Saturday, October 5, 2019

10/4 - BALLOON FIESTA LOAD-IN



Today begins the long run of getting up early every day for Balloon Fiesta. The morning began with Airstreams lining up early in the campground at Enchanted to wait for 6:58 AM.  At 6:58 we then all headed next door to Camping World to arrive at 7AM and not a second earlier or we would be turned away. 



During the night we had rain off and on and we were glad we had hitched up last night. Now it was a light drizzle that eventually turned to RAIN. The parking committee was to take the 150 Airstreams over to Balloon Fiesta grounds 10 - 12 units at a time starting around 8:45 AM. Just as they were to depart with the first group word was received that an accident was on the interstate. Now we were delayed by almost two hours arriving at the Balloon Fiesta grounds. 





In the end it all worked out. The rain was pretty much done during everyone’s twenty-five minute drive over. Just about the time the last group arrived another line of storms came through. 





The afternoon was spent setting-up, socializing, checking out trailers and enjoying our catered dinner gathering with 298 other Airstreamers! The sun came out just in time. Dawn Patrol begins here at 6 AM tomorrow. Dawn Patrol pilots take off in the dark and fly until it is light enough to see landing sites. Fellow balloonists can watch these balloons and get an early idea of wind speeds and directions at different altitudes. 





Tomorrow I will give y’all some stats on Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta and more details on what to expect during an average day here. AND JUST WAIT FOR THE PICTURES!!! 
 

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