Albuquerque - Balloon Fiesta

Today we got up very early to board the shuttle at the RV park and head to the fairgrounds for this mornings "Mass Ascension". After a cramped up ride we arrived at the Fiesta. I think first grade schoolers may have been uncomfortable on this bus.....Geee! was it tight.
If you've never seen over 500 balloons lift off within a couple of hours........well, put this on your list. It's indescribably beautiful and exciting. I shot almost 300 photographs and with Carol's 100+ I have many photos to edit and trying to pick a few for the blog was like trying to pick a dozen roses out of 100's. After a great morning at the Balloon Fiesta we went to Petroglyhs National Monument (more on that in next post) and that evening we returned to the Monte Carlo Steakhouse for dinner again.........must be good.
I'll be trying to post 16 photos of Balloon Fiesta......hope it works. Enjoy!....we certainly did.

Dawn patrol, 4 or 5 balloons go up before daylight to check out the wind currents. This is also doing a balloon glow.

The haunted house balloon, over 4 stories high.

Mass Ascension at daylight, over 500 balloons.......Awesome!

Stunning colors.

Cold inflating is down first, then heating the air fills the balloon and lifts it up.

Peek-a-boo. Balloons of many shapes and designs.

One big Yellowjacket

Darth Vader balloon, Zebra and one of the many pigs.

The kissing bees, a crowd favorite. The one on the left is piloted by a man that is a paraplegic.

The Kangaroos, the one on the left also had a couple of small ones.