Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Day 1

We arrived at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta grounds yesterday afternoon. Check-in was well organized, and we were escorted to our parking spot. We were able to get a reservation for a premium site in the South lot. For $95 a night, we have 30 amp electric and water hookup. There are only 100 of these sites, and they sell out fast. I actually tried to get one last year, and ended up on a waiting list. The event was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid, but some people cancelled their reservation from last year, and we were able to get a spot this year. We are about a mile from the launch field with free shuttle busses to take us to the events. There are many more camping spots without hookups, but I'm glad we have them since we don't  have a generator.

About 6 am this morning, I could see some glow from the balloons in the distance. They send up about 10 balloons at 6 am to see if the weather conditions are conducive for the mass ascension at 7 am. 

There was a flyover as part of the opening ceremonies. They looked like WWII planes. 

Then the mass ascension started. There are about 588 balloons here this year. Sixty of them are specialty balloons with odd shapes. It took about two hours for all of them to pass over us. Get ready for balloon overload!!

Rainbow Ryders offer balloon rides. I love the bucket list checkmark on the side of their balloon. I was contemplating taking a ride; Kevin is not at all interested. After watching how close together they were this morning, the powerlines in the area, and some unexpected landings this morning; I think I will stay on the ground and enjoy from below. Some of them really did get quite close to the RVs. 

This is the Colorado balloon.

Look at how small the gondola basket looks at the bottom of the cow. I think this was the largest balloon out there.

 I'm not sure who or what this girl balloon is supposed to be. Maybe Pippi Longstocking?? You can see  how close they are to each other. 

Our neighbor was kind enough to take our picture sitting in front of our site with just some of the balloons that had already flown over us.

Quite a few of them landed in a field right behind RVs parked a few rows away from us.

This one was coming in very close to the motorhome at the end of our row. Oops, he landed right next to it as you can see in the second picture below. They had to push the basket towards the road to deflate the balloon without hitting the RV.

And they just kept coming. 

Look carefully, and you can see a pumpkin and a smiley face below.

Did you know Smokey the Bear originated in New Mexico in 1950.

Our neighbors enjoyed the view from the top of the motorhome.

The Viking is in honor of our daughter-in-law and her Norwegian ancestry. The other side was a Viking ship.

Well, that's it for what we saw this morning. Tonight we are going to the evening activities at the launch field. There will be skydiving, an evening glow and fireworks. I'm sure many more photos will come tomorrow!

Don’t wish upon a star – Reach for one!