I felt like a kid again!

I grew up and live in Southwest Colorado and we are pretty isolated. The closest big city is about a 4 hour drive and that is to Albuquerque, NM. Not the most glamorous or exciting places on earth but if you want to shop somewhere other than Walmart or go to Trader Joe's this is the place we drive to a couple times a year.

Every October the news is filled with stories and pictures of the Balloon Fiesta and it was always something I wanted to see but never really made the time to go. This year we decided to make the trek down there and I have to say that I am really sorry that I never went before now. It was one of the most magical experiences in my life.
I can't really explain the feeling that you get when you are right there among all the balloons and people but it makes you instantly happy and I felt like I was a kid again. There was so much going on around us and so much to see. The best part was looking around and you could see that everyone was feeling that way. Everyone had a smile on their face and they were laughing and enjoying everything around us. 

If you ever get the opportunity to go, you must! It was worth waking up at 3:45 am, without coffee, driving through traffic with hundreds of other people. We lucked out and the weather was perfect and the amount of balloons during the mass ascension was more than years past and I have no doubt that I will go again and again. 

(please forgive the picture quality-they were taken with my cell phone)

Enjoy...

Right before dawn about 8 or 9 balloons put on a light show to get the crowd excited. 

When I say you are in the middle of it all, I mean it. I saw them pull a spectator out of the crowd to help get this balloon up and filled. 

You have to have your picture taken of course. 

Magnificent view behind us! 

We laid on the grass and just looked up. Super cool!

I just thought this guy was cute. 

 Obviously these pictures don't even do this event justice. You will have to go see for yourself. I can't wait for my nephew to be old enough to take to this. I foresee a huge family trip in the next few years.