn Patrol” started warming up. What this means is a small group of hot air balloonists take to the air just at dawn. It was amazing to see them get filled up and take off. Every time one of them fired their propane burners, the balloon lit up like a great big light bulb. What’s really amazing is you can get right down amid the flight preparations. They encourage you to mingle and talk with the balloonists and crews. The heat from the burners as they fired them was really great.
After the dawn patrol, came the first balloon up after it was actually light. This was the Continental Airlines balloon, one of the main sponsors. It got to carry up the American flag, and they play the star spangled banner. It was very exciting. Soon after that all the international balloonists start getting ready. What was surprising is that out of the darkness covering the balloon park there materialized hundreds and hundreds of trucks with crews preparing to launch balloons. The field is probably as big as 4 or 5 football fields, and covered with smooth grass.
The balloons are inflated with big fans first, and then start firing their propane burners to generate hot air and lift. Soon they are straining to rise against the strength and weight of the crew holding them in place. Each balloon must be cleared for take off by an official. All the officials (and there are a bunch of them) are dressed head to toe in black and white stripes and look sort of like clowns. They run around whistling the balloons to freedom in a never-ending stream. It seems when one balloon goes up there are three more preparing to take its place. Pilots from 26 different countries attended this event. We watched the entire lift off, and it was over 2 hrs. There must have been 750 huge balloons.
After the balloon ascension, we headed back and checked out of the Super 8, headed for Santa Fe via Los Alamos starting on the second part of this carazy day.
More later,
Wes
1 comment:
Great shots, great vacations. Take another, through the Caribben with dolphins. Read EBook "Flukes" for ation adventure and romance.
www.eloquentbooks.com/flukes.html
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