Re: Don Imus Ranch in N. Mexico

just bee · ‎03-10-2010

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Bridgegal wrote:

@just bee

Yes, we are. We have a friend coming for that week so the 3 of us will go. Any tips? I'm thinking about the Chaser's Club tickets.
@Bridgegal. Watch the weather, the balloons won't fly if the wind is more than about 12mph or of course if it rains. Don't miss a balloon glow in the evening. Do you have any special interests? So many things to see and do in
NM. You should also be there for Indian Market which is Santa Fe's big yearly event.

No, you won't be here for Indian Market as it's in August. I though you said you'd be here August 1st, but I see I was wrong.

@Bridgegal

And that's the problem with committing to those Club tickets. No refunds. If it rains or snows or if there's wind, the balloons will be grounded.

~My philosophy: Dogs are God's most perfect creatures. Angels, here on Earth, who teach us to be better human beings.~

just bee · ‎03-10-2010

@Kachina624

Hey! Did you get any of that monsoon last night? I looked out my front window because it was so windy, but I saw no rain. By the time I walked the few steps to the kitchen, it was pouring.

~My philosophy: Dogs are God's most perfect creatures. Angels, here on Earth, who teach us to be better human beings.~

just bee · ‎03-10-2010

@Bridgegal

Do you have any interest in whiskey, bourbon or scotch? If you do, there's an event scheduled between Santa Fe and Albuquerque at the Bonanza Creek Movie Ranch. When? Saturday October 13, 2018 1PM–6PM.

https://www.whiskeyclassic.us/

~My philosophy: Dogs are God's most perfect creatures. Angels, here on Earth, who teach us to be better human beings.~

Bridgegal · ‎03-09-2010

@just bee

@Kachina624

Hijack:

I don't see us going for more than one day. We were thinking about Wed. AM because of the Flight of the Nations Ascension with Chaser Club tickets. Skipping the evening glow.

Now I'm worried about the weather and the appeal of the evening glow and special shapes on thurs and friday. Do you think going on thursday late morning and hoping to see some special shapes balloons and staying for the evening glow would work? What would you recommend for just one day? Thanks!!

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@just bee wrote:
@Kachina624

Hey! Did you get any of that monsoon last night? I looked out my front window because it was so windy, but I saw no rain. By the time I walked the few steps to the kitchen, it was pouring.

@just bee. Yes, it rained good for about 2 hours. Tonight we had about 30 min worth with marble size hail.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@Bridgegal. No, your plan wouldn't work. The balloons go up early in the morning, then are tucked away until the evening balloon glow. So there's nothing going on during the day. I'd give priority to the " special shapes" ascension as they're the most fun to see. There are enough things to do in town to keep you entertained. There's shopping in Old Town, you could ride the tram up to the top of Sandia Crest, a spectacular trip, visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center which has a great restaurant, there will be a big arts and crafts show somewhere in town, you'd be near the Sandia Casino (Indian operated), there are a number of good museums near Old Town.

I have a day trip I've written the directions for for a scenic drive between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and if you're interested, I'll post it for you. That's where I take all of my out of town visitors. It goes through an Indian pueblo, the Jemez Mountains and some prehistoric Indian ruins.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

just bee · ‎03-10-2010

@Kachina624 wrote:
@just bee wrote:
@Kachina624

Hey! Did you get any of that monsoon last night? I looked out my front window because it was so windy, but I saw no rain. By the time I walked the few steps to the kitchen, it was pouring.
@just bee. Yes, it rained good for about 2 hours. Tonight we had about 30 min worth with marble size hail.

@Kachina624

Huge downpour last night and, yes, we had hail, too. I can do without hail!

~My philosophy: Dogs are God's most perfect creatures. Angels, here on Earth, who teach us to be better human beings.~

just bee · ‎03-10-2010

@Bridgegal wrote:
@just bee
@Kachina624

Hijack:

I don't see us going for more than one day. We were thinking about Wed. AM because of the Flight of the Nations Ascension with Chaser Club tickets. Skipping the evening glow.

Now I'm worried about the weather and the appeal of the evening glow and special shapes on thurs and friday. Do you think going on thursday late morning and hoping to see some special shapes balloons and staying for the evening glow would work? What would you recommend for just one day? Thanks!!

@Bridgegal

If I had to choose one day it wouldn't be Wednesday. (Watch -- we'll have horrible weather and Wednesday will be the only day the balloons aren't grounded.)

http://www.balloonfiesta.com/event-info/event-schedule

I'd choose a day based on the event schedule. I'd want a mass ascension or the Special Shapes rodeo and if I planned to see a balloon glow I'd want to stick around for the fireworks display.

It's not that we're jaded in Albuquerque (although some people are), but a lot of us don't go to the fiesta because we have different ways to enjoy the balloons. I get up early and watch from my driveway or I walk the dog around the neighborhood or go down the the bosque (the forest area around the Rio Grande) or the Petroglyph National Monument on the Westside (Piedras Marcadas Canyon) for a view of the city and the balloons. Depending on the wind, the balloons can end up in my neighborhood. It isn't unusual to have a few land nearby.

The balloons will also float over the bosque or even head towards the downtown area. Again it all depends on which way the wind is blowing. Sometimes they go up and come right down. Sometimes they inflate but don't fly. Sometimes they go up and the wind blows them north and out of sight.

And sometimes we have perfection. Great weather and "the box" -- a predictable wind pattern that the balloonists use to their advantage.

Kachina's right about making a day of it. Get there early when it's cold and dark, grab something hot to drink and a Krispy Kreme or a breakfast burrito, and mix and mingle on the field with balloonists, locals and tourists from all over the world. You can leave the park and check out the Sandias, the bosque, Old Town, The Petroglyphs, the BioPark or the museums.

Go back to the park for the glow and fireworks.

Bees