4CU 004 : 2008 Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Rally

[Jimandrod]

This morning's mass ascension was a little late getting off but it was spectacular none the less.

[Airstream25]

Originally Posted by Jimandrod

This morning's mass ascension was a little late getting off but it was spectacular none the less.

The launch was on hold for a bit waiting for the pre-dawn breeze to subside. Half the balloons left the field to launch and try to fly over the field to drop bean bags on targets on the field. The other half launched from the field to try for targets placed off field. This is done to reduce congestion.

[Charlie M]

Originally Posted by ScrapIrony-2

I think you've met us all...you just haven't met us yet...what you see is what we are...looking forward to your '09 arrival, if you can't make iy earlier.

You are correct,". . . met us all . . . haven't met us yet." The WBCCI is a big fun family and in my 3 and 1/2 years into it all the folks have been super. October 2009 in Alburquerque is a must for us.

[pmclemore]

Congrats, ScrapIron -

Since you didn't need the stuffed ballot boxes this year (the stuffed decollatage worked better) I'll save them for your future campaigns.

Greetings to all.

Pat

[TIMEMACHINE]

We need more pictures.

For all of us who didn't make it this year, pictures are a must! Please.

[ScrapIrony-2]

Thanks to all for your kind support...I have an honor that only the WBCCI could fail to appreciate, but we'll work on that in the future...what a great rally!!! Thanks go to Ken, Ellyn, and all the folks that make 4CU what it is...nobody does it better.
As reigning TTQ, I will not accept any gifts, but the donations ARE tax-deductible...oh, that's right ...our taxes are now bank deductions...oh well, maybe next decade...?
Alabama Mike and I shut the fire ring down(again) tonight at about 11:30...I guess the younger generation just never learned how to stay up.
I bow to the adoring crowd, and salute the rest of you...

[TBRich]

Originally Posted by Jimandrod

This morning's mass ascension was a little late getting off but it was spectacular none the less.

What a wonderful "Airstream & Balloon Fiesta" photo! Glad you're enjoying it!

[InsideOut]

I dunno Mike, the competition looked pretty tough this year! What could you possibly do to top that next time!? I am kinda surprised you didn't have your "stick-flamingo" as your trusty stead though ~

Too funny!

Shari

[Ken J]

Ok folks - we have to get this right - you think the TTQ is Michael - but her name is really Michaela - after all does this Queen look like a Mike??? !!

She has a VERY serious job to do over the next year - SHE must represent the FCU at all official FCU functions - she has reached the highest honor within our unit and we are honored to have such a fine lady whom I know will carry out her duties over the next year - she has set the highest standard for those TTQ's who will follow her for years to come. She said it all in her in her acceptence speech - its all in the Jeans - or is that Genes - gosh I'm just an accountant and my spelling is terrible...

So look for her as she takes her throne and rides into future rallies on her beautiful blue boy convertable - a sight to see for sure.

More balloon fiesta stuff after I get un-packed - what a great time....

Ken J.

[bolou97]

As we were coming home today it was fun to see the Helium Balloons along the way. The first one we saw was just north of Bernallio, NM and then last one was two miles south of the Apache Nugget Casino. Then tonight we heard that the one that we saw dumping sand had to go down as it had a hole in the top of the balloon.

It was a great rally Ken and everyone that help make it so much fun for all. For the ones that left yesterday...we missed you this morning as it was so neat to watch the balloons going over head and landing in front and back of our trailers. One member even got a free ride in a balloon for helping him come down. Bob and Lou

[ScrapIrony-2]

To set a few records straight...

The stick flamingo(Pinky) did her job at Salida, and is now out to pasture...but she still accepts admiration and kind words from her grazing post at the back bumper of the moho at all rallies-since and future- unless we get really cold...

I'm really glad Ken stepped up to the plate to spell Michaela...I can still spell things from forestry classes, like Haememelidaciae/liquidambar styraciflua(sweetgum tree), but this TTQ stuff gets kinda complicated, and in east Texas in the late 60's, it woulda been a rather unpleasant ride out into the forest in Bubba's pickup.

