Monday, October 31, 2011

Sunday, October 23, 2011

34th Annual Run to the Sun - October 20th

Calling all cars!  Calling all cars!

Temperatures are cooling (It's below 100 degrees). London Bridge Day celebrations are all around town. And Rods and Relics kick off their 34th Annual Run to the Sun event at the Shops of Havasu mall.

About 800 cars arrived for the "Show & Shine."  They'll be out on the island for the big car show all weekend.

I stopped at PetSmart to see if there was anything new that I needed (like a Halloween Costume). Then it was off to find me a car. Don't get me wrong, I love being chauffered around in my minivan, but sometimes, I want a little more speed.

Nice, but it looks too much like a creamsicle.

This one could be a friend to Tow Mater.

This would be a nice ride!

I think Uncle Skip would ike thie one.

Is this one a Bonnie & Clyde car?

The interior of this one is way cool.

Retro!

I don't think this one has enough luggage space.

Smile! You're on Candid Camera,
.
I've been on this road.
Still haven't found the car I want yet. Mommy & Daddy are trying though.

Wow! This car was featured on a Rotary coin.
 
We have a license plate to match this.

Nice hood ornament!

Now THIS is what I'm talking about! This car would be one SWEET ride.







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Saturday, October 22, 2011

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta - Departure - October 9th

I awoke this morning thinking I'd just have some of the organic doggy treats (Mom makes me eat) for breakfast and then leave for home.

Much to my surprise - I was able to watch the morning ascension of  the balloons from the back balcony of the hotel.

Fur-babies are not allowed on the balloon fields for many reasons - safety being the biggest issue. Up until now, I've just been able to look at the photos and take everyone's word for it.

So today was the first day I was able to see any of the balloons.  I didn't know what was happening.  It almost looked like an invasion.  Just let me say, "WOW!!!!"

Rising to the top.

While watching the morning ascension on TV, we saw the Stagecoach lift off for the first time this weekend.  Winds (or lack thereof) were very favorable.

"Look! Up in the sky!  It's a bird. It's a plane! . . ."

No!  It's an invasion of hot air balloons.
This is just freakin' amazing.

Next thing we know - a balloon lifts up over the ridge coming right at us.

The Wells Fargo balloon saw the light.

And if seeing the balloons wasn't enough, I got to meet a real, live pig.

This is Esmeralda (Spanish for "emerald").
She doesn't look green, so she must be a precious gem.

Auntie Debra has just spoiled me so much this entire trip.
I can really get used to this.

To top off the weekend's events, we stopped at Picazzo's in Flagstaff, AZ for dinner.
They had a dish just for me - "Joey's Portobello Bolognese."  Yum!

Daddy & I are putting the finishing touches on all the photos to share on the blog.


I hope you've enjoyed my adventures to the
Albuquerque 40th Annual Balloon Fiesta.

Don't forget! 

2nd Annual Havasu Island Balloon Festival & Fair
January 19 - 22, 2012


http://www.havasuballoonfest.com/



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Friday, October 21, 2011

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta - Night Glow - October 8th

The balloon crew returned to the fields late afternoon for a chance to meet with pilots and enjoy the weather.

Families were playing in the balloon field. Kites were floating above.

Search & Rescue riders were horsing around.

And then the crowds starting pouring in for the evening's events.

Mommy called Auntie Koena telling her about how wonderful the Balloon Fiesta was.
Uncle Ralph & Auntie Koena used to live in Albuquerque & volunteered at the Balloon Fiesta.

Airabelle is smiling as she awakens from her afternoon nap.

The fields start coming alive in waves of color.

The crowd is encouraged to walk among the balloons.

This balloon is Sea Fantasy from Wausau, WI.

The bees are still sleeping, but it looks like they'll be up soon.

As the last remants of light shines through the clouds, anticipation fills the air.

Oo-o-o, Ah-h-h-h . . . WOW.   Humpty Dumpty is still in one piece!
Humpty Dumpty is from Louisville, KY,

The bird with the cheeky grin is Retro Bird - he just flew in from Atlanta, GA.

