Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2009

Diana, Harry and Noel headed out Friday afternoon for the final weekend of the world's largest balloon launch. Saturday morning we saw on local TV (as we got ready to continue to Albuquerque from our Raton, NM motel) a fantastic launch of over 500 balloons, including a special shape balloon we'd not seen or heard of before this - Darth Vader! The weather was clear and dry, if chilly, and we continued with great enthusiasm toward Albuquerque. The "Magic Glow" was scheduled for that Saturday evening so we had a fun afternoon hiking Petroglyph National Monument on the north edge of Albuquerque. It was clear, calm and mid-70's and we saw over 200 'glyphs.

View from our motel of hill about Raton	Entry to vistor center at Petroglyph National Monument	map of the area	Description of the canyon we hiked	One of several 'glyphs along the pathway	Diana and Harry climbing the side of the volcano
			view from top to the valcano toward Sandia Peak (Fiesta Park is near it's base)	View toward downtown Albuquerque	bird on one of the lava rocks	trail choice to top of the volcano
looking down the trail to the parking area						example of the layers of bubbly lava in the lava rocks

Then the wind picked up . . . we arrived at Fiesta Park about 6p, just as they started to inflate several dozen balloons to participate in the evenings "Magic Glow". Soon after, however, they had to be deflated because of winds in excess of 10mph. They did, thankfully, move up the evenings fireworks to 715p. They were pretty good ones. We got back to the hotel early and well rested to get up at 430a Sunday for the "Grand Ascension".

entry to Fiesta Park	some of the balloons inflating for the Magic Glow	A final balloon "in glow"	The Humpty Dumpty balloon deflating with a "candle" nearby	closer look . . .	crowd waiting for fireworks while some "candles" entertain	more candles across the fields
Diana and Noel with the field behind	again - without flash	The trailer for one of the special balloons	just before the Cow Balloon is put away	"folding" the cow up	closing fireworks
					Very nice finale

Sunday's weather was again clear, crisp and too WINDY! We went to the park with thousands of other hopeful spectators but no attempt to launch was made that morning. A very anti-climactic end to what we otherwise a great fiesta week. We missed it . . . On the bright side we did find a Squished Penny Machine and enjoyed a trip with Harry before he leaves for Iowa and Americorp training.

The entry to Fiesta Park before sunrise	Our favorite breakfast on the field! Mini-Donuts!	Diana admiring some jewelry in one of the art tents	Example of extented flags along the field
view along the merchant row	The balloon museum	Squished Penny Machine found by Diana!	Squished offerings . . .