Reno, NV September 6-7, 2014

We left Wells, NV bright and early this morning for the long trek to Reno.  The weather and roads were good, but it was a longer drive than we like to do in a day, so we were very glad to arrive at the Boomtown KOA and get settled in.  We were warned that a bear had been seen in the campground recently, so we should keep a close watch on the dogs!  After a light supper we hit the sack  to be ready for an early rising the next day.

Dawn Patrol

Dawn Patrol 

Those who know Bonnie and I well know that we are definitely NOT early risers, but we were up before 5 A.M. Sunday morning  and off to see the dawn patrol and mass ascension  of the balloons  of the 33rd Great Reno Balloon Race at Rancho San Rafael Park.  There were over 80 colorful balloons getting ready to rise  or already up for the dawn patrol when we arrived at the park.  




Some of the balloons that we saw in Albuquerque in 2011 were there (Darth Vader, Wells Fargo, Smokey Bear, Sushi the fish, and others.)  There were also some that we had not seen before as well.  My favorite was The Old Lady in the Shoe, but High Kitty,  Beagle Maximus, and La Ristra were also wonderful.

Inflating

Defy Gravity!

Firing up!

La Ristra

Yes, we are awake!

Looking up. 

Getting ready to go. 

Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe and Beagle Maximus.  

Wells Fargo.  

High Kitty.

Darth Vader and Smokey. 

Seen at the balloons.  

After  leaving the park, tired and hungry, we stopped at Einstein's Bagles for breakfast, made a quick stop at Wal-Mart/Sam's,  then headed home for naps and/or football on TV.  About 4 P.M. we went back into Reno and did some gambling at Circus Circus.  Steve and I had good luck there, but lost it all again at Boomtown.  Oh well, no new RV for us!  We had the $9.99 T-Bone steak dinner at the Bistro   at Boomtown, and it was surprisingly good.  Tired and broke, we headed back to the RV's, keeping a close watch for the bear.

Show at Circus Circus.

Million dollar saddle at Boomtown.