Another 5K walk, but this time in a distant state, New Mexico. Peggy and I attended a Road Scholar program featuring the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, NM, October 4-8, 2018. During our stay there, we had some free time to take a year round event sponsored by the local Volksmarch chapter in Albuquerque. (I love the spelling and the sound of this city!)
The walk took us to Old Town and some of the residential surroundings. Old Town is the site where early Albuquerque began. It features a plaza where the early residents gathered. Of course, the church was a central part of the life. The San Felipe de Neri Catholic Church here has been in use for some 200 years. We took some time to look into the church on our walk.
Now this area is a tourist center, where you have many vendors selling their wares. The Southwest influence appears here, where American Indians can sell jewelry, woven goods, artwork, etc. I settled for a colorful tee shirt that depicted the balloon fiesta.
While in Albuquerque we took in the Balloon Fiesta. It is the largest hot air balloon festival in the world, having some 500 balloonists participating. It was quite a spectacle. I didn't realize how huge these balloons are. As well as witnessing the ascent of these of these colorful balloons, we were able to walk down onto the lift off site and see them up close.
I understand Megan and her family took a ride in a hot air balloon and they all survived! I don't think it is in the "works" for me. She has more courage than I have.
Previous total 69K
Current walk 5K
Current Total 74K
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| San Felipe de Neri Church, Old Town, Albuquerque, NM |
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| Some prickly pear cacti encountered on our walk near Old Town. |
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| Mass balloon ascension at the Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque, NM |
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| On ground view of these huge balloons |
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| Adding air to pump up the balloon |
