Christmas On The Frontier

Christmas on the Frontier: 

At the confluence of the Laramie and North Platte Rivers in southeast Wyoming one finds Fort Laramie. Established in 1834 as a trading post named Fort William by Robert Campbell and William Sublette. The original fortification made with cottonwood logs was only 100 feet by 80 feet with 15 foot walls.  

In 1834 the fur trade was on the decline and Campbell and Sublette being the entrepreneurs realized their future was in trading with the Native Americans for buffalo robes.  A virtual monopoly was enjoyed until 1841 when a competitor establishment of Fort Platte one mile away. This competition spurred Fort William to be expanded as an adobe structure and then renamed Fort John. 

Here the Lakota Sioux traded buffalo robes for manufactured goods. Each Spring new stocks of trade goods would arrive and then in the fall the buffalo robes would be shipped back east.  Eventually the herds of buffalo declined and the trade with pioneers traveling west filled the trade gap. 

In 1849, the U.S. Army offered to purchase Fort John as part of a plan to establish a military presence along the emigrant trails. The sale was agreed to and on June 28, 1849 Fort John was renamed Fort Laramie.  The Army quickly constructed new buildings for stables, officers' and soldiers' quarters, a bakery, a guardhouse, and a powder magazine to house and support the fort garrison.

Fort Laramie soon established itself as a hub of activity for westward expansion.  It was the principal military outpost of the Northern Plains. Here emigrants passed as they moved west, the Pony Express, Stage Lines  and the transcontinental telegraph all passed through the post.

Fort Laramie also was the location for many treaty negotiations with the Native American Nations, such as the Horse Creek Treaty of 1851 and the still controversial and contested Treaty of 1868. 

With the ever increasing numbers of emigrants the relationship with the Native Americans became strained. The number of conflicts increased and military campaigns were launched from Fort Laramie.  As the Indian Wars came to a close, Fort Laramie became less important. The post was abandoned and was eventually sold a public auction in 1890.  Time took it’s toll on Fort Laramie until 1938 when Fort Laramie became part of the National Park Service. 

We arrived at Fort Laramie a little before 1:00pm  and made a quick visit to the Visitors Center to get our NPS Passport Stamp. Then we were off to the Calvarymen’s Quarters as there was a hand bell choir performing. Most enjoyable to listen to the bells play Christmas pieces. It was the first time I had ever seen hand chimes. The audience was comprised of mostly local folks and it was nice to see a great turnout. 

Next we went outside to see a presentation by a local Pony Express group. It is always good to see these types of groups keeping our history alive. The Pony Express had a rather short lived history of only about 18 months. Yet, during that time mail was delivered from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento in about 10 days. It was the advent of the transcontinental telegraph  which brought and end to the Pony Express. These riders demonstrated an exchange of the mochila (the mail pouch). 

We then went and got The Boys (our Malamutes) for a walk about the Fort.  Dog are allowed at this National Historic Site as long as they are on a leash. (Not in buildings) 

The weather forecast was for snow so we wanted to get on the road. As we were leaving we noticed the herd of horses and mules near the roadway so we pulled over for some photos. While there a NPS employee came by with some feed for them. We learned this is a location where the pack horses from Rocky Mountain Nation Park are wintered. It is also a place for retired pack animals to live out their lives. Well done NPS well done.  

REMEMBER IT ALL STARTED WITH 13 BALLOONS!!

Sunday October 15, 2017

REMEMBER IT ALL STARTED WITH 13 BALLOONS!!!

Our thoughts on the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta: 

Many years back we had visited Albuquerque on a monthlong motorcycle trip, and stopped in Albuquerque for a convention. It was then we most likely learned of the Balloon Fiesta and at the time added this area to our possible location for retirement. We even bought a few books on adobe construction as we always planned on building our retirement home. 

The Balloon Fiesta since then had been on our list of events we would like to experience, yet there always seemed to be a conflict. So 2017 became the year for the Fiesta and our planning actually started in 2016 as we foolishly thought we could just swing on by to experience Fiesta. 

So in October of 2016, on the day and hour reservations opened, we were on line making reservations. Our research indicated we wanted to stay in the Presidents Compound due to it’s location and being a good for dogs. We originally started with a three night reservation for Thursday - Sunday. Our friends got reservations for earlier in the week, so we added two more nights to our reservation. Note the Presidents compound does sell out, even at it’s price. My thought is the cost is, for us, worth it for several reasons. 

1. Location, Location, Location -  It is a gated area, with 24 hour manned entrance. This keeps the general public from having access to your prime launch field viewing area. 
2. The camp sites are paved, roomy and fairly level. 
3. There is water and electrical hookups, both 30 and 50 amp. 
4. Your stay there includes one grey and black water pump out, and should you need an additional, the fee is $25. 
5. You receive four (4) individual admission passes good for your length of stay. This gives one access to the launch field.  These have a value of $10 each per event. Morning and evening sessions are separate events. For us, the 2 additional passes were used to bring friends in for a visit. This was encouraged when we checked in for the Fiesta. 
6. Any camping site one may choose allows one to be on site and not have to fight traffic into the Fiesta. Parking fee is $15 per event. 

