Saturday, October 9, 2010

Monaco International Luncheon, Friday Balloon Festival

From Monaco Luncheon at El Pinto

Part of the festivities with the Monaco Group include two really nice luncheons. We didn't take any pictures yesterday, but today we thought to include them. We had a great Mexican buffet which included all the goodies. Here are a few pictures of our group:


From Monaco Luncheon at El Pinto
From Monaco Luncheon at El Pinto
From Monaco Luncheon at El Pinto


The following picture includes our table mates: From the left, our neighbors parked next to us, Mary & Jim Richards, Jeff & Teri Huntington, and Bob.

From Monaco Luncheon at El Pinto

At the opposite end of the table: Kay and David Piper and Peggy & John Rahkola.

From Monaco Luncheon at El Pinto

David Piper was kind enough to take this final photo of Bob & I.

From Monaco Luncheon at El Pinto

Tonight keep your fingers crossed for calm winds and the Balloon Glow!

Friday, October 8, 2010

Balloon Fiesta - Friday Morning

From Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Friday Morning

What a treat - finally, we are at the 39th International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque New Mexico! Balloonists start very early. How early? Let's just say the breakfast venues close at 7:00 AM. We have never attended an event starting in the dark.

From Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Friday Morning
From Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Friday Morning

From Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Friday Morning

We're skipping many photos taken in the dark to get right to the action. Balloons are being prepared for launch as soon as dawn approaches.

From Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Friday Morning
From Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Friday Morning
From Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Friday Morning

The couple in the foreground look as though they're wondering what to see next. With 385 acres of balloons preparing to launch, it isn't an easy choice.

From Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Friday Morning
From Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Friday Morning
From Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Friday Morning

The scale of these giants are deceiving. From the air they look puny, but when standing right next to them, it's an entirely different matter.

From Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Friday Morning
From Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Friday Morning
From Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Friday Morning

Here are some of the specialty balloons, meaning not of typical shape. . .

From Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Friday Morning
From Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Friday Morning
From Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Friday Morning

Here are some we thought exceptionally pretty. . .

From Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Friday Morning
From Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Friday Morning
From Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Friday Morning

After taking over 500 photos this morning, including them all is impossible. Here is a brief slide show, and the 100+ best photos can be found on the web album. Have fun and we hope you enjoy then all!

Friday evening Balloon Glow

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
With the last rays of sun shining on the Sandia Mountains, everyone anticipates the evening balloon glow.

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
As we arrive on the field, hundreds of balloons are being inflated.

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
This picture shows several of the specialty balloons in a row.

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
"Arky" from Grants Pass, Oregon, is a favorite.

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
"Patriot" is from Glendale, CA, and is the first time we see it.

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
"Sarah the Witch", (center, from Palm Desert, CA) is flanked by "Matrioshka" on the left from Dakota Dunes, SD, and a commercial unlisted balloon on the right we hadn't seen earlier.

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
"Cent'r Stage" is from Albuquerque and is an awesome balloon. The size of these balloons can be enormous, and this is certainly one of the largest.

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
"Pumpkinhead" is from Scottsdale, AZ.

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
"The Rooster" is from Enschede, Netherlands and is my personal favorite.

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
"She's a Lady," from Wheat Ridge, CO on the left, and "Sea Fantasy," from Wausau, WI on the right.

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
"Polly" from Campo Largo, Brazil is a crowd pleaser.

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
"Polly" together with "Tom" from Kluizen, Belgium.
From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
"La Ristra" from Socorro, NM.

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
No listing for this one in the program, but perhaps Sponge Bob?

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
"Haunted House" from San Paulo, Brazil.

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
"Joey Little Bee", Albuquerque; "Joelly" from Maricopa, AZ; and "Lilly Little Bee" from Peoria, AZ. Hopefully I got them in the right order.

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
"Three Monkeys" from San Paulo, Brazil.

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
Front and rear views of "Jim" from Albuquerque, NM.

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
"Airganic Garden," Cary, IL.

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
"Carousel," Orchard Lake, MI.

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
The crowds this Friday night are unbelievable. Perhaps 100,000 are on the field to watch the tethered balloons light up. It is an awesome sight, but walking back to The Popeye Express was a challenge in the dark. Once the balloons turn off their flames, darkness descends - and fast! The picture above is what we see walking up the ramp towards our parking area. Good luck trying to find your bike in the dark.

From Albuquerque Balloon Glow
The Magnificent Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, worth a visit all by itself - awesome!

Each night, wind or no, the sky lights up with fireworks. Albuquerqueians know how to celebrate!