Currently in Albuquerque NM (Low 46 Plenty of Sunshine High 72)
After a couple of days with a lot to do in the morning and evening the schedule yesterday was light. We both slept in and had breakfast in the RV. Here are some of the balloons that were inflating as seen from our back window. Ours are the only chairs visible.
We then walked over to the shuttle location and got a ride down to 'Main Street'. We didn't want to go down there on Saturday and Sunday because us and 100,000 of our closest friends don't get along too well. Here is a photo of the crowd from the Albuquerque Journal.
Here is what 'Main Street' looked like when we got there.
We were surprised that a lot of the vendors were closed and may not have been open in the morning. We plan on getting a breakfast burrito one morning, we shall see if they are open. We did get some 2016 Balloon Fiesta pins to put on our badge lanyard.
Since the food places were closed we headed to Fuddrucker's for a green chile cheeseburger and a swiss melt burger. We didn't realize we were next door to a cinema so we checked the time and realized we could see 'The Magnificent Seven'.
Kind of a mixed review from us. We liked the actors and some of the action. But they seemed to be trying too hard so we really can't recommend this movie.
After the movie we had a broken cover for an outside light that we needed so we stopped at an RV dealer on the way home. We are getting our kitchen slide adjusted today, we'll let you know how that goes.
Till next time,
Bob and Jo
Currently in Albuquerque NM (Low 58 Partly Sunny and Breezy High 79)
At first we thought Day 2 would just be a repeat of Day 1. Although it was the same schedule we don't know if there were some different balloons or that we just missed them on Day 1, but Day 2 was different. We initially thought we would have a lot less pictures taken also but that wasn't the case. It was less but not significantly less.
The day began with the "Morning Glow" of a dozen balloons.
They then took off.
The National Anthem was sung.
Then the "Mass Ascension" of approximately 500 balloons began. the paper this morning said there was 550 on Opening Day. Here are the balloons pulled out and laid flat on the ground.
Then inflated they slowly begin to rise.
This happens all across the launch field.
Then they take flight.
Here is the view from our back window when we went back to the RV. This is why we got here early Monday morning to hopefully get a good spot like this. Where those people are standing is where are chairs are, a short walk away. Thanks to Mel the volunteer who parked us so we could get a good view.
More pictures showing all of the balloons.
We were watching TV waiting for the "Balloon Glow" at dusk but it never seemed to materialize, maybe because it was too windy. We were wondering if that would effect the fireworks but we heard the noise. We are situated such that we could watch both fireworks locations from our back windows. Not the evening envisioned but still another great day at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Till next time,
Bob and Jo
Currently in Albuquerque NM (Low 53 Plenty of Sun High 80)
Yesterday was Day 1 of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. It started out with the 'Morning Glow', where a dozen balloons stay tethered and they run their burners.
These balloons then lifted off.
The main part of the morning program, the mass ascension of all the balloons on the launch field began with the National Anthem and a flag presented in a unique way. In light of recent events it was nice to see everyone stand during the National Anthem.
The other balloons started lifting off. There were about 500 balloons that lifted off in about 90 minutes.
And it continued.
The wind conditions were perfect and "the box" effect was noticeable. "The box" effect is what makes the balloon fiesta special. At lower elevation the wind is in one direction and as the balloon rises the wind is in the other direction. We saw this perfectly as the balloons would head to our left at lower elevation and then return above us at a higher elevation and continue to the right. But the wind died down and this balloon cut power and landed on the launch field. You can see another balloon in the trees that wasn't so lucky.
After this
we noticed that all the balloons in the air at that time were pretty
much stationary. We are sure the balloon chasing crews had a busy
morning.
The evening consisted of the "Twilight Twinkle Glow". When we got to the bluff and sat in our chairs they were starting to inflate the balloons.
Then it got darker and the glow show began.
This was better than the dawn glow because there were a lot more balloons. The twilight glow was followed by a laser light show and then fireworks. Sorry the laser show photos didn't turn out too well but the fireworks photos were pretty good.
It was great to be in the Presidents Campground and be able to walk to our chairs overlooking the launch field. Day 2 will be similar to today so hopefully we won't take as many photos as we did on Day 1 which had to be over 400.
Till next time,
Bob and Jo
Currently in Albuquerque NM (Low 56 Beautiful with Plenty of Sun High 78)
We may not be front row like we would have preferred but we still get a good view of the launch field. Friday morning we saw our first balloon and by the time we got the camera it was already on the ground. Here is the view from our back window.
We then walked to the overlook and saw Darth Vader and Yoda tethered in front of the museum.
There were more balloons in the sky, we saw about 30 total. Our first special shape in the air.
A closeup of the second special shape we saw that we took from the truck so sorry it is a little blurry.
Catching up on food. On Thursday we went to one of our all time favorites, La Salita, and had our all time best chile relleno.
On Friday we went back to Vic's Daily Cafe and split the Navajo huevos rancheros and brought the Athenean omelet back to split tomorrow morning.
Catching up on pumpkin. On Thursday since it was so close to La Salita we went to Trader Joe's who always does great things for pumpkin season. This year we decided for the most part to try somethings we have never had before. As you can see below we got a lot of pumpkin stuff.
We saw this recyclable bag at Trader Joe's and could not resist since it had balloons.
Here is the launch field from Friday afternoon.
This morning kicked off the balloon fiesta with the 'Morning Glow'. A 'Glow' is where the balloons are tethered to the ground and the burners are lit, supposed to be really neat. The 'Morning Glow' is followed by the mass ascension of balloons at dawn. All the vendor tents should also be open. Saturday evening is the 'Twilight Twinkle Glow' that is followed by fireworks. Should be a great kickoff to the balloon fiesta.
Till next time,
Bob and Jo
