Who Let The Air Out of Our Balloon?!

Adventure is our calling, so in the name of adventure, I have been trying to plan these fun family excursions that get us off campus and exploring the southwest. It just so happens that Albuquerque hosts the largest International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in the world. So, I made plans for us to experience this amazing Fiesta! The first plan got rained out, and since the Fiesta was ending this weekend, I thought we should go reguardless of weather so we could have this amazing time! 4am rolls around with a loud alarm beeping for us to wake up...we didn't want to, but it was for the Hot Air Balloons, right? So, we crawled out of bed, much against our own will, go the kids and all the stuff and headed out the door by 4:45. As we drove a little over an hour, in the rain, we were thinking, maybe this wasn't the best idea! But, we were on the way, might as well keep going. So, we got there , paid $10 to park, $12 to get in, (good thing the kids are still free!), and got our coats, hats and gloves on, and off we went! As we walked onto the field, the wind was blowing..hard. We soon learned that Hot Air Balloons do not take off if the winds are any higher than 10-15 miles an hour...that would have been good to know. So, after hanging out in the dark for close to an hour and a half, we discovered there wouldn't be any balloons taking off in the Mass Assention that was to take place. So here is what we did see...

Pilots buring up their propane...

Some airing out their envelopes...
Airing out their banners...
Playing in all that soft grass!
Rolling around in the grass..they really had great grass!
Kimsey got to stand in a gondola basket...
And that is about it! We were disappointed, but we had fun! We learned they have great grass, and DO NOT go to the Balloon Fiesta if there is wind or rain. Well hopefully the Balloon Fiesta of 2009 will be more fun! We will attempt this again, and hopefully have better pictures to share!