Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta - 2013 !

[eubank]

We were sooo happy to see that the balloons were able to launch this morning! (We can catch it on local TV here.)

Lynn

[RamblinManGa]

Hi from GA. . . Sure hope somebody gets / posts an aerial shot of 200 Airstreams for those of us who couldn't get there this year .....have a great time, wish we were there too, Regards, Craig

[SilverPal]

Greetings! What a great launch day here at Fiesta '13. Happy to see so many people walking around in awe!

Anyone here with their favorite brew? I have a 12-pack from the Telluride Brewing Company to share, look me up in Row 1!

[nilesrob]

I'll match you with a 12 pack from Red Hare Brewing, Marietta, GA! I will swing by. I am near the top of row E.

[switz]

Our trailer was attacked by a killer bee........

[SilverPal]

Brad...Hope you enjoy the Telluride Brew! THANK YOU for dropping off the Red Hare from Georgia while I was running errands today. Enjoy the Fiesta!

[nilesrob]

May the force be with you.

[SilverPal]

Run, Cody, run!

[SilverPal]

Hard to believe everyone here was up before the sun and they still have energy for the annual Fiesta bike ride. Way to go, 'Streamers!

[orange kayak]

Jealous! This is on our list! Enjoy, all. Thanks for the pics!

[Florida 55]

A perfect morning for the mass ascension here in Albuquerque. Clear skies, upper 40's temperature at dawn, and 5 mph winds. The winds carried the balloons from the launch field over the Airstream parking area. So far it has been a spectacular day

[nilesrob]

We had to bug out today - work tomorrow, so we needed to get to electricity and internet. But we wanted to say a BIG THANKS to all the volunteers and people who made this event so fabulous. This was our first time at the fiesta, and it was simply superb; everyone should do this at least once.

So to all the people who I know spent many months planning and organizing, the people who led us to the field, parked us, checked us in, fed us, and generally made us feel welcome - thank you for a job well done.

Brad and Karen

[carl2591]

great picture of the Darth Vader balloon very cool.. and the AS's in the picture are neat as well.. would love to see a picture of the entire campground area showing all the airs that made the trip..

i heard there are some 200ish AS on site.. how does that compare to all the camping sites make up of units..

maybe the airs won the battle, but i doubt it..

keep the pictures coming..

Originally Posted by SilverPal

Greetings! What a great launch day here at Fiesta '13. Happy to see so many people walking around in awe!

Anyone here with their favorite brew? I have a 12-pack from the Telluride Brewing Company to share, look me up in Row 1!

[carl2591]

i would think that close to the city you would be good coverage from like Verizon and such for internet.. elec via solar and batteries?? guess i will have to get out there and see my self..

i see you are in Georgia.. what route did you take out west the I-10 or I-40.. we are in NC and see I-40 as a good route. how about the grades getting there.. any real duzies you had to pull..

thanks and have a good one

Originally Posted by nilesrob

We had to bug out today - work tomorrow, so we needed to get to electricity and internet. But we wanted to say a BIG THANKS to all the volunteers and people who made this event so fabulous. This was our first time at the fiesta, and it was simply superb; everyone should do this at least once.

So to all the people who I know spent many months planning and organizing, the people who led us to the field, parked us, checked us in, fed us, and generally made us feel welcome - thank you for a job well done.

Brad and Karen

[Sugarfoot]

Another perspective from our Airstreamer pilot, Rideair. Thanks to Paul Waddell's (Rideair) crew chief in the basket this morning, "Tater" McPaters.

[Sugarfoot]

Rideair's flight in his balloon, Miss Amy, from my point of view as chase crew.

[Grampz]

I had a great time at the AIBF! It was our first time. The most amazing thing was being on the launch field during the evening glow.

[Gene]

Great photos from Paul's balloon. We saw the basket, not far from our trailer, but never did see him. The wind patterns were such that most balloons went south right over the Airstreams and many came down just south in the ball fields because they did not want to come down in downtown Albuquerque. So, some of the best views were right at our trailers.

Good to see some people again this year and meet some others I only knew from their Forum names. Aftermath said we met at another Balloons, but I forget everything 5 minutes after it happens, so new friends every day. I also had a long talk with happycamper on his way from Ontario to Quartzite. And many others too whose names I, of course, forgot.

200 trailers is a lot of trailers. Thanks to our neighbor (I forgot his name too) who had a flamingo on a long pole so we could find our trailer, otherwise, I'd be wandering around for hours trying to figure out where I was.

You can have too many balloons after a while—this was our third Balloons. Our fridge was acting up on propane and we craved open space, so we left early and went to Pojoaque (10 miles north of Santa Fe) at a cheap, mostly empty CG with full hookups (Roadrunner CG). Next door is the Roadrunner Café—simple place with good food. We enjoyed huevos rancheros at 3 pm—as good as any genuine New Mexico food in Santa Fe. Fridge is doing fine with 120 v. I have Antiques Roadshow on TV—can't get much else here—and wonder if that is the only program on PBS? Every other time I turn on PBS, it is AR.

Thanks to Ken all all his helpers in organizing this and congratulations to Richard for his election to International VP.

Gene

[deecarr]

Thank you, thank you Four Corners and central coast California units. As a first time attendee, I am ready for next year! This has been such an awesome experience. The volunteers were so welcoming and truly helpful for us first timers. We met some of the nicest folks and can't wait to meet up with our new friends at future rallies. Soooo, when is sign up for next years fiesta?

[Alumaholic]

Farewell and happy trails to all who attended.
Hope to see you again next year!