Ballooning happens very early in the morning, so even with a nap, there is plenty of time to explore and we did.
Old town Albuquerque is very nice. Most people think that the US started in New England and moved west, new communities being built in a straight timeline. Not so, much of the south, from Florida to California was being developed by the Spanish, or in Louisana’s case – the French.
What today is New Mexico was at the far reaches of New Spain – Mexico. Albuquerque and Santa Fe date back to 1706. This church, on the plaza in Albuquerque in from then. 
Interior of Church.
Along with the Spaniards came the Jews, escaping from Spain and from the long arm of the Inquisition. The Inquisition followed them to the new world, so my moved up north, to the hinterlands of the empire. They didn’t suffer much persecution up north, but old habits die hard, so the Anusim (Hebrew word for force or rape) or Converso (Spanish for forced conversion) continued to live a secret life. Outwardly they were Catholic, in their homes they kept Jewish traditions alive. In the last century, many of the descendants are embracing Judaism fully. I had the pleasure of meeting Doro from Las Cruces, he is a proud member of the community and has visited Israel, where he really awoke to his full return to Judaism. Not every meeting involves a photo, so it was just a very nice conversation that we had.
Back to Old town, on weekends and during Balloon Fiesta, the central plaza is full of activities, traditional music and dances are de-rigor.
Since Day of the dead is approaching, these flags were all over the place. Traditionally they would be cut from crepe paper, these will last a little longer, being die-cut from think sheet-plastic.
New Mexico really embraced the adobe look to many homes and buildings.
Certainly, gives a recognizable cohesion to the state.
In Old town, all kinds of decorations abound.
The American style finds it’s place alongside the pueblo style. With the rich blue skies, blue is a popular color.
The Cathedral is in Santa Fe, which was established one hundred years before Albuquerque. Yes, New Mexico’s history goes way back.
It was a short visit to Santa Fe, the art scene and galleries are what it is known for. I loved the shadow cast by one sculpture under the other. We just walked around the central plaza, didn’t really have time for much else. We even ended up going back down for dinner. I did find a lovely little place near our hotel with fresh tasty food, they also serve alcohol, but this trip, I did without. Fresh Bistro, this is one of those places that would be on my favorites list if it was close to home. Lovely people, wonderful food.
In New Mexico, they put green chili pepper on everything! Once the peppers turn red and sweeter – they make them into these strands and wreaths. Of course one can remove peppers to cook with, but they are really mostly for decoration.
I can’t go anywhere without visiting fabric stores! We visited four of them, but only got a picture outside this one. Each was wonderful and unique in its’ own way.
Leah
First, toasting a successful Fiesta and a good friendship with some good old Colorado beer.
Assembling the basket components.
Stretching out the balloon.
It’s a powerful fan, the balloon fills quickly. There are all kinds of flaps that can be manipulated with ropes, that is how Clayton controls assent or descent.
Moments before liftoff.
And they are off, now it’s time to look around. Thursday was shape day, I only saw a few of the shape balloons. Becky got some great pictures so I’ll wait to see them.
Then the chase started, we all piled into the truck and followed the balloon. Jared was in touch via walkie-talkie, we also kept eye contact. There was Doppelganger – another balloon very similar to Finish Line. The weather was perfect, they were up in the air almost 1.5 hours and they ended up at the very far reaches of one of the outlining suburbs. The Albuquerque region is much larger than I expected.
Starting to come down in this field, none of us wanted him to land there, too much brush and who knows rattlesnakes. I missed it but some of the guys saw a jackrabbit the size of a coyote.
So although he did touch down briefly and very smoothly, he got enough lift so we could walk him a quarter of a mile down to a nice grassy area.
I took a few pictures, then I joined in walking the balloon, Clayton made sure to keep it afloat, so no dragging on the ground.
This wasn’t easy, maneuvering down a slope.
On the ground, now it was necessary to hold on to the basket so it didn’t lift off again.
