On the last morning of the Balloon Fiesta, the weather was looking iffy again, but fortunately conditions improved, so they were able to finish the fiesta in style.

But first, coffee:

We caught the drone show again:

Then we headed out onto the field, and found a spot right next to the only balloon preparing to inflate (they skipped the pre-dawn glow, due to the weather):

A cool morning, but we were suddenly nice and toasty for some reason:

Previously the first balloon took off with the flag attached, during the national anthem. But today the “zebras” just held the flag next to the balloon; it didn’t take off yet:

But soon afterwards, the flag was green, and all the other balloons started to inflate (and hey look, somewhat blue skies!):

We tried not to be too bitter about the people who got to have a balloon ride today, after ours was cancelled the the previous day:

Jenn got a trading card for a few balloons, including this interesting one:

Another trading card:

A fun chase vehicle:

Mounted police:

We noticed a balloon with a NZ flag on the rope:

On the way back to our coach, we saw a balloon flying low over the balloon museum:

They dropped an anchor rope:

And came in for a landing in the parking lot:

Our coach was nearby:

They then deflated:

And wrapped the balloon envelope:

That concludes the 2022 balloon fiesta, our first attendance. We’ve already adjusted our travel plans for 2023 to be back for next year’s fiesta, hopefully for the whole time. And we’ll again try to have a balloon ride, too. Hopefully next year will have better weather than this year.

Next, a video timelapse of our view of that parking lot from our coach, including balloons going over our coach.

There was no evening session on our first night at the Balloon Fiesta, but our second night was supposed to have a session.

However, the weather didn’t cooperate — what was to be a bit of a theme of the 2022 Balloon Fiesta.

A balloonist statue:

We got green and red chili burgers for dinner:

A skydiver with a flag:

Another food vendor:

We tried their “potato twister”, and a lemonade:

The music stage, and a yellow flag indicating that the weather is being evaluated for flying balloons:

Star Wars characters:

Smokey balloon chase vehicle:

Chainsaw carving:

A balloon basket and envelope in the back of a truck:

Unfortunately, the weather was too windy to inflate balloons. So we headed back to our coach.

Later, some fireworks, as seen from our coach over the balloon museum and other RVs:

On our second morning of the Balloon Fiesta, they had a bit more success.

But first, coffee — rather gross, yesterday’s was better:

Vendors:

One staple of the fiesta is Dawn Patrol, where a few balloons inflate and launch before it gets light, to help check the wind conditions:

Once it gets a little light, another balloon with a flag attached is inflated and launched, during singing of the national anthem:

Then a bunch more balloons prepare to launch:

We brought a compact stool, which was handy when we got tired of standing:

This blimp-shaped hot air balloon actually has a propeller, so it can move around under its own power (instead of just up and down with the whims of the wind):

A balloon landing:

Mounted police:

On our first morning of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, we attended a balloon glow, where they light up a bunch of hot air balloons that are tethered to the ground. Due to inclement weather, only three balloons inflated this morning. A theme that would continue, unfortunately.

The fiesta map:

Vendors:

Swag shopping:

Inflating a balloon:

A nice thing about the fiesta is that one can go out onto the field, right up to the balloons. They’re much bigger than they look from a distance:

Due to impending rain, they deflated the balloons:

Another balloon:

Folding up the balloon requires teamwork:

More swag shopping:

Vendors:

A balloon-themed ride:

Arts & crafts:

Fiesta: