Saturday 10/01/11: Got up at 6:30 a.m. this morning to catch the start of the Balloon Fiesta. Almost immediately, the Dawn Patrol lifted off, a dozen balloons lifting off in the predawn chill to greet the sun as it climbs over the Sandias. The Dawn Patrol takes off while still dark to give a visual report to the pilots on the field who are waiting for the 7 a.m. launch and need to know about wind speeds and directions before they leave the ground. (picture)
Shortly before 7:00 a.m., a world globe balloon circled with 22 flags from the countries represented at the Fiesta lifted off as the National Anthem was played and 4 Air Force Planes flew over in the missing man formation in memory of founder Sid Cutter, who passed away on May 21st. For the next two hours, many hundreds of balloons lifted off and filled the sky, the Mass Ascension. (picture)
The Box: Pilots hope to encounter the famous “Albuquerque Box”, breezes that blow in different directions at different heights, a phenomenon that keeps balloons hovering above the launch field instead of quickly drifting miles away. (picture)
We were on our own after the Mass Ascension until 4:00 p.m., when we gathered in the WIT tent for entertainment and an evening supper. A Mariachi group entertained us for a hour, then we were treated to a Taco Salad dinner. (picture)
Shortly after 8:00 p.m., the fireworks show got underway. Following that, The America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race got underway. Some of the world’s most accomplished balloonists lifter off in eight two-person gas balloons with the goal of flying the greatest distance from Albuquerque, while complying with official rules. One of the longest distances recorded in gas ballooning was logged during a previous America’s Challenge. One team flew almost 2,000 miles in 1998. Pilots in this race will typically be aloft for up to 72 hours (the record was 92 hours). Last year’s winner landed in Canada. You can follow the progress of this race if you would like to at “balloonfiesta.com”
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