Nothing but Hot Air.

Waking up at the crack of dawn really hasn't fit into our schedule since we started on this journey. So when the alarm went off this morning it brought with it a rush of bad memories of having to get up early to get ready for work. Once we realized the reason for the annoying buzzing sound next to our head we slowly crawled out of bed. I looked at the clock as the bright red lights seemed to burn my eyes, 4:30 a.m. Oh, this better be good or there will be two people tired and quite upset. After getting a shower to wake up and getting some food in us we headed out the door. One last glance at the clock that now seemed to be mocking us - 5:15 a.m.

We arrived at the launch site at 5:45 to find a big empty dirt lot. First to arrive. Slowly more cars pulled in and finally a van pulling a trailer stirred up the dust as he slowed to a stop. Three men jumped out and like a well oiled machine each started to set off and accomplish his own task.

Large tarps were laid out along side of the basket. The envelope that holds the hot air was unrolled and stretched out as the spaghetti of lines were untangled and attached to its proper clasp.

Finally with two large fans blowing cold air into the balloon this huge ball of fabric started to take shape. Once the balloon looked full the three large burners were ignited and with a loud crack, flames licked the inside of the balloon. Within minutes this colorful ball started to right itself. At last, we had ourselves what looked like a giant pinata. This beautiful colorful ball standing tall with a basket hanging from the bottom.

At the pilots command we quickly climbed into this woven basket and after a few vital instructions we were ready for takeoff. With the sun breaking the horizon and sending with it its warm rays of light we slowly lifted off.

What an incredible sensation to slowly be lifted off the ground as to defy gravity. With only the sound of the burners burning every so often the flight was quite with the sounds of distant life down below.

Eric, our pilot, took us over trees with only inches to spare below our feet. Soon we were over top of the Rio Grande river and slowly started to descend until we were hovering above the rushing water. It felt like we were puppets just hanging there with strings attached above us.

After climbing to 1,500 feet and watching the objects on the ground become smaller and smaller we drifted over the city of Albuquerque. Soon we were drifting over downtown with the Historic district passing by. The zoo, that we had visited just a couple of days before, came into view. Not long after we spotted the airport getting closer. The planes landing seemed so close but were really a couple of miles away from us. After about an hour of drifting and letting the currents take us where it pleased the pilot started to communicate with his chase crew on the ground. The next 45 minutes were filled with 4 failed attempts at landing because as soon as we would find a big empty field to land the winds decided to push us into another direction. Imagine being a couple hundred feet in the air and looking at a city filled up buildings, powerlines, trees and sky scrapers below. Looking for a big enough space to land. We tried a field behind a school first. Once the children inside realized what was about to happen they swarmed out of the building to wave and watch. Not to be as we were soon pushed off course. Next a parking lot behind a warehouse. The forklifts were busy loading trucks as we descended. Not to be. The manager on duty would not allow it. Two more failed attempts and we finally drifted over the highway with only 50 ft separating us and the rush hour traffic below, we touched down on this empty dirt field. After a hard bounce we had landed.

After arriving back at the launch site the tables were put together as the champagne bottles were opened. With a toast to celebrate our safe flight we downed the cold bubbly liquid. Enjoy the slide show as it has many more pictures of our adventure today.