More Fun in Albuquerque

Because we are so close to the launch field, we decided to make the very short trip to watch another mass ascension of balloons on Sunday morning.  The opening flag floated right over our heads to signal the beginning of the launch.

We discovered that the grassy area behind the balloon museum was open, and it gave us a great view of the balloons as they started launching this morning.  It was also nice that this was a free viewing area, and we didn't have to buy another ticket to watch from this angle.

Back in Santa Fe, our guests had gotten a text message from their ballooning friend that the launch had been cancelled because of the weather.  So they turned off their early alarms and got some much-needed sleep.

They didn't get the updated text that the green flag had came out, and they were still sleeping when Denisa texted Blake at 7:30 to announce that there were already 17 balloons in the air.  We did get some light rain, and we were surprised to see the balloons continuing to inflate and launch.

While the wind was carrying many of the balloons towards the mountains, we enjoyed this big zebra coming right over our heads.

Denisa decided to count the balloons this morning, updating Blake with the number in the air so they could decide if it was worth it to make the drive from Santa Fe to Albuquerque.  There were 47 in the air by 8:00, 140 by 8:15, and 267 by 8:30.  She had just counted over 300, when there was a major distraction as a balloon landed very close to us on the museum lawn.

It was amazing to see how fast the balloons were filling the air this cloudy morning.

There was another distraction from counting as a second balloon landed right in front of us.  With the less-than-ideal weather, pilots were taking advantage of a good landing spot even if it was close to the field.


 


Landing close also makes it easier for their chase crew to get there fast to help with the process of getting that balloon deflated and put away.  The two balloons were working close together and we were enjoying watching this process as well as the balloons floating so close beside us.

This balloon is almost completely deflated after just a few minutes on the ground.

This is our second mass ascension launch, but we are still thrilled with the number of balloons in the air all around us!

About that time, a balloon landed precariously close to the water drainage ditch right in front of our lawn.  We saw a bystander grab the wicker basket before it could teeter down into the ten-foot deep cement ditch, and they were yelling for people to come help.

Mark ran to help, and the group of bystanders walked the balloon to the grassy area where it would be safe and easy to deflate.  The pilot would burn his propane jets to give the balloon a little lift off the ground to make the moving process lighter on his volunteer helpers.

Denisa took another picture as the group got the Missouri balloon on its side--our first experience at being volunteer crew members.

Not all the balloons launched on this stormy morning, so we headed to the field to check out the activities.  The New Mexico State University band was parading down the street.

With the crowds on both sides, we fell into step behind the band, as that was the fastest way to move among this huge weekend crowd today.

Some of the shaped balloons are harder to fly, and opted not to launch on a rainy and windy day.  So we got to see Darth Vader and Yoda up close on the ground.

Yoda was a little shy in the picture above, but we got more eye contact from him at this angle.  You can see just how huge these balloons are when you compare them in size to the tiny people standing right underneath.

Blake, Claire, and her parents did get to see the balloons, as they were still in the air when they arrived.  Then the six of us headed out of town to do some hiking.  We headed to a place that Claire had visited before--Spence Hot Springs in the Jemez Mountains.  Denisa is not a fan of bathing suit pictures, so there are no pictures for the blog.  You'll have to take our word for it that the area around the natural hot springs was beautiful.  The leaves were changing into their fall colors, and the temperatures certainly felt like autumn today.  Spence Springs had a lower pool with swimming pool-like temperatures, and an upper pool with hot tub temperatures.  There was also a tiny cave just big enough for three women, filled with the hottest water and a sauna effect that fogged our glasses as soon as we crawled in.

Then we headed to Jemez Waterfall, a few miles down the road.  We were in the middle of the hike when the rains started and we headed for cover under the big pine trees.

The rain cleared, and we had a nice time at the waterfall.  It has a 100-foot drop, and we could see the beautiful cascading water through the rocks.  You can see four of us at the top of the falls enjoying the view.

Mark also took a picture while standing at the top of the those falls.  You can see our son Blake on the far right in the foreground, and Claire and her Father on the ledge in the center.  If you have a magnifying glass perhaps you could see Laura and Denisa at the viewpoint on the far left.  Laura's purple raincoat is just a tiny dot on the left hand edge of the picture.We are all easier to see in the next picture when we are all at the same viewpoint looking down at the waterfall.  Since Mark was the main photographer, he didn't make it into any of our group pictures.  I guess he decided that one Mark (Claire's Father) was enough for any one picture.

We headed through the beautiful landscape of the Jemez Mountains towards Santa Fe for another Mexican food meal.  It's been a great two days sharing our time and the balloons with Blake, Claire, Mark and Laura.  Thanks for the New Mexico memories!