ATTENDING THE ALBUQUUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIERSTA

Attending the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta 

The AIBF lasts for nine days during the first part of October. The dates for 2019 are October 5-13, 2019.

During these 9 days there are many events and what are called sessions. Some days may have  two sessions, one morning and one evening. The morning session on designated days feature Dawn Patrol, Special Shapes, Mass Ascensions and more. The evening sessions on designated days feature the Glows and Fireworks. 

General Admission is $10 per session for persons 13 and older. Children 12 and younger are free. Parking is $15 per car.  One can purchase tickets in advance online or at the event ticket booths and packets of 5 tickets are $45.

Tickets are non-refundable, however if a session is canceled due to weather or safety issue, they can be used as a rain check for another session.

Our Presidents Compound RV site comes with 4 length of stay passes. This helps me feel better about the price we are paying for the RV site. 

I would recommend planning on a stay of a minimum of 4 days. This gives you a fudge factor in the event of bad weather cancelling a session.

WHEN SHOULD WE GET THERE - EARLY EARLY EARLY

First on weekend days the crowds get large 80,000 so early is a good thing. Gates open at 0430 for morning sessions and 1500 for evening sessions.

No pets are allowed on the launch field, ADA service animals are allowed and emotional support animals are not.

There is NO SMOKING on the launch field. Makes sense as there is 100,000 gallons of propane present.

Chairs, outside food, packs and bags are allowed and will be searched prior to admittance. Also starting this year there will be walk through scanners at the entry gates.

I have seen folks spread out a blanket for a picnic and there are a few picnic tables available.

Weather can be cool with temperatures ranging from 40F to 70F as the day warms up. Also remember you are at an altitude of just over 5,000’ so don’t forget the sunscreen.

Future Dates of the AIBF -

2020 October 3-11
2021 October 2-10 - 50th anniversary
2022 October 1-9

A word to the wise is one needs to plan early for lodging.

The AIBF web site is a great place for planning information and here is a link https://balloonfiesta.com/

 

ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA (AIBF)

As many of you know we are on our way back to Albuquerque to attend the 48th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (AIBF). I am very excited about this years event for many reasons. The first reason is I was accepted to be part of the official Photography Team for the Fiesta. Secondly, The Soggy Moose Travels Blog was approved for Media Status, this allows access to many behind the scenes locations. Thirdly, we were able to procure a RV spot at the Presidents Compound, which allows us great views of the Launch Field. 

 

Our 2017 Campsite

 

View from the Presidents Compound 

We attended this event in 2017 and were simply wowed in so many ways. One can observe 300-500 balloons launch at the same time, the Morning Patrol, Balloon Glows, Fireworks, and much more. In 2017 we did not attend the full 9 days of the Fiesta, but we will this year. Actually we will arrive two days early so as to get settled in, pick up credentials and get photo assignments. 

My advice is that one should stay as long as possible so as to experience the most, as well as have  some flexibility should the weather not cooperate during your stay. In 2017 we stayed 5 nights and locals said the weather was great and we only had two launches cancelled.

Here is some information for those of you thinking about attending the  AIBF in 2020. Reservations for RV spaces are made only online.  2020 reservations will go on sale October 22nd, 2019 at 9am MST, and premium locations sell out FAST, REALLY FAST.

Here are the various RV sites available and the 2019 prices.

STANDARD: $40.00 per night (dry camping) (South RV Lot)

BOX VIEW: $50.00 per night (dry camping) (South RV Lot) 

PREMIUM: $95.00 per night (30Amp and water connection)  (South RV Lot)

VIP West/East: $100.00 per night (dry camping, adjacent to the Launch Field with 2 general admission passes included valid during your stay.) 

PRESIDENT'S COMPOUND : $250.00 per night (Sites on a bluff overlooking the Launch Field with city water pressure and 30-50 Amp RV Hook-up, this site also includes 4 general admission passes to the Launch Field valid during your stay.) 

There is a waste pump out service which costs $30 cash per pump out. (Last years Price.)

The Presidents Compound is paved and the other RV areas are gravel and can be dusty. Efforts are made to water down the roads to keep the dust down. I did read some reviews where people complained about thistles causing flats on bicycle tires. 

Yes, The Presidents Compound is expensive, yet the location can not be beat. This location on a bluff above the launch field, with a nice grass area where people set up launch chairs for prime viewing.
 

It is also handy for us with The Boys (our pups), they can be with us in the grass area on the bluff. Kenai gets a bit freaked out with the Balloons flying over head and he prefers staying in the camper, not sure how Koda will respond, Sitka enjoyed sitting out and getting attention.  There are even puppy poop bag stations on the grassy area. 

As The Presidents Compound has electricity, a generator is not needed, hence no generator noise. 

