Go to nmsantos.com for four GREAT deals for gift giving OR yourself!

3 Bucket Books for $36 – 25% OFF!
OR
An Albuquerque Deal with the Balloon Bucket Book for $39 – 40% off!
And two other deals for kids books and Don Bullis’ History Books.

Award Winners and worth a look.

Deals only good until January 1, 2017 and postage is extra. Shop from the comfort from your lounge chair!

Barbe Awalt

Sunday was the last day of Balloon Fiesta. So long until next year. But it gives you plenty of time to get your pilot’s license and a balloon! Some of us have ballooning all year but to the rest of you – see you next year! Sky’s the limit!


- Barbe Awalt

There is something breathtaking about Dawn Patrol. In the early morning dark, the balloon-usually about six- fly like lanterns in the sky. All balloons are not permitted to fly in Dawn Patrol. The balloons have to have special things so they can go up in the dark. Do go early to Fiesta so you can see Dawn Patrol. Get the pin too!

- Barbe Awalt

It is very important to have a really cool and different balloon vehicle at Fiesta. In the picture (partially!) is the trolley car we used to use. We had to put a sign at the door because random people thought it was the Old Town Trolley and they could just hop on. The trolley was sold to the Village of Los Ranchos.

Now we use a ½ size school bus. It fits a lot of people and the trailer for the balloon attaches on the back. We can see a school bus on the Fiesta Field and to my knowledge no one else has one.

The advantage to a vehicle that everyone can fit on is the protection from the wind, rain and cold. It also means everyone can get on the Fiesta Field with the balloon. And then when everything is over, everyone goes to breakfast en masse. When it is still dark, there are a lot of asleep people in the school bus.

Our wish list: a vehicle with bathroom and a lift gate on the trailer.

- Barbe Awalt

Zebras don’t get enough praise for what they do. Zebras are the launch officials that dress in stripes like zebras. They travel in packs. Zebras are the final word on launching. Pilots respect Zebras!

Our friend Pam is a Zebra. You don’t get to be a Zebra by looking pretty. You are trained and mentored to do the job. All the Zebras we know are balloon pilots or crew. It is so important to do a good Zebra job when there are thousands of spectators and hundreds of balloons.

Look for Zebras on the Fiesta Field. They have their own pin and they might trade with you. And our friend Pam is pretty cute, too!

- Barbe Awalt

I talk about having all of the balloon books you can in your library. There is a new book out and our friend, Tom McConnell gave me a copy just in time for Fiesta. It is called: Images of Modern American, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta by Tom, Dick Brown, John Davis, Charlotte Kinney, Dick Rice, John Sena, Kim Vesely, and with cooperation of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Heritage Committee. The book is by Arcadia Publishing.

I do like Arcadia because they document all of the special interest topics and places in the United States. Without their books a lot of our history would be lost. Having a little inside information, I know that Arcadia first approached AIBF about doing a book years ago and wanted to do it all black & white. That just wouldn’t work for one of the most colorful events known. So it took a while and it does add cost to the book, but it is now in color.

Each year, AIBF has official photographers take thousands of photos of the event and except for a few photos, the public really doesn’t see them. So this is a good chance.

Tom, Dick Brown and Kim were part of the gang of four with Paul Rhetts, who put together and wrote The World Comes to Albuquerque for the 40th anniversary of Fiesta. That book, in my mind is still the greatest book. But it has sold out.

So before you go to Fiesta READ UP! These also make great gifts. You can never have too many balloon books!

- Barbe Awalt

Steve Stucker and his funny hat and coat with tons of pins, is a part of Balloon Fiesta. Steve is a valuable part of the community and supports Vets, pets, food, festivals, and motorcycles. He is good people.

It is my hope that when Steve retires that he still be brought back to do Fiesta for KOB TV 4. Hell, Fiesta ought to hire him as good pr! We all love Steve and thank him for all he does. There is method in his madness.


- Barbe Awalt

I say attend the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in a week because the kick-off event is Albuquerque Aloft next Friday, weather permitting. It is a great chance to get up close to the balloons, crew, and the pilot. It is also a chance to see kids learning about ballooning.

Go to the AIBF website to find out more about Balloons Aloft.

- Barbe Awalt

Sandia Pueblo and Balloon Fiesta went at it again. Sandia didn’t want any balloons to land or fly over. For about a week they couldn’t agree and then people start to talk boycott. Talk about bad blood!

Sandia has one of the best views of the Balloon Field ever. People said boycott the casino, Bien Mur, eateries, and hotel. All make good money during Fiesta.

The new agreement is balloons can land on Pueblo land but have to call first to pick up the balloon. That is what has happened. Trust me, my balloon landed on Pueblo land and it was all day getting it back. We had to be escorted to go get it.

Also, balloons can not fly over Pueblo land lower than 200 feet. Who is measuring?

This is childish. Call-in shows had people saying that this is how they stick it to Anglos. Balloon crews rip up Pueblo land. Sandia makes great money during Fiesta because of Fiesta. Balloon Fiesta balloons need Sandia Pueblo in case they have to land. Get over it. For 11 days a year you can both cooperate. Jeez!!!


- Barbe Awalt

- Barbe Awalt

We thought having a Hot Air Balloon Bucket List book, especially for Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque would be a no brainer. A friend began to write it and tears later, the forces of evil prevented her from doing it. There is a lot more to the story but who cares?

So I said, I have been on a balloon crew for 20+ years, and I know a lot of pilots, so why not? I began to write it. The book features ballooning not just in Albuquerque but all over the world. NOTE: With the recent accident in Texas, you have to understand the hot air balloon is a sport and can be dangerous. It is a beautiful sport but it can kill you.

The Bucket List book was a HUGE success for Balloon Fiesta in 2015. I had seven book signings in nine days. The best was the Gondola Club. Who can find fault with lobster and overlooking the Balloon Field? I took a lot of pictures. The book was also carried in local Costco’s. It was fun to talk with newbies. They still think you can steer a balloon.

Already, I have signings for Balloon Fiesta for this year. I hope to get another signing at the Gondola Club!

The reason I like ballooning so much is the friendship from our pilots, Frank Bacon and Bill Douglas. But the crew is pretty special too: Shannon, Josh, Ana, Dianna, Tim, Kalynn, Twyla, Barbara, Cindy, Paul, and all the others including the kids. We even have the Baltimore girls flying in to Albuquerque each year. Each year we lend the crew our trailer to keep the balloon free from the elements. Truly a family affair.

— Barbe Awalt