Anyone Here Going to Balloon Fiesta????

[read & learn]

Steve how was the Balloon Fiesta this year? Was the weather OK? Was hoping that someone would respond so other Newmar iRV2 members could think about going next year.
Joe

[Chickadee]

G'morning Joe (read & learn):

Gotta tell ya, attending the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta with the NKK group was one of the highlights of our full timing experience. WHAT a wonderful, thrilling event, and, for our stay (Oct. 1st thru the 6th), the weather was exceptionally great. Evidentally ya can't always expect the balloons to fly EVERY DAY, but they did during our visit.

Jim and Sue Hagedon, the NKK Board Member At Large who hosted this years Fiesta, did an outstanding job of arranging this NKK get together. Their schedule had just the right amount of scheduled activities and FREE TIME and the whole experience was VERY comfortable.

There were 20 or 21 Newmar rigs parked right adjacent to the balloon launch field and our group had open access to the field anytime we wanted to walk over. One of the most thrilling experiences was being RIGHT among the big, colorful balloons as they began inflating for the mornings mass ascension as sun rises over Sandia Peak (mtn. to the East). We'd kinda thought it would be....o.k.,.... BUT, it'll blow you away !!! AND....when they all start lifting off, well, ya can hardly describe the feeling. Frankly, for us, it seemed kinda pricey for a 6 day stay, BUT....it was way more than worth it.

Joe, I know you've attended, but for those reading this who may be thinking about it for next year, YA GOTTA DO IT and you won't regret it. If any of you members have any questions about it, don't hesitate to post em, and I or others will try to answer em.
I know, we'll do it again!! Hope to meet some of you there the next time.

P.S... Your finger is going to get tired pushing the shutter button on your camera. Ya just can't stop shooting pics. Trust me!!

Steve & Lynette

[jhagedon]

We had a great group of attendees (again!) this year and it was a lot of fun for us. Joe, we dropped out the tram and High Finance, due to potential wind problems with the tram (as you know from last year!) and added a nice restaraunt that everyone seemed to enjoy. I've got a couple of video clips that I'll try to post on YouTube.

Jim

[jhagedon]

Here's the link to the videos I shot at the Fiesta. The first, longer one, is lower resolution to keep the file size smaller. The second one, of some competion flying, is in 720p HD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHvjwJrmCxY

Guess I'm slow catching up to the technology, but the quality of the video our little $140 camera shoots is truly amazing!

[GaryKD]

Hi Jim,
Thank you so much for posting the video. It is excellent. Makes me want to attend. I'll need to see if I can get the wife to agree. As to being slow with technology, in the NKK you are the chief geek.

[Chickadee]

Jim & Sue:

OUTSTANDING !!!!! Thanks for posting your FABULOUS video. We sure enjoyed joining the NKK gang at the Fiesta! We'll surely do it agian!!

Steve & Lynette

[read & learn]

Steve correction, anyone that pays the price for a RV site in KEY WEST should not have found the price for the Balloon Fiesta high.
Two years ago the price was higher, due to all the buses that were involved.

Jim & Sue took a good look at where the money was GOING and changed a lot of things. The biggest IMHO was moving to the current parking area.
Some day when you get together with Jim Ask him about all the changes.
I am glad you had a good time and most NKK Rally are just as good.

Jim, Barbara and I enjoyed watching the video and memories came back and we both agree it was almost like being there again.

Tomorrow is big day as Motor Home is done and we will pick up our brand new 2005 Kountry Star. OH all right almost new as we had the outside fiber glass totally replaced and the pictures look good.

We will be going with the NKK to the Tampa Super RV Show in January.

[Chickadee]

Hey, Joe (read & learn) !!!:

GEEEZE!.....YOU'RE RIGHT!.....anyone who pays the price for an RV site in Key West OUGHT ALSO be able to hire a follow along RV Mechanic 24/7/365, BUT, we can only afford to pick and choose an occasional FEW more expensive venues.

The NKK price for this years Balloon Fiesta gathering was O.K., and I simply meant that for others who don't have an unlimited supply of money and who need to more carefully watch what and when we spend, the approx. amount of $1,200.00 for 5 dry/camping nights (albeit next to the launch field) at first blush seem pretty high to us....BUT....as I mentioned....the WHOLE experience was WELL WORTH IT.

Steve & Lynette

[read & learn]

Steve, just kidding. Are you still having window problems. We picked up MH Yesterday and will drop it off in early March to fix a couple of paint problems and diamond shield.
The new skin looks good.
Joe

[Chickadee]

Joe:

Glad to see ya got your rig back. Re: our window problem, we're just living with the fogged crank outs until we get back to Florida or drop by Nappanee next spring. While I did replace one, which was quite simple, we just don't want to order replacements and deal w. the hassel of shipments from Newmar to wherever we might be. Also, that place N. of Tarpon Springs, FL, looks like it might be the place to get em corrected.

Where are you guys located presently?

Steve & Lynette

[read & learn]

Sitting at Cummins Fort Wayne, IN waiting for 1 part for manifold [crack in #3 part]
will leave here about noon as it is just 1 little 5 minute job left to do.
Joe

[Chickadee]

Hey!...Joe:

GET OUT OF THAT COUNTRY!!.....winter's coming!!!!

Steve & Lynette

[Route 66]

Let's stay on the Balloon Fiesta topic please.

[Chickadee]

Hey Dirk: Ooooooops, yer right. Glad we got a good orchestra leader

Steve