Up at 3:30 am and off to ABQ again with Celia (bless her for driving us around), Colin and Wendy. Way fewer people so we were in early and got signed in for our ride. Found out we were to be with Pilot Pierre Brunner in the Hendricks Gin balloon, oh the irony. I do love my G&T and it is the only screen printed balloon with matching chase vehicle. It is also one of the larger ones. First we watched the few dawn patrol and then got excited as the bright moon shone over the filling balloons. This was a very good sign!
We were nearly the last group left waiting when Erik arrived to lead us to our vessel. All around us was the bustle and excitement of balloons filling and people being briefed. There were 14 in our group.
We signed a waiver, were briefed and then told to stand ready to climb in as quick as possible when he signaled. Just then Colleen showed up to take pictures! She and Mike are so awesome to have come so early and they weren’t even going up
Suddenly we got the sign to go and clambered in. Erik offered to take pics for me, yay!
I know Colin was not a fan of heights and it was good to see him conquering it as suddenly we were away!
it was exhilarating and awesome and emotional and like nothing else ever. I know it would not have been the same as a single balloon. It was the mass ascension that did it, watching in wonder as we moved up and down at Pierre’s skilled hand
And then too soon, it was time to look for a landing after about 45 minutes
As we came in on approach our chase crew was lost but others came to assist and the touch down was a feathers touch
This little girl wanted to know what it was like and Louise told her it was exciting and beautiful
We all loaded into the van, mumbling a bit as we had seen other groups get champagne. I realized my phone was missing and we stopped to look. Wendy found it under the seat, thank goodness! I would have lost all these pictures. Once back at the grounds we were given Champagne and OJ, and Pete gave a lovely tribute to the French for their innovations that allowed the first air travel in a smoke filled balloon and the tradition of having Champagne at the end of every flight. Any landing you walk away from is a good one. We had a lovely visit, took pictures, got our certificates and pins, etc
Next we went to the Flying Star for lunch
then on to the Sandia Peak Tramway
We met a pilot from Ohio and he gave us pins and we learned a lot!
After this the other four went to Tent Rocks and Celia and I went to the fabric store and then home. I have been blogging and the others just arrived with pizza, what a day!
triumphgal 