Day 4 AIBF

Some History on AIBF

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a yearly hot air balloon festival that takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, during early October. The Balloon Fiesta is a nine-day event occurring in the first full week of October, and has over 500 hot air balloons each year far from its humble beginnings of merely 13 balloons in 1972.^[1] The event is the largest balloon festival in the world, followed by the Grand Est Mondial Air in France.^[2]

History[edit]

The Balloon Fiesta began in 1972 as the highlight of a 50th birthday celebration for 770 KOB Radio. Radio station manager Dick McKee asked Sid Cutter, owner of Cutter Flying Service and the first person to own a hot air balloon in New Mexico, if KOB could use his new hot-air balloon as part of the festivities. The two began discussing ballooning, along with conversation and help from Oscar Kratz, and McKee asked what the largest gathering of hot air balloons to date had been. 19 balloons in England, Cutter replied. Kratz asked "Can we get 19 here?" Cutter agreed to try. He got commitments from 21 pilots, but bad weather kept some of them from arriving in time. The first fiesta ended up as a gathering of 13 balloons on April 8, 1972, sponsored by KOB. The first event was located in the parking lot of the Coronado Center Shopping Mall with 20,000 spectators and with balloonists from Arizona, California, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada and Texas taking part. McKee, Cutter, and Kratz are the three men who had originally started the balloon races.^[3] The first fiesta incorporated a "Roadrunner-Coyote Balloon Race" (a "hare-and-hounds" race elsewhere in the world) with 1 balloon being the "Roadrunner" and the others being "Coyote" balloons (the "Roadrunner" balloon was actually emblazoned with likenesses of both Warner Bros. characters). The winner of the race - the "Coyote" that landed closest to the Roadrunner - was Don Piccard of the noted aerostation dynasty, flying a balloon of his company's design and construction (his wife also placed in the race). This race has continued as part of the Balloon Fiesta today.

The next year Albuquerque hosted the first World Hot-Air Balloon Championships in February and the fiesta became an international event. In 1975 Albuquerque was looking at hosting the World Championships again, but the event was scheduled for October. So the fiesta was moved to correspond with the championships. To maintain interest in Albuquerque's bid to host the championships, a balloon rally was held in February of that year. Autumn being a far better flying time than February, the event has remained in early October to the present day.

The Balloon Fiesta grew each year for decades, and today is the largest balloon convention in the world. The number of registered balloons reached a peak of 1,019 in 2000, prompting the Balloon Fiesta Board to limit the number to 750 starting in 2001,^[4] citing a desire for "quality over quantity". The limit was changed to 600 in 2009 –; citing recent growth in the city and a loss of landing zones. On any given day during the festival, up to 100,000 spectators may be on the launch field where they are provided the rare opportunity to observe inflation and take off procedures. Countless more people gather at landing sites all over the city to watch incoming balloons. The limit was increased to 1,000 in 2011.

The Balloon Fiesta, like most public gatherings in 2020, the 49th edition was postponed for one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Safe Travels and Journeys

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

DaGirls Rv AKA Gus 

 

Downey Idaho

 Our Goal was Blackfoot, Idaho, where we had stayed. The Inn was full, plus they were prepping for Fireworks on Sat. 6/26.

With 10 wheels, we continue heading south, until we reach Downey, where for 20 gallons of fuel, we have a FHU site. not the best looking place, but free.

Along the way, the most better shots happen to fast to get a photo, but, when they say people are traveling? Well that is no joke.

As we traveled thru Yellowstone.

So, this is it folks:

Safe Travels and Journeys

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

DaGirlsRv Travel Blog

Travel Day

Oops, me bad, I was all set to get up and take photos of packed up and us leaving the CG. 

But I forgot, we did manage to get away around 6:48 am. As I write this, Susan is driving - I mean you would not expect me to write abd drive at the same time would you? 

Especially since we on on US Hwy 20, now remember this highway is the entrance way to Yellowstone. They were lying, when people are rushing out to the National Parks. Traffic heading to Yellowstone is one long line. 

Our goal is Blackfoot, Id. We stayed at a MP next to the airpark, on the way up, so it is only fitting to repeat our stay. 

This is it for the day, except to say Pat, Tawna, we had a wonderful time last evening. Sad to say, no boat ride this time, however, if we come back this way heading to Alaska or Canada, we will definitely stop in.

Ok, that's it's for this one.

Susan, Tilly, Dakota & me

Safe Travels & Journeys

DaGirlsRv 

Stop-Over in St. Louis

Well, or at least close to St. Louis. We'll be stopping for the night in Florissant, Mo. for the night at the Elk's lodge. This will allow us to see Susan's brother and sister-in-law.