Jared grabbed the rope and is pulling the balloon to the ground. They got a sponsor this year, a Boot store, I hardly saw the sign, it was small compared to the whole balloon.
Deflating.
Deflating, rolling up the balloon and stuffing it in the bag takes a lot less time when you have a large crew.
We were awarded tank tops, courtesy of Clayton, then we sat back and enjoyed a nice tailgate party out on the field with other balloonists.
Clayton is in the green and his wonderful partner Jared, who I just met this week is in the red. I think you can figure out which one is Becky.
Up at 4:30 in the morning, going out to the field and preparing the balloon for flight. It was freezing, standing around till almost 7 am, frost on the ground, I’m not built for that kind of cold.
You better believe I stood close by when Clayton tested the propane.
The balloon itself, named Finish Line, is laid out, ready to fill.
First a fan is used to fill as much air in as possible.
Jared is holding the line attached to the top, stretching it out so the balloon fills evenly. No way can one do this hobby alone, it takes a number of people.
Once it’s pretty full, Clayton turns on the heat.
Those flames are hot.
Into the basket we go, a quick picture before liftoff.
Then, we glide up into the air.
Looking back at other balloons who are preparing for their own ascent. 
The view from the air is incredible.
It was a little too windy, so not many balloons made it up. They aborted the lift-off for many balloons. I didn’t notice how strong the winds were until it became apparent that we were over the city, rather than out into open space.
I didn’t get any pictures of the landing, I was busy getting bounced around, but you can see, trying to land in a city isn’t easy.
Two more balloons landing right next to us.
The Albuquerque balloon had their chase crew at the ready, about 4 guys grabbed the tether and pulled the balloon down gently. Unlike our basket, can you see it toppled over practically on that log? Luckily we were dumped out before the log then it got dragged further. No damage to us, basket or the balloon.
Wrapping up and getting ready to pack everything up.
All the Train stations in the Savoie region have the town name in mosaic, with the background being gold tesserae. You notice the shield that looks like the Swiss flag? That is the shield or flag of the region – Savoie, the Swiss have the same white cross on a red background, but it doesn’t go from edge to edge.
Even the station is the tiny town of Le Buet has this mosaic. I wonder if they have some artists employed to fix or replace these when they get damaged.
Was the Q reversed by mistake? I have to admit that I just noticed that right now.
These three images are from the same building, from very ornate to a very simple design. Yet, each has gold.
This one from Montreux. That alphabet – pure Art Nouveau. I wonder if it took 37 years to build the building, or if the date means something else. Also, the ironwork of this period is intricate. This is when cast iron became very popular. On the railing, there is both, as well as the use of gold paint.
A more modern railing, Art Deco maybe?
This beauty was out in the country. It’s the name of this house:
Although the house is out in the country, in a prosperous farming community, it doesn’t look like a farmers house. Except for the pickup in front. 
I wish the architect had included the year this was built. I googled, there is an architect by the same name in Indiana. The building at 2 Rue de Berne still stands and commands very high rent. But no other information.
Speaking of mosaics. While wandering around the old city of Geneva we came across L’ancien arsenal. There were a few canons and these wonderful mosaics that describe some of the 
history of Gevena. This was the open air market in Roman times. By the 15 century, it was turned into the arsenal. Today the building holds the State archives as well as three beautiful mosaics that depict important historical events connected to the city. 
It’s not easy finding information about these. The artist is named Alexandre Cingria, like most Swiss artists – to most of the world he is a complete unknown. Aside from painting, he designed stained glass for Churches. He wanted to infuse more color and livliness into Swiss Protestant churches. That didn’t go so well in a Calvinist country. So I guess he had to make do with these vibrant scenes outside the arsenal. 
