Happy Sunday! Despite the crazy weather, the amazing Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta continues to be our happy place. It is so unique! If you've missed our short videos from the event, you can find them here: ru-vid.comzrQnLEoMBOE . And we'll have more coming soon... there is so much to see here!
We attended the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta about 8 years ago and it was probably one of the best vacations we've ever gone on. Especially enjoyed the early morning breakfast in the outdoor tent in the VIP section. Most definitely a "Bucket List" item.
Thanks, we bought them in 2015 for Tom’s mom, so when she passed in 2020 I got them and I wore them in remembrance of her! Tom’s folks love the Balloon Fiesta! 😊
Great video, thanks for showing the beauty that is Balloon Fiesta. I live in ABQ, it's a wonderful experience out there on the field. Thanks for posting! 🤩
Just loved seeing this. We have a Balloon Festival here is Colorado Springs, CO and I wasn't able to attend it this year, so it made me fill like I got to go after all. I used to be able to get right out there too and it is the most exciting thing I've ever done. Thank you for such an exciting video. I wish I had been there with you. Safe travels.
I seldom bother anyone with my opinion BUT I gotta say, you’re a handsome guy with the trimmed beard. 🤠👍 Albuquerque balloon festival is magical, thanks for your program.
My family was able to go for the first time this year. Thursday morning was so crowded that we couldn’t get as close as you all but we felt like we were right there with the ground crew. Such a huge variety of balloons! We had a blast!
Stacie, you look like a kid at Christmas seeing all the balloons! So fun watching your video and experiencing the balloon fiesta through your eyes! ❤️❤️❤️
Always wanted to attend a Balloon Fiesta and I almost felt like I was there in person. Great video as always, you two are so much fun! Thanks for sharing!
Once again, a Wonderful, job of sharing the outstanding entertainment of the Balloon Festival. Was happy to see this in 2015 with You and Tom. Many returned, yet many new balloons on site.
Wow! It looks like y'all had a great time. The smiles never left your faces. I wish we could have been there for that. Good quality video, too. ..Howard and Betty
Awesome job, guys! The Fiesta is always an awesome adventure, despite Mother Nature's interference. I am so happy you that your last minute decision to attend worked out so well. We hope to meet you there again one day. Safe travels to your next destination! ❤️❤️❤️
All y'all are making me jealous! Can't wait to start our travels in our Class B (lot's smaller than yours I tell you what!). Just a few more months until retirement and then WE ARE OFF!!! Be seeing you!
Fantastic! So great to share the unexpected joy of what traveling the country can drop in your lap on any given day! Beautiful footage, happy faces and as always, an enjoyable episode presented by two enjoyable people… Thank you for sharing this!
We were there for the first four days; too bad we missed y'all! Also had a campsite in the south lot. We had a fantastic time, and yes it is certainly a bucket list event.
Just a note- the winds at Balloon Park at ground level tend to blow southward. So balloons are grouped and can clear the airspace by going south, enabling wave after wave to launch. BUT, at a higher altitude, the wind currents tend to shift and blow NORTH so if the pilots can find that sweetspot altitude, they can actually fly BACK to the ballon field. It is called "The Albuquerque Box" and is quite unique. The Fiesta takes advantage of "The Box" to conduct competitions. One is the Key Grab where the keys to a brand new car are put on the top of a tall pole. The object is to lift off, fly south, then use The Box air current to return to the field without landing, swoop down, fly past the pole and grab for the keys! Another competition is similar- balloon must launch and fly south, then use The Box to return to the field (not landing). then hover or glide over a target on the ground and drop a sand bag. It means big cash if you hit the bullseye!!!
The reason they don't fly into each other is pilot skill. Balloons can only move laterally with an air current. So if it looks like two are too close, one must fire the burners so air inside balloon heats then rises taking balloon with it. To descend, burners are NOT fired and as the air in the balloon cools it begins to drop. But it can cool too fast, causing a dangerous plunge so pilots must know when and how often to fire those burners to keep air just the right temperature so the descent is controlled. Add to that the air current might be going another way once you change altitude causing the pilot to make quick decisions as changes do not occur quickly. It has always been a bit scary when you hear a nearby balloon repeatedly and quickly start firing those burners. Generally they are trying to go higher quickly to avoid whatever dangerous situation looms. So those pilots aren't just pretty and for show 😉, they are ALWAYS vigilant 360 degrees! Special shapes are even more work!
We were there! Made four of the nine morning sessions. Our picture colors just don’t pop against the clouds but it gives us an excuse to get them next time. Like we need an excuse. lol
We were there opening day last Saturday and the weather was clear and beautiful. Sunday on was not as great. I wish we could have stayed until Thursday with Darth Vader got there!
Darth Vader is normally accompanied by storm troopers. Also the 2 bumblebee bears after launch will turn and face each other and “kiss” in mid air. The creamland cow is a legend at the Fiesta!
That was very cool we loved it! Do you know if every state was represented? We have balloons go up here every Memorial Day in Decatur ,Al but not that many!!
So glad ya'll got to camp on the grounds, however I am very confused because I was on the wait list. I had tried to get camping reservations on the day that camping reservations opened. After one hour and 45 minutes of trying to get through, I finally got through, but nothing was left. I was put on the cancellation wait list. When checking back, I was told that their were others still ahead of me on the wait list. If there were opening, why was I not notified? Really makes me doubt the reservation system and rules in the agreement I signed.
We never said we weren’t on the wait list, just like you we tried to book back on the second the reservation system opened. The difference here though was we were in Albuquerque already, dry camping in the cultural center, so we were real close & due to weather, with only a few days left in the event some folks decided to leave early so that’s why we got in. Thanks for watching!
Thanks. Good to know. We were in Santa Fe hoping to be notified. I am truly happy for you that you got to go. I guess we were further down the list. Happy trails and stay safe.
The balloon fiesta has out lived it's likeability. It's a pain in the ass for locals and should be moved out of Albuquerque to the west by 50 miles. No one but a very few profit from it. Pay me $10,00.00 for your privilege to inconvenience me for a week. I'm native born in Albuquerque and I hate the fiesta.
Thanks for the comment but I’m really sad to hear that because it’s such a unique experience for a lot folks & especially RVers! Hopefully they can make it a win win again for everyone! 🤷♂️
