Albuquerque Balloon Festival

[Ron in BC]

We've wanted to go for years and this is the year we're going. So I'm wondering if I'm going to see any Escapes in the campground. You notice I didn't say "any other". Sadly ours is going to stay at home while we attend the festival in, gasp, a Cruise America box on wheels

They're not all that bad, if you overlook the daily trauma at the gas pump. In the last year we've crossed the US, coast to coast, in them. With limited time they've allowed us to fly to the starting point a lot quicker than if we'd driven down. In this case we're delivering one from LA to Mesa with a minor detour to the South Rim and the festival.

So we'll be walking around the camping areas looking for Escapes, who's going?

Ron

[jamman]

We will be in the VIP (misnamed , should be Very Expensive Boondocking) section October 9-12 in our 19' Escape. My brother will hopefully be next to us in their pickup camper.

[KarenH]

This was on my List, too, and I managed to get there a couple of years ago. It is truly a thrill. Do not miss the Mass Ascension in the mornings or the late evening "Glows." And the absolute best way into the events (if not staying onsite) is to go to one of the Park & Ride lots; purchase your tickets online at a discount. The people running this show have it down to a military science and it's not worth your time to figure out parking, ticketing, etc., or to fight the traffic.

[Ron in BC]

Too bad Doug, won't get to say hi, we're there from the 3rd to 6th.

Oh well, maybe next year at Moab, if there's going to be another meet there.

Ron

[dave1]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Too bad Doug, won't get to say hi, we're there from the 3rd to 6th.

Oh well, maybe next year at Moab, if there's going to be another meet there.

Ron

Hi Ron,

We also met you guys in Moab and live in Abq. Unfortunately we will be out of town until the evening of the 5th, would have been fun to see you. If you could roll your trip back a week we could have a mini Moab reunion. Planning to see Doug and Karen after their VIP weekend at the ballon field.
Karen's tip about park and ride is a good one if you want to go to the field to see an am launch or evening ballon glow. Keep an eye on the weather as they won't do anything if it's windy.
Dave

[Dave&Kathie]

For those of you in the PNW that might not be able to make Albuquerque, Prosser, WA has a great little balloon festival. A little late now but keep it in mind. We've been several times. The weather is always great. Fun place to visit, lots of wineries (Wine Country RV Park is very close to the airfield).

Home - Prosser Balloon Rally

Kathie

[walloe]

I met friends from PA at the Festiva a few years ago. In order to get next to each other, we met at a casino parking lot, then drove in one after another in order to get sites next to each other. One morning while drinking our coffee outside, the balloons were landing in a field not far from where we were parked. What a site!!

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by dave1

Hi Ron,

If you could roll your trip back a week we could have a mini Moab reunion. Planning to see Doug and Karen after their VIP weekend at the ballon field.

Dave

A mini Moab would be fun, oh well, guess we'll have to wait for the real one.

"roll your trip back a week" Oh man, I wouldn't dare suggest that. M. is such a great planner. She's got everything organized and booked, from flights to shuttles to campgrounds. Asking her to change everything by a week.... I couldn't run fast enough

Ron

[FMLNM]

We were there last year with our trailer (we live just on the other side of the mountain) and had a great time. The shuttle from the 'campground' to the Fiesta park was extremely convenient. 15 minutes from leaving the door of the trailer to walking onto the launch field. The 'campground' is really just a large sand/dirt lot that you park in and they temporarily string services to the more expensive sites. But it is the perfect way to see the event!

[MyronL]

You must be on the field not later than 5 AM. You'll be the guy with the Cruise America lanyard around his neck. I might not get back from a trip in time but If I get there I'll be looking for you, Ron.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by MyronL

You'll be the guy with the Cruise America lanyard around his neck.

Nah, I'll be the guy with the Escape Trailer Industries ball cap

Thanks for the tip, for events like this we generally try and beat the crowd.

Ron

[Ron in BC]

We're here. What a sea of RV's. We'll be looking for Escapes but there's no way we'll ever walk the whole parking lot. First mass ascension tomorrow.
Ron

[FMLNM]

Welcome to NM! Enjoy! It's supposed to be a great mass ascension Saturday! We'll be there on Sunday but not with our trailer...we're just driving over from the other side of the Sandia Mountains where we live.

[Ron in BC]

Great first day. Got on a chase crew for one of the largest balloons. Leaned lots about balloons, including how hot it is 3 feet from the burner! Given up looking for Escapes, what a sea of huge RV's.

Ron