DIRECTORY Calgary Stampede Hot Air Balloon Festival Be sure to visit our other web site... |
Continue to the |
Have you ever wanted to attend the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival? Jim & Sally got that chance and what a trip that was. You didn't have to ask us twice about going on this trip. Spending 20 days touring the Southwest, Colorado, and Utah, wasn't a bad idea. The plans were set in motion and it was time to get the coach ready for a long haul. Our plans were to caravan and meet up with most of the 46 coaches headed towards the festival traveling across two states to get there. Of course, you don't want to miss getting in a little gambling at Laughlin, NV and taking in the wondrous sights of Mother Nature along the way. |
Here we are... About to enter new Mexico |
You can't read the sticker in the back window of our coach, but it says....... "We may get bad gas mileage for a car, but... it's great for a HOME" (No engine problems this trip... It was smooth sailing straight to Albuquerque) |
The "VIP" parking at the festival gave all of us a front row view. But, you had to experience the joy of waking up at 4:00 am, trying to keep warm in order to view the "Dawn Patrol" which leaves each morning at sunrise to check the weather. |
Dawn Patrol |
One can forget the cold..... when there's beauty like this to be seen |
With daylight approaching, the crowds were gathering to watch the morning's "Mass Ascension" |
Each year balloons come from 50 countries to participate in the event. It has become the most photographed event in the world. Albuquerque is the premier ballooning city due to the perfect October climate and a phenomenon called the "Albuquerque Box." With a combination of weather patterns and geographic landscape, the box is the perfect environment for balloonists. Now this is something to see. |
"Bucktown Buck" -- Piano-Roll Style Rag Composer: Frank French Arranged by: John Roach |
BACK |
HOME |
NEXT |
Continue to the |
There's more to come. Wait until you see the "Special Shapes" |
">
">
">
">
Last updated on: 8 February, 2002
DIRECTORY Calgary Stampede Hot Air Balloon Festival Be sure to visit our other web site... |
All rights reserved, copyright © jimsal 2000. No pictures from this web site may be used without the expressed permission of Jim & Sally McClenaghan. |
