The first time I saw hot air balloons in person was when our family took a vacation in Jackson Hole, Wyoming a few years ago. Early each morning we could look out onto a field at the bottom of the mountain and see the colorful balloons rise into the pale sky. It was so peaceful to watch the smooth rides as they rose from the field below, passed our house and up to higher altitudes.
Since that trip, I have added the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Fiesta to my bucket list. I think it would be amazing to see 500 plus hot air balloons in one place, with all of their colors and glowing flames lifting off together. Over Memorial Day weekend, our local news station hosted their inaugural Freedom Hot Air Balloon Festival with two locations and 40 balloons. We went on Saturday night and LOVED IT! We all took so many pictures! Since the light was changing as the sun went down the views changed too.
While we were at the hot air balloon festival we watched a balloon being set up, many balloons fly-offering tethered rides. It was really cool to see one team heating their balloon into the sky, but one of my favorite parts of the night was “the glow”.
Will was studying for finals most of the weekend but I had so much fun getting out and enjoying the views with my family, including these two :)
My sweet, lovely, beautiful, crazy, fun sister, I’m so glad you are home for the summer.
When the sun went below the horizon and the sky had been dark for a while “the glow” began. The balloon captains led a countdown and as spectators shouted “ZERO,” all of the balloons lit up with their propane fire, creating a bright, colorful scene in the midst of the dark.
I have many more pictures from our fun night with the balloons to share later, but until then, thanks for coming to town, Freedom Balloon Fest! We can’t wait to go back next year!
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