Check out this webpage for lots more special shapes.
Follow my journey into the future. I promise it will be full of random rants, travel and other photos, musical musings, especially BOWIE, general chaos, and all my animal family: four horses, three alpacas, three dogs, and three and a half cats.
Showing posts with label hot air balloon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hot air balloon. Show all posts
Friday, October 14, 2011
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Sunday Stills (7/11/10 Shadows)
This week's Sunday Stills challenge is shadows.
For more, please visit here.Sunday - song: Sunday, artist: David Bowie, album: Heathen
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Something in the Air, part III
Here are some views from up in the air. It was interesting to see the balloons lifting off the ground from above.
Same balloon, it's now in the air and the one next to it is getting inflated.
I like this shot of some of the spectators. 
Launching balloons in all stages. 
Same balloon, it's now in the air and the one next to it is getting inflated.
I like this shot of some of the spectators. Launching balloons in all stages. I especially like the tiger balloon! Don't they look crowded?
This is coming into the balloon field.
The narrow balloons are special racing balloons.
The two triangles on the ground are part of a competition. The balloonist must drop a colored baggie of sand into each triangle as close to the other one as possible but not over the lines.
This tall pole is part of the key grab race. There is an envelope on top with the key to a brand new car. This is what we were trying for. 
We were coming in towards the pole right behind another balloon. They grabbed at it and dropped it and then the referees had to put it back on the pole so we didn't even get a shot at it. WE WERE SO CLOSE! It's almost impossible to turn around in a balloon so the next balloon that came by it got it. This is looking back at it after we'd passed it.
How many balloons can you see here?
Can you count them all??
This is coming into the balloon field. The narrow balloons are special racing balloons.The two triangles on the ground are part of a competition. The balloonist must drop a colored baggie of sand into each triangle as close to the other one as possible but not over the lines.This tall pole is part of the key grab race. There is an envelope on top with the key to a brand new car. This is what we were trying for. We were coming in towards the pole right behind another balloon. They grabbed at it and dropped it and then the referees had to put it back on the pole so we didn't even get a shot at it. WE WERE SO CLOSE! It's almost impossible to turn around in a balloon so the next balloon that came by it got it. This is looking back at it after we'd passed it. How many balloons can you see here?Can you count them all?? Even when I was taking a picture of the Railrunner Train I got a photo of a balloon! Look in the bottom right hand corner.
The Balloonists Prayer
May the winds welcome you with softness.
May the sun bless you with its warm hands.
May you fly so high and so well that God
joins you in laughter and sets you gently
back into the loving arms of Mother Earth.
back into the loving arms of Mother Earth.
Something in the Air - song: Something in the air, artist: David Bowie, album: "hours..."
Monday, October 12, 2009
Something in the Air, part II
Friday morning I woke up in the middle of the night and made the trip out to the Balloon Fiesta Park with my son for a very special morning. We went to the Rainbow Ryders tent where my son and daughter both work. My son headed off to work as a chase crew member for the commerial hot air balloon rides. He helps to set up and inflate the balloons and then they follow the balloons to where ever they land and help take the balloons down and put them away. It's a fun job but it's hard work too. The commercial balloon gondolas (baskets) are huge, some carry ten passengers and can weigh 1200 pound! There is also a huge fan for inflating the envelope, the propane tanks and burners, and the envelope itself. See more here and here on hot air balloons.
Here's the ground crew or "chase crew" for the balloon I'd be riding in.
I watched as my daughter and the two other balloon crew members set up the hot air balloon. First they spread a HUGE groundcloth. This protects the envelope from damage or tearing as they lay the envelope out lengthwise on the ground. 
Then they pull out the gondola and set up the propane burners and tanks. 
They attach it to the envelope securing all the ropes and cables and lay the gondola down. They set up a huge fan and begin blowing air into the envelope. 
As the envelope fills up with air, they begin to add hot air by turning on the burners, being careful not to burn the envelope. 
Here's looking inside the hot air balloon as it is inflating. Isn't it pretty?
Soon the balloon rights itself and is ready to launch. The pilot jumps into the gondola first and makes sure everything is good. 
Then the passengers climb over the gondola sides. There is a foothold in the middle of the basket for a step but it is still quite awkward. Inside, the gondola is a little crowded with four people but there is still room to move around. I positioned myself between the propane tanks opposite the pilot so that I could see in all directions. The two CW guys stood in the middle. 
There are long ropes that hang from the envelope called tethers. The crew members hold these tethers as everyone climbs in. Then the burners are turned up and the air inside the envelope heats up causing the balloon to rise. 
Thanks to the ground crew for all their hard work getting us ready to go.
My daughter presented me with a VIP pass. 
