I’m a person who gets excited when I see a hot air balloon overhead – even one. I’ve been known to run in the direction of the balloon so I can capture an out-of-focus pic. You can imagine how obnoxiously excited I’ve been experiencing the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
The Balloon Fiesta is in it’s 45th year and happens the first week of October every year. A man named Sid Cutter started it in a shopping center parking lot in 1972. There were 13 balloons. This year there are 550. One of our current Big Rig neighbors worked for Sid back in the day.
The Balloon Fiesta hit our Bucket List last year. My travel planner, Other Half got everything lined up and here we are – just in time for my birthday.
Four of our friends from Ohio joined us for a couple of days. So nice of them to come all this way just for my birthday. Gee, thanks guys.
The Balloon Fiesta is a big draw for the area. We got here on Monday afternoon and have seen the crowds increase daily. Thursday is kids day, and hundreds of kids get a skip day to attend. It’s worth it.
There are also hundreds of Big Rigs here. We’re sandwiched in tightly with our new best friends. We’re the burgundy rig. This is our first real experience dry camping for any length of time. Dry camping means you have NO hook ups of any kind. No electric, no water and no sewer. Good thing the Big Rig has a generator and good sized holding tanks. Dry camping also means you take showers every other day and think twice about letting the water run while you brush your teeth. So far we’re doing ok.
Other Half and I are morning people, which is a good thing this week. The events start at the crack of dawn – literally. It’s dark and it’s cold when we hit the launch field.
Spectators are allowed everywhere on the launch field. You can talk to the pilots, the crews and the other frozen spectators. Each balloon has a crew and a chase team made up of volunteers. Our friend Mike Kuper, www.flyingthekoop.com crews for the Hearts A Fire balloon.
Hearts A Fire is owned by the Rice family. The pilot, Brad Rice, is a a second generation pilot. His dad, Dick Rice was an early balloon enthusiast. We watched Mike and the crew set up, inflate and launch the balloon.
We’ve never been so close to a hot air balloon. The experience leaves you in awe. The balloons are much bigger in person than they appear in the sky. The basket really is a basket. And the burner is loud and hot.
They also are dang close together on the field and sometimes in the air. When two balloons touch in the sky it’s called a kiss. We’ve witnessed a lot of kissing.
Between balloon events Other Half and I are getting in some bike riding. Albuquerque has an extensive paved bike trail system, much of it running along the water diversion channel.
We also managed a margarita or two.
In my opinion, the Balloon Fiesta is worthy of a spot on your Bucket List. Plan on dressing in layers, bring gloves and a portable charger for your phone. Take it from me, it’s a bummer to have a dead battery just as the balloon you’ve been stalking takes flight.