Up Up and Away!

A 50th wedding anniversary should be marked with a significant celebration.  My Mom is not into big parties... what to do?  After 50 years together traveling and having all kinds of adventures, what is left to experience?  How about a hot-air balloon ride over the Rio Grande?  My Dad came up with the idea, and we were excited to help make it happen!

Stephen and I did some research and chose a private balloon ride from World Balloon of Albuquerque with a champagne toast afterward.  My job was to set it all up and then stay with David at the hotel, while Stephen played his role as the chauffeur and photographer. 

Part of the experience is pitching in with the ground crew to set up, and later pack up the balloon.  Dad was very excited about that part!  Stephen had to make sure my folks were at the launch site by 6:30 AM.  The balloon pilot and driver of the chase vehicle were both very nice, professional, and knowledgeable.  We had perfect weather for the day of the ride.  There were several balloons taking off from the same site that morning.

Laying out the ground tarp.

The balloon is taken out and laid on the ground tarp.

Stephen calls this shot "The Ballooner Eclipse."

 At this point, we're switching from Stephen's pictures to Dad's pictures taken from the balloon.  There's Stephen getting ready to ride in the chase vehicle.  He's still taking pictures!

Looking up into the balloon.

Flying low over the Rio Grande.

The pilot made the basket brush the tops of the cottonwood trees in the bosque.  Dad accused him of showing off.

 

Now we're back down on the ground, inside the chase vehicle with Stephen.  Balloons are landing!

After the landing, the pilot lifted the balloon slightly so the driver of the chase vehicle could walk it up to the road for a better place to fold up the balloon. 

The toast!  Happy 50th Anniversary!!!