This is a long one so get a snack!
This was the 4th and final date driven event of our 2017 summer. We spent a few days around Albuquerque prior to Fiesta.
Fiesta was amazing. We were parked across the street from the hot air balloon museum and walking distance to the launch field. Morning activities begin about 5:45 AM. So the first day we got up at 4:30 and walked over. It is chilly that time of day. They have what is called the "Dawn Patrol" where about 10 balloons inflate and lift of at 6 AM. This is very cool because it is still dark the entire balloon is lit up each time the pilot fires the propane burners. Once they lift off and are well on the way other balloons begin to inflate. Just watching the process of getting the balloon inflated and upright is fascinating. That day there were 579 balloons. Once they are inflated there is what is called morning glow. This is where all the balloons fire their burners at the same time. Again because it is still dark it creates a magical image. Then they begin to lift off. One by one but so quickly after each other it is awesome. As quickly as they go it still takes about 2 hours for all the balloons to get air borne. Because there are so many they are launched in waves. Soon hundreds of balloons are air born. This is call the Mass Ascension. We were able to be right down on the launch field talking with crew members and pilots while the process is going on. Each balloon is really a beautiful piece of art. Most are designed by the pilot or owner of the balloon so they are all unique. Most are the traditional tear drop balloon shape but many are not. We saw cow balloons, many various characters like Yoda and Darth Vader. Some just fun ones like the frog and the bumble bee. And these balloons cover the full color spectrum.
This time of year, Albuquerque experiences what is called a box wind. This wind will push a balloon north at one altitude then if the pilot changes altitude the wind will push them south. This is a result of the direction of the wind in the fall and the mountains. This is a very big box but it has a tendency to keep the balloons within several miles of the launch site.
Morning Glow
Lots of people even at this early time
The next morning we decided that rather than be standing among the balloons at launch we'd like some distance so we could get more of a panorama. So we took 2 chairs and climbed on the roof of Harvey! Since we were only about a mile from the launch field this gave us a great view plus a surprise. Once the balloons launch, the wind begins to push them along. Some pilots go for some altitude while other stay lower. Because the wind varies at various altitudes the balloons spread out but basically move in the same direction.
From the roof of Harvey
Some of the balloon came down in the parking area.
This one was about 20 yards from us
That evening we went back to the launch field to see Night Glow. No balloons actually take off but are tethered down. Once inflated they may all light up at once or have a flicker burn where each balloon fires intermittently. Really cool.
