City of Rocks State Park

Lying about midway between Deming and Silver City is a unique outcropping of volcanic rocks left by ages of continuous erosion standing alone in a flat plain. Thanks to the State of New Mexico this feature is not only preserved for us, but also available as a campground - yes, you can actually drive your RV right up within the rocks and stay! 

Take a look here if you're interested in the geology of this treasure. http://geoinfo.nmt.edu/tour/state/city_of_rocks/home.html

We spent a late afternoon/early morning there, just enjoying the colorful views of these monoliths.  While I just wandered around in awe, Kim put her camera to excellent use as shown in the photo essay that follows!

Thanksgiving With New Friends!

It would be hard for me to say how much ham radio has enriched my life over the many years I've had a license (since age 10), but this Thanksgiving is just one example of how this unique hobby has led to many new friendships and experiences.

Several weeks before Thanksgiving, while we were camped at El Morro, I made several contacts with N2GG, Gil and Danna Gray, who were RVing at the time in southern California.  One discussion led to another, and we realized that we'd pass right through the small town of Belen, NM on our way to the Bosque del Apache for the upcoming Festival of the Cranes.  Gil graciously invited us to come and park the RV at their place for a few days, and in the process of further discovery (based on a comment about flying as a hobby) we were introduced to Ken (KS2R) and Janice Samuelson. 

To make a long story short, Ken and Janice offered to host us for Thanksgiving dinner Tuesday eve at their beautiful new log home in the Sandia Park area just outside of Albuquerque.

The home is filled with unique objects, and guarded by it's three true owners shown here!

The eve started with a roaring fire along with some special before dinner treats.  But, it wasn't long before Gil did a masterful job of carving the mouth-watering bird for the table.  What a great feast with great friends...

The next morning was spent walking off the past night's indulgence, with a two mile stroll in the national forest bordering their backyard.

Ride to Abiquiu NM

Took a drive through the country to Abiquiu, the final home of Georgia O'Keefe. Beautiful areas, typical scenes of the Southwest. I'll just let the pix tell the story!

Albuquerque BALLOON FIESTA!

We arrive early Saturday afternoon, to find a huge field right in the middle of Albuquerque dedicated to the 2009 Balloon Fiesta.


First we notice there is no shortage of wonderful smelling foods available up & down vendor row.





Winds were high as moon starts to rise and the nine helium filled racing balloons prepared for launch, which was intended for 7PM but delayed until well after dark due to the high winds. These teams compete worldwide, and the object of the "race" is to see how far one can go in four days!


The silver balloon in the foreground was from Houston, and their team planned to catch the jetstream at 20,000 feet running at over 100 knots. They believe they will be able to reach the coast of Newfoundland by late Thursday!
The City has done a fabulous job of transportation, utilizing hundreds of school buses departing from numerous locations on the outskirts of the City. We hop aboard just before 6AM to reach the field this morning for the "Main Ascension" at 7AM.

The weather looks at bit "iffy" just at sunrise, but things seem to be proceeding well, and the winds are being much linder this morning than yesterday evening!

Excitement builds when a single balloon out of hundreds starts it's blower up, inflates, slowly, fires up the roar of a huge propane burner and prepares for a solo takeoff.





We are a bit confused until it launches, with the Star Spangled Banner being played in the background, the early solo ascent is very fitting indeed!
Within minutes, I hear another loud roar to my left, it's getting started, this is it! Burners are now roaring everywhere around us!


Soon the first group of these colorful monsters lifts smoothly & slowly into the cool New Mexico morning air!

Now, we are surrounding with noise & excitement - what a great feeling! Kim & I agree, we should be up there!


As the golden morning sun tops the mountains to our east, colors enrichen, and unique shapes pop up all around us!



Walking out to catch the bus back to our hotel, a final glance upward confirms this as one of the most beautiful events we've witnessed enjoying life out here on the road!

Be sure to check out the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOyoYDiLaeM