The 2013 Albuquerque Balloon Festival

Jeroen · 14th October 2013, 23:10

Recently I spend a week in Santa Fe, NM, USA for my work. I participated in a course at the Santa Fe Institute. Very interesting.

On my last day I went to the balloon festival in Albuqurque. It is reputed to be the largest balloon festival in the world. http://www.balloonfiesta.com

It is absolutely huge. They start very early in the morning, whilst it still is dark. They will launch some 8-12 balloons whilst still dark. Known as the dawn patrol. It'll give the other balloonist an idea of wind speed and direction.

By 0700am all other balloon get ready. What makes this festival unique is that the spectators can mingle freely all over the field. So you are literally standing next to the little basket, the burners etc.

More than 600 balloons take to the sky in about 90 minutes. Some pretty special as you will see.

Enjoy,

Jeroen

maddy42 · 15th October 2013, 12:14

Wow, did you get to fly in any of them? I missed the one this year. Did you ride in your enfield?

Jeroen · 15th October 2013, 13:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by maddy42

Wow, did you get to fly in any of them? I missed the one this year. Did you ride in your enfield?

No, I did not fly in a balloon. Plenty of rides where on offer though.

Did manage to do some real flying/piloting myself earlier that week:

Have a look here: http://www.india.jeroendorrestein.co.../Santa_Fe.html

I have flown in a few balloons in Europe across the Alpes, its nice, very tranguil, soothing and quiet, untill they light the burner. But very enjoyable.

Did not have the Enfield with me. Bit of a practical issue bringing it from Delhi, India to Santa Fe, USA.

Jeroen

14th October 2013, 23:10	#1
Jeroen Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Delhi Posts: 8,099 Thanked: 50,839 Times View My Garage	The 2013 Albuquerque Balloon Festival Recently I spend a week in Santa Fe, NM, USA for my work. I participated in a course at the Santa Fe Institute. Very interesting. On my last day I went to the balloon festival in Albuqurque. It is reputed to be the largest balloon festival in the world. http://www.balloonfiesta.com It is absolutely huge. They start very early in the morning, whilst it still is dark. They will launch some 8-12 balloons whilst still dark. Known as the dawn patrol. It'll give the other balloonist an idea of wind speed and direction. By 0700am all other balloon get ready. What makes this festival unique is that the spectators can mingle freely all over the field. So you are literally standing next to the little basket, the burners etc. More than 600 balloons take to the sky in about 90 minutes. Some pretty special as you will see. Enjoy, Jeroen Attached Thumbnails
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15th October 2013, 12:14	#2
maddy42 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Coorg Posts: 2,131 Thanked: 1,328 Times View My Garage	re: The 2013 Albuquerque Balloon Festival Wow, did you get to fly in any of them? I missed the one this year. Did you ride in your enfield?
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