Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

I've been wanting to do this for YEARS!!! 🤩 Riding in a hot air balloon at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta was an absolutely phenomenal experience. Definitely a big giant check mark for the ol' bucket list, that's for sure. As an aviation enthusiast in general, I've always been intrigued by balloons but have never really known too much about them. And I typically see them flying so rarely that they've always felt sort of mysterious and majestic to me, just seeming to float so effortlessly through the air. Then to have always seen the iconic photos of hundreds of balloons lifting off together at this festival, it's been engrained in me as something to experience one day. The timing of my current trip and route coincided perfectly with the annual event in New Mexico, so knew now was obviously the time. The wait certainly paid off!

It was super interesting getting to witness and experience first hand the basics of what's involved in getting airborne (and back down again) using only heat, wind, and maybe a couple flaps in the fabric as your only means of maneuvering. One thing that surprised me (and everybody I spoke to) is how incredibly calming it is once you're in the air. I'm not one to be afraid of heights or flying, but still anticipated some anxiety being suspended and adrift in mid air. That wasn't the case though, at least in the calm wind conditions we had on Friday morning. Once you're up above the height of surface obstacles, it immediately feels comfortable and safe, somehow. The silence of smoothly gliding along with the wind is just so peaceful, so effortless, unlike any other mode of transportation I've experienced. Having total trust in the absolute pro @rainbowryders pilot Alan Lescarbeau goes a long way too I suppose! 

But yeah, DEFINITELY won't be the last time I do that. I'll  come back to the Albuquerque Fiesta for another ride during Mass Ascension, and will also be keeping my eyes peeled for other smaller scale ballooning experiences. 🙌