September 28 – 29, 2011 – Balloons and Boomers

Wednesday:

We took our time this morning and then the three rigs headed out to Balloon Fiesta Park.  We arrived mid-morning and are parked with the Boomers (a sub-group of the Escapees).  Once we set up, we just went visiting… great to see everyone.

This afternoon, our friends, Pennie and Dave came in – we saw them last in the spring in Lancaster, PA. Great to see them again.

The rest of our day we spent visiting – did I ever say how blessed we are – :-)))

Judy and Luke planned a group dinner so after happy hour we all went to a Chinese Buffet – yum!

The girls – Shelly, Sue, me, Pennie:

Our group – Bruce, Sue, Shelly, Bill, Dave, Pennie, me, and Andy:

 

Stats for Wednesday:

Miles Traveled: 19 Miles

Routes Traveled:

New Mexico: I-40 Frontage Road (Historic Route 66); I-40 E; I-25 N; Alameda Blvd NE

Thursday we woke to this:

Balloons over our RV and in the field in front of us:

 

 

Nothing like having your morning coffee and watching balloons.

Later in the morning we walked over to the Balloon Park to take our crew training.

The Balloon Launching Field:

Part of our group waiting to watch the video:

After the video, we registered to work on Sunday evening for the glow and Tuesday morning for the race.  Last year we worked almost every day and it was just too much for me.  So we figured we would start out with two days and do more if we felt like it.

Afterwards we walked the field to find out where our launch site would be, then around the vendors – lots to check out when they are open.

This afternoon, the storms and wind rolled in.   Notice the skies in our happy hour photos below.

Let me talk a little on our happy hours (and also send a big thank you to Judy).   On Wednesday, Judy took us thru what will be happening over the next 12 days and also what to expect if we crewed or didn’t crew.  Tonight, Thursday, she arranged for Mike Liberti, one of the pilots, to talk to us on what to expect and also on safety.  Both Judy and Mike have been a wealth of information.

Mike:

  

Judy and Mike’s wife:

Our group:

Notice the skies in the above picture?   Well the wind continued that evening and into the night – we were rocking and rolling.

Also notice the field in the background in the above picture.  Most of us face this field and if the wind is just right, we can watch some of the balloons land.  (Can’t wait.)

And another last picture:

Enjoy today.