68 F/20 C

The weather gods were
smiling on the balloonists
this very morning

~carliewired

Yesterday was the dress rehearsal for today. Again, I was up at 5 and out the door in short order. I was parking in West Wetlands Park by 5:30 in the dark. Then I walked with my flashlight and camera over to the field where the balloons were to rise. 

I found the lady from California from yesterday. We continued our chat. Then I met a couple from British Columbia to chat with. The lady likes to paint so I encouraged her to join our arts group. 

The trucks and trailers started to arrive. They pulled out the balloons and stretched them out on the grass ready for inflation. It takes quite a crew to get these expensive items airborne. Those of us gathering to watch are encouraged to walk around on the field. 

One by one, the balloons took to the air. It is magical to see them float off over the park. Today, they gracefully moved east over the city. 

I found it much colder today. My hands were freezing by the time I started walking back to my car.

I am always haunted by the photos that 'get away', meaning the ones I cannot get. This morning it was the two views I caught while driving out of the city. I looked over my shoulder back to the park as I was heading for the interstate. I could see a line of balloons in the air over the park. Then, as I reached the crest of the bridge over the Colorado River I could see a string of balloons trailing above hwy 95 with the Gila Mountains in the background. Those two scenes will be indelibly etched in my brain. 

I'm home waiting for the yard cleaners to arrive to finish the job today. Breakfast is done and my feet are up.