Saskia and Richard's RVing Adventures

A Scottish word normally used to shush someone, “wheesht” is the best word I know to describe the sound of a hot air balloon in flight.  For me, it has become the most gentle and peaceful and happiest sound in the world.   It was repeated all around me for two and half hours at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta last Tuesday morning.  Whenever I listen to the video I took of over 400 balloons in flight, that sound still leaves a smile on my face.  Perhaps today’s smile is not quite as blissful as the one that was stuck not just on my but on everyone’s faces, from the moment we saw the dawn patrol balloons inflate at around 6.30 am, and the sun rose at 7.00, to witness the mass ascent as balloons began to inflate and lift of in batches, until 9.00 am, when the majority of balloons had gracefully landed.  Those that hadn't caught the "box" airflow specific to that area between the Rio Grande River to the east and Sandia Peak to the west, which ke...

New Mexico! My husband Richard was born in this US State which calls itself the land of Enchantment, in Taos.  He spent his first 12 years in the lovely 8,000 feet high plateau resort of Eagle Nest, and that was where we headed first as we drove south from Colorado. We have learned as Benny, our intrepid truck, pulls Jet, our 38 foot long 5th wheel trailer, that we can negotiate our way over scenic mountain passes and along river valleys with relative ease, as long as there is little traffic.  And generally the routes we have chosen have been fairly quiet and easy to drive, with faster traffic able to overtake up steeper climbs by means of short stretches of dual carriageways or strategically placed parking areas. The pressure is definitely on, however, when the road is narrow and manic local drivers stalk us, with no sign of a lay-by ahead. This was the case on the hair raising 23 mile narrow curving road between Taos and Eagle Nest, which climbs more than one thousand ...