Birthday Tradition

Once again, the annual Balloon Invitational at White Sands National Monument fell on my birthday week.  This year Kyle and I were much better prepared with a Starbuck's run, earlier departure time and, of course, an incredible new camera to capture every moment.  Although there wasn't an opportunity for rides, just watching the 25 balloons lift off and land all throughout the park was a joy that has become my favorite New Mexico birthday tradition.

We caught the sunrise.

That gorgeous backdrop almost looks artificial.

Rally Time

Sunrise Balloon

Kyle and I were lucky enough to catch another New Mexico balloon launch, this time in January.  Fortunately, the Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally was only 15 minutes away.  This was its strongest selling point considering it started at the crack of dawn... during winter... on a Saturday (a day we Sims reserve for sleeping in).  Needless to say, it was really, really early and really, really cold... freezing actually.

Now that I'm through whining, let me say that the Balloon Rally was well worth the sacrifice of a warm, cozy bed, even at 7:00 a.m.... on a weekend.  We arrived in plenty of time to catch a front row view of the balloon wranglers setting up and preparing for lift off.  Huge envelopes decorated in beautiful colors and designs unfolded and inflated only feet away from where we were standing.

Kyle's Favorite Balloon Had a Map of Las Cruces, NM

Then it was show time.  We watched in awe as over 40 gigantic balloons took flight, one by one.  Each gracefully drifted further and further away until they were nothing but small specks in a clear, blue sky. 

The only thing that could top this was a Chick-Fil-A biscuit and a nap.   So, we indulged!  And just like that, an unlikely, yet perfect Saturday morning was had.

Birthday Balloons

This year for my birthday Kyle and I celebrated with lots of beautiful, brightly colored balloons.  Not your typical party decor, each balloon reached over seven stories tall and weighed over two tons.  That's right... I'm talking about hot air balloons!  Wish I could say the balloons were flying in honor of my 26 years of life, but really, it was just an incredible coincidence that the annual Hot Air Balloon Invitational fell on my birthday.

The air was cool and crisp the morning of the Invitational, and the painted balls looked stunning against the clear, blue sky.  Balloons of all shapes, colors and designs ascended from multiple locations throughout the White Sands National Monument, where the Invitational was held.  Even Smokey the Bear's giant ranger balloon made an appearance for the special occasion.  The  breathtaking hills of white sand and majestic mountain range were just icing on the cake!  

The enormous balloons could be spotted from miles away and attracted hundreds of eager spectators to the National Monument.  Crowds of visitors sledded down the dunes, while others lounged comfortably in lawn chairs with binoculars and coffee in hand.  Since this was my first up-close-and-personal experience with hot air balloons, I was one of many photographers, snapping pictures left and right, trying to capture every balloon grounded and in flight.  My myriad of photos guarantees I'll never forget the best birthday balloons ever.

Future REMAX spokesdog?  I think so!

The pooches were thrilled to join us at White Sands.

Needless to say, I absolutely adored my new form of birthday balloons.  So, Kyle, take note.  Now that I've experienced the glory and grandeur of hot air balloons on my birthday, I'm afraid that Party City's small, rubber inflatables will never again satisfy my taste!