Balloon Fiesta 2007

Here's the third chapter of a trilogy of slideshows of photos I took at the 2007 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. This year I actually got up at 4 am in order to get to the Balloon Fiesta Park by 5:15. "Dawn Patrol" consists of a handful of hot-air balloons that launch before dawn to check the winds aloft. At dawn the mass ascension begins, led by the Wells Fargo balloons, gently lifting off to the Star Spangled Banner, American flags hanging from the balloon baskets and rippling in the breeze. The day we went was one of two "Special Shapes Rodeo" days. When you watch the video below, you'll see what "special shapes" means.

Part 1

How to Land a Balloon

What goes up must come down. Today's photos were taken on the first day of Balloon Fiesta, October 6. Shortly after sunrise, four of us piled into the Subaru to chase balloons. Chase crews generally follow one balloon, but we chose to follow many, ending up just north of Albuquerque in Corrales. This balloon was just dropping from the sky into a parking lot. Step one: find someone strong to catch a rope.

A safe landing.


Now the fun part: bringing the balloon down and tipping the basket.

What you don't see in these pictures is the crew at the other end pulling the balloon to the ground.






The bottom of a balloon basket is a convenient place to post messages to loved ones.

The final phase: removing the air. Once the air is forced out, the envelope is systematically folded. The final press to remove any trapped air requires that six squealing children sit on the folded bundle.


We moved on and headed toward Rio Rancho, following hundreds of balloons.


Cam and Gail were duly impressed with our early morning adventure.

I can't say the same about this horse, who was a little spooked by the hot-air craft all around him.



Sometimes a street makes a great landing strip, especially if there are neighbors eager to help with the landing. This balloon's chase crew arrived several minutes later.



Honey, there's a giant cow in the back yard...

Time to go home and rest. Chasing balloons is hard work!

How NOT to Land a Balloon

Thank you, Lana, for this chilling photo.

How To Launch A Balloon

Albuquerque Aloft, a prelude to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, is held the Friday before Fiesta (October 5). The unofficial Fiesta kickoff, balloons launch from various schools around the city. This year, a balloon launched from M's school, piloted by a kindergarten teacher. I rushed to the school early in the morning to photograph the launch of "Mary Alice In Wonderland" with Cam, who had arrived a few days earlier from New Hampshire with Gail.

If you are interested in ballooning, here's a primer for launching your hot air craft. First off, you need a funky little trailer announcing to the world that you are really serious about your hobby.


You also need a lot of friends with muscles. Launching a hot air balloon takes a bit of work. First, the propane burner is assembled on the wicker basket (or gondola). Next, the propane lines are connected and tested, to make sure the burner is firing properly.



Now it's time to lay the envelope (that's the actual balloon) on the ground and prepare to inflate it.



A hot air balloon is first inflated cold, using a large, gas-powered fan.




The crew holds the envelope open for inflation.





No one is sure these folks ever made it out alive after the balloon swallowed them head-first.



Happy Cam-per.


Time to turn the gas on and get this baby aloft. Cold air sits on the ground, but hot air rises!





Final check before lift off.




And they're off!