GaryBicycles

Albuquerque Balloon Festival

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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

The morning of the first day of the ride, we went in the van to see the Hot Air Balloon Festival. We arrrived before sunrise and stayed at the festival grounds until 10AM.

I took a few videos along with many photos. The balloons are so very colorful, taking photos is very addictive. The 3 videos are approximately 1 minute long.

An early morning video shows a few hot air balloons which have just taken off. Here are two versions of the same video. The second one is large (12MB) and only for those patient enough to download it.

Small version Large Version

Most of the balloons are colorful globes. A few are cartoon characters.

This video is a castle balloon which takes a big longer to take off.

After the first set of balloons were well on their journey, a second set took off and flew down the field where the first set had been launched. This second set was a competiton where each balloonist flew over targets and dropped a marker onto several targets. If you watch this video carefully, you will see how low each balloon flys in at attempt to get closer to the targets.

It was dark when we arrived. A few balloons took off and lit up the sky.

The balloons were laying on the ground while their owners filled them with air. Large electric fans are used to fill the balloons before heating the air.

The gas heat was checked out before placing the basket under the balloon.

Claudia (from Albany NY) and Roma (from Boise ID) were two of the riders on the tour.

David (from NY) and Jill (from CT) were also on the tour.

Heating up the air in the balloon.

And away they go. We are facing west in this photo, The sun has risen over the Sandia Mountains.

Not all the balloons looked like balloons. A giant beer stein

The skys began to fill with balloons

As the balloons rose high enough, the sunlight made them shine.

One of the crew helping the pilot get ready. The crew would jump in a chase vehicle after the balloons took off and follow the balloon whereever it went. The direction and speed depends on the air temperature and wind direction.