Dinner at Billy's

Home from dinner and beers at Billy's Long Bar with cousin Don Gillmore. I had the open-faced chile cheeseburger with rice and beans.  I an still getting used to eating so many things with chile on, I usually order the green chile on the side, so I can portion the amount of chile. It had been a while since I had it. Had 3 pints of Kilt Lifter to wash down the food. Relaxed on the patio before heading home.

Started looking at perhaps a new vehicle. Something with higher clearance for New Mexico back roads.

Two More Pair of Boots

Yup, 2 more pair of boots! Black, zip-side harness boots and light blue w/ brown/grey lower cowboy boots. 

The harness boots were purchased near Boot Barn at Cottonwood Mall.  Was looking at another pair, but could net get a clerk to help me (boot hooks, Etc).

Light blue uppers boots were bought at the Boot Barn on San Mateo.

Yes, you could say I have a boot fetish.

Dinner Party on the Sun Porch

 Friends from Hobbs (Peter & Jim) are celebrating Peters 75th birthday. Cousin Don was invited and attended. All I had to do was provide the location. Salad, Garlic Bread, Lasagna, apple cake w/ ice cream was served.

During dinner we were treated to a nice, gentle rain. I heard the Albuquerque got about 0.7 inches of rain!  That's a lot for this area.  The rain cooled off the temperature - enough that I grabbed a sweatshirt. 

Heading Home

After a light breakfast at the hotel, I finished packing the car.  Headed North from Tucson on highway 77.  Was planning to stopping by in Globe, but before I knew it, I was through the edge of town.

I had driven North from Globe and to the Salt River Canyon.  Just befire the canyon, I noticed abandonded buidinf - sign say Seneca.  Did a drive-through the area, down to the lake.  Took some photos.

Back on the highway, stopped along the road shooting photos of the canyon.  Will add some of these photos to the website page from a previous through the canyon.

Stopped in Slow Low to use the restroom and pick up maps & information.  I went up to St. Johns, gassed up and got some snacks before heading East via the road through Ramah.  Caught in rushhour getting home - about 5pm.  Was exhausted.

Snowy Winter

This is the snowiest Winter since I have moved to New Mexico!  The week around New Years, we were hit with 3 storms.  The New Day storm was the strongest, dropping about 5" of snow at my area.  Since the road crews here are not equipped to handle this amount of snow, the city and the area was into a standstill.

Major streets are plowed.  Feader and residential streets were not plowed.

There was still some snow on the ground almost 2 weeks later when another short gave us a dusting, (photo here).  Each storm left the scene of a Winter Wonderland here in Rio Rancho.

Of course, the mountains in the area have received ample snow for snow sports.  There was a big problem here in the Sandias, the road to the ski slope was closed, so the opening was delayed until the facility could recruit and get workers to the slope!  Yes, ski season opening was delayed by heavy snow!

New's Year Day Storm

The snow started a bit after midnight New's Year Eve.  The wind kicked up for the day.  Traffic was to a stand-still on the Interstates --- 25 and 40.  At least New Mexico from Socorro to the Colorado border was shut down.

The mountains got up two 2 ft of snow.  Here in my backyard in Rio Rancho, I measured about 5 inches of snow.

While there has been forcast for more snow today, there has not been any more accumilation.  Lot's of cancellations and late started today.  I had a doctor's appointment for 9:15 which needs to be resceduled because of snow delay until 10am start.

Spinns Burgers

Halloween Geezerz lunch was at Spinns Burgers.  I have eaten here a couple previous times. When I was riding my bike on the Bosque trail, I would park at Montano  and Coors.  Spinns was the closest for a post ride brew and burger.

Another thing I like of Spinns Burger - you have the option for a 1.4 pound, half-pound, or a large double burger,  I found that as we get older, we don't need that much food - so generally prefer a 4oz or 6 oz burger.  The 8 oz is mostly time, too much food.

I opted for the BBQ bacon-cheeseburger with fries.  Burger was good, the fries were a little cool and soft.  For brew, I started with a pint of Bosque Brewery Amber Ale.  My secong pint was Bosque's Scottish Style "Scotia" brew.

Club Coffee and ARISS

Headed out for Ham Radio coffee/breakfast.  Most of those that attended were there on ther way to Valley High School to participate in the radio contact with the International Space Station.  There was on other member beside me not work the contact, I had nothing to talk with him after his stints working at Balloon Fiesta. 

Settle into my office chair at the computer to watch the YouTube broadcast of the contact.

The contact came off as planned.  I was very proud of the club's ARISS crew.  They and the school produced an awesome show.

NOTE - the QSL card was from the previous ARISS contact in April 2016.  I hope to be able to post the new card once it is received.

The Laguna Burger

This week's "Geezer" lunch was a The Laguna Burger on 12th st near I-40.  I was not impressed.

