El-Log, taking Elmo home, 12/26/06
 Day One

We're off and flying over LA at 4 am on the 26th,
destination the Amazonian jungle in Colombia. 
Elmo wants to go home yet he says he will miss all of you.

 
There's a storm gathering down the coast of one of the Californias 
(we are not really sure where we are)
 If it starts blowing hard we may have to come down quick!

 
We decided to stay up in the storm as we are
making fast time with the winds. 
It's a little scary but when you are hanging out
with a huge T-rex not much fazes you.
The only bad thing is that I noticed
a few tears in the balloon's fabric. 
If we get dumped in the ocean I hope Elmo can swim!

Taking Elmo Home, Day Two
Elrod's El-log, December 27th, 2006
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California

Looks like we mostly escaped the storm.
We are enough south now that as you
Can see all we have are some low clouds.

A little rain and a lotta wind slast night, so we had to stop here in Cabo
To make some repairs. Needed more hot air and to fix a couple of small
Tears in the balloon. Luckly we found all we needed here.

Of course Elmo had to go out and socialize with the natives.
I don't know what it is about him but he just seems
To drive the girls wild! It must be his tan, or perhaps his
Pearly whites. Whatever it is, it was really stiring them up-

Boy am I pale or what! I'm going to have to make a point
to go out in the sun more often.
Wise Ass Elmo said it was due to the scare
We had on the balloon last night, but please don't believe him!

Anyway, the girls did not seem to mind my paleness
And even insisted on buying us lunch!
Boy I was glad of that as the bill for Elmo's meat
And my two beers came to $358.96!
At this pace we would run out of money
Way before we get to Amazonia.
The girls just loved Elmo and they insisted
They'd pay, and so they did.
Next is off to Central Mexico,
Destination Mexico City.

Taking Elmo Home, Day Three
Elrod's El-log, December 28th, 2006
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California

Well I guess my paleness was a sign
Of something after all for after lunch
I did not feel well at all.
The girls were nice enough to offer
Us a place to crash and I went and took
A nap while Elmo and the girls went
Around to see the sights.

I slept the rest of the day and the following night.
Shortly after I woke up the this morning
I was ready to go, but I was informed
That the girls had talked Elmo
Into giving them a ride in the balloon!
At first I vigorously opposed the idea
As we had already lost a day,
But after a while the girls overcame my
Objections and off we went!
Women surely have ways to get
What they want

This is a beautiful place, Cabo San Lucas, and is
Very much more so when slowly seen from the
Air on a balloon. By now the storm had really gone away,
You can see how beautiful it is!

I guess we will be spending the rest of the day sightseeing so
Our trip into Mexico proper will have to wait 'til tomorrow.
Tonight the girls have plans to make us a big BBQ on the beach
and invite the rest of the natives to meet the dinosaur and I.
A most enjoyable way to spend the rest of the day after the
Stressful experience with the storm on Day One into day Two
Great company too, though you can see by they certainly favor
The Dino over me. Not that I'm jealous of Elmo's appeal or
anything like that. I truly love the guy.
Besides, I'm not too worried about it.
Some girl somewhere will surely love me someday.

As you can see I'm not so pale anymore
Well, not like before

Taking Elmo Home, Day Four
Elrod's El-Log,
December 29th 2006
In the Mexican Desert.
Taking Elmo Home,
Day Four

We took off early in the morning
Before any of our new friends woke up.
I hate goodbyes and Elmo does too.
Besides last night at the BBQ
There was some talk by the girls that they
Wanted to come along.
They are good company but a balloon is
A very small space, especially when
Shared with a t-rex.

Right away though I knew trouble was coming.
The winds was blowing the wrong way and instead of
Going towards Mexico City we got blown into
The Sonoran Desert. 'El desierto del Altar'
Or the 'Altar of the Desert' as is known in Mexico
As you can see, there are cactus everywhere!

We kept changing altitude hoping to get
The right air current to take us to Mexico City
But it all seemed to be in vain, we inexorably
Got deeper and deeper into the desert.
We didn't even had the option of coming down and
Out waiting the winds, as this would necessitate
Deflating the balloon quite a bit and then it
Would be impossible to fill it back up and
We'd be stuck in the desert forever.

