“…where two or more are gathered together in my name” ~ Matthew 18:20

With the above in mind, this verse was the catalyst for the organization of the Gulf Breeze RV Church which began in the fall of 2001with 12 people in attendance.

Sunday mornings now find more than 100 worshipers representing as many as 14 denominations gathering in the RV Park’s clubhouse located at 19800 Oak Road West, which is just off County Road 6 in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Services are held from Nov. 1 through the following Easter each year.

Working through the owner of the RV Park, a winter resident was instrumental in getting the Church organized. His desire was to have a “teaching” rather than a “preaching” service for the park’s temporary residents.

Since the church’s inception, there have been three pastors. The current pastor is A. O. McGill, a permanent Island resident.

Helen Hastings has been the Pianist since 2001. One of the early decisions of the Church was to give its weekly offerings to the Christian Service Center – a practice still continued today.

And even though the congregation meets only six months each year, it is one of the Center’s most generous Church donors.

Bev Soenksen, the Church’s representative on the Center’s Board of Directors, said, “It is a great feeling to know a small group of people who meet only six months a year can make a difference at the CSC. We believe in what the Center does, and we consider it a blessing to be a part of their mission.”

Professor95 for Woodall’s Family Camping

What is an RV’er to do?

With fuel prices surpassing the $4.00 a gallon mark, to say that there is “pain at the pump” is an understatement.

Dropping 200 gallons of Road Diesel into the tanks on the Volvo while in Florida required handing the girl at the fuel desk $831.00.  I couldn’t help but think of a time when diesel was considered “junk fuel” and was typically priced well below gasoline.  While I could have completely filled both 150-gallon tanks on the Volvo in my younger days for less than $100, I know those days now exist only in memories held by our over 50 generation.

The soaring cost of fuel (gasoline and diesel) has hit the RV travel market hard.  With typical fuel mileage figures for towing a 8,000# trailer behind a gas engine 1/2 ton pick-up ranging from 7 to 12 mpg – even short trips can rack up a significant bill.  For example,  a 200 mile round trip will consume $80 of fuel, up $20 from last year.  The Paradox is that by some estimates the sales of RV towables has risen as much as 30% over the previous year.  Economic analysts suggest that families are making shorter trips to camping destinations and staying longer.  Some are abandoning brick and mortar homes in favor of towable/mobile homes.

Still, the pain at the pump persists – and it is doubtful that it will get better.  As the consumer at the bottom of the “food chain” we must pay for rising oil prices in many ways other than gasoline.  Food, transportation, home heating and cooling, tires, clothing, roofing, fertilizer, plastics, and even the cost of a stamp rise with any increase in the price of a barrel of oil.

WHY?

Why is fuel  getting more and more expensive when the media reports that we are now exporting more gas and diesel than we are importing? 

Why is oil increasing in cost if we are producing more here in the US than we have in recent history?

Generally, we blame the oil companies first – and why not?  They are recording record profits.  After the oil companies we pass the blame on to the speculators that buy oil futures hoping to make a profit and finally we turn to issues pertaining to government and political decisions.   Any unrest or uncertainty surrounding oil producing nations brings panic to oil importing governments.  Yes, they all have an impact on the price of oil – but not as much of an impact as one might think.  It has been said that if we did away with the capitalist’s right for companies and individuals to make a profit off of the sale of oil and adopted a socialist’s stance where oil was a government controlled commodity we would be paying at least $2.00 more for a gallon of gasoline.  Competition, even in this tight market, helps to keep the price of fuel lower in the United States than any other country where the government does not subsidize the cost of fuel.

What about refineries?

We have spent the past 35 years gradually expanding the capacity of our current count of 149 refineries.  Finally, two new refineries are now being constructed – one in Arizona and another in North Dakota.   During the past 35 years, energy usage has more than doubled in the US.  Refineries have a limit on how much gasoline and diesel they can produce depending upon their equipment and size.  They are all currently at their limit and if one or more shut down we all get busted in the pocketbook.

So, why not just build a dozen new refineries?

