Oct 10th to 13th - Albuquerque to Tucson AZ

Oct 10th - Sat - Albuquerque
We, Gary & Karen, Wayne and Mel caught the bus about 6:15 again this morning. There was a huge crowd of people at the balloon park as there was a mass ascension today - some of the special shapes balloons and hundreds of the regular balloons. We set our chairs again where balloon rides were launching. These balloons are huge in order to support up to a dozen riders and the whole row starts inflating and launching to get out of the way before the masses. Incredible!
The “Albuquerque Box” was working this morning. The winds at a lower level were north-to-south. Then the balloons would climb a bit and hit the wind going south-to-north. It was amazing to look up and see balloons traveling in both directions. The sky was filled with balloons as they drifted off to the north.
There were no games after the launch and the lines at the food vendors were huge so we all went back to our sites. We took Gary & Karen and Wayne and headed for a big flea market at the fairgrounds. We stopped at Denney’s for a late breakfast - we had to wait and we were all starving. Wandered around the flea market. We each bought a couple small items but then found the vendors repetitive and headed back.
I worked on my pictures so I could use Karen’s program to put names on the special shape balloons. The guys were all sitting out so Karen, Darlene & Kathleen joined me inside for a little “girl talk” for a change.
Back on the bus for the evening glow program. We were a little late and by the time we got to the balloon grounds, the balloons were deflating due to too much wind. They try to salvage what they can so the pilots did a “candlestick” glow where they fire their burners - minus balloons - in unison. Not too exciting. At least we did not have to wait around too long as the fireworks show started early. Again, it was a first class show. More buses than riders tonight. We chatted with neighbors before calling it a night.

Oct 11th - Sun - to Deming NM
Up at 5:30 again but when Terry stuck his head out the door it was obvious that it was too windy for the final mass ascension this morning. And it was cold! We and Gary & Karen had decided yesterday that we would stay tonight since we would be going to the mass ascension and the price was right - $0. I had got up & dressed and then crawled back into bed to read since Wayne was leaving with his generator. Suddenly Terry came in and said that because it was so cold, everyone was leaving. So we packed up, said our goodbyes to our great new friends and hit the road.
We found a PA park (Little Vineyard) to stay for 2 days. Nice to have electricity, as much water as we want to use and cable TV. I used up some leftovers for lunch before we went to WalMart for groceries.
When we returned we saw a truck & 5th wheel belonging to Lloyd & Pat who were at the balloon fiesta with us but it did not appear that they were home. We put away groceries, relaxed with a drink and then went to the clubhouse to have a hamburger for dinner. The park has started their winter activities and tonight was $3 for a hamburger with all the fixings, chips & dessert.
On the way back to our rig, we knocked on Lloyd & Pat’s door and sat & chatted with them until it was too cold for our shorts & T-shirts.

Oct 12th - Mon - Deming
A “down” day today. After a nice breakfast we went to do laundry as I had to take advantage of 75 cent washers & dryers - and I needed to do laundry. 4 loads and 3 washers but it was a nice day so Terry wandered around while I found some books to read. Terry went back to get a couple of hangers that we left in the laundry room and discovered another laundry room closer to our site that had 7 washers & 7 dryers!
We made a trip into town for milk and found a car wash to get the worst of the crud off the truck. Then Terry boiled baby backs while I worked on email & pictures. We chatted with a couple from Seattle who have been full timing for 10 years and have wintered in this park for 4 years. It does get cold with a freeze sometimes but it is inexpensive - $225 a month plus electricity.
I finally finished putting captions on some pictures and posted 2 more albums to the link on our blog.

Oct 13th - Tues - to Tucson AZ
Headed west to Arizona this morning - about 3 ½ hours to Rincon Country West RV (CCUSA) in Tucson. We stayed here last spring with Claude & Val and wanted a few more days to get the feel of the place to see if we want to stay here longer on another trip.
As Terry was backing into our spot, I heard air hissing by the 5th wheel tires and discovered a nail in our brand new tire. So Terry took it off and went to a tire shop to have it repaired - for $21! He replaced the tire and we hooked up. I had mentioned when Terry returned that we should have requested a north facing site so our rig would provide shade for sitting out. Terry said we were OK but changed his mind, drove to the office and got a new spot. So - unhook, put the slides back in (luckily I had not set up inside) and move across the street. Much better!
Since AZ does not go on daylight savings time, we gained an hour. Due to our tire problem, we did not eat lunch and the banana for breakfast had long disappeared so we ate dinner at 4. Then went for a bike ride around the park. Put in 3.5 miles when my stomach started feeling queasy. Maybe should have waited a bit after dinner as I felt OK after sitting for a while.