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Ruth Rosenthal | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> New Mexico October 2008 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

New Mexico October 2008

Howard, Al, Pat and I spent 6 days in New Mexico, from Albuquerque to Taos and a couple places in-between. It was International Balloon Fiesta week, so things were a bit nutty with the traffic, inflated prices, etc. - but the Land of Enchantment enchanted me once again...
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The Inn at Paradise wasn't exactly paradise, & wasn't equipped for the handicapped, but they DID have a beautiful garden.
The Inn at Paradise wasn't exactly paradise, & wasn't equipped for the handicapped, but they DID have a beautiful garden.		 After checking into the Inn, we went to the Sandia Tramway for dinner.
After checking into the Inn, we went to the Sandia Tramway for dinner.		 Tuesday morning we drove up the Turquoise Trail. This is the funky artist town of Madrid
Tuesday morning we drove up the Turquoise Trail. This is the funky artist town of Madrid		 A perfect mesa on the Turquoise Trail.
A perfect mesa on the Turquoise Trail.
Very early Wed., Howard, Pat and I took a balloon ride with Private Balloon Flights. Here we are, about to go up!
Very early Wed., Howard, Pat and I took a balloon ride with Private Balloon Flights. Here we are, about to go up!		 I went up in a balloon on my first trip to ABQ some time ago, but Howard and Pat hadn't been up, so they were really excited.
I went up in a balloon on my first trip to ABQ some time ago, but Howard and Pat hadn't been up, so they were really excited.		 We were up before dawn, and watched the sun come up.
We were up before dawn, and watched the sun come up.		 Pat and Howard enjoy the slow, quiet ride as the city wakes up below.
Pat and Howard enjoy the slow, quiet ride as the city wakes up below.
2 balloons over the city.
2 balloons over the city.		 This is a reflection of the balloon in front of us, as we both passed over a golf course.
This is a reflection of the balloon in front of us, as we both passed over a golf course.		 Who's up there taking pictures? (Pilot Jay is waving while Howard and I click away!)
Who's up there taking pictures? (Pilot Jay is waving while Howard and I click away!)		 We had a great morning for ballooning. It's a beautiful thing to be up there - very quiet and peaceful.
We had a great morning for ballooning. It's a beautiful thing to be up there - very quiet and peaceful.
At one point, we went over West Mesa High, where we could see tennis players and ROTC students from our lofty perch!
At one point, we went over West Mesa High, where we could see tennis players and ROTC students from our lofty perch!		 Captain Jay Bird Mason - he was TERRIFIC! I would recommend Private Balloon Flights and Jay to anyone!
Captain Jay "Bird" Mason - he was TERRIFIC! I would recommend "Private Balloon Flights" and Jay to anyone!		 After the ride, we picked up Al and drove the High Road to Taos, visiting the beautiful Sanctuario de Chimayo.
After the ride, we picked up Al and drove the High Road to Taos, visiting the beautiful Sanctuario de Chimayo.		 Howard was glad to see that the chili man he bought from in Chimayo when we last visited was still there!
Howard was glad to see that the chili man he bought from in Chimayo when we last visited was still there!
Mountain scene on the High Road to Taos near Truchas.
Mountain scene on the High Road to Taos near Truchas.		 The town of Truchas, on the High Road.
The town of Truchas, on the High Road.		 A cemetery on the High Road
A cemetery on the High Road		 I finally made it to Abiquiu, where Georgia O'Keefe spent many years painting. It was beautiful..
I finally made it to Abiquiu, where Georgia O'Keefe spent many years painting. It was beautiful..
Ruins of a morada (chapel of Penitente Brothers) - Santa Rosa di Lima.
Ruins of a morada (chapel of Penitente Brothers) - Santa Rosa di Lima.		 I tried to go to the Balloon Fiesta Glow Thursday, but got there too late. I DID see the fireworks and the Coasters concert.
I tried to go to the Balloon Fiesta "Glow" Thursday, but got there too late. I DID see the fireworks and the Coasters concert.		 We visited a LOT of Indian casinos. This is taken from Sandia's front door.
