Opening day, 2006 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

The day finally arrived to start the 2006 Fiesta. There is nothing like getting up at 0330 in the morning to go ballooning...The weather forecast this morning wasn't very good. Rain and high winds makes for a bad day for ballooning. The weatherman wasn't totally correct after all. The weather wasn't the best but the Mass Ascension went on as scheduled. After a beautiful sunrise the balloons launched ant the sky was filled with color. The forecast for tomorrow isn't too great either but here's hoping for the best. After the balloons recovered we sat around and had a bit of a party on the balloon field. Those balloonists are big on champagne....I stick with diet coke. I did manage to strip off my layers of warm clothing and get some sun...Great day!