This went on for hours and hours, every minute we'd
Get further away from our destination.
Then we heard a horrible pop! One of the
Tears that had been repaired in Cabo gave way and
We started losing all the air of the balloon very fast!
In less than five minutes we were down on the desert floor,
With a busted balloon and no way to
Get going again into the blue

The good thing is (as you can see) that I am no longer pale.
Actually if we get stuck here long enough
I'm liable to develop quite a nice tan.
Meanwhile, my friends, we need some help.
Any of you out there in MySpace know
How to get out of this tight spot?
We'll consider any suggestions
You may have. The crazier the better
As we are surely in dire straits.

Taking Elmo Home, Day Five
Elrod's El-log
December 30th, 2006
Taking Elmo Home, Day Five
In the Mexican Desert. Still

We had some excellent suggestion from
Our Friends on MySpace.
Sweet Gaby suggested we build a
Small fire (we did), and roast some lizards
And squeeze a prickly pear cacti for water.
Luckly we still have our supplies in the
Balloon, including 700 lbs of meat for Elmo!
How many lizards would have taken to fill him up?

Amitzahandreanias said she sent a band of
Gypsies in a magic carpet to our rescue.
We are very grateful and do indeed appreciate it.
They must have gotten lost themselves as we
Never saw them, or perhaps they are still
Looking for us.

Two people, Donna and
Merita suggested we pack everything up on
Elmo's back and move out the desert.
Good idea. We may yet do that.
We also appreciate all of our friends
Who sent along their well wishes
And their prayers. We love it!

At this point perhaps I'd better explain how
A hot air balloon works so that you may
Better understand our predicament.
The balloon first gets filled up with hot air in
The main camp, where there's an ample supply of propane.
Takes a lot of heat and hot air to get it up.
Then we take along a propane tank connected
To burners at the mouth of the balloon. As the
Air gets cooled the balloon goes down, so it's
Necessary to periodically turn on the burners to
Make hot air and maintain our buoyancy and
Our altitude, usually about 10,000 feet.

The problem, after we fix our tears, is that we
Don't have enough fuel in the tank to
Make enough hot air to get the balloon up.
We got to work though, and spent all afternoon
Fixing the tears. Now the balloon is ready for
Hot air- if we'd only had enough fuel

After dark Elmo and I gathered by the fire
And to pass the time we started
Telling fantastic stories, much like this one
You are reading.
One tall tale followed another and they kept
Getting wilder and wilder.
Before we'd know it, we were generating
Enough hot air with our lies to heat a small town!

And what do you know, our hot air was filling
Our balloon up! We're so full of hot air, Elmo and I!
-or maybe it is just I-
So off to work, we set up the burner to help fill the balloon,
And used about half our tank. We still have enough left to navigate
And we are set to go!

I don't usually wear a hat but I had to keep
From singeing my hair

One more lesson in ballooning. Takes off are done
In the morning when the temperatures are cool.
Later in the day thermal currents play havoc with the
Raising of balloons. So Elmo and I laid down
To get a good night rest. We slept like the babies we are!
We'll be leaving around 4 a.m.
If we catch a favorable wind we might be able
To make it to Mexico City in about a day and a half.
That would be cool!

Elrod and Elmo finally up and away.

Taking Elmo Home, Day Six
Category: Travel and Places
Happy News Year!
Elrod's El-log
December 31st, 2006
Taking Elmo Home, Day Six
High in the Mexican Sky

It's new years eve and we are high up in the sky.
It does not look like we'll get to Mexico City
Until tomorrow, New Year's Day.
We are making good time but 1,200 miles
Do not get covered that quickly traveling in a balloon

Since we won't be coming down anytime soon
And it does not seem we will have any kind
Of great adventures today, I figured it's
A good day to reflect on past events and to
Answer the questions some of you
Have been asking me about Elmo.

This is the very spot in the Amazonian jungle where I first met Elmo.

It was last October. I was finishing a Latin American tour
And my last stop was in Bogotá, Colombia.
Since I did not have another gig until two weeks later in
Japan, I took the opportunity to do something I
Always wanted to do: visit the Amazonian jungle.

I went with a group but I soon became separated and
In the very spot you see in the picture I met Elmo.
At first I was afraid he was going to eat me
But since I've decided that the day I die is gonna
Happen with me singing and playing the guitar, I
Started playing and singing my song 'Go Me nom.'
I though they were going to be my last moments,
But what do you know, he loved it!
The t-rex started dancing to my song!

