Dawn Patrol

This is all so exciting and sharing it with our friends makes it all the better.  BUT, this 5:30 a.m. stuff is getting old not to mention exhausting.  We ain't kids no more, eh?  However, except for Kay and Russ and Eddie and Judy, we were all up and on a shuttle to the launch field.

We walked somewhat aimlessly across the fields of grass in the direction we thought was the launch field.  Finally asked someone if we were heading in the right direction only to be told we were in the middle of it  Perfect.  Soon we spotted these undulating mounds in the distance.  It was pitch dark outside with no sign of the morning sun's plans on rising.  We approached the mounds and confirmed that they were indeed balloons in the early stages of morphing into air filled balloons.

These below are the six Dawn Patrol scouts.

Movement starting.

Upright

And we have the first of six liftoffs.

Then the followers.  Must have gotten the go ahead.  How lucky we are to see all this up close and personal but the wind report was from the south and all the balloons will head away from our rigs.  So we're lucky to be here.

The skies were lighting up. The wind was very still.  The balloons mostly just floated in place.

Weee, weeeeeeeeeee

Get in, get it, this puppy is leaving with or without you.

 

I think this stage coach of Wells Fargo will eventually get off the ground.

We headed for the shuttle bus to go  back to the rigs for breakfast and a nap.

The shuttle was too slow for us so we hitched a ride with Mama Andrettie.  She drove like a woman possessed with speed.  It was a fun ride and I feel lucky to have gotten two shots off the back while weaving and bouncing down the sidewalks.  I warned her I would be posting her in the blog.  Here she is.



Now to my friend Gretchen back in Washington, this picture is for you.  A beautiful quilt.

This was the end of the day basically.  That evenings events was once again canceled due to a repeat of the night before.  We were doubly lucky to have gone to the morning events.  Russ and Kay, and Eddie and Judy were sadly disappointed but there was still the fire works display.

The following morning was still and calm and we were planning to watch the Mass Ascension one last time before heading off in different directions.  We are heading south to Deming and then St. David.  Many of the gang are heading to Taos and then Santa Fe before going to Texas and some are heading back to Phoenix.

Another minor disappointment, the launch was on hold because of strong winds above.  It was a wait game so all of us decided to head out before the mass departure.

We all scattered to the winds.  What a wonderful time we had visiting with so many of the Lewis and Clark gang again.  A bucket list to check off and made so special with all of them there to share it with us.  Come back soon for more and again thanks for visiting.