She also took some of the morning off to be with me. This VIP pass allows people into the VIP tent where they have free food and a bar set up. There was a nice little patio area set up with gas heaters all around the tables as well as a fire pit burning those wonderful smelling mesquite logs. They also have 'real' bathrooms instead of the port-a-potties. Even though the VIP tent was all around to the other side of the field, it was definitely worth the trip. My daughter and I had a great breakfast! We had eggs, bacon, potatoes, and carne adovada (tender pork and red chili), in a flour tortilla. 
There were also fruit, cereal, and pastries available. After our bellies were full and we had warmed up by the fire pit we headed back around the field to the Rainbow Ryders tent as the sun rose over the mountains.
She also took some of the morning off to be with me. This VIP pass allows people into the VIP tent where they have free food and a bar set up. There was a nice little patio area set up with gas heaters all around the tables as well as a fire pit burning those wonderful smelling mesquite logs. They also have 'real' bathrooms instead of the port-a-potties. Even though the VIP tent was all around to the other side of the field, it was definitely worth the trip. My daughter and I had a great breakfast! We had eggs, bacon, potatoes, and carne adovada (tender pork and red chili), in a flour tortilla. There were also fruit, cereal, and pastries available. After our bellies were full and we had warmed up by the fire pit we headed back around the field to the Rainbow Ryders tent as the sun rose over the mountains.As mentioned in my last post the Dawn Patrol launched and the commercial ride balloons took off. Because I didn't know which balloon my son was actually crewing for, I couldn't locate him in the throng of people, balloons, and vehicles. Seeing that they were lifting off and leaving the field, I went back to the Rainbow Ryders tent. The next wave of balloons was already beginning their inflation, the special shapes balloons.
Back at the Rainbow Ryders tent, I found out that I would be flying in the Albuquerque "Q" balloon with the owner of Rainbow Ryders as my pilot and a couple of gentlemen from the 'CW' TV network as my fellow passengers. One gentleman was Mitch English and I believe he has an on-air show. We would be competing for the 'key grab' contest. And best of all, this was a complementary (no charge!) ride! Woohoo!!! I was very excited about going for a balloon ride again although I was also a little hesitant after my last few days adventures. I briefly wondered if the third time would be it...
I nabbed this picture from a trading card. This was the balloon I would fly in.
We all climbed into the Rainbow Ryders van and headed out, the pilot, Sheila and two other men who would be crewing, and we three passengers. We drove around outside the park on the south side looking for a good place to launch that would take us right back onto the field. There were dozens of balloon vehicles everywhere in various stages of launching, all with the same plan as us. Every field and parking lot was filling up with more and more balloonists getting ready to launch their hot air balloons. We found a good location and then decided to find a better one. Eventually, we settled on just the right spot.
We all climbed into the Rainbow Ryders van and headed out, the pilot, Sheila and two other men who would be crewing, and we three passengers. We drove around outside the park on the south side looking for a good place to launch that would take us right back onto the field. There were dozens of balloon vehicles everywhere in various stages of launching, all with the same plan as us. Every field and parking lot was filling up with more and more balloonists getting ready to launch their hot air balloons. We found a good location and then decided to find a better one. Eventually, we settled on just the right spot. Here's the ground crew or "chase crew" for the balloon I'd be riding in.I watched as my daughter and the two other balloon crew members set up the hot air balloon. First they spread a HUGE groundcloth. This protects the envelope from damage or tearing as they lay the envelope out lengthwise on the ground. Then they pull out the gondola and set up the propane burners and tanks. They attach it to the envelope securing all the ropes and cables and lay the gondola down. They set up a huge fan and begin blowing air into the envelope. As the envelope fills up with air, they begin to add hot air by turning on the burners, being careful not to burn the envelope. Here's looking inside the hot air balloon as it is inflating. Isn't it pretty?Soon the balloon rights itself and is ready to launch. The pilot jumps into the gondola first and makes sure everything is good. Then the passengers climb over the gondola sides. There is a foothold in the middle of the basket for a step but it is still quite awkward. Inside, the gondola is a little crowded with four people but there is still room to move around. I positioned myself between the propane tanks opposite the pilot so that I could see in all directions. The two CW guys stood in the middle. There are long ropes that hang from the envelope called tethers. The crew members hold these tethers as everyone climbs in. Then the burners are turned up and the air inside the envelope heats up causing the balloon to rise. Thanks to the ground crew for all their hard work getting us ready to go.And we're off!
to be continued...
Something in the air - song: Something in the Air, artist: David Bowie, album: "hours..."
Friday, October 9, 2009
Something in the Air
Albuquerque is the Hot Air Balloon capital of the world!
Between predawn flights, nighttime balloon glows, and parties, hot air ballooning is almost a 24 hour sport with naps in between, rather than regular sleep. During Balloon Fiesta most people get up between 3:30 and 4:30 AM so they can beat the traffic and be at the launch field before dawn. The balloon field looks much like a state fair during Fiesta with all kinds of vendors and food stands. There are breakfast burritos (hand held sandwiches of scrambled egg, bacon, cheese, potato, and green chili all wrapped in a flour tortilla) which, I believe, began many, many years ago at a balloon fiesta. At least that is the first time I ever had one. It worked as a hand warmer as well as food. I think there are miles of different stands to visit. And the purchase lines are a mile long too!