The “not in my backyard” syndrome kicks in.  The EPA and environmental groups begin to rumble and get louder and louder.  It is now estimated that it would take ten years to bring yet another new refinery on-line, even if we started today.  Let’s face it, refineries don’t make good neighbors,  we all want them somewhere else.  Another blockade is “Big Oil” itself.  With Exxon/Mobile, BP, Shell and Valero owning the lion’s share of refineries competition is believed to be stifled.  We also have some foreign owned refineries on US soil.  Venezuela owns three CITGO refineries and ships much of the refined gasoline and diesel back to Venezuela where it is sold at a ridiculously low government subsidized price.  The rest goes to CITGO stations around the US.

Why doesn’t the US drill more oil wells and pump more oil?

Oil itself doesn’t shoot from wells drilled in the ground as it did back in the days of Dallas.  Most all of those easily accessible pools of oil are gone.  We now are extracting oil from shale  deposits.  This requires vertical then horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing – an expensive process that can impose new environmental dangers.  Oil sands are being tapped but leave behind open pits reminiscent of strip mining coal.  Off coast drilling for oil has creeped into deeper and deeper waters – again a more costly method of gathering oil.

The oil is there, but the cost of getting it from the source to us has increased dramatically – and will continue to do so.

Being part of a world economy where countries like China and India are buying every available barrel of oil doesn’t help us at the pump either.  It is the old story of “supply and demand” that drives up the cost of a product,

So, what are we as RV’ers to do if we want to keep our lifestyle and tow our heavy fuel guzzling rigs down the road?

Possibly the most realistic choice is to do what a fellow camper recently told me:  “Just suck it up – life is short and staying home in an apartment listening to the neighbors scream isn’t worth the extra $20 spent in fuel”.

Smaller, more fuel efficient RV’s can also ease the pain at the pump.  Every RV manufacturer at the recent RV Show in Richmond had a “lightweight” model on display.

Better driving habits can also help to reduce fuel consumption and as a result, the total cost of filling up.  Towable RV’s simply cannot achieve the same mileage at 65 to 70 mph as they do at 55 to 60 mph.  Move to the right lane and slow down – save some fuel in the process.

Reducing weight by removing unneeded gear in the RV and tow vehicle can also have an impact on fuel economy.  It is amazing what I cleaned out of our rig recently – stuff I have never used that I added just because we had room for it.

Inflate your tires to the maximum allowable pressures to reduce rolling resistance.

Back off on your take-off speed from a stop sign or red light.  Sure, someone behind you may not like your lazy take off – but that is his problem, not yours.

Do anything you can to make your rig more aerodynamic.  Those wings attached to the top of a pick-up really do work to reduce wind drag.  I know because I have used them and observed the difference first hand.

Sadly, fuel is not going to get any cheaper.  The expectation is for it to continue to become more expensive.  This, of course, translates to more costly RV trips and travel.  Quitting is not the answer – losing the experience of RV travel and exploring this great country would be sad.  Life is short; time with the children and grandchildren in an environment conducive to talking, sharing, and discovery is priceless.

Somehow, we will keep on filling those huge tanks on the Volvo and keep the big wheels rolling.  The value of our RV experiences cannot be counted by the price of fuel.

Most of us are concerned about the quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink. We use filters on our heating and air conditioning units in an attempt to remove impurities from our air. We place a filter on our kitchen faucet to purify our drinking water. And according to one report, we Americans spend 9.3 billion dollars on bottled water to insure that our water is as pure as possible.

To protect our automobiles and other machinery we operate from impurities, we install gas, air, oil, and transmission filters.

We do the above because we have learned that damage can be done to our bodies and machinery when our air and other fluids become contaminated with the impurities of our world.

While all this is good and proper, the Scriptures tell us that we also need a filter for our minds, which are constantly bombarded with thoughts of this world (Philippians 3:19). Solomon challenges us: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Prov. 4:23).

We are also reminded, that “As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man” (Prov. 27:19). “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34).

It is important that we keep the filter, which God has provided in place on our minds to protect our minds. This filter is found in Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Psalm 119:9 asks a great question: “How can a young man keep his way pure?” The answer is given in verse 11: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” While God has provided the way to protect our minds from the contamination that would defile them, it is up to us to be sure the filter provided is in place and working.

