Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta - 2013 !

[silverwheels]

Originally Posted by deecarr

Ooh, thanks for the info as this is our first time!

This is my first time too! Is there any info the first timers should know? Like where is the dump? How much does it cost? Do they take credit or cash only? How much is water and when are water trucks available? And any other small details that we should know would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.....See you all soon!

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by silverwheels

... Like where is the dump? How much does it cost? Do they take credit or cash only? How much is water and when are water trucks available? ...

See post 119 above. Relying on the water and dump trucks is risky (they may not show up when you need them) and should be considered an emergency procedure.

If you've never dry camped before, now is the time to practice. Take a few showers and see if you can meet the boondocker's standard (1 gal for men, 1.5 gal for women). Plan on saving water in the kitchen by using paper plates or other alternatives (rinsing dishes is actually the biggest water using task).

Filling your black tank prematurely could result in an early departure. Pay close attention to quick flushes.

If you're in a Vintage Airstream with no gray tank, you must collect the drainage externally and then dispose of it discretely. "Discretely" is a euphemism for quietly hauling it to a storm drain or area of vegetation, but if we have 50 vintage Airstreams (out of 200) that need to do this, it won't be discrete for long.

Zep

[GeocamperAS]

Before I ask my question, my prayers go out to the folks in Colorado dealing with the floods and hope that those that were planing to attend the fiesta are safe and well and will still be there.

My question, are the fireworks seen from our campers or is it best to see from somewhere else?

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by tiger

...My question, are the fireworks seen from our campers or is it best to see from somewhere else?

Thanks, we are only moist here. Wish I could say that it is that good for many others around the state.

You can see 75% of the fireworks [the high stuff] from the parking area. But the waterfall and pinwheels are obscured by the chalets that are on the south side of the arena.

Z

[Grampz]

Hi Zep...

I am currently living in Palmer Lake too. We were displaced by the Black Forest fire, so only living here temporarily.

There are rumors of you in the DenCo unit as the guru of Vista View window repair, is this you???

Anyway, we are wondering if you are interested in rallying from here to there for the Balloon Fiesta.

Let me know.

Grampz

[Ken J]

We are as close to the launch field as you can get - you can see everything from your front door - however for the best experience, you should plan to walk on the field - which is not far - you will see water and dump trucks drive through our site somewhat often - as Zep says if you are careful with water you won't need additional. Hopefully all who are registered are starting to get our weekly updates

[Alumaholic]

Originally Posted by tiger

My question, are the fireworks seen from our campers or is it best to see from somewhere else?

As Ken J states, we are as close to the launch field as you can get, on the bluff along the south perimeter.
Since fireworks are launched from the bluff on the north perimeter, many of us amble down to the launch field with our folding camp chairs and claim a spot on the northern end of the field itself.

That said, the view the fireworks from the Airstreams is still spectacular!

[StreamNTyme]

Originally Posted by Happycampers

Looking forward to Rally! We are leaving Sept 18! Anyone like Canadian Beer? We can bring some!

Hi Annie and Marvin,

So glad to hear you will also be at the Fiesta! It will be nice to see you both again. We are really excited about it, our 1st one. We are bringing beers from other countries. We are leaving on the 19th stopping for another rally on the way.
This should be fun.
See you all soon!
Safe Travels!

[Gene]

I believe the closest part of the field to the fireworks is on the south side.

Airstream trailers are parked in rows in front of a fairly good sized open area. In front of that is a large drainage drainage channel for heavy rains. There is a bridge at each end of the Airstream area over the channels. Then there are large tents for sponsors and some major corporate vendors, and in front of that is the field. The field is enormous and it is a long walk to the north end or east to west.

You can see the fireworks from the open area in front of the trailers, but can see them better from the field. It is not a long walk to the south end of the field. Bring chairs or blankets.

The 4CU honchos are parked in the front row and mostly to the left (west) side. They get awakened before anyone by the generators for the lights illuminating the 2 bridges over the drainage channels—at something like 4 am. I guess Zep dumps his grey water in that drainage channel before the lights come on—watch for him and take a picture.

We get up at some awful hour and stumble down to the field with a camera and extra clothing. It gets pretty cold before dawn and since we aren't moving around much, it feels even colder. It can easily be in the 40's, but by midday, close to 80˚. Wear layers as it gets warm fast after the sun is up. We look for the best breakfast burritos and a hot drink. There are picnic tables on the east edge of the field—many are badly warped, but some are ok. You can see all the activity from there while you eat, and then walk around the field and see the crews inflate the balloons. Do not step on the balloons—you will be instantly vaporized. You can get some great photos in the dark of the crews inflating the balloons with propane firing into them. Before most of the balloons are inflated, about 10 are inflated before dawn towards the north end of the field and go up to check winds. Winds go completely different directions over the field at different altitudes allowing balloons to stay over the field by rising and falling at different levels. The Dawn Patrol makes for cool photos as they flare propane in the dark lighting up the balloons in the sky. After dawn, hundred of balloons go up for hours.

