SPIRIT OF THE WINDS . . .

Wow! Talk about an early morning. Tim and I had decided to go ahead and set the alarm for 5:30 AM. We were told it wouldn't be necessary to set an alarm because we would be woke up by the noise. I didn't want to take a chance. 

Sure enough ... first at 5AM the loud speakers down in the field began booming. Then at 5:02 AM I could hear the helicopters take off. These guys help in getting the weather conditions and monitor the air space over the field. 

By the time we walked on the dark field around 6AM the first few balloons were just launching. It was an amazing site and experience to be on the field during the next four hours as over 550 balloons set-up then launched in organized groups. 

The average hot air balloon is 70 - 90,000 cubic feet in volume. How big is that? 22 or more elephants would fit inside! 

For breakfast we had to try the famous breakfast burritos. Mmmm! Tasty!!! Tim got the regular breakfast burrito and I stepped out of the box and tried the chili relleno burrito. The relleno was deep fried and stuffed in the tortilla with red beans and extra cheese. Later in the day we were told the place we ate was not the #1 place to go. Guess that means burritos for breakfast again in the morning so we can compare and try the best one. Mmmm. 

There had to of been over 100,000 people there on the field with the balloon launching. Literally a sea of people! All sorts of things happen all at once. Balloons inflate. Balloons launch. Music groups on the main stage. Chainsaw carving competitions. And a gazillion food and merchandise vendors. 

By late morning all the balloons that could launch prior to the wind increase did. Tim and I then went back to the Airstream to regroup and catch our breath. 

Afterwards we walked right next door to the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. It was very interesting and covered so much history of ballooning. 

When the sun began to set a handful of balloons inflated (staying on the ground) and a few baskets only, just did burns. The wind was crazy. Blowing at ten to fifteen mph ... most had a rough go of it. They all deflated by 9PM when the fireworks began. We are both exhausted and will begin the same process over again in the morning.