Posted February 22, 2022 – Narrated by Carmen
Jim wanted balloons.
As if anything can embellish an idyllic New Mexico sky, every year on Jim’s birthday week, hundreds of hot-air balloons punctuate the stunning Albuquerque landscape.
In 2020 we had loose plans to attend the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, but the pandemic grounded the event for the first time since it began in 1972, Jim’s High School graduation year.
Time Flies, the official theme for 2021, peaked Jim’s enthusiasm. He would celebrate his 67th birthday at Fiesta regardless of travel hurdles and reservation complications and the risk of infection as the new variant released its latest offspring into the population. But the major hurdle, was me.
It’s unusual for Jim to latch onto something he knows I won’t attend. I don’t do big events. It has nothing to do with Covid. Ever since Mary Decker fell at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, right in front of us, and the crowd erupted into a frenzied mob, I haven’t been able to shake the fear of being trampled.
But if my man wants balloons, balloons he will have.
He was overdue for a break from my hang-up. And, this last year took a heavy emotional toll with the loss of his dear sister Patty, and brother-in-law, Richard, as well as many old friends.
He needed this.
Unfortunately, he didn’t win the lottery.
The lottery for Fiesta begins by applying in January. If you want to park your Airstream on the lot between The Field where they launch the balloons and The Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum (the best seats in “the house”) you must be a part of the The Balloon Fiesta National Airstream Rally.
The lottery is designed to fairly manage the high number of applicants for a few available spaces (Kenneth does an amazing job organizing and running this Airstream rally). Unfortunately, chances of getting into the winner’s club on the first try is like winning The Lottery, or being struck by lightening.
But this was Jim’s year. Undeterred by pie-in-the-sky odds, he submitted the application and immediately began working on Plan Deux. Every day he shook the internet trees for tips about available spaces. Months went by with no leads.
Then, one day, a miraculous wind stirred the branches of Facebook and a glimmer of hope landed in Jim’s message box. Nan Leverett from Airstream Addicts forwarded a post from Albuquerque residents, Marcia and Jim. The couple were offering the community a free space (with hook-ups!) on their property near the Fiesta.
The “firsts” were adding up. First Fiesta, first time in Albuquerque, first big crowd event, and first time yard surfing in a complete stranger’s yard.
Jim reached out. These were nice people. Did they mind if a feral chihuahua and a woman with a crowd-fear thingie hung out in their yard for five days while Jim attended Fiesta?
Spoiler: the story ends well.
We made wonderful new Airstream friends …
We hung out with fabulous old Airstream friends …
and Pico didn’t bite any of our friends, old or new (another first!).
We fell for Albuquerque …
Jim got his balloons, and so did I!
Early one morning, in Marcia and Jim’s backyard, I was dreaming of fire-spewing dragons and woke wide-eyed to see a Fiesta fly-by from my skylight!
A balloon blessing. It was meant to be.
A single balloon is a statement, but a flotilla of balloons is a universal message.
The world’s most powerful language is composed of nothing but zeros and ones. Similarly, hot-air balloons (depending on one’s perspective) look like a period or an exclamation mark.
This sky language when expressed in multitudes is especially moving, a declaration of sorts, The Secret of Everything, suspended in time and space under the New Mexico sun.
Soaring baskets filled with unhelmeted souls pilot across the heavens, looking down and bearing witness to the utter insignificance of our earthly toils and possessions.
At Fiesta, primeval tech eclipses the spectacle of rocket launches. Subverting science, politics and religion, hot-air balloons go their whimsical and jolly way, scooping up armloads of believers.
They elegantly skirt the evanescent boundaries between heaven and earth, inoculating us from the plagues of negativity, sadness and cynicism.
Without sermonizing or taking sides, hot-air balloons address the question, “What is important right now, and what is mere distraction?” and the answers seem to flow out of the silence and into your heart.
Atmosphere is important.
As I grieve loved ones who have transitioned, I often look to the clouds for something – connection, comfort, distraction, memories, answers, all of the above – even my heart presses gently against my chest, ready and willing to go aloft.
