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***America One and Patriot Debut at Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta (ABNER'S BALLOONS!!!)***
US FLAG BALLOON ^
| 10/15/03
| Diotima
Posted on 10/15/2003 11:03:50 AM PDT by diotima
The Albuquerque International Ballon Fiesta was held October 4-12, 2003. The star attractions of the event, in my humble opinion, were the America One and Patriot special shape balloons, owned by freeperess Abner and her husband (and America One pilot) Victim of Circumstance.
Bob J and I flew to Albuquerque on Wednesday to attend the festival.
On Thursday morning we gleefully woke up at 3:30am (that is 2:30am Los Angeles time) to attend the mass assension of the special shape balloons. We drove to the field with abner, VOC, and their very dedicated crew (including FR's own Taxman, Crew Chief of Patriot.) Unfortunately, the wind was not working in our favor and the balloons did not fly. It takes at least an hour to prepare the balloons for inflation. The crew was amazing! Later that night, we returned for The Glow, which is where the balloons are lit up on the ground. It was an amazing site. I believe there was about 80 special shape balloons at the event.
The next morning, same time, we woke up and headed down to the field for the special shape assension. I wanted to fly in the balloon if the weather permitted. (Aside: I don't know why I wanted to fly in the balloon as I hate flying in planes...go figure.) As luck would have it, there was no wind and we got ready to roll! I flew in America One with Victim of Circumstance at the healm. We were up in the air for over an hour and a half! (What was going through my head: WOW this is amazing! I hope my hair doesn't catch on fire.)
The balloon landed softly off the field and people came out their houses to see the balloon and take pictures. The chase crew arrived with in a minute of our landing and packed up the balloon. Later that night we returned to the field for the evening glow.
We had such a fabulous time and I had a terrific experience. When the balloon season starts up again next year, I urge people to go and see abner and VOC's balloon as it showcases at events around the country. Looking at pictures does not do the balloons justice!!!
Many, many pictures can be found at
www.usflagballoon.com and
Dio's Pictures
TOPICS: Activism/Chapters
KEYWORDS: abner; americaone; balloons; flagballoon; patriot; usflagballoon
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1
posted on
10/15/2003 11:03:51 AM PDT
by
diotima
To: All
God Bless America!
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2
posted on
10/15/2003 11:04:57 AM PDT
by
Support Free Republic
(Your support keeps Free Republic going strong!)
To: abner; victim of circumstance; Bob J; Taxman; Interesting Times; Nick Danger; Seeking the truth; ...
Ping!
3
posted on
10/15/2003 11:05:15 AM PDT
by
diotima
To: diotima; MSRiverdog; AbsoluteGrace; Registered
A great time had by all... We flew America One on Sunday morning also. I will be posting more photo pages as the day progresses. About 2000 photos to wade through to get the best ones.
4
posted on
10/15/2003 11:07:17 AM PDT
by
abner
(In search of a witty tag line...)
To: abner
I am kicking my butt for missing y'all when you were up here in Connecticut.
Keep up the beautiful work, those are awesome!
To: diotima
Here is the correctly spelled link for
US Flag Balloon... Two ll's Dio... LOL! I do that all the time.
6
posted on
10/15/2003 11:18:28 AM PDT
by
abner
(In search of a witty tag line...)
To: abner
Sierra Vista Arizona has a festival of color each year around this time.
Are y'all headed this way?
If not, how 'bout next year?
7
posted on
10/15/2003 11:19:33 AM PDT
by
HiJinx
(Go safely, go in strength, go in God's good Grace. Come home when the time is right. We'll be here.)
To: diotima
What is the cubic feet in these balloons? They look huge.
To: Sunshine Sister
America One is 124,000 and Patriot is about 140,000...
9
posted on
10/15/2003 11:21:24 AM PDT
by
abner
(In search of a witty tag line...)
To: abner
heheh. I'm still adjusting....
10
posted on
10/15/2003 11:21:27 AM PDT
by
diotima
To: HiJinx
We send out brochures to the events. If they want us, they contact us.
11
posted on
10/15/2003 11:22:03 AM PDT
by
abner
(In search of a witty tag line...)
To: diotima; abner
I am so jealous!
Glad you had a great time!
Regards,
TS
12
posted on
10/15/2003 11:22:43 AM PDT
by
The Shrew
(Radio Free Republic - The New NPR!)
To: diotima
13
posted on
10/15/2003 11:23:45 AM PDT
by
abner
(In search of a witty tag line...)
To: The Shrew
We missed you! Make it a priority for next year, for sure!
14
posted on
10/15/2003 11:23:50 AM PDT
by
diotima
To: The Shrew
We are all very sad that you couldn't attend.
15
posted on
10/15/2003 11:24:17 AM PDT
by
abner
(In search of a witty tag line...)
To: AnnaZ; HangFire; Lady Jenn; gc4nra
Ping!
16
posted on
10/15/2003 11:28:00 AM PDT
by
diotima
To: abner
MERCY! How many crew do you have to have to fly them?
To: abner
Ok, Let me see what I can do to assist them in the invitation process...
Sierra Vista is the 'military town' outside of Ft. Huachuca (wah-CHOO-kuh), home of the Army's Military Intelligence School and 11th Signal Brigade...and 20-30 thousand active and retired patriotic military personnel. I'm sure we'd love a chance to support your appearance.
In addition, I have an idea for sponsorship support, if you're willing to try it. FReepmail inbound shortly.
18
posted on
10/15/2003 11:30:22 AM PDT
by
HiJinx
(Go safely, go in strength, go in God's good Grace. Come home when the time is right. We'll be here.)
To: Mr. Mojo
ping!
19
posted on
10/15/2003 11:31:27 AM PDT
by
NRA2BFree
(OURSOURCE CONGRESS TO INDIA AND CUT THEIR PAY!)
To: Sunshine Sister
For America One we need at least 12 and for Patriot we need at least 20.
20
posted on
10/15/2003 11:32:26 AM PDT
by
abner
(In search of a witty tag line...)
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