Amy's Rear View Mirror

Thunderbird Balloon Classic and Thanksgiving

November 2002

Phoenix, AZ

I attended the Thunderbird Balloon Classic in Scottsdale AZ. I've never been able to get to the big balloon fiesta that's held in Albuquerque NM every October, so this one will have to do.

This event was started by a group of volunteers in 1974 who raised scholarship funds for Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management had an idea. They envisioned hundreds of colorful hot air balloons in the blue Arizona sky to the entertain thousands of spectators with festivities including ballooning and night glows … the Thunderbird Balloon Classic.

It started with one day of activity and 16 balloons. The Balloon Classic outgrew its original site on the Thunderbird campus, moved to the Glendale Airport where the event expanded to feature more days of activities, including an air show and additional competitions. In 1993 the event had to move again for additional venue space to WestWorld of Scottsdale. Competition among the balloonists was eliminated in 1998 to place more emphasis on the Balloon Classic as a destination for spectators from around the Phoenix Valley, the state, and the country.

In addition to the increased recognition, the Balloon Classic's ability to raise money for scholarships has grown. More than 400 students have benefited from the endowment fund. The scholarship fund now has a market value of more than $1 million so it's been a very successful fundraising event.

Today there are over 100 balloons in the morning activities and 60 balloons at the night glow. You are allowed to walk on the field, take photos and talk to the pilots and skydivers. It's an event unlike any other I've ever been to. You can watch the desert night sky illuminate with 60 hot air balloons at the "Desert Glow" events, wake up before the sun rises for "Dawn Patrol," a six balloon event in the wee hours of the morning or attend the mass ascensions after dawn. The event has a festival atmosphere with children's activities, skydiving exhibitions, interactive games, food, music, and craft vendors.

Thanksgiving Holiday

I went to my parent's house as usual. Everyone was there ... Scott, Lori, Amber and Anna.

We do our Christmas on Thanksgiving evening. It all started because we get together for Thanksgiving but not Christmas. One year we decided we should bring our presents to Thanksgiving so we could all save the shipping costs. For several years we'd swap gifts to haul back home and put under the tree. But when Anna was born that all changed. You can't let a little girl see presents and not let her open any, so things evolved into us exchanging our gifts after Thanksgiving supper just like on Christmas.

Tuesday I got off work at 4PM, got to the campground at 4:30 and left for mom & dad's at 5:30. Lady & I stopped twice ... once for her to do her business and later for gas. We arrived at mom & dad's around 11:30 PM. I was starving since I skipped supper so dad heated up some leftovers for me.

Wednesday we ran around town doing errands and shopping. We went to Old Town to get new moccasins, but the store was closed due to remodeling. Then we went to the Oriental Market to get a Tarro Cake for dessert tomorrow. Then we went to Michael's for various gift items and wrapping paper. Late afternoon we went for a walk with all the dogs (my 1 and Scott's 3). When we got back to the house dad had warmed up the smoked ribs he had made last weekend. We had baked beans and salad with it. After supper we did our gift exchanges. Normally we do it after Thanksgiving supper. I got dulcimer jewelry (earrings, necklace and pin), a sweatshirt with a dulcimer embroidered on it, a double dulcimer carrying case, aromatherapy oils, leather offering bag, and a shell to burn Indian sage. After cleaning up all the torn wrapping paper, we cooked for several hours ... my award winning pumpkin roll, a sweet potato pie, and cranberry mousse.

Thanksgiving Day ... We spent the morning doing the rest of the cooking ... the traditional bird in the oven with sausage/cornbread stuffing, as well as heating up the smoked turkey dad had made the previous weekend, mashed potatoes, and a vegetable casserole. Sometime while all this was going on friends of Scott & Lori's arrived. We ate supper around 3 pm. After doing dishes we sat around talking for several hours before having dessert. Then more talking until bedtime.

Friday morning we all had leftovers ... turkey omelets and potato pancakes. Scott & his family left early afternoon. Mom & I spent the rest of the afternoon doing a few errands for my remaining Christmas presents for friends. Dad made some type of turkey stew with leftovers ... turkey, stuffing, gravy, caramelized onions and rice.

Saturday we went hunting moccasins for me. First we stopped at Sears so I could get a new vacuum cleaner (mine was starting to smell like a burning motor). I got Eureka's The Boss ... it's a bagless, lightweight unit that runs 16 amps. We went to the Indian Store but they only had one pair of moccasins in my size and they really weren't what I wanted. So we drove on down to Old Town and I found a great pair at Apache Trader (the store that was closed on Wed). We were tired of turkey so we finished the leftover smoked ribs for supper. While dad watched TV, mom & I worked on a Christmas present I'm making.

Sunday morning I got up early, we had breakfast, then Lady & I left. When we got east of Yuma on I-8 I heard this horrible noise. I couldn't figure out where it was coming from, I slowed down in the right-hand lane, and then eventually pulled onto the shoulder and stopped. I got out to check out what it could be ... and I couldn't believe it ... the compartment door where my engine battery is mounted was gone ... I mean no where to be seen. It looks like it was sheered off clean. The only damage to my coach is small scrape where it hit the edge of the door next to it as it flew (I guess). So my door is somewhere in the AZ desert south of I-8 near Yuma!!! I still can't believe it happened. At least I was already in the right-hand lane so when it flew off it went out into the desert and not into another car. The noise I heard must have been the door flapping around in the wind.