A View from Below in Albuquerque

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I recently returned from the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The theme this year was “A View from Above”. This was my first time at the fiesta and the theme for me was “A View from Below” because I chose to stay on the ground and look at the balloons above me and all around me.

More than 550 hot air balloon pilots and their crews gathered in Albuquerque, New Mexico from October 7 – 15, 2023 for this year’s event. For nine days balloon crews, volunteers and spectators got up in the middle of the night to be at the Fiesta Park before 6:00 a.m. I was one of the many spectators there to take part in this magical event.

My brother Joe and his wife Kelli were wonderful hosts while I was there. They live in the Albuquerque area and have been involved with the Fiesta since the 1990’s. Joe volunteers as a Launch Director each year and his wife is a balloon pilot. They are part owners of the Evil Twin Balloon with their friends Don and Connie. I chose a photo of their balloon as my header photo.

My first Day at the Balloon Fiesta

We woke up each day about 3:40 a.m. and left the house around 4:15. Joe had early morning Launch Director meetings and Kelli had pilot briefings.

Tuesday, October 10 was my first day attending the Fiesta. While Joe and Kelli were at their meetings I started the day by meeting the Evil Twin Balloon crew and being wowed by the glow of the Dawn Patrol balloons. What at great way to start the day!

Once the balloon crews started preparing their balloons for flight the field was filled with activity. As I walked around in search of my brother Joe there was so much going on I didn’t know where to look. Balloons were being inflated on the ground as others were launching into the sky. It was sensory overload as the clear blue sky filled with colorful balloons of many shapes and sizes.

Trying to keep up with a Launch Director

The launch directors are called Zebras because of their black and white striped shirts. Their job is to make sure the balloons take off safely. Once I found my brother Joe I had a hard time keeping up with him as he ran around the field giving the pilots the go ahead to launch their balloon.

I turned around to capture my brother Joe at work but when I saw him standing with his hand over his heart I knew they were playing the National Anthem even though I couldn’t hear it.

I was exhausted and my feet hurt at the end of the day but WOW! This day ranked right up there near the top of my list of memorable events in my life.

My second day: Working as a member of a chase crew

Wednesday morning we were up early and ready for another beautiful day of ballooning. I spent the morning working as part of the chase crew for the Evil Twin Balloon. Many thanks to Kelli, Don, Connie, Kelly and the rest of the crew for showing me what to do and allowing me to be part of the team.

Kelli and Don, the two pilots of the Evil Twin

Don was piloting the balloon that day. I started out by helping take the balloon out of it’s storage bag while Don and some of the others prepared the basket to be connected to the balloon. I watched as they inflated the balloon by blowing air from a powerful fan into the balloon. I captured a couple of shots of the inside of the balloon as it was being inflated. Don had two passengers that day.

When everything was ready and the launch director gave Don the ok to launch the Evil Twin was up in the air. The chase crew piled into the van to follow the balloon to wherever it landed. Kelli was driving the van and was in radio contact with Don. We were soon at their landing site. We helped get the balloon back into it’s bag, loaded everything into the trailer and were soon back at the Fiesta Park for a celebration and a group photo.

It was another WOW day at the Fiesta! I had a great time being part of the Evil Twin chase crew!

Coming soon! More fun and adventures at the Albuquerque International. Balloon Fiesta.

29 thoughts on “A View from Below in Albuquerque”

  3. Beth, this festival has always been a bucket list item for me. What an incredible experience for you to participate and witness everything up close. I would definitely be IN one of those balloons. Can’t believe you didn’t! Fantastic photograps of a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Congratulations!

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    1. Suzanne, my brother has been trying to get me to go to the fiesta for years! I finally decided this was the year to just do it! I’m so glad I did! I hope you get to experience it sooner rather than later. I had an opportunity to take a flight in a balloon but I have a terrible fear of heights. No one could talk me into it and I have no regrets.

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  5. Oh, Beth! What an absolutely fun experience in one of my favorite cities in the country. I’ve been to the balloon fiesta twice and could go back every year. I hope you will take a ride one day. It isn’t scary and it’s peaceful and beautiful. I love seeing your photos and look forward to more “Albuquerque” posts!

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    1. Mike and Kellye, this wasn’t my first time in Albuquerque but it was my first fiesta. You sound just like my brother trying to get me up in a balloon! I have no regrets about not flying. I enjoyed every minute of being on the ground and looking up!

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  7. What an amazing first-hand adventure you had. You also allowed us to tour with you, and for me that was rather special. A friend and I actually flew there years ago to visit another friend who lived there and to enjoy the festival. Luck wasn’t in our favor because the weather kept any of the balloons from launching. So, thank you for showing me what it would have looked like. 🙂

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    1. Judy, I’m so sorry the weather didn’t cooperate when you went to the fiesta. You’ll just have to go back another time! I was lucky that the weather was perfect the first two days I was there. I’m glad I could show you what it looked like.

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  10. Thank you for this post! I haven’t been to the Albuquerque Balloon Festival, but I would love to one day. Your pictures are beautiful, especially the one before the sun comes up. My husband is 6’8″, and we have wondered if he could be in a hot air balloon. I look forward to your next post!

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  11. What an amazing adventure and to be part of the crew! The festival is on my bucket list and this post has inspired me to start making plans! Thanks for taking us along!!

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