He died in 1945, the little information I could find said that these were created in 1949, which makes sense. Even if Switzerland was ‘Neutral’ during WWII (hiding Nazi funds in your banks doesn’t exactly make you neutral, it just guarantees that the Nazis will leave you alone), I doubt they spent any time creating art until after the war. So the designs must have been made beforehand. I do love the large stones and pieces of glass that are used here gives these mosaics a very strong tactile feel.
I took a close up of this creature decorating one of the cannons.
I can understand why had a problem with sparse Calvinist churches. Although Calvin himself was happy to march into the Catholic Cathedral and preach there. Today it is a Protestant Church, Cathedral is a Catholic term. As much as they have tried to simplify things, notice the light fixture, at least they didn’t get rid of the stain glass windows.
Like my love for mosaic, there is something about stained glass that makes my heart sing.
These are quite small, yet quite bright and yellow.
Here is the wild version of the Campanula, or the Bellflower. It comes in all shades of purple, I have spent good money to buy these in a nursery, so seeing them wild was fun.
This Scabiosa looks no different than what I buy.
I think this is a wild version of the Azalia.
The Hollyhock was growing wild behind our Chalet, but I wouldn’t call it a wild flower.
This is called paying attention to the little details.
Didn’t see many of these, but those I saw were very impressive.
Even some of the leaves are colorful, I hope this isn’t a sign of fall, summer had just started.
The town is full of flowers, roses against a chalet with green shutters.
One of the amazing things here is that when I aim to shoot a picture of flowers, I get the mountains in the background. They don’t even look real.
This looks photoshopped, the backdrop just looks fake.
These arrangements of petunias are all over the place. When you get steady rain, these flowers thrive, even in containers.
Love the creativity here. It all just works.
Geneva is a very nice little European city. No one I know raved about it. When the city’s industry is the UN, the Red Cross, selling watches and Swiss banking, one is left with a rather bland city. Yes the old town is nice, the Cathedral is impressive, especially considering that Calvin originated here. So what started as a Catholic cathedral is now reformed Protestant. 
There are some incredible gothic features, like this spire, which is magnificent.
Or incredible stained glass windows. In order to make up for the magnificence of the church, there were all kinds of posters about Protestant theology. What do you think people were paying attention to?
This is about as good as it gets here. Knowing me, I started to pay attention to the small details. 
Signage is something I love, when your hotel is named after a swan, having a golden swan is perfect.
This is probably a sign for a clothing store.
Look down, the escape room fad has arrived here, what caught my eye is of course the owl.
There are some pretty ornate canons out on display. 
Some of the Gothic designs on the wall of the Cathedral.
modern decorations on a building.
Of course, the famous lake.
Surrounded by the Alps. We did see Mont Blanc above the clouds, but I didn’t get a picture.
Not many street performers, these bubbles were fun.
I stumbled across the Brunswick Monument. it’s Gothic, I tried to find out some information, meh, someone important got an impressive mausoleum.
I guess we missed the flower clock, we saw the sculpture called broken chair. This city was never on my bucket list, now it’s been there done that. Now Chamonix! Hat is a whole different story.
On a mission to see all the California missions. An often overlooked mission is in Oceanside, Mission San Luis Rey.
Once again, we have on of Mrs. Forbes mission bells outside. 
This building was completed in 1815 and has gone through some more modern renovations. A nice bell tower, it was a little hard to see the actual bell.
This is a Franciscan monk, with a robe and rope belt, but what is the guitar doing here? It certainly looks like a modern addition.
This Church is the largest of all the CA missions, it is also quite active, people were praying during my visit. It has the traditional brightly painted decorations.
The wonderful wood beams were brought down from what is today the Cleveland National Forrest. 
Many unique features in this church, a wooden dome. I love how the rays of the sun are coming through.
As well as a wooden cupola.
After looking up, it was worth looking down at the smooth polished Mexican tiles. 200 years gives them so much warmth.
The main altar.
This Church also has two side altars, one dedicated to St. Francis.
Clearly an active Church, a lot of candles being lit.
