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| OHCC LIVING | DECEMBER 2023 | 37 One of the things about having a destination that's more than 800 miles away, is planning how to get there and back. What to see along the way to add interest and adventure to the trip? Our 21 members who headed to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, had just such an opportunity. Chris Butler spent countless hours finding great attractions and nice RV Parks along the way, then inviting other attendees to tag along too. All roads led to Albuquerque! ose interested in Native American historic sites had good choices. e Canyon de Chelly in AZ was the home to the Anasazi, Hopi and most recently the Navajo. Navajo guides transport visitors along the canyon floor to experience ancient ruins and hear about historic cultures. Meanwhile, in Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park has well preserved cliff dwellings dating from 1200 AD showing lifestyles of the Pueblo people. e Taos Pueblo is also an amazing place, still inhabited today by descendants of the Ancient Ones. Tours of Santa Fe with its mix of Adobe architecture, historic importance for Spanish explorers and settlers from Mexico and its world class art studios is a lovely city of contrasts. Some played gunslingers in Tombstone, while others looked for aliens in Roswell or bomb fragments in Los Alamos or stalagmites in the Carlsbad Caverns. We are so fortunate to live in this Western USA with countless places to visit and explore! What better way than RVing? e Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta has a 78-acre launching area which sends up 500 balloons. e first balloons launch in very chilly air at 5:45 am. Each evening a team of Skydivers carrying fanciful lighting, descend to earth followed by a hi-tech drone light show in the sky above. It simulates a very sophisticated fireworks display, but without the smoke, soot and fire hazard. Our members loved the combination of all these visual extravaganzas. e Social Committee is working hard to present their Holiday Party called "SNOWBALL" in Abravanel Hall on Dec. 5. Special hors d'oeuvres will be provided by Flavor Chef and dancing to the tunes of the popular Hot Pursuit band will provide a great beginning to the Holiday Season. If you have been thinking about joining the RV Club for 2024, now would be a great time to stop by the Clubhouse desk and do it. Happy Holidays! Written by: Paul Lange RV Club