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Published: October 8th 2007
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I've always been fascinated with hot air balloons. Perhaps to some, it is another way to travel, for others, it may be for business or pleasure. Me? I guess it is both, it is a way to travel, not just physically, but mentally, and spiritually. Pleasure, ahhh, there's not enough languages in pleasure to speak of hot air balloons.
I went on a hot air balloon excursion over Napa Valley in 1995. We went up a thousand or so feet, the air was still, peaceful, and calming. Every once in awhile, I could feel a bit of warm air on the back of my neck from the balloon. The ride lasted a little over an hour and we ended it with a champagne brunch!
The last few years, I've thought about the Balloon Fest in New Mexico, but there was always something that kept me from going. Not this year, I decided that this was the year to go.
My plane took off Friday afternoon (after missing my flight, and having to catch 2 standbys). I almost kissed the ground at Albuquerque's airport, but decided against it as I really didn't want to be committed to the Insane
Asylum.
Besides getting to my hotel (Country Inn Suites), my mind was on food! I wanted REAL mexican food!
I arrived at Country Inn Suites (North Albuquerque), I chose the hotel because it was close to the festival, they offered complimentary breakfast, and a shuttle to the fest. The hotel is very nice, rooms were good sized, and the staff is highly professional. I'd recommend this hotel to anyone going to the Balloon Fest.
The hotel staff did recommend two mexican food places:
Sadies Mexican Food http://www.sadiessalsa.com/
El Pinto http://www.elpinto.com/
Most of the locals in Albuquerque told me that Sadies Mexican Food is real down home cooking, while El Pinto was known for atmosphere and was more expensive than Sadies. I chose Sadies Mexican Food. The best choice! My wait was about 45 minutes, but between my cheese enchilada dinner and Margarita, the wait was well worth it! It will be difficult to eat "Tex Mex" food again.
Saturday morning, I was up by 5:30 a.m. I was looking forward to "Mass Ascension" of the balloons. About 5:45 or so, the Dawn Patrol would go up first to determine weather/wind conditions, then
if all is ok, the balloons would begin their ascension around 7 a.m.
I arrived at the park before sunrise. The weather was cool, but not cold. Each year the weather varies, I did take a wind breaker. Long slacks do come in handy, but by mid morning, you'll want to change to shorts. Wear good walking shoes when you go
I read up on the balloon fest, but the only thing I can say is you've got to be there to believe it.
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta began in 1972 with 13 balloon. Today, there are well over 700 balloons that participate in this event. The park is 78 acres.
The "Special Shape" balloons will have a rodeo on October 11th and 12th, weather permitting.
In the evening, there is the Balloon Glow, and it ends with an "Afterglow" fireworks show. Since the winds were too strong on Saturday (October 6th), there was no Balloon Glow. The fireworks were well worth attending. Marshall Tucker and band were playing.
Food and drink? There's plenty of it. Like most events, food and drink is not cheap. I had a tamale with red hatch chili
sauce, that ran $5. It was yummy! I also had a Breakfast Burrito with hatch green chili, it was great! The mexican food reminded me of what I grew up with, when living in Arizona. I really do miss the real stuff.
There's so much to do in the area, I didn't have a chance to go to any other events in Albuquerque. One recommendation is to take the tram at the Sandia Peak. The tram is the world's longest aerial tramway, the ride is 2.7 miles. While at the top of the peak, it has been recommend to dine at High Finance Restaurant (reservations are required). View their menu at: http://www.sandiapeak.com and click on High Finance Restaurant.
I throughly enjoyed the Balloon Festival. What drives this festival is weather, if the winds are too strong or there is rain, etc. the balloons won't fly, that's the only caveat. When you go, take plenty of batteries for your camera, there's so many pictures to be taken!
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