Purely by chance, my wife and I will be on a road trip through the Southwest next week. ABQ, Santa Fe, Grand Canyon, Four Corners, Monument Valley, a few other points of interest. I guess we won't be spending the night in or around Albuquerque. As much as we love seeing balloons, we don't like traffic jams and big crowds.
My pleasure Vlad! Guy and I really enjoyed your visit to ABQ, and I?m hoping the Fiesta jacket is holding up well. Guy is still there, but I?ll be MIA this year.
Yes, it is crowded, like Osh is crowded. However each of those events I strongly recommend for people interested in flight. And at least once in a lifetime, the experiences are worth the challenges associated with the crowds.
If you connect with a local pilot or crew you may gain some advantages...
The typical cool clear mornings of the Fiesta, with hundreds of balloons launching in waves, make beautiful unforgettable memories. I hope to share them and Osh, at least once, with grandchildren someday...
My wife and I went last year... Flew into and tied down in Santa Fe. Rented a car. Stayed the first 2 nights at Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel. Booked a King room, they upgraded us to beautiful suite at no extra charge. Never hurts to ask . Then stayed a night up in Sante Fe. Priceline'd a last minute room and got Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza. Great trip. Beautiful event. Was a great way to spend my 52nd birthday...