This is a continuation of our adventures this past weekend (September 15-16, 2012) beginning this section with the Balloon Glow at Alamogordo Balloon Park with 10 balloons taking part. They lit up in patterns either in rows or every other one and traded off from solid firing to flickering light. It was a grand experience. Miss Alamogordo 2012 was there and I managed to get photographed with her. Andrea is a lovely young lady and we wish her well in future pageants.
We again arose at 5:00 a.m. to drive out to White Sands for the Sunday morning lift-off and it was, indeed, a glorious day the Lord made especially for ballooning. There were at least 60 balloons taking part of varying sizes and descriptions. I remembered my new red camera and just went crazy shooting pictures of everything in sight. I'm so thankful for digital technology, but it's a pain to go through all the pictures when I get home trying to choose which ones to put on my blog. There's pluses and minuses in everything!
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| Great shot of balloon being fired up at the Balloon Glow |
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| A fine example of this event |
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| Andrea (Andi) O'Connor (Miss Alamogordo) and Carla |
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| An example of solid firing at the Glow |
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| We all counted down; 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Fire! |
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| A fabulous experience and thank you to the pilots for this extra effort |
By the time we arrive at White Sands, the sun is just breaking over the mountains and the area is a beehive of activity as each of the pilots and crew busy themselves with getting their balloon ready for flight.
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| Wake up, World! |
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| People are lined up all along the top of the dunes watching and photographing the action |
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| Snoopy is a new addition to the mix and a big hit |
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| Another shot of all the onlookers atop the dunes |
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| Bringing the basket upright as the balloon is fired. Doug is at left in the beret. |
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| Balloon and pilot Mona ready for flight with two Holloman AFB photographers |
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| Beautiful against a perfectly blue sky! |
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| Carla looking for her next shot |
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| Smokey Bear was very popular |
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| Doug and I think this balloon is one of the most beautiful |
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| White Sands is a fabulous venue for ballooning |
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| Others enjoyed sliding down the dunes |
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| The flirty cat |
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| The "Casa" balloon is the one we went up in on Saturday |
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| Look out! Snoopy's closing in. |
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| Finally, a shot of Snoopy head on |
We returned to Alamogordo and headed for IHOP to eat breakfast where we encountered our across the street neighbors and had a delightful breakfast with them. As we were walking to the car I spotted the subjects below.
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| This adorable trio waiting patiently for their owners who are evidently inside IHOP |
Doug and I share photography credits on the White Sands Lift-Off.
This is all I have to say for now.
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