Nice try for a blue sky in Albuquerque

So, how do you keep a smile on your face when you've traveled all the way to New Mexico for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta ... and it rains?  You just look around at everyone else in the same boat, or is it basket?  All the balloonists and crews that got up well before dawn with the hope of beautiful blue skies.  And you watch them laugh and smile through it all.

You listen through the pilots briefing, trying to decipher the big words, like "velocity".  You recognize a few words like wind, and rain ... and through it all, the mood is light.

You go grab a breakfast burrito, and hit the vendor booths getting free samples, and taste local treats.  You enter drawings, buy pins and shirts and programs. 

You take your little mascot out to play with the first responders, and get them to pose for the classic "BadAss" shots for which we are becoming known.  (What an opportunity to get a lot of agencies all at one spot.  We met State Police, Sheriff's Depts, Firefighters, Bomb Squad, Mount Police, Albuquerque PD, SWAT, Border Patrol, and more ... and all of them were wonderful.  Hopefully, we will see Albuquerque Heroes stepping up for H2H this go-round.)  We look forward to our next visit to Albuquerque!  A salute to you all!

You watch balloons tether, barely touching earth as they let children play under their special dangling appendages as the giant turtle balloon "Mr Bup" did.  That was just heartwarming to watch, and the kids absolutely loved it.  You can bet they will tell of this experience for many years.

You watch onsite weddings in balloon baskets with large crowds. And you cheer the few balloons that do make it before the weather is called.

You ponder the idea that maybe Albuquerque is a direct translation for "silly hats" ... because you can't remember the last time you saw so many crazy get ups.  You laugh at the zebras, only to find out they are the officials, and are apparently exempt from the fashion police.

You talk to people from all over the world who have come for the same reasons, and you make the best of it.  Even as night falls and the winds don;t die down enough for the Glow, you are satisfied with the burners firing up in unison lighting the field so you can see the smiles on all of the tired faces around you.

And you go back, find a warm comfy bed to snuggle into and fall asleep dreaming of blue skies filled with beautiful balloons.

Oh, the airline photos are from our flight out on United.  What a great crew ... Seattle based!  Sharen had to work part of the flight, she checked the exits, made coffee, served refreshments with the Flight Attendant, checked out the cockpit, and made friends with the ticket agent at SeaTac Airport.  It was a great flight, and we truly loved this crew, they were a lot of fun, and United should be very proud of how much they showed their support for our Troops.  If they cloned thiss crew I would fly only United!  A special moment happened onboard when flight attendant Beth pinned Sharen with some pretty senior wings.  Niiiiice!

We wish all of our aviators, blue skies and soft landings!

Thnak you all for wonderful memories. Oh, and for the record, we left Stunt Bear behind to do some of her signature photo ops ... Larry & Chani are in charge of her.  Can't wait to see what the 3 of them come up with!

'Til next time ...

lj