Sunday 10-14

We had another leisurely breakfast and visited with a bunch of folks. Lots of goodbye hugs all around. I wandered up Alameda to the Conoco station and got gas, air and dumped the tanks. Then I did my laundry, and we were ready to hit the road. I wanted to stop to pick up lunch, and local NM food sounded good until I saw a Panda Express. There is NO easy way to turn around in Albuequerque! After going around in circles, I parked in a mortuary lot and walked to the Panda.



Once back on the freeway, I kept hearing a rattle-ly noise, like my cell phone vibrating. Turned out it was Smudge, growling at the food!! Found a nice place to pull off and we shared lunch. Drove south on NM 337 to Manzano State Park. We are camped under the trees. I took the dogs for a walk, and the range of smells is over-welming for them!! Every now and then they would go in two different directions!! ACK! Had leftover Panda for dinner and checked the maps for tomorrows adventures!

Saturday 10-13

Took it easy after breakfast, then got brave and left the dogs in the rig to go walk to the Fiesta grounds. I put Smudge in the kennel, Rico was loose.

I walked all the way to the end, easily a mile or so. I bought an Alpaca sweater and other
goodies, and a bar-b-que sandwich and cinnamon roll bites. As I wore my moccasins instead of good walking shoes, my heels were killing me.

The dogs were great, no problems. They helped me eat the sandwich and I kept the cinnamon goodies to myself. Got such a sugar high that I had to take a nap.

Kate gave me a lot of pointers on where to visit on my way to Las Cruces. Almost makes me wish I took more time off!

I used the little bar-b-que Rose gave me to cook a steak.. took a little bit to figure out how to work it. Steak was good, not like on the Weber-Q, but okay. The dogs didn’t mind. Some of the group went down to the “glow-deo”, or to dinner, but I just read and turned in early.

Friday, 10-12

Both dogs got me up at 4am to go for a walk. UGH! At 5am you could hear the generators firing up around the camp grounds, and as the sun rose, the balloons started ascending. I laid on the sofa in back and had quite a show. Mike and Lisa were right on time to do Blues service. I stuffed both dogs in the kennel under the dinette.

Turned out I didn’t need any of the parts I bought!! And Blue came through his inspection with flying colors. So, I didn’t spend too much money! Took the dogs for a nice walk and bought some X-mas gifts and a wonderful fry-bread taco for lunch. Glad I’m by myself!! (whew, beans!) We had a wonderful pot-luck dinner with brisket/bar-b-que sauce (including sissy sauce for the wimps), salads and desserts. I had seconds and dessert. ERP! It was fun seeing folks from last year and meeting new folks. Had another great fireworks show, and turned in right after…yawn!

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Thursday 10-11

I didn’t sleep the greatest last night, so I really took my time getting to Albuquerque. I stopped quite a few times to just walk around and take the dogs for a walk. Heard from Lisa Sylvester confirming Blue’s appointment tomorrow, so decided to stop at CW to pick up any parts that Blue might need. Got to Alb and couldn’t remember which turn off I needed! Saw the Lowe’s/Target stores and knew I was close. Three folks in Target gave me great directions, and then I missed the turn into the RV parking! Traffic was backed up going the opposite direction, and I had a heck of a time getting turned around. Once at the Park, Marial had me park in a VERY narrow spot, with 3” on one side and not much more on the other. Those watching me applauded! There were quite a few LDs this year, over 20, I’m sure. Watched the fireworks after dinner. Smudge is fine, Rico is nervous Nelly. The show was at least 45 minutes long.

New Mexico 2007

Monday 10-8

We drove home from Los Angeles..thought I would get a chance to finish the draperies for Blue, but I'm TIRED!! Spent some time trying to find that last 2 yards of drapery tape, which put me behind.




Tuesday 10-9
Picked Blue up mid-afternoon and heard a creaking from the right front wheel. Steve stood on the running board while I drove up and back in the alley of the RV storage lot. Stopped at the tire store on the way home, as we thought maybe a bolt was loose from the tire replacement last week. Doesn't sound like good news.




Wednesday 10-10
Started the day off with the motor home needing front bearings and brakes. This will delay the start of the Alb Balloon trip..sigh.

Struggled to get the draperies finished, that won’t happen. Couldn’t finish the cab front due to lack of the pinch pleat tape. Couldn’t find it anywhere! Did finally get some, then proceeded to break two needles on the machine. I just gave up. Hustled to get the rest of the stuff together and just threw it inside once the motorhome was finished.


The good part was the call that the laptop I ordered arrived! I drove to Mesa to pick it up, then proceeded north on SR 60. I’ve never been this way before, so it was a new adventure.

Marial called from the Balloon Fiesta, wondering where I was. I’m-a-comin’, I told her! The road between Globe and Show Low is pretty winding, glad it was dark, so I couldn’t see how far down I would fall! Stayed north of Show Low at the Voyager Juniper Pines RV Park. I couldn’t find anything else! Nice and clean, lots of grass, but the overnighters get to park on gravel/mud.