10/11/15 Albuquerque International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

New Mexico and another state sticker brings us to the biggest bucket list item of all for Deb.  When she made reservations in February to stay for 7 days, John said "really, what are we going to do for 7 days?" Well he was hooked the moment the first balloons went up and had the time of his life as well.  Our VIP West campsite was on the fiesta grounds, a two minute walk to the balloon launch area.  The grounds open at 5 a.m. and the fairway loaded with media, food and vendors of all sorts was packed with thousands of people by 6 a.m.  A half dozen Dawn Patrol

Atop Our RV

balloons ascend before sunrise to test the winds then between 7 and 8 a.m. 300 to 600 balloons ascend, EVERY DAY! When the wind was blowing south, they flew right over our heads as we sat on top of our RV. Some flew so low we had conversations with the pilots.

Lady Jester Balloon

                                   

Deb volunteered to crew for the Lady Jester Balloon Team for three days, one of the coolest things she has ever done.  Arriving at our spot on the field around 6:30 a.m., we unroll the tarp, then the balloon, turn on the fans to start to fill the balloon and then attach it to the gondola (basket the pilot/passengers ride in) and turn on the gas to fill it the rest of the way.  The referees signal when each balloon can ascend but it still feels like beautiful mass chaos on the field with hundreds of trucks, crew, referees and balloons along with thousands of spectators.  After Lady Juster rises and we see which direction the wind is taking her, we pile in the back of the pickup and follow.  When she lands we roll it all up, pack it in the trailer, go back to the fiesta field and tail-gate. Jester's owners and pilots, Sally and Robert, treat their crew royally.  It's now about 9:30 a.m. and today breakfast is delicious Frito Pie (chili poured into a small bag of Frito's with cheese and onions on top and of course the traditional ballooning beverage - champagne! Ah, yes, life is oh so very good.     

On the weekends, for The Night Glow, balloons are filled and lit up by the gas burners but do not ascend.  Helping to hold down the gondola attached to an eight story balloon filled with hot gas, on a windy evening, took muscles Deb didn't know she had.  The Glow is followed by the most fantastic ground and air fireworks we have ever seen!  So grateful to be walking home as stories abound of taking 2 hours just to get out of the parking lot after the fireworks. 

Holding The Jester During The Glow

We met some great new friends in the RV park, Marsha and Ralph, who live near Cape Cod, Massachusetts, about 2 hours from where we will live in Westerly!!  They are on a 4 month RV-about so we hope to hook up with them again before they head East in Spring.

By the way, this is NOT the last time we will come for the fiesta. Rent an RV and come with us next time!!!

Deb Waiving From Lady Jester Crew Truck

Photo While Holding Lady Jester As She Fills