Oct 16 -18 Cross Country

October 16, Monday

We drop Gwynne off at the Albuquerque airport around 6:00 and begin the long drive to Boston, where we will participate in the Brain Tumor Walk with Greg's brother Brett who is a survivor and other members of the Johnson clan.

Greg puts on his driver's hat, and drives and drives and drives.  Beth navigates, works on the computer, sleeps a bit and takes in scenery through New Mexico, into Texas, then Oklahoma and Arkansas, where we catch some zzz's.  Windfarms, corn, cotton, cattle, hay... Flat, flat, flat.

 Tuesday we reach Missouri about 7:30 AM, past Boston Mountain, then into Illinois,  and Indiana with a stop at Newcastle Walmart, home of the Indiana Hoosier Basketball Hall of Fame. Lots of corn fields across the country; some harvested, some not yet. 

Wednesday, into Ohio.  Gas continues to inch upward in price. The only constant other than corn and truck traffic is road and bridge repairs. We squeak through the north west corner of PA, past lots of wineries around Erie and into New York.  We are seeing some Fall colors, though it looks like it is past peak time in western NY, and we stop for the night at Cobleskill NY Walmart (Hey! We've been here before after visiting Cooperstown.)    Very foggy Thursday morning, as we take the Mass Pike across this beautiful state. A little more color in the trees here.  We stop for a gym visit, lunch and an oil change in Reading before heading to Brett & Dave's in North Reading. 

Greg takes a series of Windshield Photos, as we move across the country, staying at friendly Walmarts.

Final Day in Albq Oct 15, 2017

Sunday, October 15

This is the final day of the 2017 Balloon Fiesta.  Chilly morning as we head for the launch field.  Beth made an appointment at the Canon tent for a free camera/lens cleaning at 6:30AM, so we arrive there a little early and hand over the camera.  The yellow flag is flying this morning, so we wait with coffee and hot chocolate.

Pick up the camera and all is well, but the winds are persistent.  Beth hangs out in the New Mexico tourism trailer along with lots of other folks trying to stay warm.  We talk with some balloonist folks who say it doesn't look good for flying today... as they put it, "we'd much rather be on the ground wishing we were flying, than in the air wishing we were on the ground."   We decide to give it up and head back to the Trek, feeling sorry for folks who only showed up for today's Mass Ascension finale! We were fortunate to have several GREAT days!

Today's alternate adventure is a visit to the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

We are greeted by the periodic table, then on to the history of the discovery of at the atom.  Amazing that scientists way back were suggesting that things were made of tiny particles...

There was a 30 minute introductory film, and the parts I saw were interesting, though it was dark, warm and comfortable and I didn't actually see the whole film...Zzzzzzz.

This is a model of "Gadget", the code name for the atomic bomb tested at the Trinity Site in New Mexico in July of 1942.  Sounds much nicer to say they were testing a "gadget" rather than a nuclear bomb, eh?

It was developed at the secretive Los Alamos, which we drove through earlier in this trip, which is still a center of nuclear research.

There were several different types of bombs being developed using nuclear fusion.  Gadget, and later Fat Man (dropped on Nagasaki)

used plutonium which was compressed by other explosives to create the atomic explosion.   Big Boy, dropped on Hiroshima, used uranium 235.

There were films and discussion about Truman's difficult decision to use the bombs, as well as the aftermath in Japan.  And then nuclear proliferation and the Cold War, with shelters and the general atmosphere of the cold war.  The Bay of Pigs, Berlin and the eventual treaties and end to the Cold War.  The current situation with so many nuclear-armed countries is just touched upon briefly.

There were areas dealing with more positive aspects of atomic energy, such as power, nuclear use in medicine and science,  and another area which featured books, movies, comics and other media that dealt with atomic energy.

Outside were B52 bombers like those that delivered bombs to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a tower like the one used at Trinity Site and a few other missiles and planes.

Overall an interesting and educational place!

We have decided to stay in a hotel this evening near the airport, since Gwynne has an early flight tomorrow.  So, about 2:00 we check into a Days' Inn, settle into a nice room and find their laundry room.  Greg and Gwynne take time watching the machines and we find time for a little bit of football on TV.  We've decided on a nice dinner and head for Saluto's in the Nob Hill area just a few miles away.  It is a northern Italian restaurant and we enjoy a terrific meal!  Great salads of kale, pears, almonds, pancetta and cheese.  Then Gwynne and I had a chicken fettuccini dish and Greg had a pasta with hot italian sausage.

Nice soft beds and a good night's rest.

Albuquerque, More Balloons

Saturday, October 14

Lots of folks arrived yesterday so that the RV Park is bulging today.  It is 57 degrees and another gorgeous day.  When we arrive at the field, the yellow caution flag is flying due to unfavorable winds, but this changes after less than an hour and the balloons once again being deployed everywhere.  This is a Mass Ascension which should be even more balloons than the previous mornings!  We stand in line for some coffee and hot chocolate and find a table with good viewing and get a picture taken as we wait.

Every morning one balloon goes up first with the American Flag flying and someone sings the National Anthem.

