Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Last weekend we went to the Balloon Fiesta. We had to get up at 4:30 Saturday morning so we could make it through all the traffic, parking lots and crowds in time to see the balloons inflate and take off early that morning. It was amazing! I have never seen something like that before. We could stand right beside the balloons and even touch them. As they slowly left the ground and lifted into the air, they literally went just above our heads. It was freezing outside, but if you stood right beside the big flame of a balloon, it warmed you up. Sunday morning, Lea and I headed back out to see them one more time. Uncle Dave was working that morning, filming from the news station helicopter. There were many more balloons Sunday morning. I guess the weather was a little better. The weather conditions have to be practically perfect in order for the balloons to fly. Otherwise, they just inflate and stay on the ground.

Here are some pictures... which don't do it justice at all. If you ever have the chance, you should try to make it to this event!

Lea took a little nap.

Balloons and mountains in the background.

As the balloons inflate, they bump into each other.

This is a "Zebra". They help all the people move out of the way just before a balloon takes off.

A Bumble Bee... one of the "special shapes".

Lea loved waving at the people in the baskets as they took off! "Bye bye, people!"