As part of the Official Photo Team, I have to cover 5 sessions and I have currently requested 6 morning sessions. The mornings for me will start with an early wake up about 0400 to 0430, as I need to be on my location at 0530. The morning photo assignments will last about 5-6 hours.  I will then have to produce 25-30 edited images to be submitted electronically. There is some flexibility on the submission due date. 

This is a volunteer position, as are most of the worker bees at the ABIF. There are over 1000 volunteers and over 2000 volunteer chase crew members. 

The Volunteers are called Navigators, as they will be helping people navigate the fiesta to provide them with the best experience available. I have had to watch videos and take exams to fulfill this position. I have learned a good deal and will be passing on this information via this blog.

So think about joining us in 2020 as I am pretty sure we will be returning. Just remember PLAN EARLY.

RINGASKIDDY, COBH, CORK IT'S ALL GOOD

When we first booked this cruise this port of call was originally Cobh. Then it was changed to Ringaskiddy, such is life. We are hoping Disney Cruise Line will offer a shuttle to either Cork or Cobh. We had initially done a lot of research on Cobh and we looking forward to exploring Titanic sites there.  On our last cruise I asked if there would be a shuttle for cruisers who wished to explore on their own. I was told when the ship docks away from the primary city a shuttle is provided. Some information sites suggest there is a ferry to Cobh. We will see.

 Cobh - Originally known as Cove, then changed to Queenstown by the British, then to Cobh about the time the Irish Free State was formed.

Strong ties to the Titanic as it was its last port of call where 123 passengers boarded. Cobh was a major embarkation port for men, women and children who were deported to penal colonies such as Australia.  Another ship to be associated with the town, the Cunard passenger liner  RMS Lusitania , was sunk by a German U-Boat while en route from the US to Liverpoolon 7 May 1915. 1,198 passengers died, while 700 were rescued. The survivors and the dead alike were brought to Cobh, and the bodies of over 100 who perished in the disaster lie buried in the Old Church Cemetery just north of the town. The Lusitania Peace Memorial is located in Casement Square, opposite the arched building housing the Cobh Library and Courthouse.

Getting from Ringaskiddy to Cobh is rather time consuming unless a ferry across the harbor is offered.




Ringaskiddy - Research indicates Ringaskiddy was a fishing port and during the 20th Century it became an industrial port. Pfizer has a large plant there and one can find the National Maritime College of Ireland, where both merchant navy and naval personal receive training.

Ringaskiddy also has a Martello tower. Martello towers can be found all over the coast lines of the UK. These are small round defensive forts usually about 40 feet high with 8 foot walls. 

Ringaskiddy is also a ferry port with service to France.

After our breakfast we learned Disney Cruise Line would be offering a shuttle to Cork, so off we went to Cork.

Cork is known to the locals as “the real capital of Ireland” as Ireland’s Second City.

The shuttle bus dropped us off at the City Hall and using the map we had printed out we made our way to the English Market with plans of going to the Visitor Information center.

During our walking I Cork to be a treasure trove of grand Georgian Street and cramped 17th century alleys. A perfect local to get lost in and find a treasure or two. 

We first stopped at the English Market, housed in a grand victorian style building. This market started in 1788 and it predates many of the grand markets of Europe. The market was bustling with activity and imagine this is the norm. The stalls are varied from produce, cheese, breads, meats, jams, soaps and sausages to mention a few. We found the sandwich stall and purchased a fresh roll filled with ham and cheese and some veg and a sweet pepper garnish. The meats in the various butcher shop looks amazing in their quality. Also noted was the availability of kidneys, hearts, brains and more.

Using our  map we made our way to the Visitors Information only to discover it had moved. Our quest continued t the new location. At the Visitor Center we get an updated map and learned about the Butter Museum and a recommended old pub.

Off we went in search of the Butter Museum, which is located in the Shandon area of Cork. As we are in the heart of the worlds largest butter market. Admission was reduced as we are most senior students LOL. 

Here the video delves into the butter industry, the history of Irelands most successful food export. From the days of butter being bad to butter being good. The taste of the Irish Butter is derived from the grass fed cows milk production. There are several styles of butter churns as well as butter labels and butter production tools. I found our visit most interesting. 

We next went to the Tower of St. Anne’s Church Shandon, recognizable with the Golden Salmon perched on the top. This is one of the oldest churches in cork which is still in use. Here is housed the Shandon Bells ninth clock tower, affectionately know as the “four faced liar”.  Visitors can pay a fee and ring the bells, hearing protection is offered.

We were going to make a stop at the Shadron Sweet House, but alas a recent fire has closed this establishment. 

We then made our way to The Long Valley, one of the oldest Pubs in Cork. Here we enjoy a pint and soak in the warm atmosphere of the warm wood interior.

