Straight up
The launch field itself is in the range of 80 acres...enough for 500+ balloons to launch in a 2 hour time span. Still plenty of room for spectators to roam for a while the canopy is laid out on the field in preparation for blowup and launch.
Darth Vader was here.
...and of course Yoda
The Wells Fargo Wagon took a long time to get blown up.
Wonder Bread wasn't the only advertiser
Plenty of balloons in just one direction. The wind was gently swirling so they were in all directions, some catching the wrong swirl and already a couple of miles away.
After what seemed like over an hour, the stagecoach never did get launched.
The 3 bees inflated and went light all at the same time.
The chick ready to hatch...float away.
Excuse me...you are in my way.
The young and the old...from all around the world
Sometimes you have to wait for a balloon to get airborne and see if it turns to see all of it.
Still waiting for the frog to turn.
Any day is a day to remember.
Finally a front view of the frog...with company.
Shortly before the Wells Fargo wagon folded.
The pilots only have control of up and down on where they are going to land. This one was up on the hill from the launch field. You need a good crew of chasers to come back down.
Plenty of vendor tents that had people set up and getting ready for breakfast since a little after midnight. Breakfast burrito anyone?
Several balloons wee double-sided.
Just a few left to launch.
A crowd, you were thinking?...thousands upon thousands, speaking untold languages.
Caught the cow strolling off to pasture quite a ways away.
The bees hanging around close by.
All 3 bees shortly after launch.
Finally the 3rd side of the birds twirls into view.
For those skilled pilots that managed to swirl close by...the chance to land right near by.
First part, be lucky to be over the field with a gentle incoming breeze.
Second, pull the top hole cover to let out the hot air.
Then fold the canopy just right and hole it with velcro straps.
Load it in. Many were in the back of a pickup if they had a small basket.
Another good take down
The morning session was over around 10:30.Time to go back to the bus. What we didn't know was that the line back to the bus headed for our section of the city was well over 1/4 mile long. Luckily this was very well organized and the line only took about 40 minutes to get us on the bus, then the 11 mile trip to get back to the car. Hint, remember what section you left your car in or it might be a little longer.
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