Balloon Festival October 7. 2011

Balloon Festival... boohooo go away rain and wind... We got rained out again today. It was raining pretty hard last night and the field was just too wet for the Balloons to go up. We still have hope for tomorrow and Sunday morning. The RV parking area is a muddy mess and since our group has been split up, it is hard to get together here at the rigs. Right now we are watching the news for the final No Go officially for tonight's Glow.

Ominous skies over the RV area

Icky muddy roads

Today, we went to Santa Fe for the afternoon. We went to the Plaza that had many shops and restaurants. The prices in these shops were extremely high. We broke up, some went to lunch and some went on the Trolley that toured the area, some wandered through the shops. Bev and I found a Chico's and Coldwater Creek, retail therapy for sure. The folks that did the trolley tour really enjoyed it. Bev, George, Ed and I found a restaurant right away as I was really hungry and it was pretty good. I think a few of the group had lunch in a pastry shop, sounds yummy to me. Steve and Sue had a delicious lunch at a nice hotel.






There were two Churches we visited. Loretto Chapel that is so beautiful and has a staircase with an interesting history, the nuns had to climb a ladder to the choir loft. A conventional stairway could not be installed without adversely impacting the diminutive Chapel's seating capacity as well as its aesthetics. The Sisters made a novena to their patron saint, Saint Joseph the Carpenter As legend has it on the ninth and final day of the Novena, a mysterious carpenter arrived to design and construct a circular stairway to the choir loft. The miraculous stairway contains thirty three steps in two full 360 degree turns. The stairway has no center support nor is it held from its sides- its full weight rest on its final tread. Upon completion the carpenter disappeared without payment.

Stairway

Another View

The other Church we visited was St. Francis of Assisi. A very large Church and very beautiful also. We took pictures and lit some candles.

St. Francis Assisi Church

Baptism fountain

The Glow for tonight is officially cancelled. Not looking good for tomorrow morning at this time. Ed will get up at 5:00 am again, check the news for update and if it is a GO, we will GO... fingers crossed.

Maureen and Ed at Santa Fe Plaza

Guess Who

Does this surprise you?

Sue and Steve

Thanks for all the rides on this trip!!!

So until next time.....

Balloon Festival October 6, 2011

Balloon Festival October 6,



The Balloons did not fly this morning, too much wind, however Ed walked down, George, Butch and Steve rode their bikes. The balloons were blown up but not able to fly. Ed said it was awesome. He took some pictures. We probably won't be able to see anything tomorrow as the wind is really whipping it up now. We had plans to ride the tram today and have lunch at the Casino and those plans were changed due to the winds. The plan now is to go to Old Town and have lunch and wander the area. It is a shame that Mother Nature decided to have a tantrum this week. Just wanted to get this blog started this morning and will update tonight....


Our group enjoyed a nice lunch at a Mexican Restaurant in Old Town, browsed through the shops. There was a neat park in the center of the Plaza with music all afternoon. It is getting pretty windy in this area. The balloon event was cancelled for this evening. Robert and Carol, Gail and Jeff, Bev and Tom, Ed and I went to Cracker Barrel for dinner tonight. As I have said before, this restaurant is not in California so we really enjoy it when we find one on our travels. On our return to the RV area the fireworks were going off. They were set off early but we still got a chance to see quite a bit. Very extensive firework display... The plan for the mooring is getting up at 5:00 am, which in my opinion is the middle of the night; catch the bus that goes to the balloon field at 6:00 am. Ed will check the news at 5:00 am to see if the morning events will be able to go on, depending on the weather. Will let you know if I will get through the morning plans.... it is mighty cold out there in the morning. So until next time.....

Only a few balloons inflated due to weather

Silly guy

Blimp

Having lunch in Old Town Albuguerque

Group going to Old Town

Back row Steve, Tom,Carol, Robert, Maureen and Ed

Front row  Sue, Bev R. Betty, Bev and George

Travel Day to Balloon Festival October 5, 2011

Balloon Festival Travel Day Travel Day to Balloon Festival October 5, 2011





Travel Day started out OK, but sort of went downhill from there. We left Durango in two groups and met up about 100 miles down the road. It was a Shell Station with a McDonalds. Not the best lunch idea but there just was not a lot of choice. Ed was fueling up and most of the group were finished and ordered lunch. A bus load with about 44 people pulled up, I am thinking oh boy there goes lunch.. We had to unhook the tow vehicle just to get to the pumps. Sue cane out to volunteer to stand in line and get our order, thanks again Sue. We pulled over to the side and gulped down our lunch, got the word we are pulling out.. Started the engine and here comes a stupid idiot trying to get by us on the passenger side, absolutely no way to get thru and hits our mirror. Ed laid on the air horn and we screamed for him to stop. By the time I got out of the coach to see the damage, he was backing up and around the other side. Some people have no right to drive and especially this idiot. We finally got back on the road.


