AirstreamTour: Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

I know it’s been quite a while since I posted, and I would love to use the excuse that I’ve been busy. Unfortunately, as busy as I have been, there was still time to post and I was too lazy and distracted by important things like watching football (Go LSU, Chiefs, and Saints), Formula 1 racing, and Project Runway. But I’ll catch you up in two episodes: the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta followed by Death Valley and Beyond.

After leaving Shreveport back in late September we drifted over to Albuquerque once again – we had planned to get together with family during the balloon festival. We settled into the FamCamp on Kirtland AFB and looked around for things to do. First up was checking on concerts in the area. We lucked out with Los Lonely Boys and War playing at a local casino and John Mayer at an open amphitheater.

We showed up at the casino in plenty of time for me to do a little playing on the slot machines, using up my self-allotted $20 and rejoining Heinz. Imagine our disappointment when we learned that Los Lonely Boys had canceled due to injuries sustained by one of the band members when he fell off a stage. But the venue booked a local band to open the show and they were pretty good. Then War came on and we rocked out to all those oldies but goodies that we’d grown up with.

A couple of days later we bundled up, grabbed a blanket, and headed out to the Isleta Amphitheater to see John Mayer. We sat up in the grassy area surrounded by teens and young adults who were VERY familiar with his music and tended to sing along, loudly. But it was a friendly crowd and we had fun.

Gathering for the evening.

The amphitheater as the sun set.

After a week by ourselves, family started drifting in. First to arrive was Heinz’s sister, Suzi. We toddled around Albuquerque and Santa Fe showing her the sights.

Santa Fe doorway.

It's fall and the trees were changing.

Santa Fe Marketplace.

Back street in the oldest part of town.

Two days after she arrived we headed for the Balloon Fiesta Fairgrounds for our first of many visits. The Fiesta is a yearly nine-day festival of hot air balloons, now in its 42^nd year. Starting in 1972 with 13 balloons as part of the celebration for KOB Radio’s 50^th anniversary, it has grown to be the largest hot air balloon gathering in the world. The Fiesta now limits the number of participating balloons to 600. This is down from an all time high of 1,019 in 2000. The Fiesta Board decided to limit the number due to population growth in the city and a corresponding loss of landing areas. On any given day during the festival, up to 100,000 spectators may be on the launch field among the balloons to observe inflation and take offs, an opportunity that is rare at other balloon festivals.

Welcome to the Balloon Fiesta!

The Fiesta is a truly international event. Pilots and their balloons came from almost every state in the U.S and 17 other countries. There were balloons from Ireland, England, every province in Canada, France, Poland, Switzerland, Costa Rica, China, South Africa, Germany, Lithuania, Italy, Mexico, Thailand, Belgium, Brazil and Croatia. Many of these countries had multiple pilot entries.

We got up early (at 4:00am) so we could catch the Dawn Patrol lifting off at 5:45am. The Dawn Patrol is a group of five or six balloonists that take off before dawn to check wind conditions aloft. It’s a great chance to see balloons lit up in a dramatic fashion.

Dawn Patrol taking off.

Heading out to check the wind conditions.

After watching the early takeoff we headed over to the food booths to try a green chili breakfast burrito and snag some hot chocolate to try and warm up. It was around 43 degrees with a light breeze blowing. I had no real interest in drinking the chocolate - I just wanted to hold the hot cup!

Heinz bundled up against the cold, but determined to get the shot.

Dawn was beautiful and more balloonists were beginning to set up, so off we went to wander around and snap a LOT of photos. All of the pilots and crews were super friendly and would answer any of our questions as they worked. This is my photo documentary showing how a balloon is unpacked, readied, inflated, and takes to the air.

Dawn over the Sandia Mountains.

Crew arriving with balloon and basket loaded.

Unpacking the envelope (the balloon portion of a hot air balloon).

Envelope stretched out and almost ready to inflate.

Prepping for inflation and final check of rope positioning.

Crews begin by inflating the envelope using large box fans. Note the basket lying on its side at the right side of the photo.

Blowing up the envelope with the fans takes around 30 minutes.

Pilots will let the occasional photographer inside the envelope to snap a shot. Heinz weaseled his way into this one.

After inflating the envelope with the box fans, the pilot starts up the burners to heat up the air already trapped inside.

Close up of the burners.

Hot air causes the envelope to begin rising off the ground.

As the envelope begins to rise, the basket begins to tilt upright.

It’s a balancing act for the pilot at this stage.

While the pilot and part of the crew are raising the envelope, other crew members are controlling the movement of the inflating fabric.

Once a pilot is ready to take off, the “zebras” clear the area in front of the balloon of observers in order to provide an open pathway for takeoff as balloons move both forward and up during lift-off. These safety personnel got their nickname years ago when the Fiesta Board got a good deal on umpire uniforms for them to wear. Over the years each has personalized their outfit, with the only consistent item being the umpire shirt and jacket.

