Wed., Oct. 6th

We are all settled at the festival grounds. Came in about noon. Weather is gorgeous. We are meeting lots of new people. This afternoon, Jack and I checked out the Sandia casino. They give new players $40 each. It had to be used by midnight. We didn't want to miss Happy Hour, so we cashed in and came home with $56 and had fun getting it.

Have to be up bright and early tomorrow morning to see the balloons lift off. Also have a luncheon to go to tomorrow. Jack has a little work to do on the RV - again!!!!

Hope to post some balloon pictures tomorrow.

Tuesday, Oct. 5th

Time is flying by. Weather is great - cool mornings and warm days. Today we drove down to check out where we go tomorrow to the festival grounds. Got to see some balloons in the air, but most were done for the day. This afternoon, we rode the longest tram in the world up Sandia Mountain. We had driven this when in Santa Fe a few years ago. It was very cold up the mountain and I certainly was not dressed properly. The views were wonderful overlooking Albuquerque. I have a couple of pictures, but am having trouble with the internet, but will try again.

Got lucky this time.

Monday, Oct. 4th

We are now in Albuquerque NM until Sunday. Our time at the Balloon Festival starts on Wednesday.

Last week, we spent with my brother in Phoenix and Prescott. It was unusually hot in Phoenix, but Prescott was wonderful and cool. We spent our days relaxing and 4 wheeling around the mountains. Sure am glad, my brother knew his way. I was lost at all times. We returned to the heat of Phoenix on Saturday and celebrated my grand-nephew's 14th birthday. Sunday morning, they all came by the RV to see it and to say good-bye. It was so great seeing everyone again. We left later than we planned on Sunday so spent last night in Gallup, NM at an Elks club. We are at another Elks club now until Wednesday.

As Jack said yesterday, we are now heading in that eastward direction. So far, we have covered 5,500 miles on the RV, plus some on the car.

Word on the new a/c unit is not good. Latest shipping date will not get it here in time. Since the weather has cooled we can survive without it.

Can't wait to get some balloon photos to post on this.

Tuesday, Sept. 28th

We are busy trying to get things fixed on the RV. The new motor for the awning was defective so we are waiting for the call right now that the next one has arrived. Bad news regarding the a/c unit. It will not be available until the end of October. We are anxiously the awning repair so we can head to Prescott and some cooler weather. It is amazing to hear all the natives here complaining about the 100+ temperatures. It is running 10+ degrees above normal for at least another week.

Everyone here is doing well and we are having fun in between repair trips.

Saturday, Sept 25th

Well we are now back in summer weather. In fact, we put our fleece away this evening. It was a lovely drive from Utah as we watched the temperatures continue to rise. At 8pm, it is still 96, but as they say - it is dry!!!.

My brother came to visit our RV when we got here and we ended up cooking burgers. It was just a relaxing time. Tomorrow we go for a cookout at my nephew Michael's house. I know we will enjoy seeing everyone again. No pictures since it was a driving day.

Friday, Sept. 24th These are a few of the views from Bryce Canyon. It was a lovely day and we hiked from Bryce Canyon overlook to Inspiration Point. It was just over a mile and at an elevation of 9,000 ft. Each view offered something different. The ride into Bryce through Red Canyon was gorgeous with brillant red terrain and green pines and yellow aspens. Unlike Zion, we were on the rim and looking down in Bryce.

Tomorrow we start our journey to Phoenix to visit with family for a few days and get the RV awning fixed. It will definitely be time to get the summer clothes out again.

Will continue this when we leave Phoenix.

Thursday, Sept.23rd

For anyone who wonders what to do on vacation - try some of our National Parks. They are a super deal for those of us over the hill. You can buy a lifetime pass for only $10. No other deals like that available today.

One park is prettier than the next. Today's adventure was to Zion National Park. They have free shuttles to the different areas and sightseeing spots. We even did a 2 mile hike along the river/stream. One of the highlights was to actually see 2 climbers scaling the side of the mountain. No thank you!!! Tomorrow's destination is Bryce Canyon. Meanwhile, summer is returning with high's going above 80, but nights are still nice and cool.