Trip #65 (33): Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Jemez Mtns & Rio Grande Gorge

October 1 – 9, 2014

New Mexico: Jemez Mountains off 550, Albuquerque, Taos area for Rio Grande Gorge

Camp Airstream, Balloon Fiesta 2014

Left on a Wednesday a few days early for the Fiesta. Expected a cool trip but turned out to be quite comfortable except for the first night in the Jemez Mountains which was below freezing -- ice on the picnic table in the am. This was a nice area, we need to go back and spend more time someday.

Stayed the second night at American RV across from the Camping World departure point for the Airstream caravans to the balloon park. Took some time to see old town Alb and dined out of course. Tito and Mary's for late lunch.


First day in Albuquerque we put our slabs of granite on hold for the kitchen, oceanic bordeaux. Hope it's good...

On Friday we arrived for departure about 9:30am only to find most had already headed out -- which also meant we ended up toward the WAY back of the parking lot. Oh well, the bright side was that we got to see a lot of balloons land close by in the fields behind us. And some right in the parking lot. 

Breaking Bad: "Hank & Marie's house" in the foothills.

We stuck around for the Evening Glow on Saturday, but it was quite windy so didn't see too many. So, what better time for Bill to fly his pirate kite? Him and several others got out the kites. Also, the gas balloons for the race had to be postponed for another day, too windy to inflate. But the fireworks were good. And so were the prickly pears! They were PERFECT for harvest so we stocked up for another year.

Sunday we went to dinner with Jim and Susan at the Range in Bernillo after some prickly pear margaritas at the trailer. They were sharing stories about their trips to the Baja and how much fun it is. oh boy, maybe someday. Apparently two hurricanes have caused enough damage to make them think about passing on it this January. 

Monday turned out to be a fantastic morning for lots and lots of balloons going up, great photo ops. Drove all over for some shopping but no fun when you don't need a thing. Gotta have a mission.

Tuesday we moved on to Las Vegas, a few hours drive further east, where the landscape changed to look more like Wyoming with open plains, I see why the Longmire crew chose it. We camped for one night at Storrie Lake, then moved on toward Taos the next day.

Didn't get to see Allen, but managed to see all the property highlights.

La Casteneda, the historical restoration challenge.

The last night we moved on to Wild Rivers National Monument outside Taos, near Questa. Weather getting overcast and ready for some rain so only stayed one night. Did the mile hike down Little Arsenic trail down to the Rio Grande, and back up again the 760 feet. Boy we are out of shape... 

This monster was spotted by Bill. Last time I saw him he was under the truck.

Ready to hike down to the river. That's a ways down.

Bill so happy to be at the river's edge.

And then there were the beautiful autumn leaves on the drive home through the Chama Valley. Just gorgeous.

Caught the Cumbres & Toltec steaming through the valley.

RIP Paul Revere, and Jan Hooks on the day of our return.