Balloon Fiesta - Short Report And Many Thanks!
Oct 18th, 2006, 09:47 AM
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Balloon Fiesta - Short Report And Many Thanks!
I know there is another thread here for the Balloon Fiesta, but I didn't want to highjack some one else's so I thought I would start this one. First, there are so many people here to thank that were instrumental in helping me to plan my trip to New Mexico - we really did have a fabulous time! DebbitNM, ElendiPickle, SAnParis were just a few that provided so much helpful information - thank you for your valuable insight! And I really want to thank travel_addict who provided a most excellent and easy to follow itinerary to follow - it worked perfectly!
I traveled with my mother (this trip was originally her idea - she really wanted to see the Balloon Fiesta after a friend of hers went last year). This meant that the hotels we stayed in were more the budget variety, but we were perfectly happy with the choices made, though nothing exceptional or out of the ordinary.
We spent three nights in Albuquerque, and were lucky to attend the opening ceremonies of Balloon Fiesta. There was an ascension, and I do have to admit I was quite blown away! Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate the next day – it rained – and all events were cancelled. We did have tickets for that evening’s Balloon Glow, but unfortunately the wind was blowing a bit too hard for inflation so the organizers had a Candlelight Glow (only the butane are lit). That was pretty amazing itself, we thought. One thing that I noticed was the high spirits of all who attended. Everyone seems to be in such a good mood, even if the events have to be altered or cancelled. And that makes it more fun!
We used the Park and Ride to attend the events at Fiesta, which I really have to recommend. There was minimal waiting, if any, and except for the first morning, the buses arrived in a timely manner. I thought the whole process very efficient. Even once the events were over at the park and people wanted to get back to the parking lots. My only concern would be that Albuquerque police didn’t seem to be 100% on board with this. They were attempting to re-route the buses the wrong way, making the buses wait extra-long at intersections, etc. It seems if Albuquerque is trying to swing the public to using the Park and Ride, getting police on board and in alignment with the buses would be a priority. Just my humble opinion.
Because we had to wake up so early to get to the park, we really didn’t have much time or energy to see much of anything in Albuquerque. We did make it to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and Old Town, both of which were enjoyed. From what I heard of other travelers, Sandia Peak Tram was also shut down for a time due to weather.
My mother is not the adventurous diner that I am, but we both agreed that lunch at 66 Diner was terrific, dinner at Robb’s Rib was worth while, and the breakfasts at the Range Café were the best. (We went to the Range Café on Menaul Blvd, which was right across the street from our hotel, and not the one in Bernalillo)
We traveled the Turquoise Trail to Santa Fe, and were delighted with Madrid. However, it was just a bit too chilly and threat of rain too real to make tramping around much fun. Santa Fe was a delight for the visual, however! Loved taking pictures there! Managed to cover Palace of the Governors, St Francis Cathedral, Loretto Chapel, San Miguel Mission, State Capital, and the Plaza.
We also got to take in White Rock Overlook, Bandelier National Monument, and took a drive to Los Alamos. We decided to go the Bradbury Museum in Los Alamos and were pleasantly surprised. It is almost totally hands-on and interactive – a great place to take kids, actually. We both had quite a bit of fun there. And, it’s free!
We did take the high road to Taos, and the highlight for both of us was stopping at the Santuario de Chimayó. Such a simple yet beautiful little church! It was just gorgeous! The ride was beautiful and fairly uneventful, except that somehow, someway I managed to get lost in Truchas.
We both loved Taos – small, but so unassuming. We managed to take in the plaza, Kit Carson Home, Millicent Rogers Museum, Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Hacienda de los Martinez (hard to find, but worth it!), St Francis de Asis Church, and, the highlight I think, Taos Pueblo. And the area around Taos is just so gorgeous!
We took the low road back from Taos, and then hooked up with the Jemez Mountain Trail to get back to Albuquerque, so it was a bit of a long drive. But it was absolutely worth it! More beautiful than I could ever imagine! The trees were turning color, and the rain from a few days earlier had left just a bit of snow behind – just beautiful.
Our last evening in Albuquerque, we attempted the Balloon Fiesta once again. However, the weather once more would foil us. The winds would be too strong to allow Night Magic to go on as planned and once again there would be a Candlelight Glow. But, nature and the fabulous New Mexico sky did provide me with the most amazing sunset!
Our last morning, we were able to see the final ascension from our hotel room – thanks to being on the third floor and looking north! It looked wonderful.
So, even though the weather didn’t cooperate with us in Albuquerque, we had glorious weather the entire time we were in Santa Fe and Taos. And even though we couldn’t see all the Fiesta had to offer, the people who were there made all worth while and we were thrilled with what we saw.
