Last Saturday my family and I took an impromptu trip to the 2006 Balloon Fiesta. We packed up the motor home cruised on down to see the excitement. The gas balloons were scheduled for take off that evening and since we didn’t know too much about them, we thought it would be fun to learn something new and be center stage at the world ballooning event.

Seeing as though this was a spontaneous excursion, we were delegated to the overflow lot, the loser lot of camping as I imagined. Thoughts of rows and rows of 1970s style rusted trailers filled my head, each one with four mutts and five dirty urchins in tow. Needless to say, million dollar rigs sporting 600hp turbo diesel engines, satellite dishes and automatic levelers made the destination a welcomed relief.

After getting settled, we hopped on the Las Vegas Public School bus and bounced on over to Excitement Central – the balloon field, to catch the action of the gas balloon event. Upon arrival we were informed the weather wasn’t cooperating and the balloons were not going to launch. Instead, a handful of die hard hot air balloon pilots were going to attempt a glow for the spectators. Just the fact that these pilots were willing to try and inflate these babies in the brisk breeze showed what kind of sportsmanship they really had. A big thank you to those twenty or so pilots and numerous crew members who wrestled their air crafts for the thrill of the crowd. Even though the glow didn’t last but minutes, cameras were snapping away as one incredible Albuquerque sunset provided a perfect pink and salmon backdrop for the festivities that Saturday evening.

Back over at the launch field Sunday morning, the mass ascension had been canceled due to the non cooperation of Mother Nature. No problem- we munched our way through the classic car show on funnel cakes, hot dogs on a stick, snow cones and cappuccinos. What a shocker to see they consider 1970s cars to be classic now. Seeing the dashboard in the 1973 Lincoln Continental took me right back to when Nixon was in the White House and a gallon of milk was under a dollar. Well, I guess that makes me a classic too.

We boarded the Las Vegas Express for the short jaunt back to the campsite across Alameda. The out of state carefree retirees had their arms full of souvenirs and their faces full of joy. They’re on permanent vacations; everyday is a good day. One man we ment came all the way from New Zealand with his family; they had planned this trip for three years and nothing could spoil it for them, not even three consecutive rain outs.

The bus driver began to sing The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round and asked everyone to join in. Surprisingly, everyone knew the words, even the men! By the third verse we were doing hand motions to “the wipers on the bus go back and forth”. And by the last verse, we were in the aisle dancing in unison to “the people on the bus go up and down”- I kid you not. We were like the Radio City Rockettes on wheels. I would have given up my Alpo can balloon pin to wear one of their red Christmas outfits with the white fur trim. Earth to Mom realty check- my eight year old daughter reprimanded me for standing up while the bus was in motion. Safety first for this third grader.

We didn’t get to see a spectacular mass ascension show, but we did get a big dose of fun in a form we weren’t expecting. We’re going back this weekend to try again for another mass ascension and maybe just a little powdered sugar funnel cake for sport.

Quote of the Week: “When life gives you lemons, eat funnel cakes” –Jennifer Huard