Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta (October 3-11th, 2009)

[milleker]

A few Maryland photogaphers and myself will be attending the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta again this year, this time the second weekend for the Shape Rodeo plus a couple extra days to visit the Rio Grande Zoo and Biopark.

If anyone else is making the trip to photograph the Balloons and wants to meet on the field at some point - let us know.

It's a few months away but if you're going then you've probably got your reservations already.

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta: http://balloonfiesta.com/

-John

[jgrussell]

I'd love to go one year... I have cousins in Albuquerque...

[milleker]

JGR, it's absolutely amazing. Do it sooner than later!

[milleker]

Less than two weeks for the start of Balloon Fiesta. Anyone goin' out? I'll be making it out for the second weekend this year.

[FlyingPhotog]

It's on my list but having done Oshkosh this year, my aviation-related event travel fund is kind of tapped.

Maybe next year if the 2010 AOPA Convention is west coast and driveable again as it was in Palm Springs a couple of years back.

[Killjoy]

I was just at the Reno Ballon Races a week and a half ago.
A tad too far to go to Albuquerque for the balloons so soon.

[Crewzer]

I am driving up after work from Phoenix tonight. Should get there just in time to park. Going to a long fun filled Saturday. You can't miss me, I am the one with the Canon.

[airfrogusmc]

Its great but if you've already done that skip the balloons and take the turquoise trail through Madrid to Santa Fe. Spend some time there then the high road to Taos with a stop at Rancho de Chimayo for some great food at the famous restaurant there and some photos of the old mission about mile or so from the restaurant. Then spend some time in Taos then take the long route around NM 4 to Bandolier then out on 4 through the Jemez Mountains all the way west and south to US 550 back to Bernalillo . All the tourists will be in Albuquerque taking all the same photos and you'll have the high road, the turquoise trail, San Ildefonso Pueblo and Taos Pueblo all to yourself;)

[ChasP505]

All the tourists will be in Albuquerque taking all the same photos and you'll have the high road, the turquoise trail, San Ildefonso Pueblo and Taos Pueblo all to yourself;)

Yep! :)

The Albuquackie Balloon Fiesta is off to a great start with perfect weather. Slightly cloudy, but high clouds, starting to burn off. Very light wind, cool temperature. And they say there's a good "box" this morning. Low air currents taking the balloons generally southward, many taking a dip in the Rio Grande. Then moving to higher altitude, they are carried northwest in the direction of Corrales and Rio Rancho. I expect to see some balloons scraping my rooftop momentarily. These are views through my home office and dining room windows as I was trying to wake up. Forgive the quality as my hands shake badly.

http://www.chasfrady.com/myphotos/Balloons/_MG_5168a.jpg


http://www.chasfrady.com/myphotos/Balloons/_MG_5184.jpg

[airfrogusmc]

Yep! :)

The Albuquackie Balloon Fiesta is off to a great start with perfect weather. Slightly cloudy, but high clouds, starting to burn off. Very light wind, cool temperature. And they say there's a good "box" this morning. Low air currents taking the balloons generally southward, many taking a dip in the Rio Grande. Then moving to higher altitude, they are carried northwest in the direction of Corrales and Rio Rancho. I expect to see some balloons scraping my rooftop momentarily. These are views through my home office and dining room windows as I was trying to wake up. Forgive the quality as my hands shake badly.

http://www.chasfrady.com/myphotos/Balloons/_MG_5168a.jpg


http://www.chasfrady.com/myphotos/Balloons/_MG_5184.jpg

I was talking about shooting everything else the area has to offer instead of the balloons;)

[ChasP505]

I was talking about shooting everything else the area has to offer instead of the balloons;)

I understood that... And your suggested route and agenda are perfect. (If you're into that "scenic" stuff!) :)

Lots of gritty urban shooting to be done in other parts of NM. No visit is complete without touring Albuquerque's "War Zone"!

[airfrogusmc]

I understood that... And your suggested route and agenda are perfect. (If you're into that "scenic" stuff!) :)

Lots of gritty urban shooting to be done in other parts of NM. No visit is complete without touring Albuquerque's "War Zone"!
And Las Vegas NM

[milleker]

Finally home from ABQ and what a trip. Up at 330am every morning to get there in plenty of time for Dawn Patrol and home after the nightly glow. Sundays' events were canceled unfortunately but it was a good time to go visit Sandia peak. We spent all day Monday at the Rio Grande Zoo.

I even went on my first ever hot air balloon ride.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3425/3998485038_e074b8f318.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnmillekerphotography/3998485038/)

[ChasP505]

Finally home from ABQ and what a trip.

Hope you took some green chile home with you!

[milleker]

Hahaha actually we didn't, the last day was brutal and we just didn't have it in us. We did order 15lbs about two months back, roasted them and froze them ourselves so we're pretty stocked up.

We're going back in two years (40th anniv of the Balloon Fiesta) and I suspect we'll bring back a huge bag then.

Hope you took some green chile home with you!

[papagei]

I work Thurs through Sun, so I had planned a Wednesday visit. It never rains in the desert, right? It did that day and all activities were canceled. That was my shot at it this year.
But I live here now, so next year for sure!

[ChasP505]

I work Thurs through Sun, so I had planned a Wednesday visit. It never rains in the desert, right? It did that day and all activities were canceled. That was my shot at it this year.
But I live here now, so next year for sure!

Greetings from another New Mexican! Sorry you got rained out. The advantage I enjoy is that the balloons typically land in my neighborhood and fly right by my office window. I have to bring my own breakfast burritos and cinnamon buns!