Taking off with the ground crew controlling the side-to-side movement of the basket.

Grace in the air.

Wandering around the grounds was amazing. The three of us stared, clicked our cameras, ooh-ed and ahh-ed, pointed, laughed, and had an absolute blast.

Suzi and Teresa enjoying the show.

Heinz aiming for the pilot's perspective.

Walking among the balloons.

Morning ascension, only about 300 balloons went up this day.

On Tuesday, Tash and Ryan flew in from Pennsylvania and now we were five. We headed over to ride the tram up Sandia Peak to watch the sunset, but were too late and were still on the road as the sun dropped behind the distant hills. No problem, we just headed home and pulled out a new card game that Suzi had brought along, Cards Against Humanity. This is not a game for the faint of heart, the easily offended, or the tender ears of children. I’ll let you look up the game on the Internet – it was LOTS of fun!

The next morning we were up at 4:00am again and were heading out to the festival grounds by 5:00am for the Dawn Patrol. It was “Special Shapes” day and we were determined to get some great photos.

Darth Vader: the ground crew for this balloon dressed as storm troopers--Belgium

L to R: Gizzmo--Texas, Spyderpig--New Mexico, Teddy--Indiana

Ryan focusing in on…perhaps a balloon?

Gus T. Guppy--Minnesota

Cosmos 1--Texas

Hummingbird--Brazil

Tash is captivated by the hummingbird.

Mr. Z--New Mexico (in mid-inflation).

L to R: Scuba Diver--Brazil, Aaron--Quebec, Canada, Ladysun--France.

Sarah the Witch--California

Ryan, Tash, Teresa, and Suzi having a great time.

Joey Little Bee--New Mexico and Ully Little Bee--Vermont, kissing in mid-air--quite a demonstration of precision flying.

Triple Clown--Brazil

Cameron Doll--Great Britain

Airbelle--Alberta, Canada.

We spent the rest of the day checking out Old Town in Albuquerque and doing a little light shopping. That night we managed to get over to the tram in time for sunset. But, it was not to be. The tram was closed due to high winds. So we sat by the parking lot and watched the sunset from the foothills.

Waiting for sunset. (photo courtesy of Ryan)

Sunset from the Sandia foothills.

On Sunday, we were joined by Jess, Pete, and their little joy, Nora. And so we were eight. Of course, when they arrived we all smiled politely at Jess and Pete, grabbed Nora away from them and took turns passing her around.

Meeting Tante Suzi for the first time.

You're never too young for your first ride.

Pilates anyone?

Saturday morning it was up at 4:00am yet again to show Jess and Pete the wonders of the Balloon Fiesta. With quite a bit of yawning and a bit bleary eyed, we tumbled out of the cars at the festival site, and headed straight for breakfast, introducing them to the joys of those green chili breakfast burritos.

Ah, breakfast of champions.

After breakfast, it was off to the grounds to wander around the balloons. It was a day with a mass ascension. The goal for the day was to launch 600 balloons in 1½ hours. Amazingly, it was accomplished.

Wow, what are all these people doing up at this hour? And I don’t know what all the hoopla is about “Special Shape” balloons – I’ve been pulling off this alligator thing my whole life long!

Heading out on the Dawn Patrol.

Marriage proposal via balloon. (She said yes.)

An amazing sight, looking straight up.

Wow! How incredible is this? Jess, enjoying the sights.

Heinz's bragging about his "great shot".

Tash, dwarfed by balloons.

The mass ascension begins, 600 balloons launched in less than 2 hours.

The gang. L to R: Pete, Teresa, Jess holding Nora, Heinz, Suzi, Tash, and Ryan.

That night we went back to the festival site for the Night Glow. This is an event where many of the pilots inflate their balloons while remaining tethered. They then proceed to continue to burn fuel to keep the envelopes inflated as the sun goes down and they are illuminated in the dark.

Starting the burn for the Night Glow.

Night Glow magic.

An impressive sight.

Party Panda--California

Fireworks after the Glow.

On Sunday, Jess, Pete, Nora, and Suzi sadly headed for home. But, never fear, we soldiered on with Tash and Ryan for two more days. We talked a lot of smack while playing UNO; laughed long, hard, and loud; and poked around Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

Tash (far left) checking the jewelry on offer from the Indian craftsmen in front of the Governor’s Palace in Santa Fe.

Religious antiques for sale.

Ryan, Tash, and Teresa chilling out in Santa Fe.

Some the boots for sale around town were beautiful, and expensive, ranging up to $5,000 for a pair.

Rosaries hung on a tree outside the Loretta Chapel as prayer offerings or thanks for prayers answered.

Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) painted skulls. Celebrated from Oct. 31 through Nov. 2, this is a time for family and friends to gather to remember and pray for those who have died.

Tash and Ryan left us on Tuesday and the rig became eerily quiet again. It was ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIC having the family together and having so much fun. Thanks to all for coming.

I have one other fascinating photograph for you to drool over before I add our friends of the day.