Balloons Aloft

It's Balloon Fiesta time again.
You always know when Fall is here, because the skies over Albuquerque are filled with hundreds of balloons for the International Balloon Fiesta that is held the first week in October.  Every year they have the un-official kick off at local elementary schools.  Last year was the first time we had actually gone, or should I say I had actually managed to not oversleep!  Normally this time of year here in New Mexico early mornings can be a bit chilly, last year we were bundled with hats and blankets, this year was nice, not too cold, and we had 2 balloons take off.

The boys waiting..........

Balloons!

This weekend was the Friends & Lovers Balloon Rally here in Rio Rancho, and my son's Cub Scout Pack where fundraising for their Scout Accounts selling coffee, hot chocolate and donuts to the Balloon teams, and anyone else who was brave enough to get up at the crack of dawn! At 4:30am when the alarm went off this morning to be honest my first instinct was to switch it off and go back to sleep. But we had signed up to help and trying not to wake everyone else, Brendan and I headed out. I had been to the area the day before, but it was sure different first thing in the morning when it was still dark. It was very cold this morning, but the parents, leaders and scouts that where there soon got to setting up waiting for the crowds wanting there hot cup of coffee, or hot chocolate. Oh and there was plenty of people, the marquee was packed!

The Weather report was issued just before 8am and within a minute the marquee emptied and Brendan and I ventured outside to watch as the Balloon Teams set too inflating and heading off in the sky's above.

For Brendan and I it was the first time we had ever been this close to see them actually inflate the hot air balloons and watch them take off. It was really exciting, plus Brendan got to go around to the different teams and collect the Balloon trading cards. Despite the cold, and the sand, after watching the sky fill with all the different balloons, I am glad I got up this morning!