Floating Southeast. There was hardly a breath of wind so we didn’t get very far. Either way so freaking cool.
Well anyone who knows me, knows that I NEVER pass up an opportunity that lands squarely in my lap. Maybe because it’s my personality and I look at opportunities as a gift or maybe, just maybe, I would be afraid that I’d be missing out on something! Either way, when my friends said “come on down” to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, I cleared my calendar and drove to Albuquerque! So happy that I did. What an amazing experience to be part of such grandeur in itself but having the opportunity to actually fly in a balloon in a mass ascension with 600 other balloons was quite honestly, life changing. I am pretty sure that I pinched myself a few times because I was just so grateful to be able to take part in something that so few people have been lucky enough to experience. Plus, it’s pretty nice to have friends with cool hobbies and are wanting to it share with you! I am a lucky gal!
Anyway, just a few things to share about the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. It’s a week long event that began on October 4 and runs through October 12, 2014. The “Fiesta” is the largest convention of balloons in the world! They have limited the number of balloons to 600. From doing some research, in 2009 they had over 1000 balloons! I guess with the lack of places to land that many balloons and for safety concerns they cut that number down! It’s still an amazing sight though!
The days at Fiesta start early! Like 6:30 am early! You really need to see the Dawn Patrol take flight. Our ballooning crew was on the field by 5:45 am! Don’t worry though, there are tons of vendors selling amazing breakfast burritos and hot coffee! Dress warm too. It’s cold until the sun rises over Sandia Peak! On the mass ascension days, the balloons take off in two waves. This makes for quite a site as there are balloons in the air for a least two and a half to three hours! By 10:30-11 am everyone is done and down!
Besides the Dawn Patrol and the Mass Ascensions on the first and second weekend there are many more things to hang out for! Special Shape Rodeo (the huge balloons shaped like animals or other objects), Balloon Glows (Night time event where all the balloons go up and are lit up), America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race, where special long-distance gas balloons are inflated and then launched. The winner is the balloon who travels the longest distance (some balloons have ended up on the East Coast and even Canada)! There are bands playing, fireworks, tons of shopping, a museum and many other activities for the whole family! It’s such a great event and so worth the trip to Albuquerque! Mark your calendars for next year!
Enjoy some of the pictures that I snapped during the event. I think you will agree it’s pretty darn cool.
The “Dawn Patrol” are the balloons that take off prior to sunrise so that people “in charge” can check out if the meteorologists are correct in their wind prediction. The pressure is on… Such a pretty sight!
Just after sunrise and before it warmed up- the “paid” ride balloon operator’s started to inflate. So cool to see all these balloon’s literally on top of each other. You should see the baskets on these balloons. They hold like 20 people! Yikes and no thank you!
Balloons and a sunrise. Nuf said…
I was so excited to see the balloons up close and personal. All on top of each other. It’s hard to describe how small you feel next to all this grandeur. It’s actually pretty humbling.
Here are some of the balloons that went up during the first wave. I was in awe of all the colors. Simply amazing!
“Moo”, Jenny and me getting ready to fly and standing next to Johnny’s really pimped out truck! LOL!
The “Flaming Wonder” getting inflated!
Fully inflated, ready to fly!
Just a cool shot looking up before we jumped in the basket!
We were in the second wave of balloons that ascended. About 600 balloons in total. WOW!
That balloon behind us was getting pretty close. Not to worry though we had Johnny K as our pilot!
I love looking up at the “Earth” She is a pretty world!
Not sure why but I love this picture of deflation in process. It’s amazing to me that all this fabric got us up in the air and back down safely. Oh, with the help of an darn good pilot!
We landed safely and without even a “bump”! Starting to deflate.
Mary “moo”, Jan, Me and Jenny. OMG, I pretty much laughed my tail off for the 36 hours that I was at Fiesta. I love meeting new people but thinking you have been friends forever! LOVE!
OK this is a joke among pilots and crew. They got me once but I catch on quick so I didn’t fall for it again! If I told you the joke, I would ruin it for you if someone does it to you at Fiesta! Too darn funny!
So we stopped by the Gruet Vineyard to pick up some sparkling wine (great stuff BTW). We got winded out Sunday morning so why not have mimosa’s in a red solo cup? Complete with a photo bomb by Johnny!
Seriously you know you are are at a festival when you can get fried pickles and alligator on a stick. For us “non-fried” food gals, we just tasted (yum) and threw out the rest. Self control can be a very good thing…. sometimes…
Alright, the ballooning crowd is a bunch of drinkers! LOL! What the heck, right? When you are done and down by 9:30 and that you have been up since 4:30 am why not pop a beer or have a cocktail. Here our crew member Dougy is having the signature balloon fest drink. Patron and Tonic. I’m not a big cocktail drinker but this was pretty darn good. It is always five o’clock somewhere. When in Rome…have a cocktail..fly in a balloon…enjoy life!
I’m not sure you had enough fun with this…you need to go back next year just in case;)
So much fun and I sure plan too! It was quite a sight!
Oh my gosh that looks AMAZING! what an experience! I’d love to go sometime. I think there are some balloon festivals closer to Denver that I could take the kids to for a weekend getaway. Your photos are breathtaking!!
Thanks! There are a few- I flew in the Broomfield Air Show- I think that is in August and I know the Colorado Springs has a big event but not sure when they do it! Such a cool experience!