Do you use this God-given filter for your mind?

John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at j.rimler@yahoo.com

A rainy day camping is better than a sunny day at work!

You may see a rainy day while you are camping as a disappointment. However, that rain can make you enjoy curling up on a couch with a good book. Or perhaps you will choose to spend the day playing games inside the camper and use it as a family bonding experience. Another idea, however, is to outfit the entire with hooded rain ponchos and head out for a hike as the rains begin to fall. Pay close attention to the different sights, sounds and smells of the field or forest covered in a fresh rain bath.

Some people find foggy weather gloomy and depressing, I prefer to see it as mysterious and secretive. If you try, you can learn to appreciate the mysterious silence that is the fog and may even find yourself looking forward to getting lost in it. Marvel at how you can only see a short distance in front of you and that many things just seem to disappear before your eyes…

And, is there anything that makes a toasty fire more delicious than a bitter cold north wind and sharp biting ice crystals hitting you in the face? We almost have to experience weather like that to truly appreciate its opposite—a crackling fire in a cozy room with a comfy chair and a window for you to watch outside. We can learn to appreciate these days for the pleasures they help us to enjoy. Likewise, we can enjoy the time spent outside in weather like that, whether it is attending to pets, accomplishing other outside chores or engaging in a cold weather sport, such as snowmobiling or skiing, for the experience awaiting us at the end.

If the thought of snow, in general,makes you cringe because of the shoveling you have to look forward to, think back to a favorite snowfall from your past, perhaps your childhood. I remember a time when I was in college and we lived in an apartment across the road from a gravel pit. One of the small pits they had dug had filled with water and become a pond. Every winter, the pond would freeze over and we would grab our ice skates and head out there as soon as the workers would leave. I have wonderful memories of skating there at dusk on a weekday afternoon when large, fat snowflakes were falling and landing on the ice and my eyelashes. This memory never fails to put me at peace and help me to appreciate even look forward to our next snowfall.

The one thing you can count on in a Wisconsin November is the color gray. In my work as a therapist, I see more people coming more depressed than any other time of the year. Even people who are not diagnosed with depression!

When I complain to my weather-loving husband, my cross-country skier husband says “I just look at November as the predecessor to a winter full of snow!” He walks around the house actually excited that the skies are gray. Even his persistent enthusiasm cannot lighten my mood so if anyone has other ideas about how to appreciate November, I would love to hear them.

And, finally, remember, it’s weather. In most places, if you give it an hour or two, unless you’re talking November in Wisconsin, it will change anyway! For more information about camping, browse additional camping ^[5] articles at Woodall’s main site.

reprinted with permission

The bottom line, in a Christian worldview, is that humans are sinful, we need a savior, and our salvation is in Jesus Christ, not human reason or anything else.

On the other hand, logical reasoning is useful, it should be highly valued, and “critical thinking must be a part of every Christian classroom if we are to maintain our integrity” (“Critical Thinking and the Christian Perspective” by Wendy Dutton, Thomas Hart and Rebecca Patten). For living by faith as a Christian, one useful approach is to combine critical thinking — “the art of taking charge of your own mind [which is valuable because]… if we can take charge of our own minds, we can take charge of our lives” with Christian thinking: “Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God — what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect” (Romans 12:2-3).

Christian thinking requires that we take on the mind of Christ. This is done by learning and understanding the Bible, having a Holy Spirit empowered prayer life, longing for community with other Believers, and ministry that is modeled after Christ’s example which was motivated by love. If our theology and Christian lifestyle is based solely on the aspiration of spiritual truths inaccessible through intellectual means, then we miss an important part of our createdness as image-bearers of God.

In the New American Standard Bible, the word “think” is found 39 times in 37 verses which is an indication that thinking is a part of our existence that God did not intend for us to ignore. Not to mention, we are exhorted if not commanded to study (Ezra 7:10), teach (2 Timothy 2:2), learn (Ephesians 5:10), and examine (Acts 17:11) the scriptures which requires the process of critical thinking in order to train the mind to see the world through the lens of the Bible.