We have fun pointing out balloons we hadn't seen before and watching the orchestration of ascent.  Dos Equis is the first to lift off, among cheers.

Amazing sights!

We head back to the Trek for breakfast and then take off for Petroglyph National Monument, about twenty minutes west.  We stop at a Visitor's Center and learn about different trails, and decide on Piedras Marcadas Canyon, about another 6 miles.  It is very near suburban homes, but after a few minutes we are in the desert with huge mounds of lava rocks to our right.  The petroglyphs are etched on the rock by removing a black coating on the rock, rather than adding anything. Some are clear depictions of things we recognize, others puzzling designs.

We walk about a mile or two, speak briefly with some rangers, and head back to the balloon grounds with stops for drinks and ice.

Once again, Gwynne and Greg head to the evening session, and once again the yellow flag flies.

 Instead of cancelling everything, they do what they call "candle lighting" where the balloons are not inflated, but balloonists shoot off their flames.

We find out later that the Balloon Fiesta pays for the fuel.  Not so spectacular, but if this is your first or only session, at least you see something.

Backpacks and bags have been checked daily at the entrances and helicopters make regular rounds for security.

Friday the 13th - Balloons

Friday, October 13

55 degrees this morning.  Greg and Gwynne head to the launch field while Beth hangs out at the Trek planning to do some clean-up and possibly contact someone about the fridge issues.  However, about a half hour after they left, Beth begins to hear the familiar whooshing sound of balloon burners.  Looking outside, she realizes the the balloons have launched and many are coming directly over the rv park!  That's our rv on the front, right!

Today there were a smattering of white wispy clouds here and there in the beautiful blue sky! We have been fortunate with the weather!

Some are even landing in a nearby field.   So instead of working, she watches and takes photos, even getting waves from some of the balloonists as they fly low in preparation for landing!

We thought this sign on the back of one of the chase vehicles might be a good addition to some folks' vehicles..mentioning no names.

Beth is finishing some clean-up when Greg and Gwynne return, having enjoyed their own balloon experiences from the launch field.  They stuck around as some of the balloons also land at the launch field.

 Gwynne in front of a huge shoe balloon, the red are the laces.

We turn to maintenance. Greg contacts a local RV Repair guy who is set up here, but he just does parts.  Then he talks to a mobile repair guy who is totally booked for days.  We call two other local businesses who are also overwhelmed and have no openings for several days.  So we decide we will live with the situation and get some more ice and a small cooler while out and about today.

We head first to Old Town Albuquerque and find a good parking spot close to The Rattlesnake Museum, our first planned stop.   It is a beautiful warm day with brilliant blue skies.

The owner is a friendly guy and the museum a mad mix of information, art, videos, displays and quite a few rattlesnakes along with a few other snakes, a gila monster and turtles and tortoises. Interesting spot and we get a nice recommendation for a lunch spot as well - we never did do breakfast today!

Old town involves several blocks of adobe buildings, mostly now shops, restaurants, museums and other tourist spots.  As in Sante Fe, some folks have spread blankets and are selling jewelry and other crafts.  We head to Church Street Cafe and after a short wait are seated inside.

 Gwynne's taco salad.

 Beth's Pueblo Burger on Indian Fry Bread.

Greg's chicken wrapped in a tortilla.

The building itself, also known as Casa De Ruiz, is a house built during the founding of Albuquerque around 1706. It has been resurfaced and has some lovely southwestern art and beautiful cacti outside.

Lots of small gardens and courtyards, and the ever-present red chili in ristras, wreaths and more throughout town.

We wander some more streets and visit San Felipe De Neri church, the oldest in Albuquerque, also built in 1706 and still active.

Across the street, in the plaza, we pause and listen to some musicians for a bit, before continuing poking into shops here and there.  Greg admires several vintage cars are parked near the plaza.

 This place had beautiful pottery.

Through this entryway, we visited Daniel Ramirez Gallery.

 He was an interesting man who did paintings mainly of native american women.  He did long paintings featuring women of different pueblos, women leaders, etc.  One featured Wilma Mankiller and we talked a little about her and about Gloria Steinham's work with her.  He is putting together a website on native american women which will be animated and should be interesting.

From here we stop at the Albuquerque Main Public Library for an hour or so.  Seems a draw for many homeless.  One man has a seizure and is toted away by stretcher, another seems to be there for counseling...

Back to the RV Park, where Greg fixes pork chops on the grill and Beth makes some mac 'n' cheese. Tasty dinner.   Greg and Gwynne take off for the balloon glow, while Beth does some writing and messing with the hundreds of photos from the last few days.  None of them can quite capture the thrill of being on the launch field amidst all the balloons, then lifting your head to see balloons in every direction, brilliantly lit.

 Never saw this one fly, but it was set up this evening.

The evening has turned windy, so Greg and Gwynne are soon back since it was too windy for many balloons and only a few set up.   They spoke with a "zebra" this evening, of which there are about 70 at each event.  It takes 2 years to become a zebra.  They shadow someone the first year and are allowed to help with the launching in year 2.   It takes many, many dedicated volunteers to have a successful show.