Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Pictures 2005

We went to the Dawn Patrol and "Mass Ascension" on the
first Saturday of the Fiesta. We got there at 5:45 am and got
to watch the very first balloon set up and fly away.


The first thing they did was lay out the huge blue tarp for the "envelope"
(the balloon itself) to stay dry on the wet grass and then set up the basket. The
metal things on top are where the flames to heat the air come from.


The whole folded up envelope fits inside that red bag.


Taking the envelope out and spreading it out.


Once the envelope is spread out, the basket is set on its side and
attached. The gasoline powered fan just in front of the basked
inflates the envelop with air, but it does not go up yet because the
air has not been warmed.


They begin to heat up the air in the envelope. There is a rope attached
to the very top of the envelope and a person holds on to it to keep
the envelope from going up too fast.


As the balloon heats up, it rises and pulls the basked up off of its side.


Now, they hold it down until the fiesta organizers
give them the ok to lift off.


And awaaay they go!


The other balloons that went up with the "dawn patrol."


All of the dawn patrol in the air flames glowing. I think the one being set up
in the pictures above is the very top balloon.


This does not begin to show how many balloons went up!


We think this one has a good chance of winning
the X Prize!


All agreed it was AMAZING!