Balloon Fiesta

[rowanf]

Wow, just wow. The Balloon Fiesta is truly amazing. We got to the park and ride by about 6am because we got lost trying to find it. So we pulled up just as the Dawn Patrol took to the air. It was amazing to see the dark balloons against the dark sky, only visible when illuminated from within by their gas jet. I wonder if I could have gotten pictures if I'd been a bit earlier. The pre-dawn pictures I did take didn't really come out. But oh, those lighted balloons against the sky were lovely.

I walked down onto the field and wandered among teams preparing their bags for inflation and getting their gondolas into place. The next hour and a half is a total blur of picture taking. I took almost 600 pictures before my camera complained of "battery exhausted". *sniff* I don't think there are any great "art" prints amongst even those hundreds but they do capture the memories. There is no way to really get a feel of just how many balloons there are. Each group takes off and disappears into the distance as another group inflates and rises. But the sky is filled with balloons



And the ground is filled with balloons:


which come in many shapes:





I've run out of time to play with pictures, I have to go gather with the Where's George folks. More later! I really wish I had an internet connection in my room!

Comments

[gemmaelf.livejournal.com]

Oh this looks so beautiful! :-D Thanks so much for sharing them ...

[liveavatar.livejournal.com]

(gapes in amazement)

I had no idea, none, about the different shapes. Incredible.

The top picture, with all the balloons taking off, tugs at my heartstrings. It's like *almost* being there.

What gemmaelf said -- thanks so much for sharing these.

(moan)

[eve-prime.livejournal.com]

Whoa! Those really brightened up my day. Perhaps you'll have the time and inclination to post more later on -- I'd love it!

[rutemple.livejournal.com]

thank you! Dear morris buddy Jay Hudson has his balloon (among other flavors of) pilot's license, and has been known to show up at morris events with fists full of pix from this event. Apparently Albequerque has this fabulous box effect of winds - "if you want to go this way, go to this elevation" sort of thing. Way too much fun, and I want to go up some day. Perhaps a joint friends and families jaunt to Napa or Hollister some day, who knows...

[rowanf.livejournal.com]

I'd love to. I've always wanted to go ballooning and came close once (scratched for wind). That one was particularly sad as I won a free ascension on the internet... over the Lake District. And was actually going to England soon enough to accept the prize. But we couldn't stay long enough to wait out the weather.

[ocean-song.livejournal.com]

wow! That's fantastic. I love balloon fiesta!!! How awesome. And I really like your pictures.

[pearlshadow.livejournal.com]

lovely..... just lovely

thank you for sharing..