“Heaven knows” Mama sighed when I asked too many questions about death and the afterlife. My heart seems to know that’s not just something people say.
Fiesta was a healing time.
Every day Jim came home with inspiring images.
As we journey wholeheartedly into old age, our elevated years bring the horizon into clearer focus. As youths we longed for all the wonderful things – things both within and beyond our grasp – exposing us to anxiety, pessimism and chaos.
It wasn’t all bad. Some things you take on bring you down to earth in a good way, other things just weigh you down. Everything has strings attached and the biggest stuff demands chains.
One day we realized our acquisitions were a burden on our time and long-term travel plans, so we began to lighten up. That felt good, real good, so we kept tossing ballast until we felt as light as goose down.
At first it was wobbly and a bit scary. Six years later, it’s still wobbly and a bit scary, but not as horrifying as never achieving lift.
The flotilla of gorgeous, voluminous and sumptuous contraptions parading overhead inspired us to renew our vows to continue this simple life of living in Beauty.
If you want to see our exact route, click here.
*photos in this post (unless otherwise noted) were taken and copyrighted by Living In Beauty.
My wife Kimberley James and I got our reservation finally! Got lucky!
Congratulations Nathan!
You will love the bike trails! But be warned – because of the stickers – you will need kevlar inner tires on your bikes. We had three blowouts!
Have a wonderful time at the 2022 Fiesta, you lucky duck.
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
This is on my must do list
Oh my goodness, Cindy, you will have a great time. There are so many beautiful places to see along the way there and back, too
Safe & Happy Travels!
xoxo,
Carmen & Jim
We recently rallied/camped at Cave Creek Regional Park [Maricopa County NW of Phoenix] with the Arizona Airstream Club and were treated to a balloon launch nearby. 10-20 every morning on Friday, Saturday, Sunday by Rainbow Ryders. One of your pictures of a single balloon clearly shows that company name. Watching them IS wonderful.
Yes, Kathleen, Jim saw several Rainbow Ryders Balloons. Watching them – from launch to descent – gives me goosebumps. There’s nothing like it.
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
We were there for the 1st time. It will not be our last. We’re wait listed for ’22 but should be in for ’23, which suits us.
Sorry we didn’t run into you….and the crowds were respectful and manageable for this person, also uncomfortable in crowds.
Hey Imelda & John
So sorry we missed you! Waitlisting those who do not get in so they have priority the next year is a very fair and sound policy. Thank you’s are due to the volunteers who make this event possible. Jim assured me that the crowd was safe and I realize that is true – it’s just that I get nervous when the throng exceeds a hundred or so.
Thanks for being with us and hopefully we will see you at a future Fiesta!!!
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
One of my “bucket list” items is to attend hopefully camping there, or near, in my future Airstream!
Hey Judd!
It’s a wonderful Airstream Rally. We hope to see you when we go back someday!
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
Wow! Surreal! Your video is stunning!
Yes. You nailed it. “Surreal.” To me, New Mexico itself is kind of surreal and then the balloons … absolute magic.
Thanks so much for being with us, Laura!
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
We were so happy to see you both! Those tire blowouts were no joke and we were thankful you made it back. Hope to see you again, it’s always a joy!
AMY!!!
We’ve GOT TO make plans and meet up to spend some serious time around the campfire. We just love hanging out with you two.
xoxox,
Carmen & Jim
A wonderful way to celebrate Jim’s birthday and another beautiful post. The rally is on our “to do” list too. In the meantime, we are enjoying the beauty of the Florida Keys in Lola our Airstream.
Sharing a thought … We often ask each other, “Do you think Jim and Carmen plan on settling somewhere soon?” Doesn’t sound like that’s in your foreseeable future. Happy trails. We love your posts.
Kathy & Steve!!!
We always LOVE to hear from you two! We’ve just gotta meet up sometime! The Florida Keys sounds wonderful right now. Did you know that Jim applied and was offered an administration job at Curry Hammock State Park and DIDN’T TAKE IT!