I was a little early, as usual.  Another of our group arrived aand we got in line to order our food.  This was about 12:30, the normal time we arrive for our luncheons.  The place was a zoo.

I ordered my food and looked for a pint of /Amber Ale.  The server said they did not have any Amber Ales and did not make any suggestion.  So, I settled for water.

The test of our group started arriving and we were able to move to a larger table. One ordered what looked like a amber ale, which was actually Sam Adam's Oktoberfest.  Not a local "craft" beer, but I have had it and works as a substitute in a pinch.  I went and got a pint about the time my food was arriving. 

Not excited about the food.  The french fries were limp and "soggy".  My 1/3 pound chile-cheeseburger was acceptable.  By the time we were all served out food, the place was almost empty.  Maybe if arriving about 1pm for lunch would be better.  As it was, I was not impressed with the food nor service.

A Wash-out

The weather forecast was not good, but the rain was supposed to hold off until late in the day.  It was not to be - there was a little rain spitting as I drove to Balloon Fiesta Park.  Once there, the bottom dropped out several times.  It was obvious this was going to be a "no-launch" day.

The club manned the booth for a while as some folks wandered through the Discovery Tent.  In short time, all of the displays in the Discovery Tent started being dismantled and packed up.  So was our radio display.

Long Morning at Balloon Fiesta

Another "O-Dark-30" arrival at Balloon Fiesta Park for my shift in the Discovery Tent.  Calm winds this morning, so dawn patrol and mass ascension took off as scheduled.  I was able to get a couple more photos of the balloons illuminated in the dark, before they took off.

New Mexico sky photos can be very
'uninteresting" - so many of our days are wall-2-wall sunshine.  Saturday, with the remnants of a tropical storm coming in, there were some clouds to add some interest into the sky.

We were busy after the balloon launch, fielding questions about amateur radio.

A Late Balloon Launch

Today was a busy day on the air.  There were 2 local 2M nets that were run from the Amateur Radio booth in the Discovery tent - the Caravan Club SCAT (Senior Citizen & Travelers) and Rusty's Raiders nets. As such.we have 7 ham volunteers this morning.

Surface winds delayed balloon launching.  Dawn Patrol was scrubbed.  It was almost 9 am before a smaller "mass ascension" launched.  I still was able to get some good photos. Got good views of the Van Gogh and fractal balloons.

Thanks to fellow members of High Desert ARC and the Caravan Club for manning the booth and net control stations.

After my shift was over, I was at Toltec Brewing for the Geezerz lunch.  Chile cheeseburger and pint of Altbeir.

High Winds Aloft

After the poor service yesterday morning at IHOP (Unser just South of Southern), I skipped breakfast this morning.  Grabbed a donut and coffee after at the tent.

Morning winds seemed light and there were hopes for balloon launch.  I started to become concerned when they were not launching balloons for Dawn Patrol.  Seemed balloons were being inflated but not launched.  One of our radio clug crew was able to tune into the balloon frequency.  It seems that winds aloft were too high.

We spent most of the shift making contacts using digital JT8, basically filling up 2 log pages.  Paying closer attention, I  noticed that the computer was set up to make contacts as the club's call, not the Special Event call "W5B".  Sent a message this evening wondering why this was.

During the shift, winds started picking up at ground level.   Weather forcast for the next 2 days are not for balloon launch.  As a committee member, I will monitor the next couple days until I again have a shift at the Balloon Fiesta Park on Wednesday morning.  At this time, forecast for Wednesday is clear skies, and, hopefully, light winds.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta - Day 1

Early depart from the house this morning.  Stopped by IHOP in Rio Rancho (Unser just South of Southern).  I thought perhaps they got their shit together over the last year,  WRONG!  Even with apparent new manager, the service sucked.  It took me half and hour to get an senior order of french toast w/ sausage. And, it was delivered with bacon instead of sausage.

After the disappointed breakfast, I headed to Balloon Fiesta Park.  At 4:00, traffic was already backed up turning off the frontage road, and slow going the street into the park.  It was about 4:15 when I got parked. 

When allowed to the Discovery Tent, I settled into doing final adjustments to the club's display. 

It was a beautiful morning for the start of Balloon Fiesta 2018.  Very light winds, clear sky.  I was a little late getting over to the field for Dawn Patrol.  Was there to catch the Air Force (?) fly-over.  The Canon balloon carried the US Flag aloft with the strains of the National Anthem.  

The field was still in the shadows from the Sandia Mountains when the mass ascension commenced.  Eventually, the sun started illuminated the balloons.  Wave after wave of balloons launched from the field. 

As the mass ascension was tapering off, the crowds started entering the Balloon Discovery Tent.  While testing the radios before the mass ascension, we were able to make a few digital contacts.  Then we had some software glitch.  The other station was able to make a couple SSB contacts.

