Rolling mini rally to Alburquerque

What a fun time it was ! The Selden's planned a rolling, mini rally to attend the annual Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico. First, they met up with Dave and Carol Rudolph at Quechan Casino in Winterhaven, CA. From there, it was on  to Laughlin, Nevada for the weekend where Ron and Karen Montgomery joined in.  Staying at the Riverside RV Park directly across from the casino with their shuttle bus made the stay very convenient. We enjoyed too many buffets, the casino, a great car show, and a sunset cruise down the river (complete with swarms of knats aka Carol's "worst nightmare" as she hates bugs). 

  

Then off to Williams, AZ to met up with Tom and Mary Ann Cathey who were travelling around Utah. Enjoyed a good burger at the Cafe 66.

The next day we took the train to the south rim of the Grand Canyon for the day. It was a beautiful ride complete with entertainers and robbers.

From Williams, the caravan stopped in Holbrook, AZ where John and Debbie Lupton joined in, then on to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The 2016 Balloon Fiesta is the 45th annual event and featured more than 500 hot air balloons, of which nearly a hundred were special shape balloons. Pilots from all over the world  fly in the popular international event. The 2016 event theme is “Desert Kaleidoscope,”  Pictures hardly do it justice. 

The event begins with a Morning Glow before sunrise and a test launch of a few Balloons, called the Dawn Patrol.

If the conditions are right what follows is wave after wave of the launch of more than 500 hot air balloons over about 2 hours. Considering this is the most photographed event in the US, selecting the best ones to show was a challenge.

The balloons even flew over the RV parking area and some landed near by.

We couldn't get enough of seeing this awesome event. If its not on your bucket list, add it !

One morning we took the tram up to Sandia Peak. The Tram is the longest one in the US and transports you over deep canyons to an observation deck to 10,378 feet elevation. On a clear day, it can give an 11,000 square mile panoramic view. Unfortunately, our view was clear to a certain point then it was socked in with fog and mist.

Of course, there were happy hours, a pot luck, and meals out.

The time together with our RVing friends will always be remembered