One of the unique festivals in October is to see Albuquerque’s annual “Balloon Fiesta.” The whole shebang began in 1972 with only 13 balloons. Since then, the affair has grown to over 600 balloons. Kathie and I have witnessed this annual event twice: 2015 and 2018. Both experiences were totally different.
Most planes change in Dallas. The day we traveled we were lucky to have had superb weather.
We were afforded a spectacular view of downtown Dallas.
I always think of JFK and of that tragedy on Nov. 22, 1963 when I think of Dallas.
I was in third grade and at St. Joseph Elementary where I first heard of his death. Years later, with the club volleyball team, we were able to tour the Book Depository and the “grassy knoll.”
We flew into a mid-size Albuquerque “Sunport” airport. In the main atrium is an interesting 1989 Bronze statue named “Dream of Flight” by Lincoln Fox.
I also thought the poster with Michael J. Fox to be special.
The car rental place is reasonably close to the airport.
Albuquerque is close to I-25 and is only 15 minutes from I-40. Our first sojourn to Albuquerque, we stayed in the comfortable Embassy Suites. It is regarded as a “5-Star” hotel with 9 floors.
There are a good number of hotels in the area. Also, if you plan ahead you can get a decent deal from VRBO rentals.
We love the breakfasts at Embassy. We paid about $200 per night during the Festival, a price that we felt wasn’t bad.
Transportation and tickets can be arranged for. There are also areas in town that will pick you up by bus—usually a school bus. We decided to drive ourselves.
The day before we made a test run to the event. We found out there is a unique Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum close by to the stagging field.
Since it opened in 2005, this balloon museum has had over a million visitors. It is a multi-storied building (displaying several balloons). It is also at this museum that entrance tickets can be purchased. We need not have to stand in line in the morning!
Anderson Abruzzo has a good number of displays. We found out that ballooning actually started with the French.
We had no idea about the Excelsior Project. A Captain Joseph Kittinger jumped out of a balloon in 1960 from the stratosphere, over 19 miles above the earth. The captain flew over 600 miles an hour for over 13 minutes. Obviously, he was wearing a protective suit as it was -94 degrees Fahrenheit. The United States Air-force experiment happened over the New Mexico desert.
The displays were enticing and interesting enough to read them.
It was indeed impressive to go to the third floor overlooking the entire complex where the balloons would take off the following day.
We were at the complex before 4:00AM. Most everything is done by volunteers. This idea of volunteers would be a major problem in 2018, we found out later. As it was, the parking fee early morning in 2015 was not collected.
Tents were open early morning to where vendors sold their souvenirs.
We sat at a bench and had an interesting conversation with locals who come every year. There is good reason why they come so early.
Around 5:00AM, some of the balloons started to be inflated. This is quite a process.
Not only participants flying in the balloons allowed to go on the field, but spectators like ourselves were allowed to roam from balloon to balloon. We became first hand observers.
A “Balloon Glow” or “Night Glow” is the intense beauty of a balloon being inflated at night. It is truly spectacular.
There is quite an assortment of colors, designs and sizes of balloons.
There are a number of balloons with company logos that are easily recognizable.
Some of the balloons had a theme behind them like the “Darth Vader” balloon.
Some of these balloons actually came from other nations.
There were many balloons that made one laugh and smile.
Many of these balloons were gorgeous.
Some of these balloons can carry 10 or more people.
By 7:00AM, there were literally hundreds of balloons in the air.
By 8:00 AM, there were 40,000 people roaming around. In some places, it is elbow to elbow. We were so glad to arrive early and saw what we did.
Why ballooning in Albuquerque? The weather is usually good, although it can be cold.
The area presents itself as a “Box Canyon.” Balloons fly in what is known as the “Albuquerque Box” from corner to corner.
Also, the surrounding land is reasonably flat for landing.
Obviously, there have been accidents and deaths doing this “sport.” On October 3, 1982 four people died at this Fiesta. The worst disaster happened in Egypt killing 19 people in 2013. When compared to many other sports, arguably ballooning is reasonably safe.
