Happy November! Can you believe it is November? Holy smoke.

Well - we certainly have things to have mixed emotions over don't we? We have a new and wonderful President - but folks in California, Florida, and other places continue to prove that hatred and ignorance flourishes no matter what. Pray folks - that is all we can do.

Well where do I begin?

I spend a wonderful 12 days on the road visiting family in PA and was there on my birthday. Left PA for a few days in Hilton Head Island with my friend Chris and he and I did the Orlando trip to visit the rest of my wonderful family and some friends.

Let me begin with the Balloon Fiesta weekend and the trip to the Trinity site (where the first atomic bomb was dropped). Brian and Sherri came from Phoenix for both events and we had a wonderful time.

Sherri, my co-worker Jeanette and I board the bus for the WAY to long trip home.

The visit to this site was very interesting. Being in the very house where the bomb was put together; standing where it was dropped, finding Trinitite on the ground (the green rock formed when the bomb melted the NM sand), and I am not sure I have ever been that far in the middle of nowhere. And of course - in the true middle of nowhere - on 1 of the only 2 days a year this site is open - I ran into someone I knew - go figure.

Here is Brian at the site of the drop. Very moving to realize what has happened since.

Then came the Balloon Fiesta. Wow - it is such an amazing event and so much fun - you must all come to visit during this time and join in the fun.

The next morning - we should have been at the filed by 6 AM - thank God for rain - but that night we went to the Night Glow - when the balloons are tethered and just light up at night - with fireworks after. It was colder than hell - but we had a great time.

An idea of how pretty this event can be - multiple this by 200 and it is really breathtaking.

This is the night I discovered that I had no warm clothing at all in my size - time to shop - there is a God.

Hans, Brian, Sherri and me - all huddled

keeping warm in the cold desert night.

Later that night we all discovered Two Fools Tavern - a delightful English Pub with outstanding fish and chips and LOTS of hot tea for Sherri and I to keep warm - the boys drank their way to warm - some horrible, thick, warm beer.

It was a really wonderful weekend and I believe we learned that, although Hans is constantly on me about being a compulsive shopper - when it comes to the Balloon Fiesta - he can out shop me any day. Hmmmm?

Well - again - the Balloon Fiesta was a huge watermark in my journey through weight loss and recovery. My first year at the Fiesta I pretty much walked into the park and sat down - didn't move and saw what I could. The second year my sister was here and neither of us could walk as she was suffering from an injury and I was huge. Although when my Nephew and his family came for the second half of the fiesta - I rented one of those scooters and did have a great time at the event. Last year I spent the Fiesta in beautiful Lubbock TX in the hospital. This year we walked all over the place - saw all the stands and went back several days for more. The progress is amazing.

I am going to sign this entry off and come back to blogging in an hour or so - to continue the journey through October - come on back - there is much more to see and read.

Be well - always - Chuck