Elmo is a magical creature, as you all have surmised by now.
But I bet you didn't know he was telepathic.
I started seeing images in my mind and it
Seemed to point to the fact that Elmo was looking
For someone to take him out of the jungle.
In other words, Elmo wanted to see the world.

Elmo and I in Japan to meet the Buddha earlier this year.

Soon we established a means of communication.
Telepathically speaking, I pointed to Elmo
That he was way too big to travel in an airplane,
Which it was going to be the way I was going to
Get home to California.
That didn't seem to faze him and I felt the irresistible
Urge to follow him to a secluded spot in the jungle.
There I was introduced to a different kind of magic,
One that the world has seldom seen:
The ability for Elmo to shrink in size at will.

This is the picture of Elmo conjuring up his magic.

It's almost more than the mind can fanthom,
But mighty Elmo, all five tons of him, had
Shrunk to the size of a little plastic toy soldier,
The kind I used to play with when I was a child.
I put him in my pocket and soon rejoined the rest of
My party.

I did not tell a soul about Elmo as
That was what he wished me to do.
By the way, since Elmo is so very vulnerable
When he shrinks down, no one is allowed to
See him in that state but me. I'm the only one he trusts.
I hope I can always live up to that tremendous
Responsibility. I would certainly die of shame
If something happened to Elmo when he is shrunk down
And under my care, so don't ask to see him then.
I WILL NOT ALLOW IT!

Elmo loves the girls and the girls love Elmo

I took Elmo home to LA and then we
Went to gigs to Japan and to Europe. We spent
All of December promoting my Tropical Christmas songs
And then he just got homesick and wished to go home.
Since I was planning a balloon trip in December anyway,
We thought it'd be a great way for Elmo to see the world,
From the air. Planes just fly too darn high and too fast for
Elmo to enjoy the trip- personally I think he is afraid of
Airplanes, but please don't tell him I said that!

That is our story. Happy News Year Every One of You
And see you tomorrow in Mexico City!

Happy News Year says Elmo too.

Taking Elmo Home, Day Seven
Category: Travel and Places
Happy News Year!

Elrod's El-log
January 1st, 2007
Taking Elmo Home, Day Seven
In Mexico City

Mexico city, the mighty capital
Of the Aztec Nation. Founded
In 1325 A.D. and named Tenochitlan
By the aforementioned Aztecs who
Were the rulers of Mexico.
Conquered by Cortez in August 1521.
It became the capital of the Spanish Empire.

We flew in and headed for landing in the main plaza
'El Zocalo' as it's called, as Elmo
Wanted to be in the center of the Action.

Of course, everywhere he goes Elmo is
The center of Action, and this day was
No exception. In the plaza across the
Cathedral Aztec dancers celebrated the new
Year and Elmo rushed to join them.

Soon pandemonium broke loose as people
Rushed to get a glimpse of Elmo dancing
And cavorting with the Aztec dancers.
I had troubles of my own, as a policeman was trying to
Give me a ticket for parking the balloon in the no parking
Zone in The Zocalo.

The policeman called for reinforcements and
For a tow truck. I vigorously opposed the
Towing of our balloon who had so gallantly
Served us in this long journey.
I finally got Elmo's attention and we rushed
Back in the balloon and took off before
It could be towed away! I did get a citation, though.
I imagine I'll have to pay it eventually.

We found a better place to park our balloon,
Alameda park I believe it's called, a very pretty
And pleasant spot. Unfortunately our balloon was damaged
Again in the altercation with the cops or
Perhaps by the crowd wanting to get a glimpse of Elmo.
We then set out on foot to find someone to help fix it
So we can continue our journey.

I hope we are not giving the impression that the
People in Mexico City are rude or unhelpful.
Everyone has been very nice to us here except
For the cops. Look like for the time being we are stuck
Here, unless we can find someone to fix the balloon.
It's really torn now, we might need a whole new top!
We'll keep you posted, my friends. I am sure that
We will manage to get through it. Happy New Year!

Taking Elmo Home, Day Eight

Elrod's El-log
January 2nd, 2007
Taking Elmo Home, Day Eight
In Mexico City

We found a tailor, Don Genaro Villa, who knows
Nothing about balloons but a lot about fabrics.
He and his three daughters got to work
On the balloon right away and they promise
To have ready by morning so we can leave.
This is so cool that they are doing it New Year's day.
No extra charge, he says! His daughters love Elmo,
Of course. He continues to be a real chickmagnet.
I wish I could take lessons from him, but I guess
That is something you are born with.
You either got it or you don't.

