We are not only here seeing this but here with a group of Escapee RV club members - about 30 rigs - most of whom are volunteering to crew for the balloonists thus earning free crew passes to all events, some free meals and tail gate parties among the pilots crews and probable rides in balloons (valued at $350 each during the Fiesta).
Some of our friends here crew for this Ladybug Balloon.
We are learning LOTS about ballooning. My job is holding the throat of the balloon open while air is blown into it from a high powered fan, then flames are blown into it to heat the air inside. It gets HOT doing this job! Can't wear nylon as it could melt. Can't wear earrings as they may get too hot. Gregg shares that job with me on the other side of the balloon. He's also involved in setting up all the apparatus. Another job I have is handing out patches and pins to collectors wandering among us - thousands of them. Our whole team will help chase down the balloon and pack it back up for the next day.
Our friends Gloria and Charlie on the right and left, our pilot Earl and Randi, the lady who made the balloon we will fly this week..
We'll get 9 days of this if weather will cooperate. Having a ball!
This morning when I opened up the Sunday paper...there it was "Albuquerque Balloon Fest" and an article. My VERY FIRST thought was "Oh my...I wonder if Sally and Gregg are there! And if so, I hope she blogs and posts some photos." And here it is! A blog...photos! Have an AMAZING time...you lucky duck!
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