Last night we spent a night at the Elk's lodge in Springfield. Guess what? 50 amps and dinner. Also music in the parking lot in front. This also allowed us a 1.5 mile walk thru the neighborhood.

As always, Elk's are great place to stop, if it is allowed.  Below are photos of the Wooly burger we purchased. Enough for 2 people, 2 dogs for 2 days.

So, what have we seen. Well today we saw a graveyard for boats wrapped in condoms.

Ok, so let's talk dinner or lunch while driving.
Oh, sure you comment, you just stop and go into a fast-food-joint.
Not DaGirls, this morning, Susan made me pancakes, while I drove. Then I found a suitable place, I pulled over, walk the puppies, and then Susan drove. Then while she drove, I had some pancakes. Yum.

Course these were left-over pancakes from the freezer, however, easily warmed up in the toaster. Toaster you say. You can't do that. Well yes we can, as there are 2 ways of doing this.
1. Generator on - which we do use while driving to cool the Rv.
2. Pure Sine Wave (PSW) , inverter, which allows up many options to cook while rolling-on.

Example: Crock-Pot, Instant-Pot ( which we do not have), making Coffee, Toaster, and Microwave (power 80 to 50%) are just a few examples.

We do love our PSW.

But we also like to pull over and smell the roses, as to what's the rush. Yes I know there are many Control-Freaks. But what's the rush, if not for yourself, do it for your Co-Pilot sitting next to you. It really makes no sense in driving 70 mph, rushing to the next destination. Either you have a place or you dry-camp for the night.

As Wayne stated "I want ti Do It All". 

So, what's it like driving during the Covid-19 pandemic? Well, not much has changed. What do you mean? Well, at truck stop's. Except for New Mexico, there have been no rules on wearing masks. Most employees do not, and many truckers do not.

However, some people are trying to stay the 6ft distance and not staying long next to anyone. Unless of course they travel together or know each other very well. It is one of those number's game.

Example: The average deaths in the USA is around 8000 people. This accounts for everything, except for Covid-19. As of today, 96,000 people have died due to Covid-19, since Feb. If all the deaths stopped today, that would be 264 additional lives lost per day.

All facts can be verified with the CDC website.

The biggest issue is the rate of infections and severity of infection. You can go from no symptoms, small symptoms, hospital room, ICU and then Nasogastric intubation.

So, let's all just be careful while we go outside, think of the other person.




Safe Travels and Journeys
Susan, Tilly, Dakota & me
DaGirls Travels

On the Way to Custer Mountain Cabins & Campground for Volunteering

We wrapped up our stay here in Friend, Nebraska, with a evening out at the

"The Pour House Tasting Room".

With great friends, who are very close extended family, Kim & Andy Derr, along with Sharon & Dwight Tisdale. great friends Linda & Jeff Venables, we could not ask for anything more.

We spend many evening outside, Andy was busy smoking Brisket, Ribs, and Chicken, along with the many dishes Kim created. Not to mention the side dishes Linda made or the Steaks Jeff made on Friday evening for all.

I spent many days using the shop for our River's Edge Table.

But all good things Do come to an end and we needed to move on, up to South Dakota where we accepted as a volunteering couple. So, on Saturday morning, we finished up, loading and cleaning, move the Rv over, dumped and said our final goodbyes.

Our route, I-80 to Grand Island (Walmart), then onto Thedford and then North to Valentine, Ne., for a 1 night stay.

Some of our along the way photos:

As we entered Broken Bow, we spied a few photo ops, one of which caused up to pull over to walk back.

It was just after passing the Custer County Museum, Susan spied this on the corner:

So we pulled over, I got out, and was walking back when Jeff and Linda pulled over. As they and I passed each other this is what I saw dragging:

The Cross Structure mounted to the 2 frame rails sheared off both sides.

The only thing holding this section together was the remaining 2 mounting plate bolts for the Roadmaster Baseplate. 

After, looking closely, and with help from Ann, (auto mechanic) who came out to help. We had a way to get this back together for moving.

Using the Tow cables along with 2 straps, we were able to secure the bumper assembly to the auto. Jeff and Linda elected to stay in Broken Bow. 

So, we will hear from them on Monday as to there next direction. Safe Travels Jeff & Linda, we see you when you get to Custer. 

So, we left and continued on our journey to Valentine, along the we saw the damage or more importantly the water that remains from all the flooding:

So, as not to forget Broken Bow, Susan spent some time taking Photo Ops of where we were parked during the incident.

Safe Travels 

DaGirls Rv

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me.