The great Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is on. I am not going to be able to get there this year, but I can supply those of you who are interested with links to various film and stills of the balloons.
We're told it's the biggest event of its kind in the world. I have no idea whether that's true or not.
Yesterday, a balloon gondola got caught in a power line (knocked both our computers off line and we lost power, too). That was minor compared to the fact that a woman was thrown from the gondola and died.
Today, four people were injured when the balloons they were in got caught in our winds and bounced along the ground for considerable distances.
If you'd like to see films of balloons in action, I am including some links here.
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There's a completely off topic thing in the header today. It's a video.
15 comments:
I knew a guy years go who used to go down and fly(float?) his balloon. He said it was great fun.
BTW: I went to the Blogger's choice and also nominated yours. It is a must read for me.
Yikes - I think I'll stick to chasing rattlesnakes around the high desert - that ballooning sounds just a
little high risk to me! Still, it has to be safer than the hot air issuing out of political fissures.
Interesting blog.
Wish I could see the event.
I think the design of the balloons are brilliant - complicated shapes, but still maintaining balance.
Yes great.
I saw the wilderbeast migrate at dawn over the Serringetti (I've no idea how to spell - it was in Africa), from a balloon. It is amongst one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Even later when I took up parachuting, it still couldn't best it.
That's awful about the death, a sad start to what I'm sure is a spectacular event.
Nearly five years in NM now and I've yet to attend the balloon fiesta. Every flippin' year I tell myself "next year." Maybe I'll finally get around to going next year. Time grows short, and it's just TOO good to miss!
Hi Catmove. I will never go up in a balloon. There was a nasty accident in our area where the balloon caught fire before taking off and burned through the ropes holding it down. Most people got out with some burns or jumped out. The balloon got away and was a flaming torch with four women still inside the basket.
It was quite high up when one woman grabbed another woman (a total stranger from Germany). They jumped out breaking legs and things but lived.
Another mother and daughter stayed with the balloon rather than jump from such a distance. Needless to say they burned to death.
Then the balloon fell onto a trailer park burning up several trailers. The people inside moved pretty fast and jumped out of windows and doors. Not one resident was hurt. Trailer parks are magnets for trouble.
My comment is longer than your post. I'll go now.
that is why i never ride in balloons. plus it messes up my coat.
gerald the grounded goat
moose, they "fly", according to balloonists. And thank you for the nomination.
lin, considering the numbers of these gas bags (hehe) accidents are somewhat unusual.
Another thing, if it rains, they stay safely on the ground. They don't float around.
You are 100% right about the hot air, too.
yes but, the balloons are feats of design and balance. The crowd favorites, of course, are the "special shapes". (Mine, too.)
Shrink, you can buy a ride in a balloon during the Fiesta and at the end the standard way too celebrate is to open a bottle of champagne and slurp it up. Prolly celebrating a ride where they didn't break a bone.
And you're a sky diver? What else? Great writer, humorist, mother of forgers, and a lady of class.
buck, I'd recommend getting a room at Sandia Casino Resort. Close to the Park and they take you there and back.
Babzy, balloons get into trouble, too, but their toll of accidents are far less than our highway manglings.
P.S. I've always thought of trailer parks as magnets for trouble, also.
I have a friend who lives out your way and enters the balloon shows. Never got to visit at the right time to see that.
Rhea, the balloons go up every October. The Fiesta is so successful our city fathers are worried about future expansion. (Albuquerque is surrounded by Indian lands.)
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