Perhaps the most important reason for Christians to think is this: it is the way we think that influences our actions and develops our character. Our thought processes defines who we really are; therefore it is imperative that we think the way our mouths profess us to be.

Paul’s instruction in Romans 12:2 to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” is not a one time occurrence it is a daily renewal through the study and meditation of the Word of God. That is the way it happens. That is how we learn not only to think but to think as God does.

My dad says, “If you’re not feeding yourself with the Bible all the time, you will be thinking like the world.” In our age of experiential churches and postmodern culture, I would like to amend this quote this way: “If you are not feeding yourself with the Bible, you won’t be thinking at all.”

Dountonia is BellaOnline’s Baptist Editor

In Romans 12:2 Paul challenged the church at Rome with these words, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

This challenge applies to Christians living in the 21st century as much as it did to the church at Rome. Our reading materials and TV certainly appeal to all of us to conform to the patterns of this world. The challenge to us is not to yield to that appeal but to seek to renew our minds through filtering out what we allow our minds to absorb.

Earlier in Romans 8 Paul reminded the early church that our sinful nature has our minds set on what that nature desires and is hostile to God. However, as Christians we are admonished to live in accordance with the Spirit and have our minds set on what the Spirit desires.

How do we do that? One of the most effective ways is to spend time in the Bible where we can learn of Christ’s own words and those of the Apostles, memorizing many of them. This will enable the Holy Spirit to recall these to our minds when we need them.

Another way is to control what goes into our minds. The old saying regarding computers applies here: garbage in, garbage out. This takes self-control that we are admonished many times in the Bible to practice (2 Peter 1:5-9).

So, if you wish to renew your mind, take an inventory of what type of material you are reading or watching on TV. Spend more time in the Bible and practicing self-control. Memorize Philippians 4:8 for starters.

According to a Yahoo search, Americans spent 92.27 billion dollars on gambling in 2007. You may not be one of those who contributed to this amount, but many do. A host of opportunities are available for those who wish to.

Many also gamble in another way, that the Bible is not relative to their lives in the 21st century. Society sometimes describes those of us who do as uneducated and perhaps even to be pitied.

While statistics indicates that many possess one or more Bibles, the number of those who read them as a manual for their lives is dwindling.

Many of those who will say they do not believe the Bible have neither read it nor studied it in order to make an intelligent decision on their own. They have succumbed to what is being taught in our public schools and universities by those who probably have not studied it either.

Here’s my challenge to those of you who are gambling that the Bible is not relative to your lives today. Take the time to read one book of the Bible, the book of Proverbs. Ask yourself if many of the principles of life recommended by King Solomon would not help you live a better life. Verse 7 of chapter 1 would be an excellent one to memorize: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

Long Term RV Boondocking on BLM Land

With the growing popularity of boondocking, the BLM has begun to establish areas for longer stays, particularly in Arizona. The permit fee is around $140 now, but this allows you to stay up to six months, and you’ll have pump stations, dumpsters and water available. That’s cheaper than paying property taxes or rent for a lot to park on.

Boondocking Communities

Ask around when you are in the desert southwest, and you’ll find there are whole RV communities that form every winter. There are temporary towns like “Slab City” in California, complete with bookstores, grocery vendors, and other businesses run by RVers. When summer returns, these boondock communities disappear, and reappear again the following winter.

Perhaps the largest gathering of RV boondockers is in Quartzite, Arizona. Up to several hundred thousand people spend at least part of the year boondocking here. Quartzite is near the California border, on Interstate 10, only 20 miles from the Colorado River. It’s surrounded by BLM lands, and it’s famous for gem shows and swap meets, and the multiplying of its population each winter.

Other RV Boondocking Opportunities

Look, and you’ll find “hidden” places where you can park your RV for a week or a month in the desert southwest. Some are free, and others just inexpensive. For example, the Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area, north of Bowie, Arizona, costs $3 per night, but has nice hotsprings and plenty of wildlife. You can get an annual permit for $30, but you’re limited to two weeks per month (permits are sold at the BLM office in Safford). Outside of the fenced area you can stay free, but then you don’t get the hotsprings and shaded picnic tables.

