Vacation: Balloon Fiesta

Seeing as the Balloon Fiesta was over a month ago... I am just now sharing the pictures. I know how lame that is. Anyways here are some pictures from my trip to Albuquerque!

The whole trip was wonderful. It was nice to get out of Utah and not have to worry about school. It was especially nice to spend the week with my dad. Next year dad is definitely going to bring his balloon and we will be in one of those balloons in the sky. I can't wait until then.

Carli

P.S. You can see some instagrams from the trip here. Also Balloon Fiesta 2011.

Insta-life.

Maybe you already know this, maybe you don't. I went on vacation last week to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta! I took a ton of pictures on Instagram and on my Nikon. I will tell you a lot more about my trip later, but for now... here are some instagrams!

 1. View of Salt Lake City from the airplane at 6am.

2. The nasty $3 banana bread muffin that I got at the airport for breakfast.

3. Finally. Blakes Lotaburger is the literal best.

4. Directions.

 1. It had been a year since my taste buds had been graced with the presence of this here pumpkin pie milkshake.

2. The Route 66 Diner is my absolute favorite. I love the diner feel.

3. Bomb dinner.

4. Hopscotch to your table if you'd like.

 1. Juke box.

2. Many times I have thought that I should move to Albuquerque and work here.

3. A blurry photo of Elvis and I.

4. I am not sure what this is a picture of but I thought it was cool.

 1. Entering Balloon Fiesta Park!

2. Ticket.

3. Dad and I.

4. Balloon and sun.

 1. The new Elvis balloon. Might be my new favorite special shape.

2. From beneath.

3. Countdown to take off.

4. It was such a beautiful morning.

1. This was the first time my dad had ever had funnel cake.

2. Hot coco on a cold morning.

3. Concession row.

4. Self portrait.

 All of these are from the amazing fireworks show at the fiesta. I literally cry every time I see a good fireworks show.

 1. Table jukebox. We played the Beatles for a quarter.

2. Welcome mat.

3. The Owl Cafe was so good that I bought a T-shirt.

4. Look who I found! Leonard is the best.

 1. Chili ristras at Wagner Farms.

2. I wonder how much it would have costed from me to take this guy home on the plane with me. He was such a sweetie.

3. Bunches of pumpkins.

4. Shopping in Old Town.

 1. Dream moccasins. I gave some pretty straightforward hints to my dad about these being a Christmas present.

2. What the... please tell me people don't actually eat these.

3. Humongous sombrero.

4. Really good apples.

 1. We were stuck in traffic for over an hour, but at least the weather didn't mess up the ballooning!

2. Sunshine through the balloon.

3. Balloons in black and white.

4. More balloons.

1. More balloons.

2. Elvis.

3. Royal Lion.

4. This was such a long day of traveling that I didn't care that I was wearing short pants with polka dot socks and moccasins. 

Carli

Up, Up, & Away!

Balloon Fiesta History: The fiesta began 40 years ago in a parking lot of a mall. About 15 balloons were in attendance. It has now grown to over 1000 balloons (that was way too many for Albuquerque to handle), so it dropped back down to 750. Pilots come from all over the world to take to the skies with fellow balloonists. Spectators come from all around to witness the polka dot sky.The fiesta is always the first week of October and lasts nine days. If you are not a morning person I have to say that you may be turned off by the fact that in order to witness this spectacular event you have to awake before the sun. It is probably the most glorious thing you will ever witness. 

My dad has been hot air ballooning since 1972 and has been coming to the fiesta since 1977. I have been going my entire life. I am so lucky to be able to miss an entire week of school to spend my days soaring across the New Mexico sky.

If you have never seen & or heard of a balloon fiesta I highly suggest you look at the following pictures….

This year my dad was not able to bring his balloon due to an accident three years ago. His balloon was tangled in barbed wire during a windy landing. Suffice to say, it has a few holes that cost an arm and a leg to fix. So this year we came a spectators. Soooonot as fun as coming as a balloon crew. I was so incredibly jealous of all the balloon crews. Especially on the first day when I saw this guy holding the ropes which is MY job.  I even became somewhat emotional. The following is a list of things, in no particular order, that I was extremely jealous of because I was not part of a balloon crew. 

1. Staying in a really nice hotel for free.

2. Getting free breakfast and lunch from the hospitality tent.

3. Being able to park onto the field.

4. Being able to sleep in the car until the pilots get their weather briefing.

5. Getting to go to the zoo for a party with food for free.

6. Getting free admission to all balloon fiesta events.

7. Being that really cool kid riding in the back of the chase crew vehicle while everyone else stares in envy.

8. Riding in the balloon.

9. Setting up the balloon.

10. Chasing the balloon.

By the way. It is an awesome thing to be browsing the post cards and seeing your dads balloon on one of them. Rodeo Joe is the black balloon with the yellow longhorn.

Flying in a balloon is so amazing. It feels like you are flying. Once you reach about 100 feet it is silent. You don’t here the busy city noises any more. Just the sound of the burner warming the balloons air. It is so peaceful & awe-inspiring. A balloon ride is something everyone must do.

Carli

Balloon Fiesta Update.

It is my last night in Albuquerque. Tomorrow morning is the last opportunity I have to see a hot air balloon fly. Yep. Thats right… I have yet to see any balloons fly. I saw them inflate yesterday but none off the ground. 

Why in the world does winter have to come two months early?!?! 

Usually I like the rain, but today i dislike it very much so.

I am hoping that the weather clears before tomorrow morning. 

Carli

P.S. I am having a wonderful time…. but it would be a million times better if the weather was perfect.

Just Saying.

Tomorrow I am flying to Albuquerque NM to meet my daddy at the International Balloon Fiesta. 

I am so much more then excited! Not only to have a vacation from work, to see 750 balloons fly in the Albuquerque sky, or to spend my days shopping old town…. I am just excited to spend time with my wonderful father!!

Sweet dreams.

Carli :)