2012 ABIF Caravan Group - Special Military Active Retired Travel Club

ON THE FRONT…… “Blaze A Trail” AIBF CaravanWagon Masters Doug and Connie HarrellSMART Celebrated ABQ’s 41 st International Balloon Fiesta and Visited Santa FeOct 5-17, 2012. Participants included: Walt and Patsy Cloyd, Tom and Sue Wentz,Don and Sharon Parrish, Roger and Bonnie Ford, Tim and Donna Martin, Bob andGretchen Sholar, Chuck and Kathy Beres, Shirley Long, Bruno and MariettaBechthold, Ed and Pam Barre, Jim and Karen Francis, Everett, Jackie, and PamPerrin, Al Calise and Nancy Kindness, Carole Dinsmore, Steve and June Bahr,Charlie and Dianne LeBlanc, Don and Nancy O’Bryan, James and Linda Knapp, and Paul and PJ Cooperwho later joined in our fun. Albuquerque was Aloft as we approached the Balloon Fiesta Grounds on themorning of Oct 5. Many pilots had launched from local schools bringing the joy of ballooning to the childrenas we enjoyed the Land of Enchantment. Later that day, we gathered wearing red to Support Our Troops atKirtland AFB’s golf course clubhouse for a hot turkey and dressing Welcome dinner. Everyone introducedthemselves and received their embroidered caravan bag with jackets, agenda books, Blaze A Trail programbook, balloon fiesta pins, a 2013 balloon calendar and caravan hangers. To celebrate our 47 th state’s Centennialeveryone enjoyed the balloon decorated Happy 100 th Birthday New Mexico/Welcome SMART cake. Waltand Patsy won the “Who” was the early bird “Owl” bowl set. First timers were recognized. Oldest memberSteve and June and Newest members Jim and Linda were recognized. Camping right on the Balloon FiestaGrounds provided the opportunity to come back ‘n forth anytime to the launch field by school buses. Whileothers were able to sit right in our group area or right in their own RV’s watching the balloons float overheadand at night watch the fireworks. Our mesmerizing experience included watching Dawn Patrols, Mass Ascensions,Balloon Glows, Glowdeos, Flight of the Nations Ascension, Flying Competitions and Special ShapesRodeo. Our AIBF experience went beyond our greatest expectations. The weather was almost perfect andthe blue skies made the kaleidoscope of balloon colors, shapes, and sizes from around the world speculator.Thanks to Doug’s early morning coffee and goodies many SMART members had the energy to become partof a Chase Crew and helped pilots inflate, launch, and land balloons. Our Bee Happy Day found Roger andBonnie taking the first hot air balloon ride in the group in a Bee! Charlie and Dianne, Bruno, Pam Perrin, EdBarre, Al and Nancy also had the ultimate experience of flying in a balloon while several other Chase Crewmembers appreciated the experience with SMART friends and enjoyed hot chocolate and Frito Pie for breakfast!Enjoying the Hot Air Capital of the World was filled with many activities. We toured the ABQ Museum &Old Town. Several of us met the “Code Talkers” at their book signing. The Navajo language was used as asuccessful secret code during WWII, in the South Pacific. The Japanese cryptographers couldn’t break theircode making them responsible for many victories during the war. Getting up early to have a breakfast burritoat the Chasers Club was disappointing. We were so cold and no Launch! Later that day, we ate lunch atSandiago’s Mexican Grill. Then we rode the Sandia Peak tram which is the longest aerial tram in N Americawith a group photo at the top. Many went on to travel, The Turquoise Trail to Madrid or stopped at TinkertownMuseum to enjoy one man’s life as a carver. The “Mad Hatter’s” showed up wearing their decorated hats atour social and Jackie won the group vote with Pam Perrin coming in 2 nd and Chuck Beres coming in 3 rd . Itwas a lot of fun for everyone. Next, we enjoyed the Indian dancers at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. It’sthe Gateway to the nineteen Pueblos in NM. Our Christmas in NM lunch buffet with red and green Chile peppersat El Pinto Mexican Restaurant was delicious. Many watched as fresh peppers were being roasted. Weexchanged gifts at the social and enjoyed NM’s state cookie Bizcochitos. Getting Our Kicks on Route 66 daywe carpooled to Acoma Pueblo Sky City considered being the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in NAmerica. Our guide atop the 367’ sandstone mesa shared his knowledge of his ancestors and the AcomaPueblo. We all enjoyed our journey through time and the artistic art work and pottery of the people who live inthe Pueblo, attend San Esteban del Ray Mission, and who will be buried in the one of the four layers of internmentat the cemetery. Several tasted the freshly baked goodies; fry bread, fruit pies and tamales. The All-U-Can-Eat buffet at Sky City Casino provided many SMART members an opportunity to try their luck at theslots after lunch. We kept looking up at all the balloons knowing God was looking down as pigs flew byalong with panda bears, an elephant, Darth Vader, Hopper T Frog, Spyderpig, Humpty Dumpty, Felix the Cat,Smokey the Bear, Elvis, and many more interesting balloons. The Balloon Museum was informative on thehistory of ballooning. The National Museum of Nuclear Science &History was fascinating and terrifying. Wesaw replicas of Little Boy and Fat Man the atomic bombs that ended WWII. Our group snacks provided everyonewith an opportunity to share our enthusiasm for the balloons and daily activities. Before we knew it, itwas Friday again and we wore our red shirts as we enjoyed sausage, gravy and biscuits at breakfast madeby Tom Wentz. We celebrated a Military appreciation luncheon at Elephant Bar and Grill. The POW/MIAballoon was among our favorites. Collecting balloon cards from pilots was part of the fun of our caravan.Everyone wondered which card would be selected as the “Secret” card for a drawing for a $20 Pizza Hut gift