The Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum is a museum dedicated to the worldwide history, science, and art of all types of ballooning and lighter-than-air flight.  Since opening its doors in 2005, the Albuquerque Balloon Museum today contains one of the finest collections of ballooning equipment and memorabilia in the world. Named in honor of Albuquerque balloonists Maxie Anderson and Ben Abruzzo, the Balloon Museum features over 25,000 square feet of exhibition space.

Fiesta Preview!  For nine days in October, the New Mexico skies are painted as hundreds of balloons lift off from Albuquerque's Balloon Fiesta Park. Nothing rivals the power of Mass Ascension on crisp early mornings as these graceful giants leave the ground to take their place in the cerulean desert sky. For ballooning fans worldwide, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a pilgrimage. There's something for everyone to enjoy . . . whimsical special shapes filled with equal parts of hot air and wonder, and Balloon Glows that create a magical night landscape for spectators to wander. No matter who you are, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will leave you awestruck and wanting more.  We took the opportunity to preview the site and field 4 days prior to Fiesta from the balcony on the back side of the Balloon Museum.

"From its modest beginnings in 1972 with 13 balloons launching from a shopping mall parking lot, the Balloon Fiesta has grown to multiple events launching year-round at the custom-designed, 365-acre Balloon Fiesta Park. Our signature event remains Balloon Fiesta—which, with 700 balloons, is the largest ballooning event on earth, the most photographed event on earth, and the largest annual international event held in the United States.
Imagine 54 football fields, all put together. That’s the size of Balloon Fiesta Park’s 78-acre launch field! And at this Park’s “playing field,” there are no losing teams and no viewing stands. Guests walk the field and are part of the action."

Texas is a BIG state! It's beginning to get windy on the highways and the landscape is changing a bit. We're starting to see lots of cotton fields (kind of a surprise), oil wells and wind turbine farms on top of the surrounding mesa's. Oh, and the temp is starting to drop a bit.

Waco TX is situated along the Brazos River and I-35, halfway between Dallas and Austin.  The home of Dr Pepper, Baylor University, and Magnolia Market. 

We spent the afternoon at Magnolia Market.  There's a little something for everyone at Magnolia Market at the Silos. Shopping, games, the garden and even a bite to eat. - See more at: https://magnoliamarket.com/silos

CHIP AND JOANNA'S STORY AND THE MARKET
"It’s with a grateful heart that I welcome you to magnoliamarket.com. Chip and I run a few businesses here in Waco, Texas, but Magnolia Market holds a special place in my heart. This entire business idea was born completely out of a dream I didn’t know could ever come to life. It’s truly only because a fiercely faithful, brave and bold husband pushed me to pursue my dream that it ever came to be. In 2003, we bought our “Little Shop on Bosque” and opened the first Magnolia Market. In that store, I developed and sharpened my design style and skills, grew as a business owner, and gained much needed confidence in Magnolia Market and myself. After Chip and I had our first two kiddos, we made the tough decision to close the Market and focus on growing and raising our family. During this time, we really homed in on Magnolia Homes, our construction business, for many years. This is where we were able to learn the construction side of things, and we loved the idea that we were “making Waco beautiful one home at a time.” This work was meaningful to us, and we worked together for many years as a team; Chip in construction, and myself in the design. Soon HGTV’s Fixer Upper came along. But something began tugging at my heart, and I began feeling a pull toward reopening Magnolia Market. So in May of 2014, we pulled the trigger, and the Little Shop on Bosque reopened for business. Fast forward a couple of years, and here we are! To think that my business plans scribbled on scratch paper have turned into this online store is unbelievable to say the least. Not to mention the fact that we’ve recently outgrown our Little Shop on Bosque, and moved into our new Magnolia Silos location in downtown Waco! 

Here are answers to some recent queries and comments we've received.  

"How have you not gained weight?" Mike's put on a few pounds but we have always been "foodies" and try to stay fairly active by walking, going for bike rides and exploring the places we visit. And, while it's probably hard to believe given our restaurant posts, we do try and share a lot and in many cases order food that's not too bad for us. Most of the 'Diner's Drive Ins & Dive's' we frequent use a LOT of salt so we're now trying to keep those places to a minimum.

Many have asked "what gas mileage do we get in the coach?" 
Honestly, if you worry about it you shouldn't RV in a class A motorhome.  The way we rationalize it, the coach, so far, averages 8.7 mpg and the Jeep 24.6 mpg.  We only travel in the coach when we change locations (usually 4-5 times a month @ around 250 mi each leg) and use the Jeep for touring the area.
So our average MPG is around 18.
Luckily, gas prices have stayed relatively low so filling our 80 gallon tank isn't horrible. Fingers crossed it stays that way.  Since we left FL gas prices have been between $1.70 and $1.99.

"Do you miss us?"
Yes, of course. We've been on the road for almost three months and although we're having a great experience, we do miss home, family & friends. But we knew we would before we left. Can you say Face Time?
Another advantage to all this traveling is the opportunity to visit relatives and friends along the way. We've already seen people we haven't seen in years and plan to visit many more.
Maybe you know we're headed your way. Can't wait to see you!

Austin is the capital of Texas and a fast growing city with modern architecture mixing into the landscape and in-fill downtown. 

​Easy Tiger is a bakery and beer garden in Austin, and has been recognized as one of the best bakeries not only in Austin, but also in the country. Located on the much less rowdy end of Austin’s "Dirty Sixth Street" and housed in a beautifully restored historic building adjacent to Waller Creek, Easy Tiger is the perfect place for a flaky, buttery croissant and coffee at breakfast or a house made sausage sandwich (duck with rosemary, Cajun chicken and garlic are a few varieties) for lunch or dinner. If you’re looking for a place to relax with friends over Ping-Pong and snacks, it's also a great setting for charcuterie and soft pretzel boards, pitchers of cold beer or smooth, oaky bourbon.