We heard from Robert and Carol who were meeting us at the Balloon Festival. They told us we had our sites and to just come on in.. Now this is where it really went downhill. We pull in and the people at the resignation area have no clue who we are. Robert came down and told them we had our spots but the volunteers here have no clue what the others are doing. They moved us several times to different areas and we had roads blocked for at least an hour. Butch has a lot of patience but this was really getting to him and the group as well. Frustration, Anger are just a few emotions running high. Butch finally got things settled but we had to break up as a group. The entire situation could have been avoided it these volunteers had a clue what was going on. I know volunteers are valuable, Ed, George, Bev and I worked the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee RV area for several years and if we had this mess, we would not have anyone return. It is not that hard people, the assigned sites go to those assigned and don't bring other rigs in. It seems like this event was overbooked and this is just not good business. Big thanks to Butch for getting us our sites and being so patient...





Since the weather was OK tonight we went ahead with our appetizer and Happy Hour tonight. I think this worked well, gave us all a chance to settle down and get together for a good time. Gail decided to cook an entire meal for everyone. Tri Tip, Potatoes, Salad, Watermelon, and Sue contributed zucchini. What a feast, and so nice of you to go to all that work. We introduced Carol and Robert to everyone and all in all it was a good ending to a very frustrating day. We are watching the news and hope it will be a decent day tomorrow so the balloons will fly. Fingers crossed. Time for a good night sleep to get ready for the adventures tomorrow.

Some of Bev and Tom's Balloon Pictures

Tom, Bev and Gail

So until next time.....

Durango-Silverton Train October 4,2011

WET... RAIN...WET.... Our trip on the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was WET, but I think we all had a heck of a good time anyway. Sometimes we just have to go with the flow. The trip up to Silverton is three and a half hours. It was barely sprinkling then so hope we all got some good pictures. It was pretty scary in parts, would go over huge deep canyons and all you see is straight down. The scenery on this train trip is outstanding. The colors are changing and the river is awesome. We saw where they had a slide a while back; sure glad there was no train going through at that time. The conductor said it was one of the largest they ever had.







When we got off the train in Silverton is was pouring rain, the streets were flooded and people were just running to get inside restaurants or shops. We had two recommendations from Susie; one was Brown Bear and the other Handlebars. I was looking for Handlebars when Brown Bear came it site so Ed and I, George and Bev dived in there. With all the people we lost the rest of our group and they did find Handlebars. Sort of wish we did also as they all raved about the place. Brown Bear was good also but they had so many different choices. Something to visit next time.... and I know Ed and I will be back to this area again.






We had an option to take the bus back from Silverton but we all chose the round trip on the train. They told us we could see if there was room on the bus for the return trip but none of us inquired. We were in an inside car and coming back down on the train there is more to see on the opposite side. There were open cars as well and those folks had to be freezing and so wet. Conductor told them there was room inside but few came in. One gal we talked to was a Brit and she said she was just used to it.






When we got back to Durango, Susie called and wanted to know if we were all fine as they have not had this kind of rain in a very long time. Needless to say we did not have Happy Hour tonight. Big thanks to Sue and Gail for taking care of all the pooches. Hope you two had some good retail therapy as well...






I am hoping to get the pictures edited tonight but will not be able to post as I did last night because it is just to dang wet out there by the laundry rooms where I worked last night. I hope to get some pictures from some of the others in our group and will get as many on as I can. So check back often.


Once we get to the Balloon Fest, I may be able to post text from the Ipad but not pictures. From what we are hearing, it is a raining mess down there also. We will have a nasty driving day and hope the rains let up by the time we get there....






Until next time.....

Some of our passengers

Durango-Silverton Train

Huge Canyon to the Animus River

Another view of the river from the train

Lunch at Brown Bear in Silverton

Ed M, Carol, Steve, Bev, George, Maureen, Betty
Butch, Bev R, Tom
Ed was taking the picture

Calm River

Ed

Glider Airport near the RV park
Picture taken from train

Durango October 3, 2011 Afternoon

Decided to start a new post for the afternoon. The connection is acting up again so I do not want to mess with what is already posted. I got the domestic chores out of the way in the morning, laundry etc. Suzie picked us up about 1:00 pm and ran a few errands with her. Went up to her and Dan's house for a very nice leisurely afternoon and a great visit. The views from their deck are amazing, the fall colors are changing, I can't say enough how beautiful this area is. Dan and Suzie were visiting six years ago, possibly thinking of building one day in this area. The realtor had to make a stop at a home he was listing; they walked in and bought it. I love the house and like I said cannot beat the view. When they returned to Orange County to sell their house, it sold almost immediately without even being listed. Dan and Suzie were meant to live here in Durango. They are so busy here, a lot of charity work and they just love it here. We went to dinner and Ken and Sue's one of their favorite restaurants. Thanks you Dan and Suzie for a very nice day... in fact we were so busy, Ed did not take many pictures (darn it)


The golfers enjoyed the Hillcrest golf course and had a nice day. The rest of the group shopped and just relaxed at camp. They all went to Francisco’s Mexican restaurant and after we had dinner, crashed the party. Margaritas sure looked good..


