Albuquerque Balloon Festival, 2009

TOTALLY AWESOME!! That's the only way to describe this event.

We left our coach at 5AM and headed down to the launch field to witness what they describe here as a "Mass Ascension". What that means is that all of the balloons on the field take off one after another, or simultaneously if they're not too close together. What a sight to see!

Just as we arrived at the field, about 10 balloons launched - this was about 6AM. These first 10 are considered the lead flight, and they go up to test the winds. If all is in order, then the remaining balloons will launch within the next hour. It was still dark when the lead flight launched, so we did not get many pictures. You can only see them when they "light up" to rise, and then as they heat more air for lift. We stayed until every balloon had taken flight, around 8 - 8:30AM. This year, the mass ascension totaled approximately 550 balloons. One of the balloons we spotted appeared to be the same one that Kathy, Nancy Borsetti and Gail Dimaggio rode in up in New York some years ago (around 1998, or so). It was called "Amazing Grace". Other than that, we did not see a single familiar face among the thousands of people here.

Speaking of the numbers of people here, another thing we noticed was that the city of Albuquerque certainly has their "ducks in a row" for this festival. Despite the throngs of people, traffic and parking was very orderly and efficient. Add to that the fact that people (attendees) were not "gouged" for the tickets to get in ($6/person), less for kids, this was a very good take, and a real family value. Anyone who has wanted to see this festival, I urge you to make every effort to attend this event at some time. It is a "bucket list" MUST!

Here are the links to the web albums - enjoy the photos!

http://picasaweb.google.com/cbenoitiii/BalloonFestival2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ-BxaCqi8rM5QE&feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/cbenoitiii/BalloonFestival2?authkey=Gv1sRgCIKQrc2ukpjKMQ&feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/cbenoitiii/BalloonFestival3?authkey=Gv1sRgCNHvrqz60L-JEw&feat=directlink