Looks like I'm coming to ABQ!

[Sparky10]

My best friend called today and offered the most fantastic birthday present - she wants to go to the ABQ balloon festival! Since I introduced her to balloon festivals last year she's mentioned wanting to go to ABQ. She just found out she will be in between jobs at the perfect time.

I suspect the hotels are full since this is so last-minute. Please, can anyone in the area suggest a (some?) bed-and-breakfasts or small inns...something maybe off the beaten path that would still be available? And not terribly expensive?

We'll be there somewhere between the 7th through the 11th, approximately.

[Sparky10]

Booked a hotel room from Wednesday through Sunday.

Anybody want to meet up? Lunch, dinner? Balloon watching?

[ActiveMSers]

Sparky, I'll be available for a meet-up! Probably Thursday, as we may be off on an adventure that weekend. Let's make a plan and hopefully there will be a few other ABQ peeps who'd like to join us.

[Sparky10]

Fantastic, Dave! We'll work out the details later.

[Fit Paul]

Dave count me in. Let me know where and when.

[Sparky10]

Dave, I'm going to email you with my cell phone number. Since I don't know about my internet access, I'll let Dave put updates here if I cannot.

Look forward to meeting you too, Fat Paul!

So you guys all know, I drive a blue Honda Element with a silver MS ribbon magnet on the back. An Iowa plates, of course.

The Flying Star restaurant was recommended to me: http://www.flyingstarcafe.com/.

[ActiveMSers]

Flying Star is good, but I'm thinking of something a bit funkier, something really old-school, something New Mexico true. This little place is only open for lunch and is up in Corrales (NW part of the metro area). How about Thursday at 1 pm?

Perea’s Tijuana Bar & Restaurant
4590 Corrales Road
Corrales, New Mexico
(505) 898-2442

http://www.nmgastronome.com/blog/?p=178

Laura may be able to join us, too, if the government is still shuttered. It'll be great to see you, too, Skinny Paul. Anyone else??

[Sparky10]

I'm here! Dave, add my sister to the lunch list. She's flying in from Dallas in the morning. Perea's sounds good.

[ActiveMSers]

So with Laura, that brings us to 5, with Fat/Skinny Paul.

[Fit Paul]

See you all a 1pm. Thursday (tomorrow)

[Sparky10]

Make that 6! I've got my friend and my sister with me. See ya!

[Fit Paul]

Sorry guys, I have a sick dog.I must stay home and puppy sit. Have a great lunch.

[Sparky10]

Oh no! Was looking forward to meeting you. Hope the pup feels better soon.

[Sparky10]

Here's a couple pics of the meet-up.

-left to right: my friend/traveling companion Holly, me, my sister Karen, Dave, his wife Laura.

-Dave, sampling his 3rd tequila.

Good to meet ya, Dave and Laura!

[Sparky10]

Some of my favorite balloon pics:

-Air-a-Belle
-Wells Fargo Stagecoach
-Darth Vader
-Chick-a-Boom
-When Pigs Fly