topic Re: They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today in Community Chat

They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today

Kachina624 — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 22:08:07 GMT

Today is the opening day of the Golden 50th Anniversay celebration of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. We kicked it off at dawn this morning with the mass ascension of almost a record of 700 balloons from 22 countries. It was the perfect morning for the occasion with crystal blue skies, just a slight 54°chill in the air and almost no wind. There was a huge crowd and everyone, visitors and locals alike, is very excited.

Here are some highlights.

Splash 'n Go in the Rio Grande

Balloon Glow

Peek-a-boo

Re: They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today

phoenixbrd — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 22:10:02 GMT

@Kachina624 A spectacular sight! Thanks for the share, one day we would love to attend. Enjoy!

Re: They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today

Kachina624 — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 22:11:09 GMT

@phoenixbrd Get it on your bucket list!

Re: They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today

SharkE — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 22:16:55 GMT

These days I'd be afraid of snipers.

Re: They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today

Kachina624 — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 22:56:37 GMT

@SharkE If you want to have any fun, you can't go through life being afraid of everything. Snipers have not infrequently shot people in their cars but never in a balloon. A bullet hole wouldn't affect the envelope of a balloon.

Re: They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today

HisElk1 — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 22:36:38 GMT

@Kachina624 , thanks for sharing those beautiful pictures.

Many years ago, we used to have a balloon fest along with some craft vendors. We had good times and took a blanket to sit on and watch in the evening for the "glow".

Unfortunately, they don't have them anymore.

Re: They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today

ChiliPepper — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 22:46:43 GMT

@Kachina624

WOW!!!

So beautiful, I can't even imagine!

I get so excited to see one balloon, I can't imagine what hundreds would be like!!!

Thank you for sharing, I hope to get there some day.

Re: They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today

desertrat8 — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 22:49:16 GMT

@Kachina624 What a magnificent site!!!!

Re: They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today

Kachina624 — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 22:54:16 GMT

@ChiliPepper The news media are always interviewing visitors who are world travelers. They often say this is one international event that never disappoints. It's consistently exciting and colorful year after year. We can't wait to see the clever new balloons each year.

Re: They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today

ChiliPepper — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 22:59:33 GMT

@Kachina624

Well, they are all GORGEOUS, but my favorite so far is the tiger!

Are the "character " balloons able to go way up high like the regular balloons?

Re: They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today

Boomernichols — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 23:08:48 GMT

@Kachina624 Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures as I can enjoy it through your eyes!

Re: They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today

SharkE — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 23:10:46 GMT

yeah, everything can be destroyed. Sorry.

Re: They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today

Queen of shop — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 23:11:41 GMT

@Kachina624 Thanks for sharing. Such a beautiful sight. We were able to see them once in Park City, Utah. A memory that you can't forget.

Re: They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today

haddon9 — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 23:12:14 GMT

@Kachina624 Looks like a lot of fun to watch! Do you usually go to view it each year?

Re: They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today

Kachina624 — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 23:12:37 GMT

@ChiliPepper wrote:
@Kachina624

Well, they are all GORGEOUS, but my favorite so far is the tiger!

Are the "character " balloons able to go way up high like the regular balloons?

@ChiliPepper Me too, isn't he cute peeking over that hill? Just like a kitty cat.

Re: They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today

Kachina624 — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 23:23:30 GMT

@haddon9 wrote:
@Kachina624 Looks like a lot of fun to watch! Do you usually go to view it each year?

@haddon9 Absolutely not! I don't live far from the grounds but you have to leave home at 3am and wait in line in your car about 2 hours to get parked. Normally, I could do that in 15 min.

I lie in my warm bed and watch on KOB-TV or KOAT-TV, both of which broadcast it live. Anyone can tune in about 8:30am et and watch on their websites. They both do a lot by helicopter which gives a great perspective. It'll run through next Sunday morning and is best on weekends.

Re: They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today

haddon9 — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 23:26:42 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:

@haddon9 wrote:
@Kachina624 Looks like a lot of fun to watch! Do you usually go to view it each year?
@haddon9 Absolutely not! I don't live far from the grounds but you have to leave home at 3am and wait in line in your car about 2 hours to get parked. Normally, I could do that in 15 min.

I lie in my warm bed and watch on KOB-TV or KOAT-TV, both of which broadcast it live. Anyone can tune in about 8:30am et and watch on their websites. They both do a lot by helicopter which gives a great perspective. It'll run through next Sunday morning and is best on weekends.

@Kachina624 Do they sometimes drift over your home? I have on a rare occasion seen and heard a hot air ballon drifting over my home when I lived in NJ...as a matter of fact, I just remembered that when my DD got married in May in a wildflower preserve in the distance we could see a balloon floating in the sky!

Re: They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today

MOMMAVik — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 23:30:03 GMT

Thank you @Kachina624! These pictures are stunning. I love the colors & how each is unique. I too would love to see them in person one day ...

Re: They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today

Kachina624 — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 23:37:03 GMT

@haddon9 wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:

@haddon9 wrote:
@Kachina624 Looks like a lot of fun to watch! Do you usually go to view it each year?
@haddon9 Absolutely not! I don't live far from the grounds but you have to leave home at 3am and wait in line in your car about 2 hours to get parked. Normally, I could do that in 15 min.

I lie in my warm bed and watch on KOB-TV or KOAT-TV, both of which broadcast it live. Anyone can tune in about 8:30am et and watch on their websites. They both do a lot by helicopter which gives a great perspective. It'll run through next Sunday morning and is best on weekends.
@Kachina624 Do they sometimes drift over your home? I have on a rare occasion seen and heard a hot air ballon drifting over my home when I lived in NJ...as a matter of fact, I just remembered that when my DD got married in May in a wildflower preserve in the distance we could see a balloon floating in the sky!

@haddon9 They usually go North and South through the valley but once in awhile the wind currents are such that they drift my way. Today was one of those days, however, it seems they landed before they got as far West as my house. A friend said they were all over the place landing in her neighborhood.

Re: They're Up, Up, and Away in Albuquerque Today

haddon9 — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 23:40:50 GMT

@Kachina624 That must have been a sight for your friend to see!