We make our way back to the shuttle bus stop for a return trip to Ringaskiddy and the ship.

On board we went to O’Gill’s Pub and played trivia and actually WON!!!!

Dinner, followed by bed as we gain an hour of sleep each night as we sail across the Atlantic .

Yes I wish could have visited Cobh for the history, makes me think about a return trip to visit several of these port cities. 

Our day in Portland

Portland is often thought of as an island, it is not as it is connected by a causeway to the mainland. It is basically a huge limestone block. Here the quarried stones were used by Christopher Wren to rebuild London after the great fire. St. Pauls in London and the United Nations building in NYC have stone quarried from Portland. The Portland stone was also used for tombstones for the fallen troops in France.

Portland Harbor is one of the largest man made ports in Europe and was completed in 1905. Built with the primary intent of being a naval base. It was critical in U-Boat defense and in WWII it was a significant embarkation port for Operation Overlord - D-Day.  The naval base was closed in 1995 with the end of the cold war.

Portland is a Royal Manor, which basically means it is owned by the Monarchy.

With no real plans, we will explore about on our own. 

A shuttle bus was provided to transport us into Weymouth.  We walked towards the beach esplanade and found the RNLI Lifeboat station and shop. Lynn had left my sweater at home by mistake during a repacking session. Thus I was on a quest for a sweater type garment. The RNLI shop had a nice fleece which will fit the bill.

In doing our trip research, we found the Portland Ferry which sails back and forth between Weymouth and Portland. We found their dock and purchased our tickets for the 1230 journey back to Portland.

We had very nice chats with the local visitor volunteers and they were a wealth of knowledge. I learned many of the residences along the harbor were used to house US troops prior to D-Day. As these are row houses, the military cut doors in the walls to connect the residences. This long passageway would be beneficial in notifying and rallying the troop should the Germans invaded.  

 

Traveling Bath House , you can have one when King 

We continued our walk to the beach, passing many shops till we found the clock tower. We also found a monument to the US troops who embarked from Weymouth/Portland on D-Day.

We had learned of a building which had a cannon ball embedded in its exterior wall during the English Civil War. We did locate said cannon ball. 

Also in Weymouth is their oldest pub named The Black Dog founded in the 1600’s. Yes we did stop for a drink before heading back to the Brewers Quay dock ferry boat. The name came from a Newfoundland dog which was purchased by the owner. The dog was such a hit that people would come from miles around to see the Black Newfoundland Dog, and so the name of the pub came to be. 

This ferry journey took about 35-40 minutes during which we passed the Nothe Fort, the man made Portland Harbor Walls, then just before we arrived we passed two Mulberry Dock relics from the D-Day landings. 

This trip was rather special as the boat we were on was named My Girl. She was built in 1931 as a pleasure boat licensed for 66 passengers, 36’ in length with elegant lines and sailed proudly in the area of Plymouth. In 1939, she was requisitioned and moved to Portland. Her service included the transport of men and munitions about the harbor. Most significantly is she carried the men and munition in June of 1944 to their landing craft boats. 

Landing in Portland, we walked to the Castletown D-Day Museum. Here one can read stories about some of the troops who passed through this area on their way to the war front. There are many static displays of several WWII vehicles, uniforms and weapons. 

There is an old superstition in Portland that lives to this day. Rabbits are considered bad luck in Portland. Should a rabbit be seen near a mine or quarry, they would immediately close for the day for fear of an accident would occur. One should not mention the word rabbit, but rather call them “bunnies” or “Long Eared Fuzzy Things”. 

We then started to walk back towards the ship. As this is a working port, there are no pedestrians allowed, we flagged down a shuttle bus to be transported back into the port and our ship.

Come sail away time, we make our way to to Deck 4 and listen to the Weymouth Ukuleleans play several songs as our cast off is delayed. The Weymouth Ukuleleans were fantastic and I feel they should have been on board as an entertainment act. 

 

THEY WERE GREAT!!!

Finally after waiting 30 minutes after all aboard time,  a delivery truck arrives and comes to a halt near the gangway. It is met by several crew members waiting with dollies to carry the unknown cargo aboard. The back doors are opened and a security K-9 checks the unknown cargo and the cargo passes the check. I am thinking it is a much needed critical piece of equipment delaying our departure. The crew rushes to unload a supply of Coke products and coffee.

Then the local gun crew fires a three gun salute and we are on our way. 

Tonight's music included a vocal group, the Shamrock Tenors, which were amazing. We even stayed awake to catch their second show after dinner.  As we were in the Pub O’Gills, a Celtic band named Morning Star Trio, started to play and we made it through one set before Lynn and I headed to bed.