As well as a Madonna Chapel. I think of this image as the Madonna of Guadalupe, but she isn’t, no roses around her, she is simply the Madonna. Although the style she is painted in is the same as many of the Guadalupes.
More votives in her chapel.
An interesting motif above the window, a small star of David. I doubt it has any Jewish significance here, I think the motif fits in with the design. There are also two Shamrocks, and not too many Irish were here at the time.
Today there is an active Franthean School of Theology on the premises, actively training professional ministers for the Church. I think this is one of the things I love about these missions. Each has a long history and yet each one has found an important purpose in the present day. These missions are very much alive and thriving.
Then, I paid a visit to the cemetery, which warrents it’s own post.
Love old lighthouses. They really don’t make them like this anymore. First of all, GPS has changed everything. Second of all, even if they are putting a light out for sailors, it tends to just be a very bright light on a tower, no more lighthouse keepers, it’s all electronic.
The only way to get here was by boat, fishermen of all kinds showed up, stayed and repurposed their mastheads.
Once settled, it was time to build buildings…
That sort of create an interesting jumble on the wharf.
Since many of the early American settlers were missionaries, of course, they built churches.
Then they started large plantations, with sugarcane, later adding other tropical fruits. The last of the sugarcane production is happening now, soon this will be a part of the past, no more sugarcane on Hawaii.
Much of the old machinery is just decorative.
Even the old coffee mills.
A new industry that is thriving is the Hallimaille Distillery. Using two oldQuonsett huts left over from WWII, and local sugar – vodka and rum are being produced. Now, they will have to import the sugar. But the pineapple is still being grown next door.
Sammy Hager has his signiture rums produced right here.
In order to increase revenue, the distillery imports Kentucky bourbon and ages it further with their vodka.
First, we have Stu, the resort cat. He really reminds me of our old cat Mina, also a tux, also had a clip in her left ear.
He really must have reminded Joel of Mina, because he brought out a saucer of milk. I sort of feel sorry for the next guests, Stu will be hovering outside their back door. Well, maybe the previous guests fed him, cuz he was hanging out long before Joel gave him milk.
On the southern tip we saw a family of goats. I think they belong to someone, it’s just easier to let them out to graze.
They didn’t let us approach, but they didn’t show any fear either.
The remains of a crab, someone had a good meal.
Someone else has a good sense of humor. Down at La Pareuse bay are the lava fields. This area looks much more like the Big Island, the last lava flow on Maui, 1790. It is common to create ‘art’ with coral on the black lava rock. The apple was a very nice touch, any closer to the goats and they would be up there eating it.
Speaking of human creativity, it can be found all over the island.
Often it’s man and nature, the railings in Lahaina are man made of course, but sun, sea, and wind are taking their toll on the railings.
Tiki torches are everywhere and are really part of the feel of Maui.
The sunsets are amazing, I have plenty of pictures, but really, who wants to see all my sunset photos, this one is special, Joel, Craig and a glass of beer. This really captures the essence of the week.
Hawaiian Fabrics are full of tropical imagery. They actually see these plants all around them, and not in hot house pots.
In this case, the leaf is much more interesting than the flower.
Another example of colorful leaves.
The ginger plant has many interesting flowers.
Other flowers are tiny, yet beautiful.
And then there is fruit, the mighty pineapple.
Sugarcane as a crop is over, most of the agricultural land will have a wider variety of crops. Luckily the mighty pineapple is going strong.
The coffee bean, most plantations are on the Big Island, this one is just decorative.
Then there is lichen that thrives in these wet humid conditions.
Trees that are doing their part to erode the lava rock.
Onto the fauna, geckos thrive, thought this was the first time I saw this little jewel.
Not all chickens are brightly colored.
Some shore birds also favor being dark.
This fellow was on a manmade pond, I don’t know if he is a local wild bird or not, but you can see the orange koi fish in the pond behind him.