There are many other areas like the Hot Well Dunes for cheap or free RV boondocking. The Bureau of Land Management can tell you what’s available under their jurisdiction. The Woodall’s campground guide lists campgrounds that are free. Also, just keep your eyes open for other RVs parked out in the desert or forest, and ask around.

About The Author

Steve Gillman hit the road at sixteen, and traveled the U.S. and Mexico alone at 17. Now 40, he travels with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. To read their stories, tips and travel information, visit: www.EverythingAboutTravel.com.

SmartCentres, which owns the Kamloops, British Columbia shopping centre, installed large new signs on the lot reminding customers there is no overnight parking for RVs or trucks. (Credit: bcnews.ca)

Besides being a big-box retail store, Walmart parking lots across North America have generally been hospitable to the traveling camper.

But, anyone hoping to stay in the Kamloops, British Columbia, Walmart parking lot for an extended period of time can expect to be turned away, reports Kamloops This Week.

This past summer the company SmartCentres, which owns the shopping center, installed large new signs on the lot reminding customers that overnight parking for RVs or trucks is not permitted.

Sandra Kaiser, vice-president of corporate affairs for SmartCentres, told KTW the no-overnight rules were always in place, but not enforced stringently until recently.

She said the measure is not meant to crack down on someone staying a few hours or even a night, but is intended to address RV owners staying for days and weeks.

“More and more campers were coming and staying for longer periods of time, to the point where we were losing parking spaces that we have to provide to our tenants,” Kaiser said, adding the company had received complaints from tenants in the shopping center.

She noted overnight stays made it difficult for maintenance crews to clean up the lot.

Kaiser said maintenance crews are politely reminding campers they can’t park in the lot long term.

Walmart manager Tim Labermeyer said he’s heard from some customers who expected to park at the store overnight.

However, he pointed out many of the Walmart lots that allow overnight parking are owned by the retail giant.

The Kamloops Walmart leases the property so, in this case, it is not a decision made by the store.

“We have to abide by their (SmartCentres) rules,” Labermeyer said.

Staying in a Walmart parking lot. (Credit: rvonthego.blogspot.com)

He suggested Thompson Rivers University students using the lot during store hours for free parking was a bigger issue than RV parking.

The Kamloops location isn’t alone in banning overnight stays, as a growing number of Walmarts in the U.S. are starting to turn away RVs.

For a list of Walmarts where overnight parking is prohibited, click here.

Ask the local IGA store in Hinton, Alberta, how to treat visitors. That IGA invites RVers to camp overnight free on their parking lot and places large signs along the highway to make sure RVers know they are welcome.

Overnight Parking Etiquette

Some of the most respected RV consumer clubs have joined together to support your right to park on private businesses’ parking lots overnight under the following code of conduct. The code pertains to establishments that permit “dry camping” on their lots. Dry camping means camping without the use of external hookups for electricity, water supply, or waste disposal.

Industry-Sanctioned Code of Conduct (RVers’ Good Neighbor Policy)

Stay one night only!

Obtain permission from a qualified individual.

Obey posted regulations.

No awnings, chairs, or barbecue grills outside your RV.

Do not use hydraulic jacks on soft surfaces (including asphalt).

Staying in a Walmart parking lot. (Credit: mybirdie.ca)

Always leave an area cleaner than you found it.
Staying in a Walmart parking lot. (Credit: mybirdie.ca)
Purchase gas, food, or supplies as a form of thank you, when feasible.

Be safe! Always be aware of your surroundings and leave if you feel unsafe.

If your plans include touring the area, staying for more than one night, or necessitate conduct not within the code, please relocate to a local campground. It’s the right thing to do!

Most of the complaints lodged regarding RV parking on business parking lots have to do with aesthetics and perceived abuse of the privilege. There are a variety of competing interests that were balanced to arrive at this industry-sanctioned code of conduct. As you can see, this Code of Conduct is nothing more than an RVers’ “Good Neighbor” policy.

Not following the code has serious consequences and is detrimental to the rights of all RVers. Already, some municipalities have passed ordinances to prohibit parking on private business property overnight.

The above Code of Conduct is also available in PDF format from the Walmart Atlas website.

You’re encouraged to print this letter and share it with others to promote these etiquette standards.

