This week has been busy due to the 42nd annual International Balloon Fiesta. Today, Wednesday, marks the half-way point and I have not gone over to the balloon launching site. The first couple days were quite cold and I didn't feel like heading out in 34 degree morning temperatures. You need to be at the fiesta site well before dawn so getting up and heading out at 4:30 AM is the usual plan for those wanting to attend the fiesta.
I did that once, way back in the late 1970s...probably 1978 or 1979, so I'm not too excited about the early morning schedule. The fiesta is much bigger now and harder to get around. This year they have 554 balloons, many more than I saw back in the 70s but fewer than a few years back when they had 1,000. They try to limit the number now becuse 1,000 was too many. The cost of fuel and just getting here is limiting the number a well. They still have an impressive bunch from other countries...most notable is Brazil.
The first couple days had the wind coming out of the north so the balloons all went south over the city. Yesterday and today the winds were from the south so they all came up toward me. Tuesday was most remarkable bcause I had balloons landing across the street from my house. Of course, I took a bunch of pictures --way too many to post here but I'll post a sizeable bunch. Mostly without comment but I'll add a few captions.
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| Dawn Patrol |
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| here they come |
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| almost translucent in early morning sun |
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| large cow - very large |
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| Darth Vader |
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| across the street |
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| another one down |
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| Darth coming over my neighbor's house |
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