Tomorrow is our Silverton Train trip and really looking forward to that.

Suzie and Dan's Deck

View from Deck... Picture is not complete

Durango October 3, 2011

A gorgeous day here at Alpen Rose RV Park.  Such a nice and clean campground, would recommend it highly.  This morning George and Bev, Carol and Ed, Butch and Betty, Ed and Maureen went out to breakfast.  The place that was recommended was closed so we went downtown, found another cafe that was not all that good.  Win Some Lose Some....    The golfers are off this afternoon for a round of 9 holes and the group is having dinner downtown.  Ed and I will be visiting Dan and Suzie and may meet up for dinner not sure yet....  Will update tonight if I have a connection.   Be Back later.....

Our site at Alpen Rose RV Park

The Parking

George

Amazing views

The pooches that travel with us....

China

Vinnie

Gracie  Today is her 3rd Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACIE

My little man Max

Durango October 2, 2011

On the Road to Durango October 2, 2011




We had a leisurely morning since we only had a 40 mile run today. We were supposed to leave at 11:00 am but this group gets nervous and by 10:40 am it was time to roll. We have decided that the navigation systems do not like this part of the country. Some were telling folks to go right at the intersection and some left the correct way and according to the maps we printed out. Four of us went left and three went right. They showed up eventually. Alpen Rose RV Park is really nice, they have a two acre dog run for the dogs to romp and oh boy they really enjoyed that. We have awesome views of gorgeous mountains.


Some of us went to Old Town Durango for lunch at Old Tymers Café. We wondered through the shops and I was able to pick up the tickets for our Silverton Train Ride on Tuesday. A few purchases were made and I hope to get back down there again before we leave.


Cocktail hour was at 5:30 tonight, this has been a relaxing day and a bit slower pace than the last week. Tomorrow is a free day. Not sure what everyone is doing yet, golf may be an option, exploring the area and dinner for the group tomorrow night. Ed and I will spend the afternoon with Dan and Suzie who live here in Durango. They are my niece’s in laws and always love visiting when they come to Sacramento.


Still having a problem posting pictures, we think the Internet at some of these campgrounds have limitations. If I do not get pictures on the blog while on the road, I will post as soon as I get home so please check back..


So until next time….

Mesa Verde National Park October 1, 2011

We woke to a very chilly morning, quite refreshing. With cooler temperatures I think we all slept very well. The plan for the day visiting Mesa Verde National Park. Steve, Bev and Tom, Ed and I rode together into the park. We started out at the visitor center, we just missed Geroge and Bev, Butch and Betty. We decided not to take a paid tour as we did not have that much time in the park. We ran into Carol and Ed, and they were just going to visit the center since they have been there before.


We visited a fire tower with spectacular views. We then proceeded to the Museum which was very interesting and wish we took some pictures inside. Ed, Bev and Tom decided to go down to the Spruce Tree House, Mesa Verde's best preserved and third largest cliff dwellings was constructed between A.D. 1211 and A.D. 1278. The dwelling contains 130 rooms and 8 kivas built into a natural alcove. It is thought to have been the home to about 60 to 80 people. Going down was not a problem but coming back out I knew I would have a problem so decided to wait up by the museum. Steve decided this was a smart move as well. Ed, Bev and Tom really enjoyed exploring and glad they did it.

We had a potluck dinner tonight, Butch picked up the Steaks and of course we had a fabulous feast. One thing this group does very well is eat well. After dinner, a fire was built, the first one we have had on this trip. Betty broke out the guitar and Butch obliged and we had our famous singalongs. Not sure if that is a word or not but it works for me. We topped off the night with cake and ice cream, headed for our rigs to get ready for another travel day to Durango tomorrow. Just a 40 mile trip so will be a very easy day...

So until next time.....

(cannot get the photos on tonight will try tomorrow)

Camping in Mesa Verde

Camping in Mesa Verde

 

Mesa Verde National Park

Maureen and Ed Mesa Verde National Park

Bev and Tom Mesa Verde National Park

Spruce Tree House

Spruce Tree House

Spruce Tree House

Looking in the Hole

Tom coming out of the underground room

Ed coming out of the underground room

The famouse campfire and singalong

Doing what we do best

Bev climbed down in the hole

Steve and Maureen Observing