Posted on 10/07/2006 3:03:53 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar
A morning of drizzle almost stopped the deluge of balloons from flying at the first mass ascension of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
But as dawn broke, the clouds began to part. Spectators warily put down their umbrellas, rain slickers and improvised cardboard hats in anticipation.
And cheers rose from the crowd as the first full balloon lifted slightly - bearing the city's name and tricentennial logo into the gray sky, with an enormous U.S. flag hanging below.
Crowds continued to cheer for each balloon as it lifted off. Within minutes of the first, colorful canopies filled the sky and began drifting north.
It didn't look promising at 5:45 a.m. from the perspective of Steve and Ann Bormann of Rio Rancho. The two, crew members for pilot Joby Henderson and her balloon I Buy U Fly 2, were lying on wet grass at Balloon Fiesta Park, looking up at a cloudy sky in a light sprinkle.
"If it rains, it rains. What can you do," Steve Bormann said. "We're more worried about tomorrow than today" because the forecast calls for even worse weather.
But, he added, "I refuse to bring a poncho or umbrella. It's bad juju."
The Bormanns have been ground-crew members for a dozen years, but Steve's first mass ascension was just last year, and Ann has not been up yet. She was hoping tomorrow would be the day.
She remained optimistic, but was resigned to another delay. "Anytime is good," she said.
Rain is bothersome for spectators, but can keep a balloon on the ground, Steve Bormann said.
"You have thousands of square feet of silk getting wet - it's like a big wet blanket" that's too heavy to fly, he said.
Last year was his first balloon ride, Bormann said. "I thought you'd feel the lift, but the ground just pulls away. It's so smooth and soft."
Henderson's crew is dedicating the balloon's flights this week to a former crew member who died three months ago, the Bormanns said. The balloon will carry a banner in commemoration of Carolyn Martin, 56, all week, they said.
"She just loved doing this," Ann Bormann said.
Doris Boissonbault, 55, stood in the early morning rain, protected by the hood of her blue nylon jacket.
The Pennsylvania resident said she's been to the fiesta before, but never seen rain.
"I don't like it, but there's nothing you can do about it," Boissonbault said.
Some balloonists gave up early and left the park.
Others didn't appear to be fazed, including the official crew from Holland. They wore day-glo orange hats, and didn't sound like anything would prevent them from having a good time.
"I'm really excited," said pilot Harry Velthoven, 38, who was in Albuquerque for his second fiesta. "It's the greatest balloon event in the world for us."
He was worried this morning, he said, but calmed down as the weather improved.
Crewman Theo Poleij, 39, also from Holland, was clearly ready to lift off.
"We are always enthusiastic," he said. "It's addictive. It's in our blood."
Another mass ascension is planned for Sunday, though the weather forecast doesn't sound promising. Winds are usually the biggest challenge for balloon pilots, and a weather front moving in from the west is expected to be accompanied by strong and gusty winds.
Mass ascensions are also scheduled for Wednesday through Oct. 15, the final day of the fiesta.
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