2013 Valley of Fires & White Sands Balloon Fiesta Rally
September 18 -22, 2013
The rally will begin at the VALLEY OF FIRES RECREATION AREA (located on US Highway 380
– 4 miles west of Carrizozo NM), on Wednesday, September 12. Please contact Albert (park
manager) by September 1, 2013 at 575-648-2241 to let him know you will be attending. The
park does not accept reservations, but he assured me we will all be accommodated. Camping
fees range from $12 to $18 depending on site. For holders of Golden Age; Golden Eagle or
Golden Access the fee is half price.
On Friday, September 20, at 10am we will caravan to White Sands National Monument.
The unit has been afforded a very unique opportunity to hold a rally at White Sands National
Monument – http://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm. This is 4th time in WSNM history overnight RV
camping has been allowed. Therefore there will be some special requirements. The list below is not
all inclusive, but notes conditions that the group does not normally encounter:
- Dry camping – no facilities at all
- Must bring own water
- Barrier under Vehicles- There must be a barrier [Definition of Barrier: drip pan, pan, bucket,catch basin, or any container that will hold approx. 1Gal.or approx.4 liters of liquid in such a manner as to contain the liquid from spillage]. Placed beneath trucks, motor homes, placed under the outlets of the Black and Gray water. No dumping of gray water, black water fuel, or any waste from any vehicles will be allowed. Violation of this condition will result in the permit being revoked due to resource damage and citations, fines, and/or arrest may occur for resource damage. I know this sounds onerous, but you have to be cognizant of the very special ecology of the monument.
- Park Hours- All participants of this permit must enter prior to 7 PM. Participants that are not spending the night must exit the monument by 7 PM. Overnight participants cannot depart the monument prior to 7 AM. The permittee will incur a fee of $50.00 fee per hour for early or late access outside of normal operating hours.
- Limited to 20 rigs.
- Must be a member of WBCCI for insurance purposes.
We will be at the West Filming Area; please bring your own tables/chairs/sun shades/grills, as
there are no facilities at this area. The closest toilet is about a 1/8 mile walk, so plan
accordingly. While pets are allowed, pet waste may not be put in park garbage receptacles, it must be packed out. A complete list of conditions will be handed out at the rally. You have to remember what a special place White Sands is and the wonderful opportunity we have been given.
We still working on some the details, but we have put together a tentative agenda. Also check out the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce website (http://business.alamogordo.com/events/index/2011-09-01) for the events of that weekend.
Agenda:
Arrive: Valley of the Fires, Wednesday, September 18:
Happy Hour / Wine & Cheese / Appetizers – 4:30
Dinner on your own or with friends
Thursday: September 19
Breakfast & Lunch on your own
Hike the Malpais or see the Trail of the Painted Burros in Carrizozo
Happy Hour / Wine & Cheese / Appetizers – 4:30
Dinner: Bring Your Own Steak – 6pm – baked potatoes & salad will be provided
There is a Full Moon
Friday, September 20
Breakfast/lunch on your own
10am begin caravan to White Sands National Monument – do not enter the park
alone – you must come with the Caravan
Explore the dunes – visit the Gift Shop & Book Store at Park Entrance (they have a
award winning film on the park and its environs)
Happy Hour / Wine & Cheese / Appitizers – 4:30
Dinner on your own
Saturday, September 21
Get up early – the balloon ascension (weather permitting) starts at 7am.
Breakfast on your own – Golden Corral/Denny’s/Waffle House/IHOP all open in
Alamogordo
Lunch on your own – Stella Vita on NY Ave. in Alamogordo is excellent
Visit the 4th Annual Tularosa Basin Wine & Music Festival in Alamogordo
Visit White Sands Missile Range Museum
Visit Space Hall of Fame Sunset Stroll Happy Hour / Pot Luck A balloon glow will be attempted that evening, if the weather cooperates
Sunday, September 21 Get up early – the balloon ascension (weather permitting) starts at 7am. Breakfast on your own 12PM – Happy Trails
Rally Fee – TBD – still working out the costs of the special permits. Fees to be paid by members – entrance fee into White Sands (be sure to bring your Golden Age or Golden Access Pass). It will be $3.00 per person, per night, if you bring grandchildren under the age of 16, $1.50 per night.
Jack & Joanne Palmer
575-434-5337 (H) – 575-420-1428 (C)
palmrranch@aol.com
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