We also found a sporting good store. The burners
Of the balloon lately have not been working too well.
We were afraid that they would quit on us during flight
And then the balloon will come down and we'd become stranded.
The owner of the store, Manuelito, a very cool and modern dude.
Said he'd come on by later in the afternoon
And check it out.

Elmo and Don Genaro's daughters at Alameda park.

After leaving Don Genaro and the girls hard at work,
Elmo and I went for a stroll in the DF, as the people here
Call Mexico City. We went to the presidential palace
To get a glimpse of El Presidente
But no such luck this time.

Elrod and Elmo at the presidential palace

I wanted to continue the tour the DF but Elmo
Became restless and wanted to go back to the park
He had enough of sightseeing and wanted to go
Back and hang out with the people. When Elmo says
The people, he means the girls, of course.

Elmo and his girlfriends at the park

With Elmo otherwise occupied I went to hang out
With Don Genaro and the girls and to watch them work.
It's a pleasure to watch people who know their craft.
Don Genaro and the girls, Eliza, Lola and Maria Elena,
Are going over the whole balloon, centimeter by centimeter
And are repairing it with strong and concise stitches. I asked
Don Genaro if he thought the balloon would hold up all
The way to Amazonia and he just told me
"El hombre propone y Dios dispone,' which is
Just his way to say "'que sera, sera' or
Like the song says, what will be will be.

Manuelito had arrived and he started working on the burners,
Cleaning them out. He did the best he could but still
They were not working right. I asked him if we could buy
New ones but he did not have any. Nor he knew of
Anyone in Mexico City who did. He got on the marvel
Of our information age, (his cell phone), and after making
A number of calls he said that there was a set we could
Buy but they were in Cancun. He could have them here in a day
Or two.

Elmo, who had come back and was listening to the
Conversation, got all excited when he heard about Cancun.
One of his girlfriends had just come back from there
And had told him what fun she had in Cancun.
Elmo now wants to go there. I pointed out that it would
Be out of our way to go there but he insisted.
Since we've come this far already and I'm committed
To show him the world, I guess that's where we go next.

In the late afternoon we had lots of fun at the park. The people made
Us a barbacoa and I played my guitar and sang to them.
Boy those Mexican chiles are hot, hot, hot!

I'm glad we stayed at the park with the people today.
Elmo was right, you can sightsee any where anytime, but
When you get a chance to meet the heart of the people,
You've got to take it.

After dinner Elmo and I went up a hill to watch
The sunset caress the skies of the Aztec metropolis

With the light turning softly to shadows
And the blues giving way to the grays
And the day falling prey to the night
We gave thanks for all of our blessings.

Taking Elmo Home, Day Nine
Category: Travel and Places
Elrod's El-log
January 3rd, 2007
Taking Elmo Home, Day Nine
Back in the air!

Loved Mexico City but I'm glad
We're off again. I really need to get
Elmo back to Amazonia and now we
Are taking a detour to Cancun

I have some gigs coming up the second half of
January and though it's nice having
An adventure, someone has to make
Some bucs to pay the rent- let alone
Elmo's food bill!

Elmo and I back on the air.

Don Genaro and his daughters did a great job with the balloon.
We filled up with the hot air like a champ and
Off we went! No leaks! Of course the burners are still a
Little flaky but I hope we make it to Cancun
With no more problems.

Some of you asked me (again) how does Elmo
Fit in the balloon. I explained most of that on
Day (I forget what day it was, you'll have to
Read the blog to find out)

Anyway, Elmo magically shrinks down to the
Size of a toy soldier and I put him in my pocket
And off we go! That leads me to explain another one of the
Questions I've recently received, why Elmo looks bigger in some
Pictures than in others.

Elmo is real big in this picture

The reason is that when he is restored from being in
His shrunken stage he slowly starts to expand.
At first he is only about 10' tall, eventually growing
To his full 20 glorious feet that's Elmo for you,
An ever changing story.

Another view of Elmo. He is probably about 15' high here.

So off we go again. The weather is real nice today, almost
Feels like springtime. Of course in Cancun
Should be real nice more like Summertime inWinter.
See you there tomorrow!