By 9:00AM, we were back at Embassy Suites enjoying our breakfast. We have no problem not being in a balloon. We just enjoy watching the balloons.
The balloon Fiesta actually lasts eight days. It occurs at the beginning of each October.
In 2018, we did not leave the hotel until 5:00AM. We were literally stuck in a huge traffic jam for hours. The volunteers did not really plan this one out too well.
Kathie and I watched the famed Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta from I-25. Kathie had a great attitude about it; me not so much. We did watch a beautiful sunrise over the Sandia Crest mountain which we visited the day before.
My earliest memory of Albuquerque is from 1968 family trip out west. I vividly remembering seeing the Sandia mountains.
There are a number of places to visit while in Albuquerque. One is to take the tram up Sandia Peak Mountain. Built in 1966, this tramway makes over 10,000 trips a year. One tram goes up; the other tram which holds about 50 people comes down.
The elevation of this mountain is over 10,000 feet. Bring your hiking shoes as there are a number of trails. Also, bring warm clothes as it is cold “up in those hills.”
It was in these mountains in 1955 that a TWA plane crashed killing 19 people. If you can, get to the tram early as this activity does fill up with hours of waiting time.
Today there is a modern observatory and a new restaurant being built in 2018.
The views are awesome on both sides. A new restaurant was being built in 2018.
On the east-side of the mountain, the views are nearly as spectacular.
A beautiful road connects the area to I-25.
Unfortunately, a bicycle rider was killed along this road, Dan Montoya, in 2011.
There is a well-constructed memorial for him.
Kathie and I like to visit casinos. Not necessarily to gamble, but to see the energy these places present. A unique casino is the Sandia Resort owned by the Pueblo’s.
We love casinos with high ceilings.
There is a nice fountain in front.
A beautiful pool in back.
And to entice you, the Casino offers a $10 free chip to sign up with their rewards program. Enough said.
A “must” attraction is to visit Albuquerque’s “Old Town.” It has been the heart of Albuquerque since 1706.
There are a number of narrow streets and a beautiful plaza—like many places in Spain. One hundred years ago this area looked much different.
On the weekends, particularly, bands play.
One may even come across a wedding or two.
Near the gazebo are two canon howitzers that was used during the Civil War in New Mexico.
In 2015, we were able to see some of the famous Navaho Code Talkers.
There is an 18th century church called San Felipe de Neri.
Close by is my favorite shop—YAY yogurt shop! In 2015, they allowed one to put as much as you wanted in any size cup. In 2018, the staff now scooped for you.
We normally don’t do this, but we did visit the “Rattlesnake Museum.”
Corny, we know, but this place is indeed interesting. There is a large rattlesnake in a glass cage.
The white albino snake is by far very interesting.
In 2015, the entrance fee was only $5 for adults. We spent an hour watching a Sir David Attenborough video about—yes, snakes.
Lastly, the owner of the museum had the appropriate license plate for his vehicle.
A block away is the recommended New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.
There are a number of interesting dinosaurs on display.
In 2015, there was a large display about Microsoft that was once stationed in Albuquerque. Can you find the young Bill Gates in this picture?
There are a number of restaurants in Old Town, but we walked several blocks to Vinaigrette Restaurant known for its fresh ingredients. The soup and sandwich were excellent.
In 2018, we decided to stay at Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town. Parking is free and it is only a block away from “Old Town.”
Hotel Albuquerque is well established and well liked. What you are paying for is the convenience of being in “Old Town.”
At $350, the room was rather dated. We missed the breakfast at Embassy.
Although, this hotel did have a very beautiful pool.
There is also a good restaurant on premise known as Garduno’s. The beef fajita was especially tasty.
There is also an inviting fireplace and the bar partially made of ice.
It was in 2018 that Kathie and I went west on I-40 to see the “Petroglyph National Monument.”
About 24,000 images of animals, people etc. stretches for 17 miles along a volcanic basalt mesa. The basalt makes for excellent carving.
On top of the ridge, one can see Albuquerque in the distance.
Down below from the ridge is an interesting community.
Farther out in the horizon lies the West vast open lands.
