Monday 10/03/11: After two early rise, long days, we decided to sleep in this morning. We missed the Dawn Patrol, but were awakened a few minutes after 7:00 a.m. by the wooshing of propane burners right over our RV. Today was the first day of four days of Flying Events, testing the skills of approximately 350 pilots participating. They are competing for $100,000 if the weather allows them to compete for four days. If they don’t get four days in, the prize drops to $40,000. The pilots have to fly a minimum on 1 mile away from the launch field, and then return to the launch field, drop down without hitting the ground and drop a ring over one of several poles on the field. Well, the Albuquerque Box was working today. The balloons lifted of the field staying low and flew right over us (we’re about ½ mile from the launch field). Then, after going the minimum mile away, they lifted up into a higher elevation that would carry them back over the launch field. They’d go by the field, drop back down to the lower elevation that would then carry them back to the field. As they approach, they drop down to toss their ring over one of the poles. They rise up again and head out to find a place to land. Many landed in vacant areas in the RV parking area. The balloons were up for at least 3 hours today. Another game on another day will have them once again flying away and back to drop a small sandbag on a target on the field, seeing who can get the closest.
That's our coach on the left
After all the balloons were down for the day, we went quilt shop hopping, stopping a the 3 shops closest to us. We, of course, purchased some fabric at each of them, including a balloon quilt kit to remember our trip by.
At 4:00 p.m. we enjoyed a Social Time in the WIT Hospitality Tent followed by another catered dinner; lasagna, salad, bread and desert. Another wonderful day.
The gas balloon race ended tonight, being won by a UK team. They traveled 974 miles, staying aloft for 71 hours and 32 minutes. The American team that spoke to our group at our orientation last Thursday finished 2nd, traveled 928 miles, staying aloft for 69 hours and 25 minutes. Both teams beat the race’s record for time aloft.
A balloon coming right toward us
The balloon directly over us
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