Hot air balloons

Chasing the Blue Moon in White Sands, New Mexico

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It’s been four years since I last rode in the Blue Moon hot air balloon. She has a new pilot now, Dan Ewer, carrying on the tradition of former pilot, Roy Walz, flying over White Sands.

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We could photograph the sky from the ground, but not photograph the ground from the sky. White Sands is a protected area.

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There’s a song for the above picture. But first we must get there.

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And, the chase is on.

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Touch down. white_sands_hot_air_balloons_i_cheyenne_macmasters-600x800

Release.

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Pretty good run for a windy day.

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We’re a well tutored crew.

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How the air gets out of a hot air balloon.

Appearing at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2016: The Blue Moon.

All photos (c) Cheyenne MacMasters 2016

Orbs attend Hot Air Ballooning at White Sands, New Mexico

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