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Getting “high” in New Mexico

There is something strange about agreeing to get into a basket with your whole family to float about 2400 feet above the ground using only hot air to hold you aloft.  Who would have dreamed this up, you ask?  The French, of course.  Something completely impractical, but incredibly beautiful; that’s so French.  {and they’ve been doing it since 1783 when the Montgolfier brothers, French paper manufacturers, first put a sheep, a rooster and a duck into the air.  Read more about it here.}

Last week, we tried the virtually-perfected New Mexican version of the Montgolfier balloon.  It was fabulous.  We departed at dawn… literally dawn.
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See the sunrise over the Sangre de Cristo mountains… It is beautiful.
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Inflating the balloon. {We were reminded that this is not “blowing up” the balloon, because that’s an explosion.}
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Another ballooner in the air with us. There were only two that day.
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This is called a “ballooner” eclipse. The crew were always ready with corny jokes and “hot air” puns.
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The boys loved the ride.
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Pueblo Balloon Company in Taos, NM offers a great ride and brunch that starts at about 5AM and takes you along the Rio Grande Gorge. It was an experience that I can’t really describe. It’s definitely worth doing at least once in your life.
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free printable luggage tags

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Are you packing your bags to go somewhere this summer?  Is your luggage the same black rolling bag that everyone has?

Yes or no, make your stuff stand out with these new printable luggage tags.  This printable is FREE.

They fit nicely in the standard luggage tag laminating pouch.  I have created six colorful and whimsical designs for you.

Click on either image to go to the download.

Enjoy.
SPL
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Who's a sucker for a big sky?

No rainbows or sunsets here, but I love the big, blue sky.  We have had a mixed bag of weather on vacation: overcast, to rain, to cloudy, to perfect blue.  Here is a collection of sky snaps.  Enjoy.  SPL

That’s my son skiing.  Doesn’t he look so little?

Moody blue sky that is threatening rain

That’s Smith Mountain (in Western Virginia)

Don’t count this as a sunset.

Cloudy day

Sunny day

5AM at the lake

8PM at the lake

Big eyes (not big skies) at the marina shop.