Oct 3rd to 6th - Mesa to Albuquerque NM

Oct 3rd – Mon – Mesa
We were the only people in the laundry room this morning and got that chore out of the way easily. We made a trip to Costco for coffee – and a few other items before we got out the door – and then picked up some groceries & fueled up the truck.
We packed everything up in preparation for our trip to the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. Laurie figured I didn’t need to cook dinner today so she asked us, Larry & Julie and Neal & Judy over for dinner. The slight breeze was blocked by their motor home and a neighbor so it was very warm again. We got home in time to watch the 2nd hour of DWTS as it starts at 7:00 in this area.

Oct 4th – Tues – to Albuquerque NM
We left at 6:45 for the 425 mile trip to Albuquerque. We headed north to Payson and hit I40 at Holbrook so we didn’t run into any rush hour traffic slowdowns. The highway really climbs to Payson and the Mogollon Rim and ends up at an altitude of over 7000 feet. Just before Gallup NM, there was an accident on an overpass on the freeway. Traffic was diverted off an exit and right back onto the freeway. As we were passing the overpass, we could see a fifth wheel up on the side rails of the towing truck which was at right angles to the road and up against the guard rail. Behind it a ways was a semi with the truck also at a right angle to the road (but facing the other way) and the trailer pushed right up to the truck at more than 90 degrees. It is a good thing that we could get around by the exit ramp as the traffic was backed up quite a ways.
The traffic had just got spaced out when everyone started braking and moving to the left lane. This time it appeared as if a small closed utility trailer had come off the hitch and someone had smacked into the back of it. The next slowdown was for road work. It sprinkled, cleared up and poured on & off to Bernalillo (arrived at 2:00) and the Santa Ana Star casino where we met Dave & Margo (from Walla Walla) and Dave (David for differentiation) & Phyllis who are new friends that we met at Camping World in Mesa.
We all visited in Dave & Margo’s MH for a while and then discussed what to do for dinner. The rain was causing a river in front of Dave & Margo’s doorway so I offered to cook dinner for everyone rather than walking to the casino. By the time we finished dinner, the rain had let up so we all went to gamble for a while. Margo won a bit, I made $50 and Terry came out $35 ahead so it was a fun night. We were the last to get back at 11:45.

Oct 5th – Wed – Albuquerque
We all went to the casino for the $2.99 breakfast before leaving about 10 for the balloon park. This is when I discovered that we forgot about the time change and it was really 12:45 when we got back last night. I wondered why Dave knocked on our door at 6:40 this morning!
We checked in and got settled in our spots. It doesn’t take long to set up when you are dry camping.
Dave & Margo and we walked to the balloon park and looked through the few vendors that were open. We all had tired feet by the time we walked back. There are no balloon activities this evening so we all went to the Sandia casino where the others got $25 free play when they signed up for a players’ card. We ate dinner at the buffet and then scattered to gamble. We all took our own vehicle so we didn’t have to leave at the same time and again we were the last to return but not by much. I had lost almost all my money when I started to win on a machine and cashed in $60. Terry, “broke”, found me shortly after and I switched to a different machine where I continued to win. When that “streak” ended, I moved again, gave Terry more money and I won some more. I ended up with enough to cover both our allowances and $25 extra which we consider a good time.

Oct 6th – Thurs – Albuquerque
We all caught the shuttle to the balloon field at 6:15. The wind was blowing so it wasn’t decided yet if the special shapes balloons would be able to fly. Some of us got breakfast burritos and we all wandered around taking pictures of the balloons which were inflated but now unable to take off due to increasing winds. Suddenly, the wind gusts picked up and the balloons were deflated in short order. We wandered through vendors’ tents and then all caught a golf cart shuttle back to the Balloon Museum where we wandered around some more. We caught the shuttle bus back to the RV parking, amazed that it was only 10:30. The day is long when you start so early!
After we all had something to eat, Margo drove the girls to Tinkertown Museum which is on the Sandia Peak Road. I have been there previously but I enjoyed it just as much the second time. We continued on to Sandia Peak where we hurried to the first viewpoint in a gale force wind, took one picture and headed back to the car. The aspens along the road are bright yellow and look beautiful against the dark green evergreens.
We passed a Trader Joe’s on the way back so Terry & I returned for bruschetta mix & a baguette for appetizers. Margo made a delicious broccoli/cheese soup and David & Phyllis brought a couple of pasta dishes for a pot luck dinner. We thought the night glow would be cancelled but then heard it wasn’t so we ate quickly and went to the balloon park. By now the wind had gotten worse so only 2 balloons inflated. Fireworks were still planned but they had to wait until the second balloon was down & packed away so we headed for the buses. Just as we got there, the fireworks started but we came back anyway as it was too cold.