Speaking of which, I truly enjoyed New Mexico. I didn’t really know what I was expecting. Desert and tumbleweeds, perhaps? But I found a state so diverse! One moment deserts the next lush forests. I found the people warm and friendly and open and inviting. The history was fascinating and something I’d not known before. And I’ve developed a new passion for green chile! Truly, New Mexico is the Land of Enchantment!
I traveled with my mother (this trip was originally her idea - she really wanted to see the Balloon Fiesta after a friend of hers went last year). This meant that the hotels we stayed in were more the budget variety, but we were perfectly happy with the choices made, though nothing exceptional or out of the ordinary.
We spent three nights in Albuquerque, and were lucky to attend the opening ceremonies of Balloon Fiesta. There was an ascension, and I do have to admit I was quite blown away! Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate the next day – it rained – and all events were cancelled. We did have tickets for that evening’s Balloon Glow, but unfortunately the wind was blowing a bit too hard for inflation so the organizers had a Candlelight Glow (only the butane are lit). That was pretty amazing itself, we thought. One thing that I noticed was the high spirits of all who attended. Everyone seems to be in such a good mood, even if the events have to be altered or cancelled. And that makes it more fun!
We used the Park and Ride to attend the events at Fiesta, which I really have to recommend. There was minimal waiting, if any, and except for the first morning, the buses arrived in a timely manner. I thought the whole process very efficient. Even once the events were over at the park and people wanted to get back to the parking lots. My only concern would be that Albuquerque police didn’t seem to be 100% on board with this. They were attempting to re-route the buses the wrong way, making the buses wait extra-long at intersections, etc. It seems if Albuquerque is trying to swing the public to using the Park and Ride, getting police on board and in alignment with the buses would be a priority. Just my humble opinion.
Because we had to wake up so early to get to the park, we really didn’t have much time or energy to see much of anything in Albuquerque. We did make it to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and Old Town, both of which were enjoyed. From what I heard of other travelers, Sandia Peak Tram was also shut down for a time due to weather.
My mother is not the adventurous diner that I am, but we both agreed that lunch at 66 Diner was terrific, dinner at Robb’s Rib was worth while, and the breakfasts at the Range Café were the best. (We went to the Range Café on Menaul Blvd, which was right across the street from our hotel, and not the one in Bernalillo)
We traveled the Turquoise Trail to Santa Fe, and were delighted with Madrid. However, it was just a bit too chilly and threat of rain too real to make tramping around much fun. Santa Fe was a delight for the visual, however! Loved taking pictures there! Managed to cover Palace of the Governors, St Francis Cathedral, Loretto Chapel, San Miguel Mission, State Capital, and the Plaza.
We also got to take in White Rock Overlook, Bandelier National Monument, and took a drive to Los Alamos. We decided to go the Bradbury Museum in Los Alamos and were pleasantly surprised. It is almost totally hands-on and interactive – a great place to take kids, actually. We both had quite a bit of fun there. And, it’s free!
We did take the high road to Taos, and the highlight for both of us was stopping at the Santuario de Chimayó. Such a simple yet beautiful little church! It was just gorgeous! The ride was beautiful and fairly uneventful, except that somehow, someway I managed to get lost in Truchas.
We both loved Taos – small, but so unassuming. We managed to take in the plaza, Kit Carson Home, Millicent Rogers Museum, Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Hacienda de los Martinez (hard to find, but worth it!), St Francis de Asis Church, and, the highlight I think, Taos Pueblo. And the area around Taos is just so gorgeous!
We took the low road back from Taos, and then hooked up with the Jemez Mountain Trail to get back to Albuquerque, so it was a bit of a long drive. But it was absolutely worth it! More beautiful than I could ever imagine! The trees were turning color, and the rain from a few days earlier had left just a bit of snow behind – just beautiful.
Our last evening in Albuquerque, we attempted the Balloon Fiesta once again. However, the weather once more would foil us. The winds would be too strong to allow Night Magic to go on as planned and once again there would be a Candlelight Glow. But, nature and the fabulous New Mexico sky did provide me with the most amazing sunset!
Our last morning, we were able to see the final ascension from our hotel room – thanks to being on the third floor and looking north! It looked wonderful.
So, even though the weather didn’t cooperate with us in Albuquerque, we had glorious weather the entire time we were in Santa Fe and Taos. And even though we couldn’t see all the Fiesta had to offer, the people who were there made all worth while and we were thrilled with what we saw.
Speaking of which, I truly enjoyed New Mexico. I didn’t really know what I was expecting. Desert and tumbleweeds, perhaps? But I found a state so diverse! One moment deserts the next lush forests. I found the people warm and friendly and open and inviting. The history was fascinating and something I’d not known before. And I’ve developed a new passion for green chile! Truly, New Mexico is the Land of Enchantment!