We visited a LOT of Indian casinos. This is taken from Sandia's front door.		 Friday, I went to the Special Shapes Ascension. Here, one of the dawn patrol balloons goes up EARLY to check conditions!!
Friday, I went to the Special Shapes Ascension. Here, one of the dawn patrol balloons goes up EARLY to check conditions!!
Dawn patrol - This picture gives you a sense of just how large those balloons are!
Dawn patrol - This picture gives you a sense of just how large those balloons are!		 At the end of the field, I spotted the Brandenburg Gate!
At the end of the field, I spotted the Brandenburg Gate!		 I fell in LOVE with this balloon. I had a hard time looking it up in the balloon directory (no picture/no stork balloon listed)
I fell in LOVE with this balloon. I had a hard time looking it up in the balloon directory (no picture/no stork balloon listed)		 Lilly Bee and Joey Bee are 2 separate balloons but always go up holding hands. They are very, very popular at Fiesta!
Lilly Bee and Joey Bee are 2 separate balloons but always go up holding hands. They are very, very popular at Fiesta!
According to Lilly's My Space site, We fly together, and Joey kisses me when he can. That day, Lilly got her kiss.
According to Lilly's My Space site, "We fly together, and Joey kisses me when he can." That day, Lilly got her kiss.		 Get outta my way, ya big egg!
Get outta my way, ya big egg!		 I had not seen Darth Vader before (from Belgium) - very, very ominous!!
I had not seen Darth Vader before (from Belgium) - very, very ominous!!		 Oggy seems to want that beer, but not while Darth Vader is watching.
Oggy seems to want that beer, but not while Darth Vader is watching.
Farmer Pig, Pig, and Cegonha. These animals hale from Europe and South America. (Cegonha means stork in Portuguese.)
Farmer Pig, Pig, and Cegonha. These animals hale from Europe and South America. (Cegonha means stork in Portuguese.)		 Hopper T Frog next to Felix, with the beautiful but ill-fated Wings of Wind barely visible behind Felix.
Hopper T Frog next to Felix, with the beautiful but ill-fated Wings of Wind barely visible behind Felix.		 We have a Sushi lift-off!
We have a Sushi lift-off!		 Mr. Scarecrow, Kathedral von St. Gallen (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and one of 2 pumpkins.
Mr. Scarecrow, Kathedral von St. Gallen (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and one of 2 pumpkins.
I heard a kid yell Mommy, there's the devil! I turned around, and sure enough, there was Burnie the Little Devil!
I heard a kid yell "Mommy, there's the devil!" I turned around, and sure enough, there was Burnie the Little Devil!		 The Stork's belly as it passed above me.
The Stork's belly as it passed above me.		 That cathedral is a whopper! It makes Airabelle look small, and she's a VERY BIG girl!
That cathedral is a whopper! It makes Airabelle look small, and she's a VERY BIG girl!		 After Friday's Special Shapes go up, new balloons fly in for a competition. It's the best AM of Fiesta because of the variety.
After Friday's Special Shapes go up, new balloons fly in for a competition. It's the best AM of Fiesta because of the variety.
In about a half an hour, the sky fills with balloons participating in the Key Grab.
In about a half an hour, the sky fills with balloons participating in the Key Grab.		 Envelopes are placed atop 30 ft. poles. One contains the key to a new Honda. Pilots fly from a mile out and check each pole.
Envelopes are placed atop 30 ft. poles. One contains the key to a new Honda. Pilots fly from a mile out and check each pole.		 One of the prettiest balloons I saw Friday was World Balloon. See next gallery for more pictures from our trip!
One of the prettiest balloons I saw Friday was "World Balloon". See next gallery for more pictures from our trip!
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comment | share
Ruth Rosenthal13-Mar-2010 16:35
Fly Southwest for under $300 RT and GO - with or without Rick! It is one of the most fantastic and fun things I've ever done!
Jean 20-Oct-2008 16:03
The balloon fiesta looks like SO MUCH FUN!!!
Jack & Ruth 17-Oct-2008 17:11
WOW
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