Lots more happens during the day and evening. Sat. and Sunday have the most, but plenty of balloons go up at other days. Fireworks are on the weekends. You can watch it from your trailer. The balloons often come over the trailers and if you sleep late, you will hear them overhead (flaring makes sounds—hissing, then burning) and sometimes very, very close. Some balloons don't get far and land in open areas very close, and a trailer was hit a couple of years ago. I can't remember if it was Zep's or the one next to him.

We had rain early today in western Colorado, but it has cleared for now. More is expected and all seems to move east to the Front Range. With two big storms, one a hurricane, hitting Mexico on both coasts, I expect we will be seeing more moisture being pumped into the southwest for the next week. The monsoons usually don't last this long and certainly are not this heavy. In 35 years in Colorado I've seen some really wet Augusts, but not like this so far into Sept. This could last into October, but that would be even stranger. Hopefully, the rains end for now and do not last to the Fiesta—balloons don't fly in bad weather. There's another thread about flooding ( http://www.airforums.com/forums/f160...od-109652.html ) and it seems no one on the Forum has been affected that we know of. But communications are tough, power is out in lots of places and people have other concerns besides the Forum.

With 200 trailers, as Ken suggested, name tags are a good idea. Maybe a post it note would work for those not having a bunch of "hello, I'm … " tags.

Gene

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by Gene

...The 4CU honchos are parked in the front row and mostly to the left (west) side. They get awakened before anyone by the generators for the lights illuminating the 2 bridges over the drainage channels—at something like 4 am. I guess Zep dumps his grey water in that drainage channel before the lights come on—watch for him and take a picture.
...
Lots more happens during the day and evening. Sat. and Sunday have the most, but plenty of balloons go up at other days. Fireworks are on the weekends. You can watch it from your trailer. The balloons often come over the trailers and if you sleep late, you will hear them overhead (flaring makes sounds—hissing, then burning) and sometimes very, very close. Some balloons don't get far and land in open areas very close, and a trailer was hit a couple of years ago. I can't remember if it was Zep's or the one next to him.
...

Ha! Not so fast. I am bringing the '77 Sovereign this year, not the '73 Overlander, so I will have a gray tank.

The trailer that was hit was Uwe's. In four years I never heard of any other being damaged.

Zep

[Ken J]

Bring your WBCCI name tags if you have - we will also have name tags you can have - the "hello I'm" kind

[Charlie M]

Last year (2012) I left the Airstream in the 4th row back with my hand held GPS and walked up the road in the middle of the launch field to the north end. The distance was 1.3 miles. A couple of years my wife and I walked the field three times. Of course, during the evening walk we always made a stop at he beer tent to take a break.

[carl2591]

Originally Posted by Zeppelinium

Ha! Not so fast. I am bringing the '77 Sovereign this year, not the '73 Overlander, so I will have a gray tank.

The trailer that was hit was Uwe's. In four years I never heard of any other being damaged.

Zep

your aviator show the 1977 as a 23' Safari, the Sovereign is listed as a 75.. man i am confused and envious of the trip to balloon fest.

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by carl2591

your avatar shows the 1977 as a 23' Safari, the Sovereign is listed as a 75.. man i am confused and envious of the trip to balloon fest.

Not to puff up too much, but my other half says it's an addiction. You missed the '73 Safari (for Burning Man). Not to mention the '73 Overlander. Don't be confused, there are many members with more than one and several who have more than 4. Envy...

Zep

[nilesrob]

Originally Posted by StreamNTyme

We are bringing beers from other countries.

As Homer Simpson would say, "Homer no function beer well without."

We will be bringing a few local beers from Georgia.

[nvestysly]

Seen in the Lowe's grocery store in Monahans, TX

[nilesrob]

You know Homer's favorite expression...

I'd rather have a cold beer than be father of the year.

[GeocamperAS]

I have heard from only 3 people.

I have 12 packs of "Spotted Cow" and new glarus brewing co variety 12 packs for trade. (only sold in WI)

I would love to trade with local beer from your area.

Are there any other interested micro brew lovers.

Please PM me.

[GeocamperAS]

Just in time for our big trip.
Just got "The Turd" (see before pic) back from the painter.
Any suggestions on a new name?

[nilesrob]

Originally Posted by tiger

Just in time for our big trip.
Just got "The Turd" (see before pic) back from the painter.
Any suggestions on a new name?

Gorgeous!