The 2019 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
For ALL Fiesta information go to ... https://balloonfiesta.com/
Less than a month to go until Fiesta starts. Now something to consider. We start one day earlier for the Albuquerque Aloft flight. This is where we visit a local Elementary school and inflate and stand and if possible fly off after educating the kids on ballooning. A lot of school kids don't get the chance to see balloons up close or have a conversation with a Pilot. We go to a school that is so close to the airport that taking off is prohibitive. We would have to have the right winds and also advise the tower of our intentions as we launch.
It's much easier to stand the balloons up and talk to the kids then deflate, go have breakfast, of which I pay for the crew who show up, and then go refuel and prepare for the first day of Fiesta.
The kids enjoy it so we enjoy it.
So many things to do but everything in its time. just can't rush some stuff.
If you are wondering why there wasn't a blog entry last Sunday... well... I didn't have the want to create it.
Since we are into Fiesta time I figured I would put up something.
For those visiting Fiesta here are some thoughts on what you should and shouldn't do.
It's from experience.
1. Wear layers and have a backpack to stick the clothes you are going to take off in.
2. Bring sunscreen and sunglasses.
3. Wear comfortable and sturdy shoes.
4. Arrive earlier than you think you should. Lines become unusually long for everything.
5. If you arrive early, get some food and drink and wander the field. There is so much to see.
6. Put all your trash in trash cans that are every 50 yards on the field.
7. Do not step over or stand on a balloon envelope or rope lines.
8. Do talk to the Pilot and Crew if you want to know something.
9. Stay away from the fan when it's running. It's the most dangerous piece of equipment on the field.
10. Do come up close to the basket and take as many pictures as you want.
11. When standing downwind ( in front of a balloon coming at you ) get out of the way as it will run you over as it cant stop on a dime.
12. Even after the balloons fly off don't leave, visit the vendors because the balloons might fly back.
There are more but that's what I can think of off the top of my head right now.
For the Pilots and families, we are all trying to think of what we need to do to get ready. It is 9 days of flying and that means lots of things get stopped due to time. We make lots of lists. Make lots of decisions.
My direct thoughts right now are...
Do I load my racer balloon on the off chance I can fly her? Temp and passenger is the reason I can't fly her all the time.
When do I clean the system for the last time before Fiesta?
When do I clean everything else around the house?
When do I buy all the soda, beer, and snacks for the crews?
I have a list to shuffle about.
Some of the things I've taken pictures of over the last few weeks.. or screen captured... with explanations.
Took off without a hat this day. I have no idea how that happened. Flying over the new Elementary school going in West of Unser.
Sony RX10V4 DSLR shots while flying.
Randone over the edge of the basket shot of the slower people hahaha.
Nice down view of Kiss A Hoy as she leaves the launch field.
Since we are usually twenty or so balloons on fun weekend flying I rarely take a lot of shots as we all spread out. This was a nice day for bunching but not too many balloons.
Sony RX10V4 on the ground shots. More time to frame the shot and focus where I want it.
A very active shot. Background balloon cold to hot inflating. The basket on ground preparing to put burners up and we are standing Kiss A Hoy up at this moment.
Sky koala. Getting aired out pre Fiesta. Some blue skies behind for contrast.
Mojo's Reverse Gravity Machine ( aka YTIVARD ) rides over the tall choya cactus to a soft and gentle landing on the edge of the arroyo.
Stacking up to prepare to lay down in the arroyo. it was very soft sand.
Driving in the arroyo means having a very good four-wheel drive and common sense. Even a regular four-wheel drive can get stuck in this silty soft sand. Great place to land though.
So that was it really. I could go into minor stuff but why?
Next week we will be down another seven days and more things will come up. It's a busy September where its usually pretty quiet.
Get some rest now. Sleep in all you can because I leave at 0500 for the field during Fiesta. If you are driving to public parking on a weekend you ahd better be at the gates by 0500.
Praying for calm winds and cool weather.
