Balloon Fiesta 2009!!

One of the giant, air filled, flying sign of fall in ABQ is the annual Balloon Fiesta. The first two weeks of every October, hot air balloonists from all over the world converge on our little burg for 2 weeks of ballooning excitement. Since our first experience 4 years ago, we are unapologetic fans of the Fiesta, and especially of the early morning Mass Assention where over the course of 3 hours over 600 balloons launch from a relatively small field in a giant, joyously chaotic assembly of tourists, flying pigs (and other animals), locals, balloonists, gouts of flame, and breakfast burritos.

Ali's great friend from college was planning on joining us this weekend, but unfortunately got stuck in Houston for the night and consequently would miss Saturday morning activities (curse you American Airlines). So Ali decided to sleep in and wait at home to pick her up from her flight when she arrived. I, however, joined some good friends to head up to the park bright and early (we are talking up by 4:30 am and at the park at 6 am). Above is some photos from the beginning of the adventure, and the first launched balloons (termed Dawn Patrol) which were checking on the winds for the mornings launch.

We had two sets of friends who have recently moved here and experienced their first Mass Assention. The conditions were perfect, with the Albuquerque Box - a special wind condition with air close to ground traveling in the opposite direction from wind just above - was in full effect. It was really neat to see launching balloons slowly drift in one direction, and just above them, balloons cruising in the other direction! It enabled the balloons to make several passes over the top of the park before drifting off to land somewhere else.

At any given second there is at least a few balloon launching. It is incredible to watch especially when the sun finally peaks above the Sandia Mountains and bathes the field in light. It is truly hard to capture the scale of the event on film. The balloons are probably about 2-3 stories tall when they are just about to launch, so as the morning progresses you are watching balloons launch in the distance, then they are inflating around you and you are completely surrounded by bright walls of color. Above right is still probably my favorite balloon of the fiesta (Air-abelle the cow), which if you look closely you can see the very tiny basket realative to the huge size of the balloon!