They cover the beginnings of ballooning, military applications, science and research, balloon history, recreational ballooning and three balloons that made history. One flew the Atlantic Ocean, another the Pacific and the third flew around the world. The upper level is a flight simulator that is fun to play with. A novice finds out quickly that it isn’t easy to operate and manipulate one of these beauties. A small gift shop has balloon related books, toys, ornaments, but no pictures or booklets of the things inside the museum. Poor planning, especially since they wont allow photography in the building. Admission to the Anderson Abuzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum is $4 for adults, $2 for seniors 65+, and $1 for children 4 to 12. They are open Tuesday through Sunday, 9am to 5pm.

You have to get up to the park pretty early because balloons start taking off at sunrise, after the balloonist's prayer, and continue until about 11am, when it gets too hot.

The Park is located off of Paso Del Norte Rd and I-25. The roads are blocked off around the area, with signs to get into the park. If you choose to park and ride, there are several locations around town that you can leave from on a shuttle, for a small fee. One of the highlights of the festival is the Balloon Glow, which usually happens on the second night after sunset. All the balloons get together at the launch site and fire up their burners, making the ground glow - it's really something to see. Races and other events take place each day.

You don’t have to go the balloon park to be a part of the action. The balloons can be seen for miles and as the old saying goes, "what goes up, must come down" and balloons land all over town. Look for ones that are descending, and drive towards it. The balloon crews are more than happy to have people help.

Now to actually ride in a balloon can sometimes be a feat in itself. I was part of a balloon crew, so I occasionally got to take a ride. Other than being part of a crew or having friends that own a balloon, the only way to get off the ground is to pay for a ride. There are companies all over town that charge for rides. I believe the prices are upwards of a hundred dollars or more. I suggest making arrangements way ahead of time. Once you get up in the balloon, it’s a very cool experience. Just floating above the ground can be scary for some, very relaxing for others. The last time I rode in one, we had a hard landing not far from the fiesta grounds. I have to admit, it was a little scary.

At the field, there are food booths all throughout the park as well as restrooms. Dress warm and in layers, as it is COLD in the morning and gets up to about 60°F later. Bring gloves and perhaps a beanie or scarf to warp around your ears. They WILL get cold. I recommend bringing your own tissues or TP as the port-a-potties run out fairly fast. There are hot chocolate and coffee stands all over to help keep you warm.

Book your hotel rooms EARLY as this is a major event in Albuquerque and rooms book up really fast. Try booking a few months in advance.

http://www.aibf.org/

Mass Ascensions are conducted from Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta Park, usually beginning around 7am, right after Dawn Patrol. Each ascension occurs in waves, with the general order of flight specified during morning pilot briefings. Zebras, the field officials who manage Mass Ascension, give each pilot final clearance to launch. When all is said and done, hundreds of balloons fill the sky; upwards of 750 during Fiesta 2004.

Because onlookers are allowed to wander the launch field, Mass Ascension is a full spectator sport conducted in three dimensions. Within a matter of minutes, a balloon envelope can move from being a horizontal line of fabric laying on the ground to being a fully inflated aerostat aircraft, ready to fly. Walking among the inflating balloons makes one feel a bit like an insect in a forest of mushrooms. The overall effect is a sensual assault, including a myriad of colors, forms, and changing shapes.

Given the unusual level of access by spectators during inflation and ascension, it’s important to remember a few common-sense rules:

(1) Do not touch the fabric of the balloon envelope with your bare hands. You’ll notice that virtually all crew members wear gloves. Over time, the natural oils found in skin can damage a balloon’s envelope.

(2) No matter how tempting the photo op, do not come between the gondola and the throat of the balloon during inflation. Crew members are busy attaching rigging, and they are in general proceeding from the cold phase of inflation to the hot phase. Your intrusion into this space interferes with the rhythm of required safety checks. Moreover, an unfortunate convergence between a quick dash to take advantage of a world-class photo op and the first burn of the hot phase could ruin your whole day.

(3) As a matter of personal safety as well as courtesy, follow any instructions issued by crew members or field officials. Most balloonists are eager to share their passion, but their first concern is always for safety.

(4) Don’t smoke on the field. Propane is flammable.

In the end, the natural order of a Mass Ascension moves from wave to wave and down the aisles of the launch field, filling the sky above and the field itself with a chaos of vibrant and colorful forms — not to mention excitement. The senses of ordinary mortals simply cannot fully cope, and the photos brought home, no matter how wonderful, can’t begin to compare with the real thing.