The space and the mood at Launderette, are as colorful and playful as the dishes and plating. Chef Rene Ortiz pulls from globe-spanning flavors, with emphasis on the Mediterranean.  His restaurant was named one of the country’s best new restaurants by Food & Wine this year.  We started off with crab toast. Then had a Hanger steak and Brussel sprouts with duck fat fried fritz.  Best ever Brussel sprouts and you could cut the steak with a fork!

One of the quirkiest and bizarre places we have ever eaten is "Nubian Queen Lola's Cajun Soul Food". That being said, WOW! - the best cornbread, dirty rice, Cajun fried chicken wings and collard greens! All under the watchful eye of chef Lola who feeds the hungry, preaches and sings along to old time gospel music. Her bus out front has the slogan "You Know Who She Is". As we were leaving after eating this delicious but heavily salted and spicy food, Mike asked Queen Lola to please pray for his health. Long live the Queen!

A quick lunch at 24 Diner, meat loaf sandwich and chicken & waffles before we explored Lady Bird Lake area.

We shared a salad and burger at Roaring Fork before going to the historic Paramount Theatre for "ADAM RUINS EVERYTHING - ELECTION SPECIAL".  A humorous and timely show about this years unusual election.

River Walk is to San Antonio what Bourbon St is to NOLA.  Restaurants, shops, walks etc.  The San Antonio River Walk (also known as Paseo del Río) is a network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River, one story beneath the streets of Downtown San Antonio, Texas, USA.  Lined by bars, shops and restaurants, the River Walk is an important part of the city's urban fabric and a tourist attraction in its own right.

Like most big cities, San Antonio had a rundown section of town where industry had left. The Pearl District, named for the departed Pearl Brewery, re-imaged this part of town into a vibrant destination for tourists.  Add in dozens of restaurants, shops, and apartments, and you get a real sweet neighborhood that has a great vibe and something for everyone.  Had an amazing brunch at Boiler House, situated in approximately 6,000 square feet of restaurant space along with an expansive outdoor patio, many of the building's significant architectural features have been preserved and incorporated into the design of the restaurant. Executive Chef Jeff White's menu focuses on Texas ranchstyle grilling with wild game, seafood and the freshest local ingredients available.

A puffy taco is not a crispy taco, a crunchy taco, or a soft taco. It is strictly a puffy taco, and after having one (or three), you may be willing to forsake all other taco forms.  They seem to be a San Antonio thing, we had ours at Oscar's Taco House.

Oh, but there is more to San Antonio than just food and River Walk. There's the Alamo, downtown area and, of course, cowboy boots!

On the way to Texas we saw a sign for Dalrymple Drive, obviously named for my college friend Kirk Dalrymple! And at the suggestion of Mike's sister and brother in law, stopped at Chicken On The Bayou. Can you say "Cracklin's"? Amazing Louisiana low country cooking at it's best.
Houston on the horizon!

Houston, we have a problem! Traffic, Construction and Toll Roads. Oh my. But it's a great city with lots to offer.
Our dearly departed friend Susan's daughter Jennifer, her husband Art and three boys live in Katy, TX about 20 miles west of downtown.  We had a fun visit with a wonderful family and six dogs. Mike and Eric made a great dinner and we celebrated Art's birthday.

And then we got silly with some selfies!

Mike got to reconnect with family of his previous partner Dusty, Kevin Nichols and his Mom Vicki Nichols who just happened to be visiting from Maryland.

And then we got silly again with a few selfies!

We also got to see Dr. Jason Edwards (just began his 3 yr residency in Houston) and his partner Jan, a professional photographer who has had showings all over the country. He's currently working on a book to be published next spring. Jan Rattia.com

For Mike one of the highlights of Houston (besides friends, of course) was going to the famous Kenny and Ziggy's Deli.  Ziggy was the star of the documentary "Deli Man" that was one of Susan and Mike's favorite movies!  We were here for lunch on Wednesday AND Friday. Thursday AM they were closing for a few hours to film an episode for "FOOD PARADISE" on the Travel Channel!

We originally had reservations for Senegette Bayou state park that we had made almost a year in advance. They experienced flooding from the Baton Rouge storms and cancelled our stay two days before we were to arrive. So we stayed at a unique RV Park called Ponchartrain Landing.  We had a nice water view right next to a marina.

We arrived in New Orleans just in time for Southern Decadence, one of the worlds largest celebrations of gay and lesbian life. This year drew a record breaking 180,000+ participants. It was an amazing and decadent five days of revelry climaxing with a parade through the French Quarter on the Sunday before Labor Day.

NOLA is one of if not THE top foodie cities in the world and we had a hard time picking where to eat for the twelve days we were there. We did our best. Here are some of the places where we had amazing food.

Half way through our stay, cousin June, her daughter Julie and sister in law Diane came to town to visit us and Diane's daughter Emily who lives in New Orleans. We had a great time together and ate at several great restaurants.

New Orleans is certainly a unique city. Eleven years after Hurricane Katrina, they have recovered however, the place is still a municipal mess. No one seems to mind though and the proud attitude and party atmosphere pervades the whole place. Music is everywhere at night.
We did some touring, rode the Charles Street Trolly, visited a cemetery and enjoyed seeing the wonderful old homes and shopping areas.