2018 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally Sights and Sound for Monday Morning
July 2, 2018
By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Monday morning proved to be the best of the three days for flying as balloons floated into an almost windless sky with some simply hovering over the field before finding a layer of air moving in another direction.
As the morning sun warmed the ground and air, the air currents gradually changed directions with many balloons going well north of the airfield while others worked the currents to stay close to the field. A couple of the balloons made it back to the field where they once again changed out passengers and headed back into the bright blue and white Raton sky.
DJ Teddy Romero once again worked his magic and got the spectators involved in games as his music filled the morning air.
Many of the pilots stayed up flying for almost an hour or a bit over. Anthony Lard piloting Iris and Blair Kaufman piloting Stars and Stripes returned to the La Mesa Airfield where they tethered and gave some lucky kids and even a few adults a short ride up and over the field.
As the event drew to a close, event chair Christine Valentini was smiling ear to ear knowing that this year’s event was a great success and despite some concern about having enough crew for balloonist, as Monday is a work day, it all turned out great with enough people showing up to crew and many even getting a ride in a balloon just for coming out and helping crew. The event drew spectators from as far away as Washington, New York and Florida. One couple from Dallas noted seeing the posters at the motel and stuck around long enough to see the balloons go up Saturday before heading on up to Colorado.
Sunrise over the 2018 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally Monday morning.
Hooking up the burner to the supports as Lofty is readied for launch Monday morning at the 2018 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally
These ladies know how to get’er done as they roll the balloon into place
Pilot Gerry Graff checks the shroud lines from the balloon to the gondola Monday morning.
Something other than radio for Billy D. as he helps inflate Heavenly Angel piloted by Bill Dimmitt.
Gerry Graff heats up the balloon as they get ready for flight at the 2018 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally.
The balloons align as very light winds Monday morning allow the balloons to float around near the field.
High above the ground the balloons float in different directions at different elevations Monday morning.
Color fills the air at the 2018 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally.
Up Up and Away as the popular song explains, Monday morning the balloons float against a partly cloudy sky.
Lofty floats just above the hangar at La Mesa Airfield, Pilot Gerry Graff will land the balloon just on the other side of the hangar Monday morning as light winds allow pilots to hang around the field.
The balloons hang over the old race track Monday morning during the 2018 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally.
Anthony Lard in Iris tethers on the field to allow some lucky kids a quick up and down as other hold a game of tug-of-war Monday morning.
Looking south over the York Canyon Subdivision Monday morning.
The view over the old La Mesa race track and on into Raton, as Billy D likes to say “What a beautiful place we live in”
A different view of Any Way the Winds Blow piloted by Richard Moors and sponsored by Allen’s Alley.
Blair Kaufman and crew prepare Stars and Stripes to tether on the field while Anthony Lard is tethering his balloon Iris Monday morning.
Looking west down highway 555 Monday morning.
These two balloons float over the open range just northwest of the La Mesa Airfield Monday morning during the 2018 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally.
What a sight to see as the balloons float north of the La Mesa Airfield Monday morning.
Looking north as Winds of Change piloted by Kenny Bradley floats along south of the Country Club addition of Raton Monday morning.
Oh what a great morning it was for flying a balloon in Raton NM Monday morning.
Oh what a colorful sight as the balloons float along just north of the La Mesa Airfield Monday morning during the 2018 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally.
An experienced pilot knows how to work the winds in his favor as Gerry Graff pilots Lofty back near the airfield Monday morning.
The ladies said they had to get out the walkers as it took the balloonist too long to get back to the field Monday morning at the 2018 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally.
Marty, Thank you for the beautiful pictures of the Balloons and the majestic area we call home.
Thanks to the Balloon Committee for all their had work!! It certainly was a success.
Marty, Thank you for the beautiful pictures of the Balloons and the majestic area we call home.
Thanks to the Balloon Committee for all their had work!! It certainly was a success.
Super report!! Thank you!