Submitted by DPorter on Sun, 02/01/2009 - 11:05
A peaceful brisk November morning in Eagle Draw central Artesia New Mexico and friends and family are gathered together to inflate their hot air balloons. As the paparazzi we don't always have to work real hard, just keep the cameras rolling. As everyone works in a timely routine to get their teams in the air, the public mills around to watch the activities. From the roar of the gas powered air machines to the bellowing of the gas flames, the balloons begin to take shape and stand up. Then you hear the call; "time to chase" "load up". Off we go, oops, come on get in the back of the truck. Always a bad thing to forget the photographer. And away we go through the streets, alleys, fields, highways......where are we now? Bob's road? Oh please don't land in that nice ladies rose garden....yes a nice open field.
Time to change passengers as the balloons slowly drift to land gently....okay maybe not all of them, can someone say deep ditch? Throw them a line and let them drag you over it. Change passengers and Off we go again. Well clean the lenses while we drive honey we got to go. Nah nobody will notice the dirt in the lenses. Whoa weren't we in this field before? Okay I am backing up, and that way we go. Ah, now the pilot is following the road, wonder why he didn't do that before? Here we are in a nice big parking lot, this is a good place to set the balloon down and put it away. Now I wonder where everyone says this is so hard? Honey why are you laying on your side? No I don't drive that bad, gee didn't you have a seat belt on? After a quiet day in the air the teams gather together to have a boisterous breakfast and talk over the morning's activities. Hey honey you really need to do something with your hair, it is waving at everyone. ouch ouch okay you look lovely dear. Enjoy the photos and video of Artesia's balloon Fall Festival. What do you mean I can't write the editorial
anymore dear?
Morning flight;
The Flight
They gather to eat;
Relaxing Time
The night burn;
The Night Glow
