Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 9/30 - 10/3/ 2013

Travel from Home to Albuquerque, NM
Sept. 30 - Oct. 3, 2013

We left home on Monday and traveled to Barstow, CA where we spent the night at the KOA just east of town.  Tuesday, we traveled to the Meteor Crater RV Park just west of Winslow, AZ.  It was all freeway driving and mostly desert terrain with some mountains.  Then, today, Wednesday, we were in eastern Arizona when the landscape changed to some very interesting rock formations.  Here are a few pictures of scenes that we saw along I-40 heading though eastern Arizona.  First we started seeing interesting eroded rocks.

Scene along I-40, AZ

Then the cliffs were larger and more dramatic.  You can see how large they are compared to the buildings.

Scene along I-40, AZ

If you look closely, you can see the cars parked under the trees at this rest stop.  Arches are eroding into the layers of rock.

Scene along I-40, AZ

Then, after we entered New Mexico, this was the terrain.  The various layers of rock are definitely very obvious.

Scene along I-40, NM

Here are some more natural arches.

Scene along I-40, NM

We spent the night at the American RV Park west of Albuquerque, NM in preparation for arriving at the Balloon Fiesta RV parking area for the Adventure Caravans Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Rally on Thursday.  We decided to go out to dinner at the Genghis Kahn Mongolian BBQ, tonight.  This was the third time that we had been to this restaurant.  We discovered it on one of our previous visits here, so now it is sort of a tradition that we go here when we are in town at meal time.  We had the "make it yourself stir fry".  You go along a line and pick what raw meat , vegetables and seasonings you want in your dish.  When you finish your selection, you give the bowl to the cook and he adds your choice of noodles or rice and cook it for you.  It was delicious and such a treat.  Here we are at the American RV Park.


Campsite at American RV Park

Our new truck, a ford F-350 diesel super duty, handled the trip just great.  We are really pleased with the mileage that it gets, too.  

We arrived at the Balloon Fiesta RV Park around noon today, Thursday, and are getting settled in for the nine day Adventure Caravans Balloon Fiesta Rally.  We arrived a day early to be ready to enjoy all of the activities that are planned starting tomorrow.