I did not follow my usual routine blogging last week because I was in New Mexico. Although the purpose was to visit my brother, we also went to the balloon festival. New Mexico’s hot air balloon festival is the largest in the world. Balloons of all shapes and sizes go up into the air, fueled by propane, and swept along in the sky by thermals. The balloons come in all shapes. The basket at the bottom is so small, compared to the balloon, that it is almost invisible. In the center of the basket is a propane burner. Hot air rises into the balloon to keep it aloft. If the balloonist wants to descend, he releases hot air from the balloon.

The balloons do descend gradually throughout the day and by evening Albuquerque is dotted with hot air balloons that have landed in fields, yards and parking lots.

Here is the field of ‘specials’, balloons of unusual shapes.

Besides the Kong (the red dog toy), and the spaceship, there is a cement truck at the extreme right. Who thinks of a cement truck as a balloon?

I was told a few facts of interest. The balloons like the cement truck or the ones that are very oddly shaped balloons do not fly as high or as far as the more circular ones because of air drag. (That really makes sense.)

The propane needed to take a balloon aloft is significant, as much as might be required to heat a house. It can be a very expensive hobby. Besides the cost of propane is the cost of the balloons which can run into the thousands.

This event draws thousands so traffic and parking is a concern. Nonetheless, this is something everyone should see at least once in their lives.