Wow! What a day!!
We were up at 5:15 and walked about 100 yards to where the balloons would be launched, beginning at 6, in the 49th Albuquerque Balloon Fesita. Steve and Judith Hill were here in 2019 and told us how amazing it was to walk through the launch field right next to the baskets and balloons as they were being inflated. But until you see it in person, it’s impossible to describe how exhilarating the experience really is — especially because it begins in total darkness with the only flashes of light being the propane jets inflating the balloons.
That being said, and because we have limited battery power in the campground (no elecric or water) to upload this blog, we’ll let the images speak for themselves:
And the spectacular balloon launches were only the beginning of our day.
Even before the final balloons had finished landing, we began driving north to the 100-mile long High Road to Taos. It often was only 25-35 mph speeds, but the views of the mountains and the diversity of the small villages that dotted the journey, it was a relaxing, enjoyable way to spent the rest of the morning. We even saw snow on top of the mountains around Taos.
After walking through the old town portion of Taos, we turned back south to Santa Fe. Along the way through winding mountain passes, we watched these rafters maneuver through some rapids.
In Santa Fe. we once again went to the old town portion of the city and the highlight was finding the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Just two days earlier the church had held its annual Blessing of the Animals to honor St. Francis, the patron saint of animals and the environment. It also had us thinking of our own church in Cape Elizabeth holding a similar event on the same day.
We were able to enter the cathedral less than five minutes before it was closing for the day.
We’ll be up again early tomorrow for our second day at the Balloon Fiesta, this one featuring Flight of the Nations.
Through Carol’s hot spot on her phone, we’re currently are listening to the Red Sox-Yankees wild-card game!
T&C Southwest Adventure 2021 
I am so glad you experienced what Steve and I talked so much about. Today will be even better because there will be more balloon. I hope you get to experience what I called “being in the valley of the balloons. I hope you got a better nights sleep last night. The girls were great yesterday. Spooky very much wanted to know what I was reading and Chloe let me pet her for a long time, even down to her tail. I forgot my phone so there are no pictures for you. It was a good game last night. I stayed up and watched to the 6th inning and then my pillow was calling to me. Steve stayed up of course. Your pictures are just amazing and I only wish I could write the way you write, so descriptive. Can’t wait to hear more stories when you get home. Today we have sunshine and temps in the high 60s, low 70s. Carry on.
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