Anatomy Of A Hot Air Balloon Launch

 During Elephant Butte Days (Labor Day Weekend) there were high winds and winners of the free balloon rides couldn't ride.  The replacement day was set for Sunday.  Some of us got up to see and take pictures.  Some of us were more chipper than others!  Finally after launching many small balloons to gauge the wind direction/speed etc.  Castle Dawn decided to launch.  Seeking Nirvana went down to help.

 It takes a lot of helpers to get it up.  The orangish box is the gondola and the pink "box" on the far right is the balloon "envelope".

 Our group of onlookers stayed up top to get a better view of the entire operation.  Kara (her 3rd morning of watching a sunrise), Maurene and Linda drink coffee and wait for the excitement.

 Bill, Leo and Rick supervising the watching.  The pontoon boat in the far right is Rick's.  He will go down, get on the water and be ready just in case the wind does something stupid and they need him to grab the rope and pull them back over dry land.  Little Jim and Newell were somewhere else.  Causing trouble, I'm sure.

Notice how the gondola is lying on its side as they pull the envelope out of the pink box.

 Then they begin blowing up the balloon.

All the little worker bees know their jobs and hustle to get them done.

 Almost there.

 And it is up.  Look at the guy "skiing" on the bottom right(ish).  He was hanging on for dear life as it went up.  Look in the trees and you can see a white line.  As it came up sliding on the sand.  In the final few seconds as it rose it finally got taut enough to tip the gondola upright.  Kara/Leo found out the initial outlay for ballooning is about $35,000 and every time they go up/down it costs $100.  The envelopes can cost up in the $100,000's range.  But they ARE a beautiful sight in the sky.

And it is up and makes a nice contrast to the mountains in the background.

 (Debbie has me in "take the backside mode".

 There were 4/5 people in the gondola sharing space with the burner.  I didn't get the actual flame, but Linda did.  Good catch!

Because of the wind up high they just went a little to the south and then began the descent down.  It was almost as fascinating at the launch.  The balloon is coming pretty fast here aiming for a small road in the sand.  During the last few feet he kept feathering the burner to slow it down.  He kissed earth very gently.

 One again the guy on the right grabs the top line; pulling to keep it straight as it loses air.  This time the gondola remains upright and the people just stayed in it.

And the work begins again.  This time they push the air out as then lay the envelope gently on the ground in the proper order for putting back into the box.

The people just stay in the gondola. :)

 Hmmm! Wonder if they packed the gondola with the people still inside???  Guess I'll never know as I became interested in another site farther south into the park.  At first I thought the local psychiatric center had a furlough but upon further study we decided it was a martial arts group.  Beautiful day to martial arty.


Another day in the neighborhood.  As we sat at Happy Hour Friday night we decided to do a progressive dinner Sunday night.  We did it with a different twist - the food would come to us.  Great idea!!!  It started with stuffed celery and hot wings, progressed to salad (tossed and macaroni), through to manicotti, chicken divan and kale with bacon, etc and ended with lemon bars and HOMEMADE Ice Cream.  And then the Big Blue Truck named Babe finally made it to the Alley.  But that story is for another day.

Like I NEED Another Project - But What the Heck

I started out the season withe 3 goals to accomplish: downloading audio books to the external; changing cassette audiobooks to mp3 and finally changing about 50 VHS's into DVD's.  Done with the first, the second will be a long process and haven't even started the third.  Yesterday I was searching for some music and found a box.  Inside was a beaded collar and a note in my mother's handwriting stating it was her grandmother Ida Jane Simonis.  There was many threads loose and several loose beads in the box.  Well, what better project than restoring this heirloom?  I can't remember when she died so will have to look it up.  Mom was born in 1913 so it is fairly old.

Into the West has been on AMC and I recorded all 6 episodes.  Today I began the process of transferring them to DVD with my little Vidbox and its program.  Each episode is 2 hours so it will be awhile. IF I am very sharp I can do a DVD AND transfer a cassette or 4 every morning. while ...........beading............!  :)

Ken IS feeling much better.  The med change and getting rested up from the trip are dovetailing into him being better.  Today he went out and added a 12 volt plugin into the pickup bed so we can put the cooler back there.  Of course there is a teeny, tiny little glitch.  My keys were in the pkp already and his were in the ignition and he bumped the electric lock button then shut the door.  :)  Will be calling the locksmith bright and early tomorrow morning.





And then there's Bill.  During Happy Hour he came out in a Willie look alike hat.    













When next he went in he came out with a Scottish theme.  :)  YOU be the judge.  Are we having fun or what??


Speaking of fun - where the devil are Dave and Deb???? They didn't answer the phone today.  The manbox for the back of their new semi must be taking a loooonnng time to create and weld.  She better get down here for her birthday----I have PLANS!!! heh heh heh heh.

And another day is done southern New Mexico.

Flu Shots at the County Fair

The first year we were here Loren mentioned they got their shots during the county fair and we began getting our there. Today we gaggled up and headed there.  In addition to the shots you can also get free cholestrol, blood sugar and blood pressure.  And of course AFTER we would do another "quality" check of Carmen's Kitchen.  (Ken does these about 3-4 times a week is you get my drift.)
It was also kid day so we had to plan our routes after the shooting.  Bill/Maurene, Wyn/Ki and us went together.  The judged exhibits are displayed behind chicken wire so you can't get real up close.  This one is very awesome - and the judges thought so also.  It looks like metal on the top; Ki thought the "kids" might be light bulbs and we all agree the bottom may be a gourd.

              

This blue ribbon leather painting caught my eye.

This crocheted artwork reminded me of our niece Audrey.  Hers were the first "artwork" pieces I had ever seen

Maurene browses while the teacher gaggles up her pink shirted kiddies.  There were also green and blue groups.

Wyn and Ki working their kidfree plan.

This pic is for DEBBIE - stained glass.  Hmmm! Wonder how Debbie is doing on hers?? Inquiring minds and all that.

I loved this chicken.  What an incredible design.
Nature is so full of art.  I'll bet someone made a piece of fabric like this.





And that was the county fair.  Ken's BS level was fairly low (:) :)).....................................BP and his cholesterol were also good.  The new and additional meds are kicking in nicely.  His shoulder is numb.........which is WAY batter than hurting. And the happy pills are making him "happy"!!  Even with a couple of calls and texts this morning that sent MY BP through the roof wanting to find a hitman;  he just chuckled us through it.   Enough of this claptrap.....on to one of the best parts of the day.....................Carmen's Kitchen.   Green chile smothered burritos; breakfast burritos and tostados (green chile sauce on the side).  Carmen's has been open just over a year.  Ken fell in love with her green chile sauce last year.  We go there so often she just starts cooking our when she sees us come in.  Her kids encourage her to add Rellanos to her menu.  Ken agreed and took her some Asadero Cheese to put in them.  We appreciate the cleanliness of the little place.  It  has 5 tables inside  and 4 outside under umbrellas.  

We came back home and us women gathered our beads and headed to the CH.  Kara is now a dedicated beader after showing her another spiral rope pattern.  She's on a role creating 1 and beginning another today.

Tonight we all went to the Legion to try out the new to us menu - popcorn shrimp, soup, wings in addition to hamburgers and salad.  Not bad!!  I had a cup of soup which was very good.
And so ends another day in Retired Land!