Several of my favorite artists have mentioned the Balloon Fiesta on their sites. This is a very big deal in Albuquerque. The whole town, heck the whole state...no its more like the whole globe celebrates the International Balloon Fiesta held in October in Albuquerque.

The mass accession is phenomenal - you really ought to see it at least once from the field it's self. It's quite an adventure. You have to get up about 4:00am and begin dressing in several layer's of clothing. You start out freezing and eventually end up breaking a sweat even after you've peeled down to the first layer.

But here is what the first time visitor isn't expecting. You arrive in the dark and begin walking around being care to stay out of the way of the huge balloons that are carefully laid out on the ground. Then as the sun begins to "back light" the Sandia Mountains the pilots begin firing up their burners. The sound can only be described as the low exhale of a mythical dragon. Then just when you think you will freeze to death you begin to feel the unexpected and most pleasant warmth of the heat from those same burners. Its almost like being around a campfire...times 700...its wonderful. You start shedding clothes...

Then the mass accession begins - usually in waves in order to accommodate all of the balloons. Its like being in a dream. One lifts off as another one unexpectedly follows suit - what you really didn't expect is who quiet the process is - I mean quiet compared to the noise of the crowd and loud speakers. Quiet except for the shouting between the pilot and his chase crew. Quiet except for the roar of the snoring dragon (burner) that heats the air in the balloon and sets it on its course.

Then all too soon their gone - like so many Christmas ornaments swept up into the air and carried away. And you almost feel let down and then...you smell chile and breakfast burritos and it's all good again....
Once Andrew and I were driving along and a balloon landed in the field next to the road. He wanted to stop and see it. The owner of the balloon asked if we would like a ride (tethered of course). I was afraid but not Andrew - he jumped on the chance. That was the thing about him you know, he was so brave at unexpected times...