Hey, Way, Way Off Topic

[Dick Ralstin]

Saturday morning at 7:00 MDT, the annual Hot Air Balloon Fiesta takes to the air with a 750 hot air balloon mass acension.

It is really quite a sight to behold, check the whole week long Fiesta out at:
http://www.kobtv.com

[backstroke]

750?? Wow!!

I gotta see that.

[rrrr]

Every year the Balloon Fiesta brings back good memories of Albuquerque. I had a lot of fun working on the crew of a balloon owned by my best friend's father, who along with his partners later became the first persons to cross the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in a gas balloon.

This year my friend's younger brother will again be participating in the America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race, piloting Zero Gravity. Good luck and Godspeed, Richard.

America's Challenge Race

[Mackie]

That is a lot of hot air. I am "balloon rated," but haven't flown one since '76 in Colorado Springs, always wanted to attend that event though, maybe someday.

[KevMcNJ]

I was there for the 1993-1997 Fiestas. Well worth waking up @ 4am then freezing in the desert until sunrise. Join a crew. Theres always one that needs a "spohta"
Whats a spohta you ask?
Thats the guy thats always asking what am I spohta do now? Sometimes the chase crew has more fun than the ones in the air.
Never heard of the AIBF until I lived there. Required viewing for all Americans.
Dick I didnt realize it was that time of year already. Great memories of a great period of my life. thanks for the info.

[hdolan]

Hey Dick, good to hear from you...Marta says Hi...

[Frank Capua]

Actually it's not that far off topic considering that the first race ever held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was a Balloon race

I also remember being there for a balloon race they had in the late 60's or early 70's at the Speedway... the one where one went out of control and knocked over one of the outhouses in the infield near turn 4... remember the one that had the Balloon painted on the side of it?

[Defender]

That Albuquerque deal is truly a sight to behold. It's beautiful. Wish I could get there to see it more than the few years I have. Sounds like it keeps getting bigger/better.

[KevMcNJ]

Sorta quriky thing about living in Albuquerque. Every one owns or crews a balloon. Everywhere else in the USA people buy a boat, camper, or time share, etc. In Albq you buy a balloon. One of many quirky things about my adopted hometown.
Already told my wife when I die to spread my ashes in the Sandia Mountains.
A little history for ya. The first Albq balloon fiesta took place in a mall parking lot and had about 10 balloons. Now its 700+ and draws 100s of thousands of fans every day for the whole week.

[ October 05, 2002: Message edited by: KevMcNJ ]

[KnockOff]

Good to hear from ya, Dick. How's that clear, mountain air treatin' ya?

[ZenMan]

There's a good chance my brother-in-law is participating in this. But at 7AM MDT, I was stacking some serious Z's...

[sabin_24]

My aunt organized the whole deal this year. One of these years I'll have to get down there to see it. Unfortuantly, her job requires her to move unexpectantly at times, so who knows how long she'll be in Albuquerque