Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

If you haven’t seen it, then yes, it’s pretty amazing and I think everyone should see it at least once. That being said, it was so much cooler when I was younger, Albuquerque was much smaller, and the event wasn’t as commercialized as it is these days. A couple of my Father’s friends had balloons and I grew up crewing for them; it really was a magical experience back then. My apologies for sounding like the bitter native. It still is an amazing thing to see and experience, just come prepared with plenty of money and patience; it has gotten extremely expensive and the traffic is insane.

the albuquerque balloon fiesta is one of the most amazing things i have ever seen. the entire sky was completely littered with balloons. i remember there was one balloon of a cow from ben and jerry’s. a lot of businesses advertised this way but there were also a lot of cool balloons to look at.

it really was something to behold.

I won these two roundtrip airfare tickets in some random contest, and decided I’d like to go somewhere that I’d never choose if I was paying for it.

So my sister and I went to the Abuquerque Balloon Fiesta.

And what’s the point of going if you’re not going to ride in a balloon?! Exactly. So we got up before dawn, found our balloon, and just after sunrise we took off. It was amazing to see the Rio Grand and all the farms and desert-like areas and just ALL the balloons going up at once. It was completely mind blowing.

I most definitely recommend taking a trip down there. I’d love to go again!

No where else can you see so many hot air balloons in one place and at one time. Balooners and their crews are a great deal of fun. The whole event is a blast. Definitely take your camera.

You know you live in New Mexico when all your out of state relatives visit in October. I had just had folks fly in from California to see the balloons! I can’t wait for it this year. I actually get to go up in the Marriott’s balloon! Excited and just a little scared!

The truth is, no photos do it justice. Not even the ones in the extra-wide puzzles or the calendars that come out, or on the website. It’s so much bigger, better, and more spectacular! Even better when seen from the air- take a ride!

One of my sisters lives in Albuquerque, & i hope to visit her during the festival, one of these years. I think it would be a magical experience!