Just returned yesterday afternoon from our first trip as a balloonist in the Albuquerque Fiesta. It was the 40th anniversary Fiesta. We met many wonderful people during our time there. Thanks to all of our volunteer crew : Sharon and Don, Shirley, Francisco, Craig and Liz, my cousin, Yvonne Perkins, and many other people who passed and helped us with our balloon either while launching or landing. We even met some great people, Janie and Joe, at our landing spot on the final mass ascension of the 40th Fiesta. Perhaps new crew members for 2012? We hope so!
We found the ins and outs of the fiesta field, the lay of the land. What a large event this was! It takes about 900 volunteers to put on a festival of this size. The "Zebras" that control the mass numbers of balloons to launch safely. The gate greeters, chase crew organizers, Breakfast servers, game scorers, announcers and vendors. Everyone we met was very helpful.
We rose at 4 am every day to head to breakfast on the field, followed by a briefing at 6:15 am at the tower. Dawn Patrol ( launching of 8-10 balloons in the dark, was unfolding behind us during the briefing) One morning we attended the briefing in the rain. One night we watched fireworks also in the rain. Pretty heavy rain! That was a 1st!
This trip marked our three year anniversary that Luc and I went to Albuquerque the first time. So it was very special to us.
