Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

October 4 – 9, 2013

Joe Laufer’s ICQ Tours

Friday, October 4, 2013

5:00 a.m. – Hometown Pickup: 664 Juliustown-Georgetown Rd., Jobstown.

7:30 a.m. – United Airlines Flight 345 – Philadelphia to Chicago O’Hare

Arrival Chicago: 8:58 a.m.

9:45 a.m. – United Airlines Flight 3468 – Chcago to Abuquerque

11:56 a.m. Arrival Albuquerque

Tour Participants:

•Ruth Ann Bice•Doris Eggleston•Eileen Pankoke•Shirley Poinsett

Day 1 – Friday, October 4, 2013

Days 1-3 – HOTEL: Albuquerque Marriott, Albuquerque, NM.

Tonight: Enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow passengers.

Day 2 – Saturday, October 5, 2013 – International Balloon Fiesta Launch

HIGHLIGHT OF THE TRIP: Early Saturday MorningWitness Ballons launch in two waves.

After your early morning, you will have some time to relax.

Day 2, Continued – Saturday, October 5 - Afternoon

Tour of Old Town Albuquerque & Surrounding Area. Savor the fusion of Mexican, Native American and Spanish heritages. .

Day 2, Continued – Saturday, October 5

Day 2, Continued – Saturday, October 5

Day 2, Continued – Saturday, October 5

Day 2, Continued – Saturday, October 5

Day 2, Continued – Saturday, October 5

Day 3 - Sunday, October 6, 2013 Breakfast, only

Since before the Cold War started, New Mexico has been known as a hub for “secret” military projects. This fascinating history unfolds at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, where a docent takes you on an intriguing journey that includes the Manhattan Project.

Outdoor exhibits include an atomic canon and the only B-52 to actually drop a live nuclear bomb. Indoors are weapon oddities such as an atomic mortar, a nuclear bomb-in-a-backpack, and an atomic torpedo. None of these extremely-short range concepts for weaponry were ever used (or at least not by anyone who survived to report how great they worked).

Day 3 - Sunday, October 6, 2013

Visitors can explore the development of the Atomic Age through The Manhattan Project and the Cold War. Learn about the contributions of nuclear medicine, and examine the pros and cons of nuclear energy. The museum also includes Heritage Park, a nine-acre outdoor exhibition area for aircraft, missiles and nuclear submarines. (505) 245-2137 www.nuclearmuseum.org 

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND HISTORY

Day 3 - Sunday, October 6, 2013

Gateway of the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.Ever-changing galleries that highlight local and national Native American artists. Weith a focus on Pueblo artists, the center strives to preserve Pueblo culture and to present it with dignity and respect.

Day 3 - Sunday, October 6, 2013

Day 3 - Sunday, October 6, 2013

Day 3 – Sunday evening, October 6, 2013

Extravigant Evening monlight glow of the Balloon Fiesta at night

Food & Souvenirs

, too!

Day 4 – Monday, October 7

Travel along the historic Turquoise Trail to Santa Fe

The perfect day trip linking Santa Fe and

Albuquerque!Venture off the freeway and onto the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, and you'll see what we mean. The Scenic and Historic Area encompasses 15,000 square miles in the heart of central New Mexico, linking Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The drive is approximately 50 miles along Highway 14. Enjoy a breathtaking view from atop Sandia Crest, then drive back into history through the mining towns of Golden, Madrid, and Cerrillos, now coming alive with art, crafts, theater, music, museums and restaurants.

Turquoise Trail

The historic village of Madrid was once a coal mining town. With a coal mining museum, over 40 shops and galleries, restaurants and lodging, it has become a popular destination along the Turquoise Trail.

Madrid, New Mexico

Day 4 – Monday, October 7, 2013 – Albuquerque to Santa Fe (B.D)

Days 4-5– HOTEL: Santa Fe Hotel, Santa Fe NM.

Monday, October 7 – Afternoon in Santa Fe

A local guide takes you on a walking and motor coach tour of the renowned Santa Fe Plaza and the surrounding city.

The Santa Fe Plaza is a National Historic Landmark in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. The plaza mirrors traditional Spanish-American colonial cities. The plaza, or "city-square", was originally, and is still to this day, the center gathering place in town

St. Francis Church, Santa Fe

Monday, October 7

Chapel of Loretto

Monday, October 7

Day 4 - Monday, October 7

Two mysteries surround the spiral staircase in the Loretto Chapel: the identity of its builder and the physics of its construction.

When the Loretto Chapel was completed in 1878, there was no way to access the choir loft twenty-two feet above. Carpenters were called in to address the problem, but they all concluded access to the loft would have to be via ladder as a staircase would interfere with the interior space of the small Chapel.

Legend says that to find a solution to the seating problem, the Sisters of the Chapel made a novena to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. On the ninth and final day of prayer, a man appeared at the Chapel with a donkey and a toolbox looking for work. Months later, the elegant circular staircase was completed, and the carpenter disappeared without pay or thanks. After searching for the man (an ad even ran in the local newspaper) and finding no trace of him, some concluded that he was St. Joseph himself, having come in answer to the sisters' prayers.

The stairway's carpenter, whoever he was, built a magnificent structure. The design was innovative for the time and some of the design considerations still perplex experts today.

The staircase has two 360 degree turns and no visible means of support. Also, it is said that the staircase was built without nails—only wooden pegs. Questions also surround the number of stair risers relative to the height of the choir loft and about the types of wood and other materials used in the stairway's construction.

Over the years many have flocked to the Loretto Chapel to see the Miraculous Staircase. The staircase has been the subject of many articles, TV specials, and movies including "Unsolved Mysteries" and the television movie titled "The Staircase.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013 (Breakfast and Dinner)Today, explore Santa Fe independently.

Tonight, a special treat awaits at the Sant Fe School of Cooking. Watch and expert chef create a delicious meal before your eyes.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

12:50 p.m. – United Airlines Flight 4706 – Albuquerque to Huston, TX

Arrival Huston (Geo. Bush Intnl. Airport) : 3:54 p.m.

7:20 p.m. – United Airlines Flight 1172 – Huston to Philadelphia

11:43 p.m. Arrival Philadelphia

+/- 1:00 a.m. (Thur., Oct. 10) – Arrival: 664 Juliustown-Georgetown Rd., Jobstown.