International Balloon Fiesta, part 3....

We returned around 4pm for the evening activities. Maybe we weren't fully rested, but enough that we could handle it all just fine. First stop was going to be the launch area for the gas balloons for the America's Challenge race. These are the ones that rely on helium and/or hydrogen to stay in the air and travel thousands of miles. And they were expected to remain in the air for approximately 3 days. Two crew members (pilot and co-pilot), one small wicker basket, kitty litter, some sort of hammock, two sleeping bags, food of some sort, and the same set of layered clothing for 3 days. Oh...my! But it also sounds like a huge blast to me!

We watched a few of the balloons inflate, but were shocked to see one team started inflating only 15-minutes before the scheduled launch time. It was about 30-minutes after the scheduled time that we started talking about how late they were, and how no other racing sport we know of would allow this type delay. When it came to about an hour late we got a few answers. Since there were a lot of people, power lines nearby, and a few other things at stake, the race officials were being very, very cautious. The wind had kicked up, so they were looking at launch windows every 30-minutes. Not so good for those of us wanting to see the launch, but good for the safety of everyone involved. And it was pretty amazing to see how the wind was playing havoc with the crews. Each basket had about 20 people just holding it down, even while each balloon was tethered to a vehicle or anchor in the ground!

(inflating the gas balloons)

(holding the balloon to the ground...and you only see about half of them)

Also amazing was watching these crews work. I did catch one crew member standing on the shoulders of another to untangle a line. The shoulder guy had to have abs of steel to balance his partner who was being pulled all over because of the wind!! But an incredible display of teamwork.

We missed the balloon glow, but that wasn't a huge loss this time. Since the wind had kicked up, the envelopes would not be attached & inflated (those are the balloons). That means you just get to see a giant flame and not a glowing balloon. A big letdown, and one I'm not too upset over missing (Jeff and I saw that very thing in Demming about 4 years ago). But it was all worth missing, anyway, because Luke was given the chance to climb into a basket. How fun, and how cute!! He thought it was cool, until he realized he couldn't see over the top once he was inside...he promptly wanted out.

Fireworks were scheduled for 8pm, but they started about 20-minutes early. I had made a dash to the porta-potties and did my business in record time since I reached them the moment the first mortars were sent into the air. I LOVE fireworks, and I love watching them with my little boy, so I also ran back to where everyone was sitting. Just in time to see about 5-minutes worth and then.......nothing.

Not to worry! They started back up a few minutes later, and even moved around for a view behind the gas balloons! VERY cool!! Especially since it was decided the gas balloons would not launch (in fact, the race was ultimately cancelled) We thought that was it and started to make our way back to the car. Then the Grand Finale took place!! It was the most random fireworks show I think I've ever seen! But it was still fun.

It wasn't that difficult to get out of the park and back to our hotel, which is really saying something considering the amount of people attending. We all were tired, but happy. Luke fell asleep on the way to the hotel and barely twitched when I carried him to the room. I don't think he moved at all that night, but he was awake and quietly entertaining himself at 5am the next morning. What a great kid! He was ready for breakfast with Memaw and Papa at 6, which was good because they were hitting the road back to Texas after that.

We left Albuquerque around 8:30 and were able to see a few more balloons. Luke was mad, and made sure we knew it by telling us over, and over, and over again. He didn't want to go home, he wanted to go to the balloons. He eventually got past that, but he still lets us know he wants to go to the balloons. I think we have a kid who had a great time! I know of at least one adult who did, too.....