It’s okay … I’m sucking it up here in Bodega Bay with 30mph winds and two hours per day of decent sunshine in the low 50’s – nights in the 20’s. Not complaining. It’s beautiful here and we’re having a great time … just thinking of how delicious that sunshine is and how nice it will be when are back down there again … someday.
You enjoy yourselves and keep sending us some of that sunshine.
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
On my bucket list and now I know I need to plan ahead to get in!
It’s my third month into full time RV’ing, a direction I chose after my husband passed away and so far I am liking it a lot, but I’m seeing a tremendous amount of political divisiveness in this country. (I’m from Canada.) So your thoughtful commentary accompanying the gorgeous pictures resonated a great deal with me. I can see how it would be eye-candy for the soul. I just have to get around the crowd ‘thingy’ as well since I really don’t like to be jammed in with a bunch of people but it looks like you had a wonderful and ‘remote’ position from which to watch the show. 🙂
Hey Jane!
Sounds like you and I are kindred spirits.
I wish to express my deepest condolences to you over your husbands passing. I am also inspired by your decision to solo RV. I’m sure you are aware of the many online support groups and rallies for solo RV women, but if you ever need or want advice, please do not hesitate to contact us through email and we will respond immediately.
I would absolutely recommend checking out the scene in Albequerque at any time of year, but especially during Fiesta. There are many places to camp in the area. Our situation was unique because Jim wanted to go on the field while the balloons were launching. To do that we needed to be parked at the actual event so I could stay in the Airstream. The other option was to be within cycling distance so I could meet him from time to time at the Airstream rally and then go home during the most crowded hours of the day. Before we went there my impression – from seeing images and video of the event – was that the rally itself was, as you say, “jammed” with wall-to-wall people. Maybe Covid changed public behavior and they don’t do that as much nowadays. But after seeing Fiesta and how the rally is situated I think I would be just fine staying at the rally in our Airstream. People have small gatherings in wide spaces around their trailers and I am fine with that. So, yes, start early to make plans to attend! My guess is that you will probably be glad to be there.
Yes, Fiesta is “eye-candy for the soul” – nicely put. I wish I had taken time to go to the museum. The entire event made me more interested in this technology and the history of ballooning. You might want to read our blog about Slab City and the days of Leonard Knight, an evangelist who was once a balloon pilot. It’s a fascinating place to visit.
https://livinginbeauty.net/2020/03/07/slab-city/
American politics … All I can say is that we haven’t had any problems at all traveling with our California plates and we go into some very conservative areas. We don’t talk politics, advertise our preferences or engage in any way. But it’s interesting that you would mention the political climate today because just yesterday we received our first email from a campground telling us to not arrive with any political paraphernalia other than an American flag on our vehicles. Though we haven’t yet seen or experienced any divisiveness – at least nothing threatening or uncomfortable – I think this is a good policy.
So wonderful to have you aboard, Jane. Please keep us apprised of your journey. If you keep a blog or have a Facebook page, we would love to follow along.
Safe & Happy Travels
Carmen@LIB
Wow! Sorry we didn’t connect with y’all. Bill and I were there with the Southwest Caravan which we highly recommend. It was our first time and it was sooooo much fun.
Hey Debbie!
Thanks for sharing your first experience at Fiesta! Southwest Caravan sounds like a good bet. Yes, we saw what appeared to be thousands of RVs so there are many ways to attend Fiesta.
Seems like everyone, once they’ve experienced the event, say “first time” because you just don’t want to believe it will be the last. I do hope we get to go again someday. I just know we will be back in Albequerque someday! 💕! that city!
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
You do not have to be a member of the Airstream Club to attend. However being part of a rally that includes the Fiesta ensures that you will get in.
Agreed! There are many ways to attend the Balloon Fiesta, including trying to obtain one of the campsites directly from the Fiesta organization. Trying to get a spot through the Airstream Rally is just one option. Thanks for sharing the clarification.
Jim and I graduated from HS the same year, so I guess we are of the same “vintage”. Is Jim attending his 50th HS reunion? You could pull up in front of the venue with Beauty and Da Beast. Hah! Glad you were able to attend the balloon fest. Beautiful pictures as always. Looks like a gas! Or I guess hot air?
