Community Chat

[Kachina624]

@kitcat51.  Ballooning is very popular world-wide.  This is an international festival with pilots, balloons and even volunteers coming from places around the world.  A well-organized group of volunteers pretty much run the show, including controlling the launches.

[just bee]

@Mz iMac 

@LizzieInSRQ 

@Kachina624 

@shoppersince1989 

I, too, have an issue with heights.  Discovered the problem in 1972 when I froze and couldn't walk to the window to check out the view from the John Hancock Building in Chicago.

Had to drop my Lighting class in college because I couldn't climb the ladder or hang lights above the stage.

But I moved to Albuquerque 30+ years ago and crewed for a pilot.  What's weird is that I've been in a balloon more than once and I've had absolutely no sense of height.  Totally enjoyable experience.

Can't explain it. 

[DSD2]

How beautiful! So uplifting (in more ways than one! )

[scuba diver]

Very cool. 😎. I'm not brave enough to go in one, though. 🙃😮

[Kachina624]

@just bee.  Sort of like riding in an airplane, I guess.  I never have a fear of flying but the Taos Gorge Bridge gives me the creeps.  I've ridden the tram a dozen times with no qualms. 

I saw a photo of your bee favorites. Unless it was an old picture, they must be at the fiesta this year.

[SilleeMee]

I have a terrible fear of heights but being up in a balloon was so surreal that it took that fear away. It was like a dream. There was absolute silence except for when the burners fired. It was very peaceful up there and it made me think of how a bird must feel flying through the air.

[just bee]

@Kachina624 

I haven't seen them.  I'll have to look harder tomorrow morning! 

[Sooner]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@bmorechick.  If you're coming from the West, the scenery is great along the way; from the East, not so much.

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@Kachina624 But wonderful coming in from the east at dusk or night seeing all the lights down in the "bowl!" At least it was the last time I did that 15 or more years ago.  

[walker]

@Kachina624 .... this is a beautiful event every year.  Thanks for pictures....pretty awesome.  Several years ago, DH and I took a road trip to the SW in October.  As luck would have it, we passed Albuquerque during this balloon festival.  Balloons were just being launched...beautiful! We were able to pull off road in an area above where they launched.   I have always wanted to go back and spend more time. 

[bmorechick]

@Kachina624

well their ride starts from the Atlantic Ocean, and after MD and PA, its west thru all the plains states, hitting Colorado, Utah and Nevada on the way to LA.  They hit so many off the beaten path places that most folks don't go. They ride rough, no touristy stuff but believe me the pictures they send are unreal.  Especially Colorado and Utah. The snoozefest is through Kansas and Missouri but they have found spots!