Balloons & Boomers – Part 2: Up, Up, and Away

This was our fourth year hosting the Boomers RV Club at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and our greatest joy is watching our “first-timers” making their maiden voyages in a hot air balloon.

While we couldn’t see everyone's first flights, we did hear about them during our Happy Hour de-briefs and reading about them on Facebook and through the blogs.  Boomer Sharon Del Rosario put together a listing of blogs if you’d like to go read some of the postings from Oct. 1-10:

Connie Carno & Art Sauerstrom -- www.mytripjournal.com/WhatsOverTheHill

Sharon & Don Del Rosario – www.shadonrv.blogspot.com 

Bill & Shelly Dominek – www.yogiboobooadventure.blogspot.com/

Andy & Diane Hitzel –www.thehitzels.blogspot.com

George & Bonnie Keefe – www.busterstravelsgeo-bon.blogspot.com

Ann & Mick Meilicke – www.mickann.wordpress.com

Chuck & Jan Moore – www.cjmoorenews.blogspot.com

Judy & Luke Rinehimer – www.coolrvers.blogspot.com 

Jim & Nancy Tidball – www.runningdownourdream.blogspot.com

First Flight @ 87

The greatest first flight had to be that of Howard Pelton, our former neighbor, who is now 87-years-young.  When we recently re-united with Howard and his wife Janet in Wenatchee, WA and they learned we were hosting the club at Fiesta, you could just see Howard’s eyes light up.  I think his quote went something like this:

“You know, I flew bombers over Germany during World War II when I was 20, I was one of the first helicopter pilots, but you know what, I’ve never been in a hot air balloon!”

We told him we still had room with our group and he immediately jumped at the opportunity.  The Peltons, long-time members of the Escapees RV Club,, stilll RV in their 38’ Dutch Star and within a day or two I had received the confirmation that they would be in Albuquerque. 

We saved the spot next to us,  talked to our Pilot Mike Liberti and plans were made to give Howard his flight.

		Howard’s Flight @ 87 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

Janet was just as happy watching the action from the field and in the chase truck.

 

 

 

OTHER FIRST FLIGHTS

Here are shots of others that I was able to catch on their first flights:

Arlene Fetterman flew with Mike Liberti (See Hubby Al’s flight below)

 

 

 

Nancy Tidball (in red jacket) flew with Daniel Liberti

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luke, left, flew with his old Berwick High School and Air Force pal Al Fetterman, in the rear, on his first flight

 

 

 

 

 

 

Views from my flight with Art Sauerstrom during his first flight

		Art and I fly over Albuquerque VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

SPECIAL SHAPES ARE HARD WORK

For the past three years we had assisted with a special shape balloon known as Annie the Ladybug.  This year Annie stayed in New York so Chris Liberti agreed to fly “Paddy”, the Irish Shamrock. 

The shot of Paddy above is actually its publicity photo.  With the winds blowing (and a later rain-out), Paddy never got off the ground this year.  It’s not like we didn’t try.  This shot was taken just before Paddy’s crown line was pulled, collapsing the huge “envelope”.

Following are shots of four crews combining their efforts to get Paddy inflated.  We came close twice, but the winds won.  Getting the air out and the balloon re-packed was also a workout.

		Special Shapes can be huge work VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

SOME OF MY FAVORITE SHOTS…

 

Dawn Patrol…

 

 

Landing in a local neighborhood

 

 

 

 

Luke noticed the “moon” jumping over the “cow” during an evening “Glow”

 

 

Baby Bee celebrates flying solo while Lilly and Joey, below, launch while kissing after “renewing their vows”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AND THE GREATEST PHOTO FOR 2011 WAS TAKEN BY ELISE McKIBBON AND CAPTIONED BY JAN MOORE….

Help, my motorhome is being eaten by an alien!

 

NEXT:  BALLOONS & BOOMERS – PART 3: BOOMERS CARE