This morning we got up at 3:30AM and left our RV in Santa Fe around 4:00AM to head to the Balloon Fiesta.
If you know us well, you know we struggle to make it to church by 10:30AM. Getting up so early was really a stretch.
There was no traffic. I hear Monday is one of the less busy days. We parked in a parking lot on site for a parking fee of $15. We paid $20 total for tickets. Tickets are $10 per adult, and kids ages 12 and under get in free. This was awesome for us as all of our children are ages 12 and under!
Morning glow started at 6:00AM. We enjoyed watching balloons be set up and be filled with air. The balloons glowed as the fire blazed within them, and then they slowly began to rise.
It was cold this morning, very cold to us Texans. We were so mesmerized by the balloons that we happily embraced the cold, though.
After the morning glow, we slowly became surrounded with balloons on the ground that were starting to fill with air.
It was truly a sight to see! We were all in awe! And this was before the balloons even ascended.
At 7:00AM the mass ascension began. It was amazing! I think, “Wow!”, was spoken every few seconds. And I couldn’t quit taking photos.
Bravely had been asleep. When she woke up, we put her glasses on and she gave the biggest, cutest smile as she gazed up at the balloons.
River loved the morning glow, but she was a little creeped out when all the balloons started filling around us. Once they started going up, she loved watching.
Our older kids thought this was one of the most awesome experiences they’ve had, and our younger ones loved talking about which balloons were their favorites.
At 8:00AM there was a balloon flying competition. Competitors attempted to drop a marker as close as possible to a specific target. This kept the balloons in the air for quite awhile, which we were happy to continue to watch.
If you’ve never been, it is definitely worth taking a trip to Albuquerque, NM to see this in person! This was an experience I’ll never forget and that I’d love to experience again!