We just got back from our second Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. We finally got
to see the evening Glowdeo after the weather cancelled three last year and
on this year. 5th time is a charm.
The day starts off with the Dawn Patrol, weather permitting. Get up at 4:30
to get dressed, eat breakfast and then head out to the balloon launch area
from the campground. You are treated by the sights and sounds of balloons
getting ready.
View them large if you like
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/f15/a/Dawn+Patrol+Balloon+Fiesta-6448.
jpg.html
http://tinyurl.com/o5s3ecj
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/f15/a/Dawn+Patrol+Balloon+Fiesta-6470.
jpg.html
http://tinyurl.com/q5m92ub
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/f15/a/Dawn+Patrol+Balloon+Fiesta-.jpg.
html
http://tinyurl.com/pwefsmy
If the weather holds, then just before the sun rises, there is the mass
ascension. Under the watchful eye of the field umpires, the balloons begin
to inflate and are directed skyward. The neat thing about this event is
that the spectators are allowed to wander right out on the field amongst the
balloons. You can watch them lay them out, test their burners, inflate and
finally lift off.
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/f15/a/AM+Ascension+Balloon+Fiesta-6513
.jpg.html
http://tinyurl.com/ppzwnxe
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/f15/a/AM+Assention+Balloon+Fiesta-5987
.jpg.html
http://tinyurl.com/ndo6qol
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/f15/a/AM+Assention+Balloon+Fiesta-6008
.jpg.html
http://tinyurl.com/paon7fy
Just mind the umpires when they tell you to move or you might get hit by the
gondola of an ascending balloon.
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/f15/a/AM+Assention+Balloon+Fiesta-6224
.jpg.html
http://tinyurl.com/q65s5u5
There are over 500 balloons and the launch area is over 61 football fields
in size. Sometimes they drift over the campground where my father-in-law
decided to sleep in one morning.
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/f15/a/AM+Ascension+Balloon+Fiesta-3683
.jpg.html
http://tinyurl.com/qxc5tlc
IF the weather is OK, they have competitions where balloonists compete for
prizes like cars and things. They come back over the field and drop rings
and bean bags at targets. Then it all shuts down after the balloons are
launched, maybe 11:00.
The Glowdeo starts close to sunset, and if the weather cooperates, hundreds
of balloons inflate, and anchored to the field, they fire their propane
heaters with I am guessing low air, so the flames are yellow, and the
balloons glow. As I stated above, this event was cancelled my first four
times to see it. The last evening we were there this time, the weather did
not look promising, again. Too windy. But the winds calmed down so that
many of the balloons did put on a show. And it was really a fun thing,
wandering around through the crowds with the sounds and cheers.
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/f15/a/Glowdeo+Balloon+Fiesta-3576.jpg.
html
http://tinyurl.com/qx7n629
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/f15/a/Glowdeo+Balloon+Fiesta-6398.jpg.
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http://tinyurl.com/qg67pur
Then the laser show begins
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/f15/a/Glowdeo+Balloon+Fiesta-6406.jpg.
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http://tinyurl.com/o2xhd4d
Followed by an awesome firework display.
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/f15/a/Fireworks+Balloon+Fiesta-6425.jp
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http://tinyurl.com/npnusjl
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/f15/a/Fireworks+Balloon+Fiesta-6421.jp
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http://tinyurl.com/nwx5ghc
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Aram/f15/a/Fireworks+Balloon+Fiesta-6441.jp
g.html
http://tinyurl.com/okvaex6
Then everyone finds their way home and comes back the next day if they like.
Hope you enjoyed this rather long tour of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.
Hope you can see it yourself one day.
Comments welcome.
Aram
Aram Langhans
(Semi) Retired Science Teacher
& Unemployed photographer
"The Human Genome Project has proved Darwin more right than Darwin himself
would ever have dared dream." James D. Watson