This year we were set up in the same part of the tent where the astronaut and other speakers held their presentations. They had a strong PA system, which caused it difficult for us to hear folks that may want to discuss ham radio.  We did have some conversations.

A sample of the photos (over 80) I took during the mass ascension are on my facebook page and the club's (NM5HD.com) facebook page.

Back tomorrow for the same morning shift.  Hope the weather continues to cooperate.

Balloon Fiests Set-up

After the Thursday coffee/breakfast at Flying Star, nost of the attendees headed over to Balloon Fiesta Park to set up High Desert Amateur Radio Club display for Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta..  In addition to setting up the informational booth shown here, the group erected 3 antennas for HF, VHF, and UHF (high frequency, very-high  frequency, and ultra-high frequency) contacts.

The club will be operating  SSTV (slow-scan TV), voice, digital modes, and "Morse" code.  Two popular Albuquerque area nets will be run fron this station during the fiesta.

At the Balloon Fiesta you will find us in the Balloon Discovery Tent at the North end of the field.  On the air, listen to call-sign W5B.

Duke City HamFest - Friday

Today was the opening day of the Duke City HamFest.  The function is being held at the Isleta Resort & Casino about 10 miles South of downtown Albuquerque.  It's a big show this year because it is also the Rocky Mountain Division convention of the ARRL.

It was the first time I had ever been to Isleta.  And, being a Friday morning, I planned extra time to make the 30 miles from Rio Rancho (North of ABQ) to the Resort (South of ABQ).  Figured I would kils some time befoire my work shift (registration).

When I got to the resort, I asked at the front desk - where and when I can have breakfast.  The clerk told me at the restaurant close to the convention center entrance.  It was almostt 6am, he said it would open in just a couple minutes.  Alas, he was wrong - it did not open until 7am.  There had a coffee shop, but I was hungry for a full breakfast.  I killed time until the restaurant opened and had my full breakfast.

Food was "OK".  Sausage was a bit bland and the toast was cold (not even melting the butter) but it was much less expensive than Flying Star.

At 8am, I started my 2 hour shift at the registration area.  I heard there were over 400 early registrations. 

My other job is an official photographer for the convention.  After my registration shift was iver, I grabbed my Canon 60D to shoot some photos of the convention.  It was pretty "dark" in the vendor hall.  Had to jack up the ISO and slow down the shutter.  Of course, that causeed to blurry photos. 

When the show is over, I will process more of the photos, but for now, I posted the photo here of the High Desert ARC display (the club I belong to).

Not feeling so chipper today, so called it a day about noon and headed back home.  The afternoon activities included a outside fleamarket and an evening mixer.

Blue Grasshopper - South

Wednesday's Geezerz lunch was at Blue Grassgopper near Coors & Montano.  I have been gaining some weight recently, so decided on not having their pizza for a big burger. Instead I had their beer brat with fries.

The brat was "OK" but did not have the "zing" of the brat at "The Local Brewhouse".  Fries were good, but nothing to write home about (like the ones we had in Antonito, CO).

For beer, I tried the "TR" (tractoor Brewing?) red ale.  It was "OK" but a little sharp to my taste.  My second pint was "BB" amber (which I think was the Bosque Bear "Ambear").

BJ's Brewhouse

This week's "Geezerz" lunch was at BJ's Brewhouse at Cottonwood.  BJ's is a regional chain.  The frist time I have lunch at a BJ's was in Las Vegas.

Anyway - Wednesday's special was one of their burgers and a pint of one of their beers.  I had the bacon-Cheeseburger with fries and a pint of their Jamison Red Ale.  The burger was great and fries were cooked pretty good.  BJ's had 2 amber ale, the Jamison Red is a little darker in color and a very pleasant tasting.

None of BJ's beers are brewed in New Mexico.  I understand that the chain has one of their locations would brew just one of it's beers and transport them to other locations. That way the brewery can concentrate on doing a good job on that one beer.

Another Lunch at Toltec Brewing

This was the 3rd visit to Toltec Brewing in Albuquerque's Cottonwood Mall area. Toltec has a special that is not on the menu - Chile-cheezeburger with a pint of beer for $9.  The special is offered Mon-Fri between noon and 2pm.

With such a deal, I opted for the special.  I just scraped most of the chile if the sandwich,  Those left just added enough "heat" in my burger.  Fries were good and crispy.

Washed down the burger with two pints if Toltec's Altbier, amber ale.

Billy's with Cousin Don

Last evening was another dinner and a couple pints of beer with my cousin Don.  Both of us tried a meal we had not had before at Billy's.  Don had the Indian Taco which I have liked.  I had the Shredded beef burrito plate.  The Burrita was ok, but still prefer their enchilada plate.

I wash down my meal with 3 pints of "Kilt Lifter" Scotish Ale frpm Four Peaks Brewing.  Don and I had a good conversation.  I was able to show him the projects I have worked with for my ham radio club.