Worth Pondering…Don’t be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams.

Each October, New Mexico skies are full of bold blues, imperial reds, and vibrant yellows. The event is the world-famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest hot-air balloon event in the world. This extravaganza takes place from the first weekend through the second weekend in October—this year’s festival is

Part of the reason for the success of the Fiesta are the cool Albuquerque morning temperatures in October and the Albuquerque box. (Credit: Raymond Watt, balloonfiesta.com)

from October 1-9—and attracts hundreds of hot-air balloonists from around the world. The balloons come in many colors and shapes with the special shapes category getting larger every year. There are balloons that look like cows, cartoon characters, automobiles, stagecoaches—and just about everything else.

A century after the release of Jules Verne’s balloon adventure novel with Captain Phileas Fogg, Around the World in 80 Days, internationally-acclaimed balloon festival was born in Albuquerque. It was 40 years ago! In 1972, and 20,000 sleepy spectators gathered at sunrise in a local parking lot to witness 13 balloons ascend. At the time, 13 balloons seemed really impressive. But in 2004, more than 800,000 spectators watched as more than 750 balloons floated into the beautiful blue New Mexico skies. The fiesta has amassed an international following, attracting pilots, spectators, and media from nearly 30 countries.

So, what’s the big deal about balloons?

Hot air ballooning is a spectacular and exciting event to experience. Before dawn, people start to gather. By 6 a.m. long lines of automobiles are jockeying for position in a stop-and-go traffic scene. Excitement fills the air. Weather permitting—and if the wind is not too strong—a rainbow of hot air balloons simultaneously lifts into the early morning air. The crowd is awed and “oohs” and “aahs” over every balloon! Each is a work of art. The number of giant painted bubbles gliding through the sky multiplies the viewers’ pleasure.

Mass Ascensions, a launch of all the participating balloons have been a feature of Balloon Fiesta since its earliest days and is one of the most spectacular display of sound and color in all of aviation. (Credit: balloonfiesta.com)

The launch field is divided into three sections of 11 rows of 12 balloons each. Think of a checkerboard. The launch begins with the outside rows on the north and south ends of the field—these two rows lift off at the same time. Usually the wind is from the north, so that works out well. Then they work in towards the middle of the checkerboard.

The excitement begins as the crews take the collapsed giant balloons from their storage baskets. Twenty to forty feet of fabric is stretched flat on the ground in exactly the right way. The blue-flamed burners that heat the air to lift each balloon are started. The heat of the flame from the propane tank is surprisingly intense and the noise made by the burner is expectedly loud. When finally, the signal is given for the balloons to ascend and they take off in waves of color, it is a magnificent sight!

Ballooning is popular in Albuquerque…why?

Albuquerque is popular with hot air balloonists because of the “Albuquerque Box.” In balloon language, a “box” refers to flight back and forth over the same area by using winds of opposite directions at different altitudes. It is a common phenomenon in valleys because of the flow of air down the mountains. With a box, balloonists have more flexibility in how they can control and navigate their balloons.

What is a balloon crew?

Balloons are big—and it takes a group of four or more people to help the pilot. Before the flight, the ground crew helps with preparing the balloon.

A special shape balloon, Well Fargo's Cent'r Stage. (Credit: balloonfiesta.com)

First they walk out the envelope for inflation, and then they help attach all the equipment to the basket. Once off the ground, the chase crew follows the balloon in a car or truck (the chase vehicle) so they can help retrieve the balloon and pack it up wherever the pilot lands. It can be a lot of work, but chasing can be fun!

Balloonists often need helpers—so ask around; you might just get a ride!

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
wwwballonfiesta.com
(888) 422-7277 or (505) 821-1000
4401 Alameda NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113

Worth Pondering…“How posterity will laugh at us, one way or other! If half a dozen break their necks, and balloonism is exploded, we shall be called fools for having imagined it could be brought to use: if it should be turned to account, we shall be ridiculed for having doubted”.
—Horace Walpole, letter to Horace Mann, 24 June 1785

Note: This is the first of a two-part series on Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

See part 2: Up, Up and Away: The Greatest Show OFF Earth