As the beginning of December rolled around, I was reluctant to commit to attending this year’s Red Rock Balloon Rally after several prior visits resulted in scratched weekends of flights. Those Gallup weekends were not bad adventures, but I just didn’t feel like shelling out for lodging this year.

Still, I decided at the last moment to break up my ho-hum life and got up early on Saturday to get out to Gallup after checking the weather on Friday night and seeing a good morning ahead.

At 4:30 on Saturday morning I got up, made some coffee to fill my mobile mug, loaded my camera gear in my truck, and hit the road around 4:50. It was a quiet drive out of the city and west, slipping in the dark past Laguna and Acoma and Grants. I listened to a Dan + Shay CD twice, and by the time I came out of Prewitt on I-40, the horizon behind me began to glow orange.

By 7, the sun was almost ready to rise from behind the horizon, and I was rolling into the busy parking area of Red Rock Park – the scenic home of the rally, and a lovely hiking and ceremonials location east of Gallup proper. I was not alone this morning. The visitor parking lot was already significantly full, and the camping lots near the field were stocked with RVs and camper trailers.

By 7:15 I was on the main launch field in the park, waiting with pilots and crew for word from the flight coordinator about the morning’s event. The temp was a crisp 18 degrees, but there was no breeze to be felt. With clear blue skies above, it was a promising day for hot air ballooning over the high desert, Crew trucks were arriving as I stood around the south edge of the field. A few crews, anticipating flight, had their balloon canopies rolled out on the field, awaiting the word “Go”. There were already a number of guests either on top of or climbing up tracks on the large red rock berm that is a popular observation point for the ascensions. In my early morning thinking, I envied them, because I felt old and not agile enough to hoof up what appeared to be steep enough lightly-grassed sandy slopes.

While waiting for action at 7:30, I wandered my way toward the northwest edge of the field to try and get a unique vantage point for the morning’s launch. When I arrived there, I noticed some low grade trail lines on berm to the west- a much easier ascent onto the berm than the paths on rock and sand nearer to the south end of the park.

As vehicles continued to enter the launch field and fans stirred and propane burners began blasting- and several balloon canopies began to fill- I crossed a shallow gulch and then began to climb to a nice elevated position on the berm where I could easily enjoy activities occurring on and above the full field.

Soon, above its fellow participants, one colorful balloon sprung into the sky, and shortly after that, a second. The mass ascension had begun.

You couldn’t have asked for better conditions for a flight session. Cold temps and almost no wind meant that, when launched, the balloons went straight up and hovered. Yet, there was enough breeze along the berm that, if desired, a balloon could “walk up” its red rock wall and traverse the ridge which bisects two valleys in the park, and then float down on the other side. Many balloonists did just that- climbed the big berm to hop from one side of it to the other, and back, as winds allowed.

Among the many balloons that came out, it was especially nice to see the new Zozobra balloon present, inflated to direct traffic over the launch field.

I stayed in my position on the hillside until enough balloons were seen dropping into the valley on its other side, and I determined, from where I was, I could get to the ridge line- and get back down from it- in one piece. So I made for the trail on top of the rock.

Once there, I understood its appeal to visitors. At one time, you are looking down on balloons that are launching from the main fields, and at another, interacting with pilots and passengers of balloons that are hopping the rock. Many balloons land on the rock, and their people are happy to give out collector cards about the aircraft to whoever might want one.

Once hopped, some balloons continued drifting northwest following the valley below. Others descended and then reascended to float east again and over the rock, back towards the launch area.

I enjoyed watching people watch balloons, and watching balloonists watch spectators, as the colorful canopies rose and fell near the ridge line trail.

Finally, nearing 10 AM, balloons landed and were being stowed for the morning. Surprisingly, only a few balloons drifted a little way off to the south from the Red Rocks launch area to land. Most all of the balloons from this morning’s flight landed in the fields that they launched from- a testament to the quality of the day.

It took me a little while to walk back up the ridge trail to find and to take my gentler descent path off of the berm. By the time I crossed the main launch field and made my turn for the visitor’ lot, I realized I was hungry. At my truck, I shed a few layers of tops and joined the caravan of visiting cars making for the exit from the park. I put “Earl’s” into my phone’s Map app, and then made my way into Gallup to try that restaurant’s food.

Founded in 1947, Earl’s is a Gallup staple that features Navajo tacos and burgers among more traditional diner fare. Upon arrival, I was surprised at the size of the restaurant, and perhaps less so, at its full lot. Cars circled as I also entered its grounds, and yet I lucked into a lot towards its rear, and I made my way for the front doors. Uniquely, Earl’s has local tribal vendors set up tables under an awning near the entrance, where visitors can shop before, during, or after they eat.

Once inside the busy restaurant, which certainly felt like a sprawling diner, I was invited as a single to take a seat at the end of the bar near the kitchen area, which I quickly obliged. Two Navajo men finished their meal as a server quickly asked me my drink order. Soom my water appeared, along with a menu. I sat and scanned it, and opted to go with my usual at a new place, if they carry them- beef enchiladas- and he quickly took my order and turned it in.

The servers whisked to and fro past me, talking loudly to one another and presumably a manager as they picked up and served orders. I noticed mingling among the tables, native vendors also walked the floor meekly pitching their offerings- jewelry and textiles and such. Another unique feature of this place. I suspect I looked unkempt enough that I was not targeted for a sale.

In a moment, the server dropped me a basket of tortilla chips and, with them, a cup of refried beans and a cup of salsa to dip them in. I worked easily on the chips until my meal arrived.

And when it did, I devoured it. It was delicious, largely because of the flavor of each chile sauce on the enchiladas. I highly recommend that stuff- savory.

After downing my second glass of water, I thanked the server guy, took my bill, and paid for it at the front desk, where a decent collection of people stood, waiting for a table. I guess I beat the lunch rush, arriving when I did.

I went out of the restaurant and then perused the tables of jewelry being sold in front of it, admiring much of it.

Full and now a little sleepy, I returned to my truck and considered finding a park and taking a nap, but I also realized it was a fiesta day in town, and there was an arts and crafts fair being held at a local recreation center, so I opted to visit that instead.

I may have bought some cake at that fair. Maybe.

I finished my Gallup trip with a stop at a local Shop ‘n Save, inexplicably, for a bag of flour.

Well, maybe, somewhat explicably. I guess I have to make some cookies now.

My trip did not end before I made a quick stop in Grants to visit the Visitors Center for El Malpais National Monument. Having not been by there in a while, I was glad the docent, who was reading a book at her desk at the entrance, didn’t mind me breaking the quiet by asking a few question. She then invited me to watch a film on the monument in the theater, where I was reminded I need to visit again in the summer to see some lava tubes, bats, and some wild flowers.

All in all, it was a really nice day to hang with some hot air balloons, and some locals, in Gallup.

Links
> Red Rock Balloon Rally
> Earl’s Family Restaurant