Fantasy RV Rally: Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta – 2017
October 5 - 11, 2017
For the second time we headed to Albuquerque, NM with our RV to attend the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Rally sponsored by Fantasy RV. This is one of three trips we have taken that are in the category: You Just Have to See It to Believe It. Antarctica and the African Safaris are the other two. If you have been to a local balloon festival and seen 30-50 balloons ascend, it just is nothing compared to Albuquerque (ABQ)! This Fiesta is a treat for the eyes and the camera just about overheats! So, if at all possible, schedule this event, somehow. The RV tour is the best because you are parked right across the street from the balloon field. They run shuttle buses from the RV area to the balloon field every few minutes. That is really great when the activities on the field start at 6:00AM and the traffic has been bumper-to-bumper for miles and hours on the roads accessing the event.
The days at the Balloon Fiesta are pretty much the same. In the morning you bus to the Balloon Field between 6:00 and 6:30AM to watch the morning mass ascensions. You are able to walk around the field among the balloons as they are being inflated. It is cold (40-45 degrees and damp) but so spectacular you wouldn't want to miss it. Between 7:00 and 9:00, 450 to 500 balloons will ascend into the bright blue New Mexico sky. There just isn't anything quite like it.
After returning to the RV park, the rest of the day is spent either with Fantasy RV tours or on your own.
In the evening (6PM), you have the option to return to the Balloon Field for the Evening Glow show and fireworks. The Glow is when, on a signal, all the balloons fire off their burners simultaneously. It is beautiful!
The photos on this and succeeding pages are organized into four categories: Mass Ascensions, Evening Glow, Special Shapes, and Favorites.
| Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta | |
| October 2-5 | Estes Park - Colorado City- Santa Fe - Albuquerque |
| October 5-11 - Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta | |
| October 10 | Sky City - Acoma Pueblo |
October 11-12 |
Capulin Volcano National Monument |
| October 13 | Raton to Estes Park |
October 2-5, 2017 – Estes Park to Colorado City KOA to Santa Fe to Albuquerque
We left two-inches of snow on the grass and had some light rain and low clouds until we went over Monument Pass between Denver and Colorado Springs. Then the weather changed to sunny and warmer for the rest of the trip.
After a lunch stop, we parked at Colorado City KOA . We like this campground. They give us cookies when we arrive!
In the morning we drove to Santa Fe to spend a day and a half in one of our favorite places. We browsed through “Jacalope,” a southwestern/Mexican collection of everything and on Wednesday we wandered the shopping streets in Old Town Santa Fe, ate lunch at Tia Sophia on San Francisco St. - another favorite in Santa Fe. It rained heavily around 6 PM with lightning and thunder. There was a full rainbow at the end of the passing storm.
On Thursday morning we hitched up for the hour-long drive to Albuquerque (ABQ, for short). It started to spit rain as we arrived at the Balloon Fiesta RV parking/camping area. We backed into our assigned spot with minimal adjustments and got hooked up to city water and electricity. Electricity is shared and minimal but we don’t have to use much.
Lunch, registration, and “orientation” took up the rest of the afternoon. This was the official beginning of the Rally. There are 100 rigs and 200 people at our rally. The majority of the rigs are huge, expensive new RVs but there are still a few smaller and older than ours.
October 6, 2017 – Albuquerque
We ate breakfast in our camper and boarded the early bus (9:30) for today’s events. At the Turquoise Museum (and gift shop) we sat (with snacks) to listen to an informative and humorous presentation about “real” turquoise.
Next we bused to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, which we visited last time. They have excellent displays and information about the preservation of pueblo culture – their beliefs, stories, family life, etc.
Tomorrow we see balloons!
Between 7:00 and 9:00 AM, 450 to 500 balloons will ascend into the bright blue New Mexico sky. There just isn't anything quite like it.
Opening Ceremonies
(Keep the image small and you may want to mute the sound)
Favorite breakfast stand
The RainbowRyders Balloon Company offers expensive "Bucket List" rides. There are 6-12 (usually) people in the basket and the length of the ride will depend on the weather/wind conditions. Very pricey way to reduce your bucket list!
Getting ready for inflation
Inflating the balloon
Big blast of hot air from the propane burners
A selfie while anchoring the balloon as it is being inflated
Everyone takes photos!
Lots of balloons!
As part of the Fiesta, America's Challenge race for gas balloons is held. These balloons are inflated with hydrogen or helium (both very expensive and scarce) and the pilots fly to see who can go the greatest distance. This year's winners, from Switzerland, set a distance record of 3670.76km (2278.9 miles) before they landed two and a half days later near Labrador City, Canada. Web link.
Inflating the gas balloons
Takeoff from the Balloon Field
One of the really great things about the RV campground at the Fiesta is that when the winds are right, many of the balloons either fly over the CG or even land amongst the rigs.
On Tuesday morning (10/10) the wind was such that virtually all of the balloons that ascended either went over us or (many) landed amongst our rigs.
On Tuesday, at least 12 balloons landed in the rough grass behind the Fantasy RV tent but one came down right in the street in front of the tent. “Sunnyside Up” was piloted by a woman from Illinois and she solicited our help to hold down her basket and lay down her “envelope” (the balloon.) Gale got to crew the entire process. She was so nice and calmly gave us instructions. It was so much fun.
Sunnyside Up
Sunnyside Up - beginning to lose air
Holding down the basket
Down she comes
Deflation is facilitated by opening the parachute valve that makes up the top of the envelope
Gale helping to fold up the envelope
Packing it into the bag
Right above our head
In the evening (6PM), you have the option to return to the Balloon Field for the Evening Glow show and fireworks. The Glow is when, on a signal, all the balloons fire off their burners simultaneously. It is beautiful!
Wells Fargo's stagecoach - Cent'r Stage
We only stayed for the fireworks on the first night as it gets very chilly! Another night we were able to stand on the steps of the camper and see much of the show. No photos - too dark.
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