Community Chat

[dooBdoo]

Gorgeous!  I'll always treasure my one-time experience being a novice on a balloon crew, and a part of the chase out in the desert for the balloon once it landed, and then going up for a ride. 

And then landing in a cactus patch!

It wasn't during the festival, but it was in Albuquerque. 

A friend and colleague owned an antique balloon and gondola, and in the wee morning hours we accompanied him to an area where the owners and pilots gathered (every Saturday morning, I think?). 

What a jolt of heat and loud noise holding open the balloon as the fire inflated it...  then the incredible silence when we were up in the air. 

Nice, nice memories. Thanks for sharing, @Kachina624.😊

[Kachina624]

---

@Winkk wrote:

---

@Kachina624 wrote:

---

@Winkk wrote:

My daughter was there this morning.  We live in PA but I have a cousin in NM that she is visiting.  She said it was great and wanted to go back this evening.  I don't know if she did.

---

 @Winkk  And I'm in NM with a sister in PA.

The balloon Fiesta is an event unlike any other.  It's absolutely spectacular.  There are all sorts of other entertainment that I haven't mentioned as well as umpteen food vendors.

It's a super exciting time in Albuquerque.

---

@Kachina624 .. This looks so great.  Do you go every year?

---

@Winkk.  No, I haven't been for several years because I can't do the walking all over that field.  Our local TV stations have beautiful helicopter coverage.

[Kachina624]

@dooBdoo.  I had no idea you'd hung out in Albuquerque as a balloon groupie.  Those crews always seem to have a lot of fun.  Wish I'd known but that may have been before I got here.