Hey Steve!
Yes, but it will be a challenge. The Plan is to get Jim to his Sweetwater High School Reunion. It will require all of our LIB travel expertise to get him near the border of Mexico in October. This reunion is important. He lost several classmates this year and he has known nearly all of them since kindergarten.
Yes, Fiesta Is a gas😊! All of Jim’s anticipation was rewarded 🎈
So great to hear from you Steve! xoxo
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
We have the opportunity this year to attend the balloon fest. Couldn’t be more excited. A great way to spend my 70th birthday
It IS the perfect Birthday Party, Catherine! “Eat cake, and do something outrageous” – that’s my recipe for the perfect birthday. Have a WONDERFUL time at Fiesta 2022!
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
Some day I’ll get to see this live and in person
I’m sure you will Doc! Fiesta is definitely a bucket list thing. Very inspirational and you will take home a basket of memories.
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
Sounds like a great experience 👍🏻
Yes it is, Rosie! (Is this my girlhood friend Rosie Banuelos?) It begins very early in the morning well before sunrise. Jim’s an early riser so a 4AM arrival was no biggie for him. He said watching the flames while it’s still dark under the stars is incredibly impressive. It’s cold way up in the Sandia mountains, so people are bundled up in the morning and shed layers throughout the day. Local vendors are right on the field selling coffee, bagels and doughnuts. Jim had a simply wonderful birthday week.
Thanks so much for being with us!
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
What a well detailed blog!
Hey, thanks so much Audrey! Glad to have you aboard.
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
Profound words from my favorite blog…or perhaps better described as poet-philosophers… “Some things you take on bring you down to earth in a good way, other things just weigh you down. Everything has strings attached and the biggest stuff demands chains.” So brilliantly and simply true.
Hey Jim!
We are so happy to have you here. Life is such a puzzle but travel makes more sense of it. Every place is worth seeing and has its own unique beauty. We believe that. We SEE that. Every place is sacred and has it’s own message. We try to listen and understand and pass it on. Thank you so much for watching and listening.
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
We loved being there last year during our Airstream Southwest Adventure Caravan. Great vantage point right under the balloons. Loved your video.
Hey Barbara!
What a great caravan!
https://airstreamclub.org/southwest-adventure-caravan-2021
There are many ways to see Fiesta. But RVing is the best way to go because you can get closer to the event. And the bike trails are amazing!!!
Thanks so much for sharing your Fiesta experience with us.
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
We went to a very small (by comparison) balloon launch several years ago and just loved it. It’s cool to see the process and watch them take off, and so much fun to photograph. I’m glad you guys were able to go and enjoyed your visit. It is a tough one to get into, so you really lucked out!
Hey Laura!
It’s like alchemic magic isn’t it? and yes, so fun to photograph. Jim did a great job with the photos but I wish I had been able to go on the field. At least now I know that Fiesta wasn’t as frenetic as I expected it to be. Maybe, next time, some Xanax-induced balloon photography would be kind of interesting …😵💫
I’ll bet your photos are wonderful. I’d love to see them. Now that you three are settling down, maybe we stop crossing paths like ships in the night and make plans to meet up at a local brewery.
Hugs to Thor 🐾💕
Safe & Happy Travels!
xoxo,
Carmen
Absolutely awesome
Yes it was, Danny. Thanks for being with us.
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
Thank you for sharing!
It is our pleasure, Celia. Thanks for joining us.
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
You write so well, Carmen. I just love your anecdotes within the subject of ballooning! Such a colorful spectacle. We have house sat in Albuquerque, on the Mesa, where a lot of the balloons pass over and finish their flight in the early mornings. The Fiesta is a different sight – incredible. Jim’s photos are fantastic. We have never been to the Fiesta, but your blog posts warms my heart and brightens my spirits. Let’s all unburden ourselves from most material goods and get ready for lift off! 🙂
Liesbet!