Oct 18th, 2006, 10:36 AM
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For those who might be interested, I've uploaded my pictures to: www.pbase.com/chele60
Oct 18th, 2006, 11:27 AM
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Thanks for posting your report !
It brought back wonderful memories of my trip with my mother and my children to the same area, and most of the same spots you hit - I looked at your photos and they are wonderful - I agree with you that when we were at the fiesta, and all along our travels on Turquoise trail, etc we met the most wonderful people and even the crowds at the fiesta were all so energized and friendly !
Glad you had such a wonderful time with your mom.
It brought back wonderful memories of my trip with my mother and my children to the same area, and most of the same spots you hit - I looked at your photos and they are wonderful - I agree with you that when we were at the fiesta, and all along our travels on Turquoise trail, etc we met the most wonderful people and even the crowds at the fiesta were all so energized and friendly !
Glad you had such a wonderful time with your mom.
Oct 18th, 2006, 12:24 PM
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Sounds like you had a wonderful time! Glad the rain didn't put too much of a damper [no pun intended -- well maybe a little] on your activities.
Glad to have been a help too you and come back again to explore more of NM and head up here to SW Colorado for more spectacular sights and fun.
Debi
Glad to have been a help too you and come back again to explore more of NM and head up here to SW Colorado for more spectacular sights and fun.
Debi
Oct 18th, 2006, 03:35 PM
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Hi Chele60,
I'm so jealous of your trip - it sounds like you hit all my favorite places! And I gotta give you credit for traveling with your mom. I don't think I could. One of us probably wouldn't come back!
Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
I'm so jealous of your trip - it sounds like you hit all my favorite places! And I gotta give you credit for traveling with your mom. I don't think I could. One of us probably wouldn't come back!
Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
Oct 18th, 2006, 05:26 PM
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Thanks for sharing your photos! I too had a terrific time at Fiesta but your trip was longer than ours.
We even went to the same restaurant - 66 Diner. How did you discover it? Me, I found it on citysearch and loved their burgers! Fantastic!
We even went to the same restaurant - 66 Diner. How did you discover it? Me, I found it on citysearch and loved their burgers! Fantastic!
Oct 19th, 2006, 07:11 AM
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molyhotelsaregross ~ I guess the diner story might go down as one of "those" vacation stories. I had brought along a book of New Mexico restaurants (mom is a very picky eater who has trouble gauging her hunger at times, so I need to have quick resources available), and I found something called the Route 66 Bar and Grill on Central. We drove over there, but for some reason I passed it by and decided to look elsewhere. As we were heading back to the hotel - and trying not to get lost - my mother was trying to find some place to eat, when she said she thought she found another diner. So, I guess you could say we stumbled it on it - quite happily by accident! And I don't think mom wanted to leave once she got inside!
Oct 19th, 2006, 03:11 PM
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We were there at the same time as well and I haven't posted a trip report although we also hit many of the same things that you did.
We also got lost in Truchas!!! Missed that left hand turn that takes you toward Taos. Had to backtrack and ask in one of the galleries to get back on the correct path.
Glad you had a good time - we did too!!!
We also got lost in Truchas!!! Missed that left hand turn that takes you toward Taos. Had to backtrack and ask in one of the galleries to get back on the correct path.
Glad you had a good time - we did too!!!
Oct 19th, 2006, 06:37 PM
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It was great reading your experiences at the Balloon Fiesta and area sites. This was our first time to the festival, and the area, and loved it. Great people, great sites, great food, great shopping, great balloons- enough great, you get the picture. We would like to return to do the things we missed this trip. I must comment that we were disappointed in the Marriott Pyramid. I am in the process of writing to the management. It certainly wasnt cheap to stay there, consequently I was not happy about the abundance of mildew around the tub/shower area. I asked at the front desk if they could clean it a bit (all they needed was some Tilex), and got no response. They said they renovated the rooms, which basically meant new beds, but the bathrooms, at least this one, needed some work. Sorry, about my rant! FYI- We did get to ride the tram on Sat. The views were incredible- you'll have to make a return trip and ride it. Glad your trip went well!! Mo
Oct 27th, 2006, 10:38 AM
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I went to the Balloon Fiesta too and was wowed by the sheer numbers of colorful balloons crowding the sky. Definately a must-do experience at least once in a lifetime. Our favorite place to eat was the Standard Diner on Central Street -- great prices and American comfort food with a southwest twist. I also really enjoyed Albuquerque's sophisticated museums near the old historic area.