I'm tickled(pink) that we can get together with simple pleasures like TTQ and enjoy ourselves in the moments...take away the daily grind, the posturing required for that OTHER life, strip away the uniforms, and you have...well...uhm...a bunch of naked folks trying to get warm.

I thank the absent folks for the size of the hangover produced by toasting your absence, whatever your names were, or could have been...

Jan-the-giant-killer for the generator that is no more, at least THERE...Richard for...well, give me time, I'll come up with SOMETHING creative...

Steve and Reg for being so understanding about the change in Thanksgiving plans...

Prevost, for getting that damn wall moved out before this morning...

ALL YOU GUYS(AND GALS) FCU and Airstreamers that might have been offended, but still didn't leave...

My fellow TTQ contestants for stepping up to the plate in a stacked deck, and tolerating my over-the-edge behavior...

Jimini for being Jimini...and having the actual definition of a BLOODY MARY...

For the late night discussions not ending in bloodshed, and the tolerance of opposing views with a smile at the end...

WHIRLED PEAS, and a matching tiara...

We're in Bloomfield, at an ex-KOA, using the facilities(our neighbors in Silverton get testy when we dump the blackwater tank in the driveway...?go figure)...just got that keyboard AHDS attack, and decided to share it...
mike
Michaela

[Ken J]

Yea we sure appreciated those riff raff Prevosts moving out of our way to give us front row seats to the balloon fiesta.

Michaela - you sure made great time if you made it to Bloomfield.

Hope everybody had a great trip home....

Those of you who left early really missed the show this morning!

2009 Balloon rally will be even better - already have been thinking of some stuff to do - stay tuned early 2009!

Ken J.

[Taj MaHaul]

We too had a great time. To think that we witnessed the beginning of a tradition (TTQ) that may sweep all of WBCCI and change the way America looks at Airstreamers....well it certainly changed the way we look at Mike now. Perhaps it would be more fitting if he changed his A/S handle to "Her Majesty".

We're still smiling over all the things that happened at the Festival and around the common table. Thanks to Ken and others who set all this in motion. Send me a PM if you'd like some pix of the group stuff. I gave Ken a disk that has emailable pictures that he can share as well.

Many thanks again,
Bill, Beth & Bear

[azflycaster]

Jan and I pulled into our driveway in Phoenix at 6PM last night. As I look back at the event all I can say is WOW! Thanks to everyone who attended who made this such a great event.

The last morning was nothing short of spectacular. With most of the camping area open the balloons were landing all around us.

[codybear]

Richard, how terrific!!..we will have to try to make it someday soon!

[ScrapIrony-2]

Someone is driving down the road without glasses, and if it was I, you'd pull off the road to let me(hopefully) drive by...
We have a pair of glasses left on the table at the food court...claim them by sending me a PM, and I will gladly mail them to you...
mike

[moosetags]

We really enjoyed the Balloon Rally. It ended with a bang as numerous balloons landed right in the lot where we were parked.

Thank you to all the folks who made this event a super success, especially Ken J and his wife, Ellyn, who spear headed the effort.

Here are a few parting shots as we broke camp.

[LHall]

Lots of thanks to all who made this rally such a success. Some special thanks to the following:

Ken and Ellyn for all of your efforts, making this the best rally we have attended.

Richard and Jan for organizing the fun caravan from Arizona and for all of the laughs.

Rod and Jim for the Lemoncello and lending us the use of your incredible home for a nice Hollywood Shower.

Mike for winning the TTQ contest, that is a huge responsibility which we know you will make us proud.

John and Marilyn for the one vote we received in the contest.

And finally to Jan for your superior negotiation skills as our resident Generator Control Officer (I am sure Honda appreciates you as well)

Here are a few of our photos.

[hazegrey]

The picture of the low flying Parisian should be attached. He landed about 50 feet beyond the unit. Happily I had just lowered the antenna. I may have made the photo too small as the quality seems to have suffered.

[razorback]

As the old saying goes "A great time was had by all!" This was our first time to attend the Balloon Fiesta and what can we say? Definitely will be on our agenda in the future. A few photos attached.

A special thanks to Ken for all the work putting the rally together and to Mike for the two mingers. Also thanks to whoever left the AS patches for us while we were ballooning.

Currently chilling in Phoenix with a cold silver bullet.

Sid and Becky