Its a novel experience for the public on the streets in the early morning to see the balloons so low and trying for everything to get just right on that line to the next target.
While chasing Mo, my son, I visited with a lot of folk just standing watching the balloons slip over the nearby trees or buildings, cell phone cameras up and snapping away.. Faces raised with mouths slightly open in somewhat stunned bunny mode as baskets glide by. Handed out a bunch of cards as well.
Normally I would be at a target of choice to get shots of the competitors clocking in and flinging baggies this way and that but unfortunately Mo had most of his crew bail and only had two pretty hardy and awesome women out to help him get in the air, drive chase, and pack him up. I tagged along to hold the crown line and pull him down. They did all the hard work and lifting and shoving and busting ass.
This was a chance for Mo to see if he really wanted to get out there and play the game. Since he wants to get his Commercial licence soon he had to make hard choices. I'm glad he has chosen to get his commercial over having fun with the group. Some maturity poking up there. The pros are big to getting his commercial. I hope the other Pilots out there help him along. I wish some of his friends would be able to help him tomorrow and chase him around the city.... granted that's because I would then sneak off to take pictures of everyone flying in this crazy competition.
Is it legal to shanghai someone for crew?
Today the winds were twitchy. About the best option was the Northwest corner of Fiesta field or farther out if you could find a hole. It because of the total luck thing to get in the air when it was pushing a specific way. If you got it you got a nice line.. if not you got chucked off to the East. Mo got chucked off to the East.
The good target laying people did spread the zones out and that helped get some scoring in. I'm of a mind to do the same thing if I was doing it. Lay out enough targets that everyone had a good chance of scoring something.
I also like when there is a common launch spot an a nearby solid target... that way its easier to catch everyone trying for that target and that means I get a lot more shots of the fun.
It happens rarely.
Here is what I caught today.... I wished I could have stayed and gotten everyone but I had to hare off to the East to catch Mo. He did land on Moon street right at the arroyo nicely. He was just sitting there when I drove up.
Here is what I thought worth showing to you.
Here's hoping Mo has more crew for the last day of the Top Gun Rio Grande Classic Competition.
I am getting there about 0545 and around 6 they start moving.
If so I will have more photographs to show you all of how well the teams did... if not then I will be on crown line and enjoying the yellow reflections of Mojo's Reverse Gravity Machine close up. Always fun to watch regardless.
