This is the scene a week ago today at 5:30 a.m. in White Sands, New Mexico. Most of us awoke to alarm clocks at 3:45 a.m. (that’s 2:45 a.m. if you’re still on Arizona time, but who’s counting?).

Families are already gathered to have some fun sliding down the gypsum dunes. The bright light in the upper left is the full moon.

Saluting the dawn.

Hot Air Balloon pilots and their crews gather to hear the latest weather reports and restrictions when flying over White Sands.

Three  biodegradable pie balls are released for the pilots’ reading of the wind.

And, the show  begins.

Too windy for the blue and white balloon.

We’ll be taking off now.

Time to get to work. My pilot has been watching the balloons on this windy day, not all were able to ascend. But he’s decided we can get ready for flight. In my next post I’ll be chasing the Blue Moon.

All photos (c) Cheyenne MacMasters 2016