The Balloon Fiesta

For many years I have heard about theAlbuquerque Balloon Fiesta and have wanted to see it in person.  I scheduled my time so that I would be in town to witness this world-wide event in person.  And it has not been a disappointment.  Most of the events take place early in the morning and late at night.  So on Sunday evening I came to the fiesta and watched as hundreds of balloonists inflated their multi-colored hot air balloons.  The culmination was to be a night burn, meaning the balloons would rise above the ground and then light up like a Christmas ornament.  Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate for this final portion, but I walked the grounds watching as balloon after balloon was inflated.  It was a delight to watch.

In the photo above you see one of the traditional style balloons.  But there are balloons of all sizes and shapes.  There is one in the shape of Darth Vader, another shaped like a haunted house, a large flying cow, a heart, Spongebob Squarepants and countless others. The enthusiasm was contagious.  As a balloon was inflated, the crowd would cheer.

I returned the next morning at 6 a.m.  Those who know that I am not a morning person can do the math to figure out what time I had to get up to be there before sunrise!  As the sun peaked over the tops of the Sandia mountains, the balloons were once again inflated and rose into the sky.  I cannot begin to describe what it was like to see hundreds of balloons in the air at the same time.  And one of the things that pilots love about Albuquerque is its unusual wind pattern.  They call it the Albuquerque box.  Balloons can take off in one direction, change their altitude slightly and reverse directions taking them back to where they began.  I watched this phenomenon as balloons returned to the same spot from whence they took off. 

Through it all I felt like a kid, mesmerized by the beauty and tranquility of these balloons.  And while I have fulfilled the desire to attend the fiesta, a new dream has emerged.  I would like to fly in one some day!  How cool would that be!