Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta: Planning and Day 1 of the Fiesta

At a happy hour with friends in 2018, I mentioned wanting to go to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta the following year.  I mentioned the fact that the RV sites reservations basically open up a week after the event, so you have to plan way ahead.  After a few cocktails, my friend Karen and I had concocted a plan to all go together - as in four adults.  Four adults, in our pretty small travel trailer, on a 2500 mile road trip.  Ugh. The next day, I called Karen and said, "you realize that's at least a 12 day trip, in our small truck and trailer....we wouldn't be friends afterwards."   

The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta website.

Never one to skip a challenge, I set off to find a way to make it happen.  My scheme had us flying into Albuquerque on a Thursday, rent an RV, stay on site and attend 3 days of the Fiesta, fly home Monday.  That's a five day trip (important for those of us still working at the time), at an estimate of approximately $1000 per person, including flights, RV, tickets, gas and food.  We all agreed it was worth it, and I had the go-ahead to firm up our plans.

Why rent an RV?  Isn't it more expensive than just getting a hotel room?  Kinda.  But - the Fiesta is famous for drawing 100,000 people EVERY DAY.  The cars are lined up for miles, starting as early as 4am to get in for the Dawn Patrol.  I knew I couldn't do that.  One of my top five pet peeves is waiting in line.  Staying in an RV on site allows you to saunter in at your own pace, or even watch the Dawn Patrol from your RV site.  That's what I wanted!

I found just the right size motor home from a local owner, a 2018 Jayco Envoy 31' Class C w/bunks, on RV Share, and put down the deposit.  The RV owner was super helpful with recommendations on where to book our site within the available options, how to get fresh water and how to get 'dumped'.  Always ask the locals!!!  Bright and early the morning the reservations opened - I was online and booking our site.  

After keeping an eye on flights for months, we finally decided on a Southwest flight via Denver.  Prices were not quite what we were hoping, which upped our per-person cost by about $75, but still within reason.

Day 1 of our trip. Lay over in Denver...on our way to Albuquerque for balloon festival. Time for a bloody.  It's a thing.  I had won Bingo a few days before, so I picked up the $75 tab (don't ya love airport prices!).

Overpriced airport Bloody Mary - tasty and strong!

Picked up a car, drove to the RV, and drove less than 15 miles to the Balloon Fiesta Park.  We decided we'd also rent a car to make it easier to get around...this added about $50 per person to the tab.

Our setup at the onsite RV park - eventually someone parked on this side of us, but still plenty of room to grill and sit outside.

Sandia Peak Tram

Excited to finally be in New Mexico, we headed out to see the sights...we had been to Albuquerque as a family a few years before and knew of the Sandia Peak Tram.   While a bit more expensive than we remembered, we still thought it worth a trip.  

Sandia Peak in HD!

There was an advisory that there were low hanging clouds and we might not even be able to see anything - we still thought it worth the risk.  We should have listened.  Took the tram up and within minutes...it looks like we are floating in clouds (kinda cool) but can't see much of anything (not so cool). But, we were able to get a table at the top, the Ten 3 Restaurant (at 10,300 feet).  Great atmosphere, wonderful service and tasty appetizers!  While we were being seated, there was lightning in the area, so the tram service was halted.  Oh well, another Chardonnay for me.  

Eventually, the all clear was sounded, and we made our way down.  Shortly after leaving the platform, the clouds parted and we had a fantastic view of the valley below.

Other tram passing below our car.

Day 1 of the Fiesta.  The four of us got up early, donned our jackets (you'll need them until the sun gets up!), and started the walk to the field in the dark, not having any idea where we were going, really.  We finally realized the balloons were setting up near the main stage...and once we started seeing the fire of the burners, I had tears of joy - literally. Many months of anticipation did not disappoint.   Beautiful sunrise over the Sandia Mountains to the east as the first few balloons launched.  The Dawn Patrol pilots take off in the dark and fly until it is light enough to see landing sites. Fellow balloonists appreciate the Dawn Patrol because they can watch the balloons and get an early idea of wind speeds and directions at different altitudes. 

 

The other balloons continued to arrive and inflate, creating an air of anticipation.  There were several rows of the Rainbow Riders - these are the balloons you can actually ride in - some up to 15 people at a time.  Amazing shapes and colors all around!  

Unfortunately, a layer of fog rolled in and prevented the mass ascension...after about 2 hours of waiting and walking around this surreal sea of balloons, they were being deflated one by one...much to our disappointment.  But the evening's activities would almost make up for it! Next up - Evening Activities.

Have you ever been to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta?  Or maybe another ballooning event you could recommend?   Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us.