Community Forums

Conchdog · 08-27-2017, 01:46 PM

We are super excited to be joining the ECOA in October for the Balloon Fiesta in NM. This will be our first time attending the Fiesta and the longest trip in our coach to date.

Can anyone weigh in on the best route to take from central FL?

Our departure point will be Titusville, FL.

Thank you in advance!

gmadams · 08-27-2017, 01:58 PM

Most direct route:

https://www.mapquest.com/directions/...t-abq-10553362

Conchdog · 08-27-2017, 02:12 PM

Thanks Gary and Kay.

Looking for any advice on cool ways to go as well as any areas on the standard route that are best to avoid.

Saltydog44 · 08-27-2017, 02:22 PM

We've been lucky enough to go twice and if you have a bit of extra time, it isn't too far out of the way to go west to the Grand Canyon and then back to Albuquerque.

And Southern Utah is incredible. The route above is one we've taken - just nothing much to west of Dallas

Conchdog · 08-27-2017, 02:35 PM

Thanks Saltydog!

rgvtexan · 08-27-2017, 02:38 PM

If you arrive early, Thur-Fri before the Fiesta, come to the Sid Cutter Pavilion. Sign up to be on a Chase Crew. It is not hard and a lot of FUN. Free Passes. If you arrive after the start, look for the Chase Crew sign up in the Gondola.
We will be looking for you.

Norm & Donna
Chase Crew Team-leaders.

Dieselgem · 08-27-2017, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saltydog44

We've been lucky enough to go twice and if you have a bit of extra time, it isn't too far out of the way to go west to the Grand Canyon and then back to Albuquerque.

And Southern Utah is incredible. The route above is one we've taken - just nothing much to west of Dallas

Saltydog,

We are going to be in Albuquerque for a week. How many days do you suggest to take in the Festival? Are any days better than other? Also, if you take the shuttle, do you backpack your chairs. Did you recommend taking you car rather than the shuttle?

Thanks

royals1212 · 08-27-2017, 05:04 PM

Conchdog. If possible try to time the drive thru DFW between 9am to 2pm. When we left a few months ago the traffic in Dallas was slowing down at 3 pm. I think the road construction in FT Worth is minimal on you route to Hwy 287. Double check TDOT. BTW, not much between Amarillo and Albuquerque

Conchdog · 08-27-2017, 05:22 PM

Thanks to all and roger that on DFW.

Big city traffic is a little scary in this beast!!

Busskipper · 08-27-2017, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conchdog

We are super excited to be joining the ECOA in October for the Balloon Fiesta in NM. This will be our first time attending the Fiesta and the longest trip in our coach to date.

Can anyone weigh in on the best route to take from central FL?

Our departure point will be Titusville, FL.

Thank you in advance!

Take a look to see if you might have time for this route - https://binged.it/2wTKeit

First thing is it Avoids Dallas - then gives you a quick loop into Colorado and back down to Albuquerque.

It includes Colorado and assumes you will be there in late September so you can see the Aspen Changing.

https://lynn.smugmug.com/Travel/Colo...pens/i-tsVRkXg

Some other pictures of the areas you might encounter - Stan's Photo album - Stan Parker's Photo Galleries at pbase.com - look in the section on Colorado.

Not sure about you but this is the only way I'd go and I likely would be late, as it's just so hard to leave the Natural Beauty of the Colorado Rockies in late September for the Crowds of Albuquerque in October.

Just a thought,

Conchdog · 08-27-2017, 05:48 PM

Thanks Busskipper!

Looks like a very cool way to get there!!

Busskipper · 08-27-2017, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conchdog

Thanks Busskipper!

Looks like a very cool way to get there!!

If you decide to do Colorado - put it out on the Board - there is sooooo much to see and do.

Hope you are packed and ready to go in the morning - as we could give you weeks of things to see and do in Colorado.

Biggest issue is after watching the Aspen Change, the Balloons will be Anti-climatic (JMHO)

Just a great time to Travel, Best of Luck,

jacwjames · 08-27-2017, 06:04 PM

We went from E TN on I-40 right to Albuquerque, a good route with minimal problems.

We got there a couple days early and booddocked at the Sandia Casino it was packed and parking was tough to find but a good staging area to go the the festival when our reservations were.

We timed the entry into the grounds perfect. Minimal traffic and we were first in line to be parked in the camping area we had reservations at. Ended up getting a front row spot looking straight out over the field. What a site, will never forget the 3 days we spent there.

Saltydog44 · 08-27-2017, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselgem

Saltydog,

We are going to be in Albuquerque for a week. How many days do you suggest to take in the Festival? Are any days better than other? Also, if you take the shuttle, do you backpack your chairs. Did you recommend taking you car rather than the shuttle?

Thanks

Sure don't want to hold ourselves as experts but we were lucky. Here are some random thoughts that we can remember:

1. The idea of being on a chase crew is a great one. Didn't do it but had a friend that was part of a crew and we got to meet a lot of people. Super folks and they love what they do. If you think a MH is a bad investment, try a balloon!

2. There is a program with events listed. If you can see one of the "Glow" ascents, don't miss it but don't plan on getting any sleep. They go up in pitch black night. We watched them all. The program shows 6 or 6:30 but you need to be there well before that

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta - 2017 Daily Event Schedule

3. The mass ascents are amazing, but somewhat dependent on winds obviously. Go into the field and watch the officials (Zebras) controlling things. NASA could learn something. The teams will tell you what is going on.

4, We love the character days.

5. The races were surprising. The talent and the strict rules for flying (Too Close to the ground - Too close to people - missing the target (A rowboat when we were there) made it much more difficult than just dropping something onto a bull's eye.

6. Lots of booths and stuff for souvenirs - and not just the normal chinese stuff. We bought beautiful (At least we thought so) bowls woven from long pine needles and trimmed in nickel - great Christmas presents.

7. Old town Albuquerque is very cool. Great places to eat and good shopping.

8. Definitely take the shuttle. We stayed off-site once and I can't imagine trying to park a car. (Although we drove to where the shuttle lot was.) You need to plan to be there before dawn - but see the "Glow Show" comment. No chairs but walked around - lots of places to eat with seating but no views. Not sure you can get chairs on the buses.

9. The second time we parked on the bluff above the field. (VIP East - On the cliff above the field - no hookups.) We got there off the waiting list and would do it again in a heartbeat. We could take a chair out before we went to bed and then make coffee and be there at 5:30.

10. Some demonstrations were fun - Chainsaw carving anyone?

First year we were only there for a few days. Second time a week. We agree a week is a minimum. Going once taught us what we wanted to do the second time. Getting a site in the premium area would be what we would want to do again.