One should plan to stay as long as one can, so as to experience the various events as well as, should the weather not cooperate, you have a better chance of seeing amazing events. 

Each morning I awoke in anticipation of seeing the mass ascensions, checking weather especially the wind. We both think this was a highlight. The evening Glows, laser show and fireworks were also very good. Yet the shear WOW!! factor of seeing 500+ balloons launch and float away is, well, WOW!!

The event staff, as I said, is composed  mostly of volunteers and all, from members of the board to the folks working the entrance, were all so warm and welcoming. They represented the Fiesta with an abundant amount of hospitality. This was an element which really made the event for me.  Several times during our stay we met members of the board in the Presidents Compound. They were always offering rides in their golf carts, stopping to ask if we were enjoying the Fiesta, telling stories of years past, and providing great information. One board member said “ I am in the third trailer in and if you have any questions, just knock on the door.” 

Sadly we will not be back in 2018, but for sure will have this event on our calendar for 2019.  

Thanks to one all who have followed along as well as shared this journey with family and friends, we sincerely appreciate you.    Some day soon all my photos will be up on 

https://soggymoosephoto.smugmug.com

A CALM BUSY MORNING AT THE FIESTA

10/14/2017

Up early to get down to the launch field. The winds were very very calm and the crowds were very very large. This is the busiest day thus far, hands down. Yet the security bag check line able it long went fairly quickly. 

I held back this morning and shot the Dawn Patrol from a media elevated platform. This was a good distance away from their launch area. 

In talking to folks this morning, they were saying the winds were not in the best direction and the pilots did not like flying to the North East. As the crowds of people were rather heavy, I opted to get up on the bluff by our campground.  You can see from this mornings pictures how large the crowd is today. 

At our perch overlooking the field I waited for the sun to light up the field. 

Taking pictures of balloons here is like taking pictures of penguins in Antarctica. One say I have enough pictures and then Oh Look A Ballon!!!! And the clicking begins. 

I can not stress how friendly and helpful all event staff have been, super willing to help one out, answer questions and provide information.  The balloon crews are the same, as they really enjoy sharing their sport.    

My tips for visiting Balloon Fiesta are go early to avoid the crowds, go mid week, but don’t miss an evening glow or the fireworks. If camping, go for the best location you can afford, or want to pay for. Yes, get down on the launch field for a launch. Talk to crews, volunteers, heck just about anyone here has some information to share.  Plan on being there a few days just in case the weather should not be conducive for any of the events. 

Any other question you may have just ask and we will help as we can. 

ANOTHER GREAT BALLOON FIESTA MORNING!!!

Friday October 13, 2017

Up early and head to the Media Tent for a breakfast burrito and coffee. The morning is much warmer at 58F than the last few mornings. I repacked my bag getting rid of my coat and prepared cameras for the morning. 

I made my way across the launch field to attend the Pilots briefing. Here lots of information is related to the pilots, such as weather and winds, the nature of the box for the day, where to not land (new alfalfa crop), don't leave chase vehicle on the field, don’t leave bags and packages about, drawings for goodies.  

A Disney Running friend had met a couple on a Viking Cruise and asked I meet up with them. It took a bit but I did find Pita’s Kiss. The folks on this crew were super accommodation in letting me photo and asking questions, and giving me additional information. 

I learned the ABQ Box can vary from day to day and the pilots fly accordingly. This balloon carries two 15 gallon tanks and can fly about 1.5 hours with that amount of fuel. The basket is readied and the balloon is pull out of the bag and lines attached.  Next comes the cold inflation and the the burners are fired for the hot inflation. 

This all takes place in an order controlled by the Zebras. They are easily recognized as they are dressed in black and white stripes. The Zebras are the ground flight controllers who coordinate the launch of the balloons. This is determined by winds and other conditions. The Zebras give the sign to warm up the balloon and may be move into position for launch, then the arms and thumbs up for the clearance to launch and a hand salute as the departure is made.  

It is amazing to see the coordination launch and soon the morning skies are filled with balloons. For those of us on the ground, the Zebras are cleaning the field to set things up for the competition events,  These are usually accuracy events where a bag of rice is dropped on a target, or a ring toss type of event. Prizes can include airline tickets. 

The best advice I can give is ARRIVE EARLY, ARRIVE EARLY. Traffic, I have noticed, was not fun by  any means. The food offerings are mostly fried and anything can be fried, think fair food. Binoculars can be useful, drink water, and sunscreen is a must. Plan your visit well in advance for the best camping and hotels.  It is an amazing experience not to be missed. 

A highlight for me has been meeting the volunteers, crews, and pilots. All have been so friendly and willing to share the stories and are so proud of this event. Their demeanor to make this a great event shines through. 

great photo light 

The number of balloons is staggering 

Lining up for the completion event