"Got Milk?"

Jannik was able to meet up with Lena again.

Lena saw this fella clowning around with the soccer ball . . .

. . . so Lena challenged him to a game!

This Intel is on the outside!

Then the fireworks started . . .


Magnificient!


Grand Finale!!!!!!








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Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta - Morning Ascension - October 8th

Another bright and early morning for the Balloon Crowd.
Another morning for me to have the king-size bed all to myself. Yipee!!!!

The day was clearer. As the sun gently awoke in the east, snow blanketed the mountains, and the clouds framed the sky.  It was a glorious Saturday morning. The field was full of activity - people walking around, balloons inflating, the Star Spangled Banner sung as the first balloon ascended proudly flying the American flag. It was a beautiful sight to behold.




Now that the Space Shuttle is grounded, NASA is tasked with a traveling show for public relations and educational purposes.


Just in case it rains again, the Storm Troopers are on standby.

Auntie Debra is a balloon supporter.

Auntie Debra & Uncle Carlos snuggle to keep warm.
Airabelle, the cow, is still sleeping.

This is "Udderly Ridiculous".

"Does anyone really know what time it is?"
This is Tic Toc from Brazil.

"Does anyone really care?"
This is what Tic Toc looks like on the flip side.

And for our Georgia Tech fans, here's Yellow Jacket from Brazil.


Sh-h-h,  Hiding "In Plain Sight".
This is Lindy from St. Louis, MO.

"Fish are our friends . . ."

". . . not Food!"
This is Tu-Balloon from Brazil.
Pencel Boy (Reno, NV) may be coming to the Havasu Balloon Fest!


The team starts to lay out the Wells Fargo Stagecoach.



If Uncle Carlos doesn't move - he's gonna get smashed.
Almost up.

WOW!!!! Look at the size of this balloon! 
The home of the Stagecoach is Albuquerque. NM.


Here's the Wells Fargo Stagecoach, the Select 55 (w/ Gary Moore), and Carousel (Orchard Lakes, MI).


Buzz-z-z-z-z-ing the friendly skies of Albuquerque.

The balloon on the left is Joey from Ireland. The balloon are the right is Lilly Little Bee from Jeffersonville, VT.

A kissing moment. How sweet.


Do you think this Joey looks like me?

Here's a better photo of the Baby Bee - Joelly.

Yellow Jacket meets Stinky from Brazil.

Daddy hanging out in front of the Select 55 balloon.

"Good Morning Sunshine . . ." This is Lady Sun from France.



May the clouds smile on your day.  This cloud is a friend of Lady Sun.


Look into these eyes and you may be hypnotized.  This is Super FMG from Canada.

Matrioshka, from Dakota Dunes, SD, is peeking around the red balloon to see what's going on at the Media tent.

Jannik was able to connect with a friend from his hometown in Germany.  This is Lena. She's also a foreign exchange student living with a host family in Colorado Springs, CO.


Betty Jean (from Peoria, AZ) has eyes for Mr. Basketball (from Brazil).  It sure seems like there are a lot of balloons from Brazil.

Looking up into the "belly of the beast".

Sugar Bear from East Leroy, MI becomes a part of the crowd.

"
"Spyderpig, Spyderpig - Doing What a Spyderpig Does . . ."
Spyderpig lives in Albuquerque, NM.

The is Mr. Pump.   Someone in the crowd hollered, "Here Piggy, Piggy, Piggy."  He quickly responded with, "They call me MR. PIG!!!!"   Mr. Pump is from Brazil..

What's a helicopter doing up there? This is a balloon only zone.

Mr. Z from Albuquerque, NM smiles on all the festivities.

To top off the morning's events were the Navy Seals flying the American Flag.
It was a proud, patriotic moment.
At the Balloon Fiesta, there are two main events. The "Morning Ascension" and the "Night Glow." Rain cancelled out the "Night Glow" on Friday night, but there will be one tonight. So it looks like lunch.  Everyone came back to the hotel to play with me.




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