10/7 Tuesday, Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, NM

Sometime around 5am (I know that it is at least 5am when the generators are allowed to come on) I ended up with a bed-mate, otherwise known as Smudge. I turned around so instead of my head facing the rear of the coach, my feet face the rear. I also opened the rear window curtain and dozed back off. I was awakened by the “roar/wooosh” of the propane burner of a balloon passing overhead. And there were LOTS of balloons!!

I laid in bed for a while, watching, then got up in the over cab area and stuck my head out the escape hatch. Soon I felt “little paws” joining me, and here was Smudge again, poking her nose out and looking around. We watched for a while, chatting with others on their roofs and on the ground.

I jumped down and got dressed, fed the dogs and wandered over to where two balloons had settled in the field near Blue! A bunch of folks went over to help them out by steadying the baskets, then off they went! Another balloon touched down with no assistance and took two or three hard bounces. Again, folks raced to the rescue!

One can see how close we are to the launch field..since we are on undulating ground, the effect is the balloons are sailing amongst us!

A group of LD’rs got together for a photo, then I took the dogs for a walk. I caught this older lady wearing this funny sweat shirt and asked if I could photograph it.
I’m also collecting a few ballooning pins to decorate a cool hat I bought at a yard sale last year.

One pin was purchased from the mounted Sheriffs, another benefits the family of a fallen police officer. We had a pretty good gab fest with most of the folks in our area.

I locked up the dogs and flagged down one of the school buses that transport people down to the Balloon Museum, the launch grounds and concession stands. It is normally $6.00 to get in, but only in the early morning and in the evening. The rest of the time it’s free. I wandered down to Alpaca Connection to buy a new hand-made sweater. I’ve worn the one I bought last year almost out! I also got a hot dog, served in a bollillo, and a piece of cherry strudel for lunch.

On the way back, I paid $4.00 to wander through the Balloon Museum. It was quite interesting.

This is one of the first "Special Shapes" balloons. This is a "mock up" they have at the museum, and a nice museum worker took my photo for me!
Hmmm...hybrid bicycle/scooters, parked outside the museum. With the traffic here, this would be a great way to get around!

Once back at camp, I sat with a group after I let the dogs out. They are really being good, no problems in the rig, they stay nearby until I put their leashes on. They BOTH will go up to folks for petting and Smudge loves butt scratches. Lia, Tessas’ youngest, even tried to take her for a walk.

I went back to Blue and read the free newspaper that’s delivered when the field isn’t a mud bog, and napped until I was awakened by Cookie checking out were I went. Beth also brought me a piece of carrot cake, baked in a Solar Hot Pot Cooker in front of their rig. YUM!! So moist and tender, it didn’t even need frosting!

Just at dusk I was taking the dogs for a walk and met up with Marial and her dog Ki. We walked for a bit and ended up where there is a stage set-up and a Blue Grass band from Utah was beginning to play. We listened for a bit, then went and got our chairs and refreshments and enjoyed the entertainment until after 8pm. A very nice group to listen to!

If you turn up your volume, you can hear the "whoosh" of the propane burners on the Wells Fargo Special Shapes Balloon as it flies by overhead!!!