Travel and Adverture Story by: Dennae Magee, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Up, Up and Away!
What better way to fill a “Bucket List” adventure than to be playing golf in Albuquerque, New Mexico on the same weekend at the largest hot air balloon fiesta in the world.
After reading a simple sign as we enter the balloon grounds that next morning to get up close and personal with these magnificent flying machines… I could only visualize the end of the Wizard of Oz when the Wizard gave that magnificent quote: “I don’t have any idea how this crazy thing works!” And the better one than that… “I always kept this just in case I needed a quick escape.” Okay, with this latest adventure that I experienced, a hot air balloon is not a quick escape, much like robbing a bank in the old west and your get away horse is a Paso Fino. Just not the smartest move.
So, what was this simple sign?
The Balloonist 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.”
-Author Unknown
This got my mind racing, looking at the balloons on the grounds ready to be launched. Why isn’t there a “Golf Ball Balloon” out there. It’s a Natural. The Balloonist Prayer could easily be adapted to a Golfer Prayer because we are all thinking on the same line. But not a golf ball was to be found. Maybe “On-Core” golf should consider having a balloon built and run the hot air balloon flying circuit. Trust me, I saw plenty of golf hats and shirts of all types of description on that field looking at all the beautiful balloons. Maybe it could be a Go-Fund Me page to get this started.
We walked by one balloon and the pilot was such a good singer… and guess what he was singing? – Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon – We could float among the stars together, you and I – For we can fly, we can fly!
OH… Pick Me… Pick Me! – Well, maybe next year.
If the Balloon Fiesta is on your “Bucket List” – believe us… you won’t experience anything like this anywhere. Albuquerque is the largest event in the world. More than 800,000 people attend the event each year. Split into two sections each day. Obviously, the mornings were for the mass launch of over 500 balloons with a kaleidoscope of colors and special shapes as they lifted off to float among the blue skies over Albuquerque. The evening events were as special… if not more dramatic with many of the balloon inflated and in static formation and lighting the balloons with their propane burners to create the “Night Glow.” Then it was the skydivers time with fireworks being launched from their boot systems. And to close the evening was a special Drone display, with a 20-minute interactive presentation.
Up, Up, and away in my beautiful balloon
If you’ll hold my hand, we’ll chase your dream across the sky… For we can fly!