Red Rock Balloon Rally, December 2-4, 2011

Anywhere in the country is fine. Where do you want to camp?

Red Rock Balloon Rally, December 2-4, 2011

Postby ABQTurtle » Mon Sep 12, 2011 5:18 pm

Posting this again this year a little earlier. I can tell you that I had a blast last year. You can sit at your campsite and watch the balloons about 50-100 yards away or wander amongst them as they inflate and take off or do the evening glow. Then walk over to the Native American dance ceremony going on in the same location.

The Balloon Rally is held the first full weekend in December (December 2-4, 2011) in Red Rock State Park Gallup, New Mexico. This is the 31st year for the rally. The Red Rock Balloon Rally organizers tout that they are the "second largest balloon event in the world." Over two hundred balloonists will come to the rally. The Albuquerque Fiesta in October being the largest (600-700 balloons).

During the day, Native American vendors will be providing an excellent opportunity to buy high quality Native American arts and crafts direct from the artisans.

I had no problem at all getting a reservation last year. The campground said they normally have plenty of sites available the weekend of the Rally. Of course, they also mentioned the reason that have so many sites available is because it is typically very very cold in Gallup that weekend.

What makes this event unusual, is the beauty of the ancient red rocks and the location, right in the heart of the Southwest's "Indian Country."

http://www.redrockballoonrally.com/index.html Balloon Rally Web Site

http://www.ci.gallup.nm.us/rrp/00182_redrock.html Park Web Site
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Pictures from Rally

Postby ABQTurtle » Mon Sep 12, 2011 5:39 pm

Image

Image

Image
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Campground

Postby ABQTurtle » Mon Sep 12, 2011 5:49 pm

In this pic you can see the balloon on the ridge, campground below, and one of the launch fields in the upper right of the picture. The other launch field is on the other side of the campground.

Image
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Postby Big Dan » Mon Sep 12, 2011 9:26 pm

Looks like a blast. I love balloons. Always wanted to go to one of those. It would be a bit of a drive though. (1188 miles, 20+hour drive) I'll have to think on that one.
Last edited by Big Dan on Tue Sep 13, 2011 6:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby Maureenm » Tue Sep 13, 2011 12:01 am

Phenomenal pictures

:applause:
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Postby Steve_Cox » Tue Sep 13, 2011 9:14 am

Very enticing pictures. All I need is a new camper and I'm ready to go! 8)
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