The Sights and Sounds of the 2018 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally for Sunday Morning
July 1, 2018
By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Sunday morning proved to be a bit of a challenge for pilots as about 10 pilots chose to move down to the rodeo grounds or over to the high school to launch after hearing and see the winds were blowing toward the southeast taking balloons out over the prairie grasses to the southeast of Raton.
As is often said just be patient and things will change as it did Sunday morning the winds quieted down and those who launched from the rodeo grounds found themselves floating over the area west of the La Mesa Airfield. Those who waited around at the airfield eventually launched and managed to float a little ways to the west and then back over the airfield where a couple of pilots landed and switched passengers and took off again.
DJ Teddy Romero helped entertain the kids on the airfield grounds with a hula hoop contest, tug-of-war and gunny sack races with DJ music filling the air. The Kiwanis Club also provided the hot cakes and sausage for those that came hungry.
The pancakes are on and the sausage sizzles Sunday morning as the Kiwanis Club makes breakfast for balloon spectators.
Balloon Meister Ken Ferguson is ready listens to the weather forecast ready to launch another pie ball balloon to see what direction the winds are blowing well above the ground.
The girls hold the flag for the National Anthem at the 2018 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally
Anthony Lard gives the weather forecast for the mornings flight.
A different mode of travel at the 2018 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally.
Preparing the cap by attaching the cap to the balloon with velcro is part of the inflation process.
The flag is on the top line and will be draped down the side of the balloon to fly proudly as the balloon sails into the bright blue morning sky.
Ken Ferguson’s Balloon Itsa Touchie Subject inflates Sunday morning at the 2018 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally
Ready for launch is Itsa Touchie Subject piloted by Ken Ferguson. Looking up you can see the flag as it flies proudly on the balloon.
A wider view of the La Mesa Airfield as balloons fill and ready for flight 2018 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally.
Unpacking the envelope as the crew for Gerry Graff prepares for the morning flight Sunday morning at the 2018 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally
Preparing the cap of the balloon as the it begins to inflate with air.
Up up and away as the balloon sponsored by In Memory of Jan & Chuck Strnad takes to the sky during the 2018 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally.
Ken Ferguson’s Balloon takes passengers up up and away.
Graham Belle prepares to take off Sunday morning at the 2018 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally.
Monty Colangelo takes his seat with Graham Belle, whoa takes his seat, where’s the basket? Belle flies a different style of balloon giving his passengers a much different perspective.
Up they go as Blank Czech takes to the air during the 2018 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally.
A drink and a seat to watch the balloons as they float in the morning air.
Due to winds early some pilots chose to run down to the rodeo grounds and launch from there hoping to land at La Mesa airfield. But as has been said before just wait a little bit and the winds will change. Many of those balloons launching from the rodeo grounds stayed out west of the airfield.
Blu-Rey piloted by Cliff Keller and Stars and Stripes piloted by Blair Kaufman dance in the sky as the float along on the calming winds.
Is it a race or just the wind? No its a bit of artistic flair by Photographer Holly Mayfield
Pilot Cliff Keller and Kathleen wave as they rise into the air Sunday morning at the 2018 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally.
Balloons land on the south end of the airfield Sunday morning at the 2018 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally.
Color the sky as balloons float just west of the La Mesa Airfield.
