Balloon Fiesta-Part 2

Monnday: Last nights wine and cheese social was a big hit. Lots of excellent, and varied,  cheese dishes.

This is a racing balloon. In the evening four launched. The goal is to travel as far as possible without landing. This race is a preliminary event with the winner going to an international race later this year.

The balloon launch was delayed until about 9am because of high winds. The typical start time is about 7am. The 9am launch worked much better with Carols schedule. Once again, we walked down to the museum area for a nice view.

 The 9am launch worked well for a lot of people.

The old style Lazy Daze and the new style.

Tuesday:
Two more people pulled in today. Todd who just picked up his new-to-him '99 LD in California. He's on his way back to Minnesota.  And Ginny Free and her wonder dog Junah; a very friendly female doberman pincher. Ginny has had a run of bad luck with her Lazy Daze but you would never guess it by talking to her. She's just as smiley and cheerful as can be.



Tonight  was desert-for- dinner night. A huge selection of mostly homemade deserts was available.
We've both put on weight recently. As soon as we get home, the diet starts.

Wednesday:
Our last day here.

 The view out the rear window of the camper.

 One last look at the balloons.

 Our Lazy Daze friend, Lisa, pulled in  today.  These days Lisa's traveling with three dogs; all strays shes picked up here and there.
Tonight is grill night. Throw whatever you care too on the grill.

Thursday:

  We headed out this morning about 7am. Tonight we're in the Fair Park campground in Childress, TX. ($15/night for water/elect. No dump station) We've been here before. It's right in the center of the city park. Very nice. 34.42997  -100.20207
We had dinner at the Jakson Steak and Bar-B-Que restaurant. The brisket was as good as it gets (served, of course, with plain white bread). They have some very good sides as well. The onion rings are breaded with cornmeal. We shared the squash chips, sweet potato fries and slaw.

During the drive, the primary topic was the possible move to Colorado. We've decided to go ahead so when we get home, I'll start working on all the little repair items needed to get the house ready to sell  and we'll start sorting through a lifetime of "stuff", deciding what to pitch, what to donate and what to take to CO.

Three more long driving days ahead of us.

Balloon Fiesta

We arrived at the BF camping area on Monday, October 1st  after staying at two casinos for a night each. On Sunday, a bunch of us enjoyed the brunch at the Sandia Casino. It was very good.
I met an interesting guy who was camping at the Sandia Casino parking lot near us. He lives in  town but brings his camper to the casino for the BF because he just enjoys the company in the parking lot. He showed me this poster.

 It's so nice meeting up with our friends. Carol and I both have a chance to socialize with someone besides each other. I think Carol in particular, enjoys the company of the other women. It must get really old hanging around with just me and the dog. 

The camping area on Monday the 1st.

 On Tuesday, we walked with John and Linda to the Murphy Mule Barn restaurant for breakfast. It's 1.2 miles each way on a nice paved walkway. Carols scooter did just fine. Carol had granola pancakes and I had huevos rancheros; one of my Mexican favorites.

More food. On Tuesday we had Linda's pulled pork supper and on Thursday Roger cooked the tri-tip roast Annie and Rick provided. We made brownies and bar-b-qued sweet potatoes for the tri-tip night. Tomorrow is the brunch.  When we get home in a few weeks, it's back to our typical healthy diet. Until then, we're eating our way through Albuquerque.
Thursday:
This morning we went into town, dumped the tanks at the free Giant station, did grocery shopping, picked up some of the worlds best brisket, pulled pork and turkey, at Rudy's then topped off with water. Starting tomorrow, the roads, restaurants, stores, etc.,  all around here will be jam packed.
Right now there are 11 Lazy Days here. Ten more are due in tomorrow. It's interesting seeing the new LD's. There are two 2012 models here. In a few more days, there will be 30 LD's here.
Roger, Mister "Q". is setting up a new Yahoo page for the annual Lazy Daze gathering at Quartzsite ("Q") in January.
The new Lazy Daze "Q" site

On Friday the line of campers pulling into the camping area stretched from the road to the registration area.

The camping area on Friday

Dweezil Zappa, Rick and Annies dog, let Gopher try on his shades.

 The Rudy's truck came through on Friday passing out free breakfast tacos. This is Rick and Annie with their hands full.

 Socializing.

The balloon activities were cancelled on Saturday because of inclement weather. The night time fireworks did go on.
Ann and Jerry Marcus are here having just returned from their summer long adventure to Alaska. They drove their LD to the Arctic Circle then took the bus to Prudoe Bay.  Ann is the most amazing baker. One night she made the lemon cake she is famous for then outdid herself with a pineapple cake.

On Sunday the balloons took off. The three of us walked down past the Balloon Museum and had a prime viewing spot.

Balloons being inflated.

They go up, then they come down.

Sometimes right in the middle of a camping area.

 Sometimes on the sidewalk.

More pictures to follow on another day.
Tonight is the wine and cheese social. We don't drink the stuff but bought a bottle of wine at Trader Joe's the other day.