topic Re: They're Up, Up And Away! in Community Chat

They're Up, Up And Away!

Kachina624 — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 21:58:41 GMT

The 2016, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta kicked off this morning with perfect turquoise skies and a balmy 57°, much warmer than normal. There are 550 balloons registered this year, the maximum allowed, and they take off in carefully managed waves until they're all in the air at the same time. A few were doing a dip and dash in the Rio Grande River which is only about a mile from the Fiesta grounds.

Tonight right after sunset, they'll do a balloon glow where the tethered balloons hit their burners synced to music, appearing to be huge light bulbs. There are over 100 "special shapes" in attendance and they'll be there too. Then the evening will end with fireworks.

You'll note that the Albuquerque Fiesta is one of the few where visitors are free to mingle with the crews doing the inflating and can even help if they wish. You have to keep an eye on what's going on around you. Other ballooning events do the inflation behind fences.

Come join us or at least put this event on your bucket list...it's Spectacular!

Re: They're Up, Up And Away!

3suwm5 — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 21:49:48 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
The 2016, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta kicked off this morning with perfect turquoise skies and a balmy 57°, much warmer than normal. There are 550 balloons registered this year, the maximum allowed, and they take off in carefully managed waves until they're all in the air at the same time. A few were doing a dip and dash in the Rio Grande River which is only about a mile from the Fiesta grounds.

Tonight right after sunset, they'll do a balloon glow where the tethered balloons hit their burners synced to music, appearing to be huge light bulbs. There are over 100 "special shapes" in attendance and they'll be there too. Then the evening will end with fireworks.

You'll note that the Albuquerque Fiesta is one of the few where visitors are free to mingle with the crews doing the inflating and can even help if they wish. You have to keep an eye on what's going on around you. Other ballooning events do the inflation behind fences.

Come join us or at least put this event on your bucket list...it's Spectacular!

@Kachina624 You are killing me here. Actually, we're headed there in a couple of days!! Haven't been there in 23 years, can't wait!!!

Re: They're Up, Up And Away!

SoX — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 21:51:52 GMT

Maybe next year ... [sigh ...]

Re: They're Up, Up And Away!

just bee — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 21:58:05 GMT

I watched from my driveway on the Westside. Perfect day for flying, but I didn't see the bees. The good news was that Airabelle flew today.

Re: They're Up, Up And Away!

Kachina624 — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 22:02:33 GMT

@3suwm5 wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:
The 2016, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta kicked off this morning with perfect turquoise skies and a balmy 57°, much warmer than normal. There are 550 balloons registered this year, the maximum allowed, and they take off in carefully managed waves until they're all in the air at the same time. A few were doing a dip and dash in the Rio Grande River which is only about a mile from the Fiesta grounds.

Tonight right after sunset, they'll do a balloon glow where the tethered balloons hit their burners synced to music, appearing to be huge light bulbs. There are over 100 "special shapes" in attendance and they'll be there too. Then the evening will end with fireworks.

You'll note that the Albuquerque Fiesta is one of the few where visitors are free to mingle with the crews doing the inflating and can even help if they wish. You have to keep an eye on what's going on around you. Other ballooning events do the inflation behind fences.

Come join us or at least put this event on your bucket list...it's Spectacular!

@Kachina624 You are killing me here. Actually, we're headed there in a couple of days!! Haven't been there in 23 years, can't wait!!!

@3suwm5 I've checked the weather forecast through next week-end and it looks good except for Monday which may be too windy. A cold front is supposed to arrive chilling things down. It will be quite cold early in the morning next week so bring gloves and warm jackets.

Re: They're Up, Up And Away!

just bee — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 22:06:19 GMT

Darth and Yoda went up today.

Re: They're Up, Up And Away!

Kachina624 — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 22:07:09 GMT

@just bee I watched on TV and also didn't not see the bees. They're always so popular. I live in Rio Rancho and can't see anything from my house but don't have to go far to see the whole valley.

Re: They're Up, Up And Away!

chickenbutt — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 22:08:54 GMT

Ooh, that bird is awesome. He is new to me.

I will never forget having attended the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. We have an event here but, back when I attended it numerous times, it was only about 100 balloons. Yours is just spectacular! Plus they have more cool events with it than the one here does.

Re: They're Up, Up And Away!

just bee — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 22:13:05 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@just bee I watched on TV and also didn't not see the bees. They're always so popular. I live in Rio Rancho and can't see anything from my house but don't have to go far to see the whole valley.

It's starting to get a little windy so I wonder if tonight's glow will be canceled. We'll see!

Re: They're Up, Up And Away!

alliswell — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 22:16:27 GMT

WOW!

Re: They're Up, Up And Away!

riley1 — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 22:22:18 GMT

@Kachina624 - A beautiful sight! Have you ever taken a ride in one of these? Thanks for sharing - Riley1

Re: They're Up, Up And Away!

PINKdogWOOD — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 22:40:29 GMT

@Kachina624 Absolutely Fabulous! Thank you so much for sharing in your backyard beauty and way fun fiesta festivities!!!

To visit and stay awhile, to experience a ride in one of these buckets would surely be a check mark on anybody's bucket list don't you think? Adding this to mine for sure.

What gorgeous background to enjoy all that's going on there too. You're lucky to be there for sure.

Re: They're Up, Up And Away!

just bee — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 22:43:51 GMT

@riley1 wrote:
@Kachina624 - A beautiful sight! Have you ever taken a ride in one of these? Thanks for sharing - Riley1

When we moved to Albuquerque we were fortunate: Our coworkers were balloonists and we were recruited to be on their chase crew. The best thing about being in a balloon? I have a real problem with heights but I didn't have any issues when I went up in a balloon.

Re: They're Up, Up And Away!

Goldengate8361 — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 22:50:11 GMT

Wow! Wish I were there! Thanks for posting.

Re: They're Up, Up And Away!

cherry — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 22:52:26 GMT

They look like jewels hung in the sky

Re: They're Up, Up And Away!

SharkE — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 23:13:50 GMT

Good shots !

Re: They're Up, Up And Away!

Kachina624 — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 00:02:17 GMT

@riley1 wrote:
@Kachina624 - A beautiful sight! Have you ever taken a ride in one of these? Thanks for sharing - Riley1

@riley1 I have no desire to ride in a balloon. I like the excitement of the Fiesta and love looking at them.

Re: They're Up, Up And Away!

3suwm5 — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 01:11:25 GMT

@Kachina624 Yes, thanks for the headsup on the weather. I remember well, we ran all over town to buy gloves back in the early 90s. We had our coats, but didn't dawn on me to bring gloves. The pictures are fabulous, it sure brings back wonderful memories. Our boys were 3 and 4, we went right down to the launch site walked around; the boys got to 'help' the crews. We stood for the star spangled banner and watched them lift off, it was a priceless sight. Can't wait to see our 'late twenty-somethings' watch it again after all these years. Wonder what their special other halves will say, they've never seen it.

@just bee thanks for the great pictures, so excited to get there.

Thanks so much for all the pics. and information, really appreciate it.

Re: They're Up, Up And Away!

silentgirl — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 02:05:26 GMT

Breathtaking photographs!

My brother was a balloonatic for many years...magnificent things...

WHOOOOOSHHHHHHHhhh

Re: They're Up, Up And Away!

goldensrbest — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 11:25:59 GMT

Pictures are just so pretty,i had the thrill of going one year,my husband and i went, just so thrilling.