VOL. 129 | NO. 185 | Tuesday, September 23, 2014
The Circadian Traveler
Lance Wiedower
By Lance Wiedower
Updated 2:56PM There aren't abounding things in activity that will get me out of bed two hours afore sunrise.
But on a chilly, predawn October morning in Albuquerque, N.M., there I was, advisedly alive up a 6-year-old adolescent at 5 a.m. to angle in the active morning air and watch the sun acceleration over Sandia Peak.
I admit, I had a little added allurement – a sky dotted with dozens of hot air balloons during the Mass Ascension on the final weekend of the anniversary Albuquerque International Airship Fiesta.
Considered the world's arch airship event, the comedy of checkered balloons demography to the aurora skies over the admirable New Mexican area is article to behold. It's account the aboriginal wake-up call, alike amidst a gnarly cartage jam on Interstate 25 that had my ancestors afraid we'd absence the show. (We didn't.)
As we absolved through the gates to Airship Fiesta Park, the "starter balloon" ascended into the hardly blush sky, and those aboriginal morning inconveniences were abandoned as we acclimatized in for an acclaimed ancestors experience.
International Airship Fiesta has admiring tens of bags of visitors to New Mexico every October for the accomplished 42 years. For nine canicule alpha the aboriginal anniversary of October (Oct. 4-12 this year) hundreds of balloons booty off daily, bushing the dejected skies aloft Albuquerque with different shapes and capricious colors.
Balloons are arresting throughout the morning beyond the city, but for the best experience, access at aurora for the Mass Ascension. Imagine added than 50 football fields disconnected calm with airship crews prepping their crafts for launch. Attendees can advisedly airing the area and alike accept opportunities to collaborate with barrage crews as they work.
Soon, fires broil up as the balloons activate to ample and, already a aggregation gets the arresting that it's time for launch, the aggregate army lets out a aggregate roar, auspicious the aggregation as the airship lifts into the sky.
The Mass Ascension isn't the alone highlight of this annual festival. On weekend nights, "evening glow" contest set the date for a affair atmosphere as airship crews blaze up an amazing ablaze appearance that brightens the aphotic night.
Other contest accommodate fireworks shows, airship rides and concerts. My recommendation? Go for a weekend, bolt one of the black afterglow contest and again deathwatch up aboriginal to access at the esplanade by 5 a.m. for a Mass Ascension. Accept a appetizing breakfast burrito on the area afore abrogation to absorb the day exploring Old Town Albuquerque, benumbed the Sandia Peak Tramway to adore angle from added than 10,000 anxiety aloft sea akin or analyze the shops and restaurants forth celebrated Route 66.
If you accept added time, accede active an hour arctic to Santa Fe for its world-class art galleries, museums and shopping.
Whether you absorb your absolute appointment in Albuquerque or breach time with Santa Fe, both cities action agitative aliment scenes with accomplished New Mexican fare. Your toughest dining accommodation will be whether to adjustment your entrée with red chile, blooming chile or "Christmas."
Getting There: Several airlines fly to Albuquerque International Sunport, including American, Delta and Southwest.
Visit www.tripsbylance.com/2013/10/balloon-fiesta-inspiration for added capacity on accessory the Albuquerque International Airship Fiesta.
Managing editor Lance Wiedower's cavalcade appears every added Tuesday in The Circadian News and The Memphis News. For added biking inspiration, apprehend his blog at tripsbylance.com or chase him on Twitter at @tripsbylance.