Yuma Balloon Festival

Last Saturday we drove to West Wetlands Park to view the Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival evening glow. There were ten balloons participating this year. They were all lined up in a field. As dark approached, they were blown up and lit. It was a beautiful site to see the glowing balloons in the dark.

The annual event has been taking place in Yuma for 30 years. I have wanted to go in the past, but our resort always has their Thanksgiving dinner on the same Saturday. So, this year due to Covid, no dinner. The balloon event was also changed due to the pandemic. It was a drive thru rather than allowing people to get up close to the balloons. The information online was somewhat confusing, so we arrived early to find out they were not allowing cars into the park until 5:30 pm. The sheriff told us we could park outside and walk in.

That's exactly what we did. It was about a mile each way. The weather was fantastic. We found a bench right next to the balloons, watched them get blown up, and then experienced the glow up close and personal. There was caution tape to keep people back, but we were still quite close. I felt somewhat bad for the people driving through. They got a very short glimpse of a beautiful site. I took a video which I posted on Facebook. I don't know how to get the video from my phone to my computer, so don't have it here.

Saturday and Sunday morning the balloons did an ascension, but we didn't go to that. Kevin is not a morning person (except for golf), so I didn't push my luck. Maybe another year! 

We are actually on the waiting list for the International Balloon Rally in Albuquerque for next October for an electric hookup site on the fairgrounds. I have always enjoyed seeing hot air balloons. Maybe someday I'll get to ride in one!

I haven't been blogging much because there really is not much going on. Our resort has far less people here than normal. Almost no Canadians have come down. The few that are here had to fly in to cross the border.

The golf groups are playing, so that is mostly what we have been doing. Kevin plays in the men's group on Tuesday mornings, we both play in the couples group on Wednesday mornings, I play in the ladies group on Thursday mornings, and we both play in the Friday afternoon scramble. That keeps up pretty busy. We've even won some prize money a few times.

Our resort sponsors a free welcome back dinner every fall. This year they were able to do it Covid style. It was held out in the parking lot. Normally there are about 600 people in attendance. This year we're guessing it was no more than 200. Table were spaced out and only 6 people per table. The food was in to-go containers. There were 2 bars set up with free beer, wine, soft drinks and water. Masks were required. After dinner a band played.

We had a great time. The food was excellent. The theme was Woodstock. They gave out headbands, friendship bracelets and the slap on wrist bracelets. Remember those??

Arizona is known for its beautiful sunrises and sunsets. We've had some winners this fall!

It's been unusually dry this year. There hasn't been measurable rainfall since March. The monsoons never came during the summer. We did have a few sprinkles one day which created this double rainbow and got my car dirty.

It has also been warmer than normal, actually hot at times. I'm not complaining. The weather has been fantastic. I haven't worn long pants since we left Nebraska in late September.

I have been participating in the woodcarving group the past two seasons. The class leader and instructor is Canadian and isn't coming this year. She asked if I would run the group in her absence. Starting Dec. 2nd, I will be doing just that. I don't have much experience, but am willing to help out and make the tools and materials available. We'll see how it goes. I'm not sure how many participants we'll actually have. Masks will be required and the room has a limit of people allowed. If we get too many, they may move us outside under a canopy.

We wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving in these difficult times. We will miss our family. 

Stay safe!!