Future GTG

[Bethers]

Sandia wanted big bucks for me to overnight there last fall. Did they go back to allowing boondocking? I know they rent spaces during the Balloon Fiesta. We might have to look at other potential places?

[Cougarfan]

Thanks Laura for your input. Yes, there is a hugh casino right near the ballon fiesta..Sandia. Cheryl and I stayed there when driving through Alb. That is what gave me the idea for a GTG.
I will have all who attend meet there so that we may go in together. I will give all a red rose or something to identify themselves. I will also have each rig make their own reservations as I do not want to handle any money.
Yes, there is plenty do do in Alb, and many places to eat if one is so inclined.
If you think of any more tidbits of info let me know. lyn

I was thinking about Route 66 casino just west of ABQ. Looking at Google satellite view, it looks like they have an RV resort there now so maybe no boondocking. There is a big truck travel center right next to Route 66 so that could be a good gathering place too. There are two other RV parks in that area. American RV Resort and High Desert RV Park. Enchanted Trails is adjacent to the Camping World. That being said, yes, Sandia is very close to the balloon grounds.

I think the advantage of staying at an RV park the night before is that you can dump your tanks and fill your water tank before you go park at the balloon grounds. I think you can dump and fill water at Camping World but that would need to be verified with that specific store first. I also think they have water fill and pump out services in the rv lot once you get parked which they charge for. I don't remember how much it was (and this was in 2006). It would depend on how many days you plan to stay there and how large your holding tanks are whether you would need that service.

I think your plan for everyone to make their own reservations is a good one. We did a group reservation last time and the advantage to that was that one person's rig broke down on the way from Enchanted Trails to the rv lot and another in our group stopped to help, but we were able to save two spots for them. Not sure you can do that with individual reservations but agree that having to handle the money would not excite me either.

Sounds like so much fun! I looked at the timing again but it would realistically take me almost a week to get there (staying one night each leg) and a week to get home. That means I'd have to take 3 weeks off to do it and I just don't get that much vacation each year. That time of year the weather can be iffy in the mountains as well. Lots of mountain passes in that 1,300 miles between me and ABQ LOL

Hope this helps.

Laura