Thanks, Liesbet. As a child the word, “daydreamer” frequently showed up on my teacher’s report. Writing helps me to make use of that trait.
You make a good point for Fiesta goers – it’s a good idea to make an early start to the day. Everything begins early. I’m not sure why that is – science? convenience? keeping the flight path cleared? Do you know? I should research that.
Ah, yes. Unburdening … that is always a conversation in our house. Stuff is always accumulating! And in a rig our size these tiny burdens add up fast. We often imagine how we could accomplish our travel goals with a smaller rig like yours. Probably, like you, we’d enjoy the adventure but – even at our tiny-house level – the work to build new skills and re-outifit is daunting. Plus, the rig is paid for 🙂.
Thank you for sharing your experience in Albuquerque. We’d like to spend more time there.
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
Hi Carmen,
I think the early times for ballooning have to do with the air condition/atmospheric condition that makes it easier to take off, land, and stay in the air. Somehow…
I enjoy not having a lot of stuff. But often I feel like we still have too many things. Our cabinets and every compartment are full at the moment. We’d love to get a grill and snorkel gear, but we will have to make room for that somehow.
Being in Baja for multiple months also meant that we stocked up on a few food items for us and three (!) 40-pound bags of dog food for Maya. She’s allergic to so many things that we needed to bring her US dog food with us!
We love to be mobile, though, so this set-up works for us. And, of course, it’s laid off too. 🙂
Thank you for this beautiful, lyrical piece. It spoke to me and the images danced in time with the words.
Thanks for the lift, streaminshiny!
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
We have a great balloon festival in our area ( Glens Falls/ Lake George, NY) every Fall..so beautiful and so much fun!
Thanks for sharing, James! Here’s the link to the Adirondack Balloon Festival:
https://www.adirondackballoonfest.org/#home-1
There’s a hot-air balloon fest in the US for almost anyone’s birthday week!
Thanks so much for bringing other festivals into the conversation!
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
Fabulous capture of this amazing event!
Thanks so much, Nan! We are so grateful for your kindness and action to alert us about Marcia & Jim’s offer. This probably wouldn’t have happened without your help. Thank you for being a fabulous Airstream friend! xoxo
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen & Jim
We are going this year with our airstream group
Hey Catherine!
Lucky you! Going with a group is a great idea. Enjoy your time at Fiesta!
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
Another item I’ve had in my bucket list since seeing a similar smaller event In Las Vegas, back in the 90’s.
How time does fly.
A Quick Search of New Mexico Balloon Festival revealed September and October dates and an interesting one in May of 2022: Taco’s & Tequlia Music Festival.
Not to mention Telluride, Colorado and others.
You could chase Festivals all summer like a DeadHead if you had a mind to.
Im researching internet “Cradle” device so I can take my customer support phone job on the road and throw off the ballast pre-retirement.
Travel safe-see you down the road.
Dean!
Wow … sounds like you are ready to make the break.
Following balloon festivals!!! What a fun way to spend a year on the road – follow the weather, make friends, slosh down champagne with the pilots after the flight. Something about your post reminded me about The Balloonists Prayer which is traditionally accompanied with a champagne toast.
THE BALLOONIST’S PRAYER:
THE WINDS HAVE WELCOMED YOU WITH SOFTNESS.
THE SUN HAS BLESSED YOU WITH ITS WARM HANDS.
WE HAVE FLOWN SO HIGH AND SO WELL THAT GOD
HAS JOINED YOU IN LAUGHTER AND SET YOU GENTLY
BACK INTO THE LOVING ARMS OF MOTHER EARTH.
HEAR HEAR!
Hear, hear! to your future retirement plans. May you land softly.
Safe & Happy Travels!
Carmen@LIB
Here’s another great blog about TIME FLIES the 2021 Fiesta – by our friend Kathy and David Titley
https://underwayshiftcolors.com/2021/10/15/a-lift-to-our-spirits/?fbclid=IwAR2pm-zNmWJVGi-fZX5t-_KV9-934BwUGwTmQ39rmigHY7x5i3Accprpa9k