10/ 8-9 and 10, 2017
Pretty kewl chase vehicle.
We spent a day just hanging out at the Bonito Hollow Campground, doing laundry and a bit of organization. I would give this campground very very high marks. The place is clean and lots and lots of trees. They have a very nice dog run and supply puppy poop baCCgs. The folks there are super friendly and very very helpful. If one is looking for a place in this area, this is it. We paid about $36.00 a night full hookups. Their internet was good given there were few campers, on the weekend it did slow down, but was good early in the morning. Nice clean shower and laundry room.
It was good to have some down time, but on 10/9/2017, we were up and at um packing up for a 180 mile drive to a KOA in Bernalillo, NM. We are at this camp ground for just one night and will be camping at the Presidents Compound starting 10/10 for 5 nights. At the Bernalillo KOA we are finishing up a cleaning of the camper and re-stocking provisions. This way we will not have to leave the Balloon Fiesta except maybe take The Boys to a dog park to romp a bit.
The Bernailillo KOA is a nice campround with every thing we need for the one night.
Weather has cooled off and the wind aloft on 10/9 cancelled the morning flights.
Tonight I am making Jambalaya.
Tuesday 10/10/12 we were up early and had a slow morning with a plan to leave the Bernalillo KOA at about 1000. Just a few minutes before 1000 we were in the road for our 9 mile drive to the Presidents Compound where we will be for the next 5 nights. Locating the Presidents Compound was rather easy as the signage was very well done. We arrived a few minutes past 1000 and checked in receiving a bag of goodies, passes, cups, and other sorts of coupons, pen, lip balm etc etc. The Presidents Compound is located on a bluff overlooking the launch field.
We were given our choice of several sites and were lucky as a corner site opened up just as we arrived. One advantage was it was easy to back into and there seems to be a bit more space. Here we get water and electric. We also received one waste water pump out during our stay. Our site was very level and we did not have to level side to side at all. The site is paved and the service is showing it’s age, but still very serviceable. The cost per night is $175. Yes rather high but after arriving thus far feel this is worth it, you will see why from the photos below.
Our site in on a corner and has a good bit of room.
Water and 50 amp electric.
Viewing the launch field from the Presidents Compound, nice grass area.
Launch field. Very nice place to observed the activities.
After setting up we met up with friends who are also camped here in the Presidents Compound. They have been here a couple days before us and gave us a quick orientation to the area.
At this time I feel we are here to stay and have very little need to leave this area. I do think our days will start very early with a late morning siesta and them start back up for evening events to include balloon glows and fireworks.
The VIP Camping are next to us is not as nice. There are no hookups here.
No nice grass, just gravel.
Rally style parking and all sites gravel.
The Big Excitement for the day here at the Presidents Compound was a suspicious package (backpack) behind a dumpster near the entrance. The area was sealed off, perimeter established and Bomb Squad called. The package was cleared and the gates and roads were opened.
While waiting for the EOD folks to clear the package we had a chance to chat with a member of the Balloon Fiesta Board of Directors. We learned the costs to put on the Fiesta is about 9 million dollars, most of these funds are raised via entrance fees, camping fees, vendor fees, parking fees, entry fees etc etc. I learned this is an invite only event for the participating balloons. The cost to participate with a balloon is $150. With this about of area balloonist get a hotel room, $150 gas card, their propane, a jacket, $100 misc expense monies. Local pilots get the same benefits but no hotel room. We also learned the front row of the Presidents Compound is reserved for members of the board of directors.
Trivia for the day - The launch field area was once a gravel quarry which was owned by the Sisters of Mercy. The Sisters are now retired and living in Florida.
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