Albuquerque Awesomeness

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It's not everyday that we find an activity that is equally fun and exciting for all members of our family, from Brigham on down to Jacob-- but today we found one of those things. This morning we yanked our kids out of bed early (also a rare happening) and headed down to the famous International Balloon Fiesta. It was AWESOME! Because of traffic we got there later than we wanted to, and we arrived just as the shaped balloons were starting to launch. There were so many fun and crazy balloons-- from Darth Vader to a cathedral! And they were HUGE. The pictures really don't do this event justice at all. After the shaped balloons all launched, there was a hot-air balloon competition. They set up three big poles and tied keys to each of them. Balloonists swooped down and tried to get a key off of a pole. One of the keys was to a new car, so hundreds of balloons came down really close to the ground (we saw three actually crash INTO the ground) right in front of us. It was beautiful and a lot of fun! We are excited to go again next year, and anyone who wants to join us is welcome!

Comments

Katie Groneman said…
Wow - that's cool! I went on a hot air balloon ride once (too bad I was so young that I can't really remember it).
11 October, 2008 10:13
Marilyn said…
So how come the picture that you start with is just normal shaped balloons, vs the shaped ones. There must be 15 balloons in one picture and none of them is strange shaped?
Also, I was wondering if they award prizes of value for the best shaped balloon? It has got to cost a fortune to have those custom made to be Cathedrals for instance!
Looks like fun!
11 October, 2008 15:41
Gramps said…
That does look cool. I like the Orient Express Balloon. I did hear that there were something like 3 accidents that caused deaths.
11 October, 2008 16:15
Christa said…
We were lucky that we went when we did. We were debating going yesterday morning or tonight. But there was an accident yesterday where a balloon hit some power lines and burst into flames killing one man, so they shut it down today. Even if they wouldn't have done it, it still would have been off because of the awful weather today. So we were glad we went yesterday! Mom, they launch all shaped balloons at once and then the regular ones go together.
11 October, 2008 19:08
Erica said…
I've heard of this before. I'd love to go sometime. It sounds so fun. Perhaps in a future year, we'll need to take a trip down to see you guys while this is going on too.
11 October, 2008 19:41
Cambrienelson said…
Fun! Is it a annual thing?
11 October, 2008 21:46
Unknown said…
In July I saw 'em launch off about 15 or so normal balloons in the field across the street from the hospital as I was walking to work.

...yeah, that's about as fancy as it gets around here. Those pictures really look awesome. To bad about the accident.
11 October, 2008 21:59
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