April 2015
The highlight of the New Mexico trip occurred early Monday morning when we took off in a hot air balloon! We got up early to be shuttled out to the launch site before a flight over the Rio Grande. Our pilot even managed to land us squarely at Balloon Fiesta Park. The other balloons flying that morning landed in the desert and on Indian land. I wish the flight was longer than just an hour. Once we were back on solid ground, we took a walking tour of Old Town Albuquerque. In the evening, we checked out Route 66 after dark.
Waiting to head out to the launch site
We had to get out there early for our sunrise flight
Getting the basket ready
Getting the basket ready
Getting the basket ready
Unpacking the hot air balloon
Unpacking the hot air balloon
Attaching the hot air balloon to the basket
Getting the balloon inflated
Getting the balloon inflated
Our pilot checks out the inside of the balloon
Getting the balloon inflated
Inflating one of the other balloons launching with us
Heating up the hot air balloon
Heating up the hot air balloon
Heating up the hot air balloon
It’s lifting up!
Our hot air balloon is filling up!
These two balloons took off with us
My mother and I are aboard
My mother was really excited about our flight. So was I!
Looking up into the balloon just before launch
These two balloons took off with us
The burner’s on. We’re taking off!
We took off first. We win!
These balloons belong to another local balloon company
Gaining altitude pretty quick
The view looking north up I-25
Wow, look how high up we are!
Looking east across the Rio Grande River
Another competing balloon company
Balloons over the Rio Grande River
The rising sun and the Rio Grande River make for amazing photo opportunities
The city of Albuquerque and the surrounding desert
The other balloon caught up with us
The mighty Rio Grande River
We were as high as that balloon a few minutes ago
You can tell Rio Rancho is a upper class area because they can afford fancy green grass.
Our flying companion
High above Albuquerque (taken by the pilot’s GoPro camera)
Desceding over the Rio Grande River
Flying low over the Rio Grande River
Almost touching the surface of the Rio Grande River (taken by the pilot’s GoPro camera)
Flying low over Rio Grande State Park
I guess these horses are used to hot air balloons checking them out by now
The other balloon descends to the Rio Grande River
THe other balloon descends to the Rio Grande River
The army Corps of Engineers placed these jacks to grab debris that comes off the river. Unfortunately, they also prevented firefighters from putting out a large brush fire.
Not all desert homes are small
A hot air balloon is probably the best place to be with coyotes roaming around
Hot air balloons are a common sight in the skies of Albuquerque
Looking down at one the balloons flying with us
Looking out north over Albuquerque and the Rio Grande River
If you’re going to own a mansion in the desert, why not put a bright blue roof on it
Looking west
The giant green patch down there is Balloon Fiesta Park
Glad we’re not in that balloon, they’re headed to Indian territory and can’t land
Approaching Balloon Fiesta Park
Ready to land at Balloon Fiesta Park
Our shadow on Balloon Fiesta Park
Glad we’re not in that balloon, they’re headed to Indian territory and can’t land
On final approach to Balloon Fiesta Park
Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum at Balloon Fiesta Park
Our chase vehicle is ready to pick us up
Touching down at Balloon Fiesta Park
The top of the balloon opens to let the hot air out
The top of the balloon opens to let the hot air out
The crew stows the hot air balloon
The hot air balloon deflates
The crew stows the hot air balloon
The crew stows the hot air balloon
A few moments ago we were 3000 feet above the ground in that basket
Preparing for a post flight toast
A variety of beverage choices
Post balloon flight champagne
We landed at Balloon Fiesta Park
Inside the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Old Town Albuquerque
Inside the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Old Town Albuquerque
Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Old Town Albuquerque
One of many plazas in Old Town Albuquerque
No matter where you look there are ristras hanging from buildings
This beautiful old staircase is inside La Placita Dining Rooms in Old Town Albuquerque
These unique antique chairs are inside La Placita Dining Rooms in Old Town Albuquerque
Flowering cactus
The Sandia Mountains are named because sandia means watermelon in Spanish and, as seen from our hotel room, they turn a deep pink color each night at sunset.
The Sandia Mountains are named because Sandia means watermelon in Spanish and, as seen from our hotel room, they turn a deep pink color each night at sunset.
Mac's La Sierra is a Route 66 classic. Very liitle has changed at this place since the heyday of Route 66.
Mac's La Sierra is a Route 66 classic. The enchiladas and steak fingers with red and green chile are served exactly as they always have been.
No New Mexican meal is complete without some fresh made sopapillas. These are at Mac's La Sierra.
Route 66 in Albuquerque takes you back in time to an era when cruising the open road was the way to travel the country.
Route 66 in Albuquerque takes you back in time to an era when cruising the open road was the way to travel the country.