The Dawn Patrol are the first two balloons to go up. I missed getting their photographs; it was too dark! They rise in the pre dawn light casting occasional eerie glows in the black skies as the propane burners are turned on and off. They are used primarily for the pilots to observe the varying wind patterns. Because it is in a valley and there are mountains to the east, Albuquerque has a special wind pattern called the Albuquerque Box. The currents go one direction and then as you rise in altitude they go the opposite direction. This is great for the hot air balloon pilots because they can take off and land in the same general area. They can also control their direction easier.
Next to inflate are the Rainbow Ryder balloons. These balloons carry the paying customers. There are twenty commercial balloons affiliated with Rainbow Ryders this Fiesta. Some of the balloons can hold as many as ten people! My son works for Rainbow Ryders as part of the chase crew but I had no idea where or even which balloon he was at and the crowd was just too crazy so I gave up looking for him. I knew that as soon as the balloon went up with the pilot and the customers, the two crew members (my son and another guy) would be driving off to follow their balloon around until it landed. 
Today, the special shapes balloons took over the field after the Rainbow Ryder balloons left the area. 
Usually, all of the balloons are on the field inflating and launching in waves, as the 'zebra' launch directors guide them. Here is a gathering of some of the zebras to show what they wear. 
For over a week, the morning and afternoon skies of Albuquerque are filled with enormous hot air balloons. I saw this balloon in the middle of the city, far away from the activities of the Balloon Fiesta, last Tuesday morning. Sorry for the poor quality, I took it on my cell phone through a dirty windshield. I imagined they were looking for a good place to land.
Between predawn flights, nighttime balloon glows, and parties, hot air ballooning is almost a 24 hour sport with naps in between, rather than regular sleep. During Balloon Fiesta most people get up between 3:30 and 4:30 AM so they can beat the traffic and be at the launch field before dawn. The balloon field looks much like a state fair during Fiesta with all kinds of vendors and food stands. There are breakfast burritos (hand held sandwiches of scrambled egg, bacon, cheese, potato, and green chili all wrapped in a flour tortilla) which, I believe, began many, many years ago at a balloon fiesta. At least that is the first time I ever had one. It worked as a hand warmer as well as food. I think there are miles of different stands to visit. And the purchase lines are a mile long too!The Dawn Patrol are the first two balloons to go up. I missed getting their photographs; it was too dark! They rise in the pre dawn light casting occasional eerie glows in the black skies as the propane burners are turned on and off. They are used primarily for the pilots to observe the varying wind patterns. Because it is in a valley and there are mountains to the east, Albuquerque has a special wind pattern called the Albuquerque Box. The currents go one direction and then as you rise in altitude they go the opposite direction. This is great for the hot air balloon pilots because they can take off and land in the same general area. They can also control their direction easier.After the sun rises, this balloon launches, signalling the start of the morning ascension.
Next to inflate are the Rainbow Ryder balloons. These balloons carry the paying customers. There are twenty commercial balloons affiliated with Rainbow Ryders this Fiesta. Some of the balloons can hold as many as ten people! My son works for Rainbow Ryders as part of the chase crew but I had no idea where or even which balloon he was at and the crowd was just too crazy so I gave up looking for him. I knew that as soon as the balloon went up with the pilot and the customers, the two crew members (my son and another guy) would be driving off to follow their balloon around until it landed. 
Today, the special shapes balloons took over the field after the Rainbow Ryder balloons left the area. Usually, all of the balloons are on the field inflating and launching in waves, as the 'zebra' launch directors guide them. Here is a gathering of some of the zebras to show what they wear. Today was special, however, as there were contests to be played on the field, so all the regular balloons were driven off site for launching so they could fly back over the field for the competition.
The police horses are also very popular at the Balloon Fiesta. Imagine how much training these wonderful steeds must have gone through to be here.
This morning I got up at 4:00 and rode in with my son. Because he works there, he has a pass for free parking and admission on to the field so I got in free too. My daughter, who also works for Rainbow Ryders, wanted me to come out this morning to see her and all the balloons.
Imagine my surprise when she handed me this pass!
Here are my daughter and son talking to a couple of customers about their upcoming balloon flight scheduled for this coming Sunday morning. Even when they are off duty they work hard promoting the sport.
Here are my daughter and son talking to a couple of customers about their upcoming balloon flight scheduled for this coming Sunday morning. Even when they are off duty they work hard promoting the sport.To be continued...
Something in the Air - song: Something in the Air, artist: David Bowie, album: "hours..."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)