The crescent moon is still far above the ground. I can barely make out the steam from my breath in the chilled morning air. I am covered in layers of wears; hat, mittens, turtle neck, a denim shirt, and jeans - all rolled up in a big barn coat, and still my muscles ache from fighting to stay warm on this high desert morning. It is nearly 6:00 a.m. on this still Albuquerque dawn, and then it happens…

It is as though someone turns the earth upside down and Mother Nature begins crying radiant tears of joy. Hot air balloons are invisible in the darkness, yet emerge golden and glowing when their burners ignite and glimmer as they float into the morning sky. These early morning air current riders are Dawn Patrol, a choreographed inflation and launch set to music.

The Dawn Patrol began at Balloon Fiesta in 1978, when two California balloonists developed position lighting systems that allowed them to fly at night. Dawn Patrol pilots take off in the dark and fly until it is light enough to see landing sites. Fellow balloonists appreciate the Dawn Patrol because they can watch the balloons and get an early idea of wind speeds and directions at different altitudes.

It’s 7:00 am, and the enormous launch field is filled with trucks, trailers and crews bustling to fill their balloons for the mass ascension. We go right onto the field and are part of the action. We watch the creads spread the tarps, lay out the balloon, and set huge fans on the ground to blow air into the massive hot-air balloons.

The baskets are assembled and the jets are tested, the heat from the jets defrosts my frozen face, but my smile is still frozen in place. The baskets are tipped on their sides and then… whoosh, fire from the propane burners is directed into the half inflated balloon, heating the air, and ultimately the balloons gracefully fly from the field.

Excitement is flowing though my veins, engulfed by hundreds of dazzling balloons in all shapes and sizes. I ogle at the space shuttle, salute the giant flag, watch so I am not swallowed up by the dragons, fix my eyes on Broom Hilda, giggle at When Pigs Fly, and a sting by a ten story Bee might be bad. If I could milk the giant dairy cow, one drop could fill a tall glass. I can ride on a 80 foot carousel or visit an enormous farm. I am blessed by a 60 foot Jesus rising from the clouds. Hundreds of balloons are inflating, others are soaring, and still others have yet to begin the process. Propane jets burn, and then lift off, one after another. Waves of shapes and colors drift above, the sky is brimming with over 700 balloons.

By 9:00 the balloons are coming in for landing. We and all the other wandering watchers are allowed to stay on the filed. When a balloon is coming for you, you have two choices: get out of the way quick, or run and help the balloon land by jumping carefully onto the basket till it blows its top and comes to a stop. I was scampering out of the way while Topher was landing on baskets.

The Balloon Fiesta is a well-orchestrated event, from parking 90,000 guests, to making certain we all have something fun to do when the balloons have landed. We enjoy a live band playing Salsa, Bossa Nova, and Indian Flute, while food concessions overflow with every thing from turkey legs to Gyros, funnel Cakes and beignets. We enjoyed all three of the latter and I think from the turkey legs in everyone’s hands that visitors consumed more turkey legs this week than the whole of America on a typical Thanksgiving. Oh, and did I say shopping? If it has to do with a Hot Air Balloon you can buy it at the fiesta.

It is 6:00 p.m. and the sun is setting on the Sandia Mountains rising 10,678 feet to the east. These watermelon colored mountains are a perfect backdrop to the exhilaration that is “Night Magic”. The field transforms into a jungle of balloons, all tethered to the ground and geared up to glow. The countdown begins; we join the 90,000 participants in shouting 10, 9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1, ALL BURN!!! Every balloon on the field blazes their propane burners. I am thrilled as the field becomes alive with 100-foot monsters, dragons, pirates, animals and aliens. Butterflies of anticipation fill my stomach, and I can’t wait till they do it again. I am like a child filled with excitement. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face if I tried. Then, after a few moments of stillness they do it once more. The sight is breathtaking, the thrill is amazing, another time and yet again. This is definitely the most spectacular single segment in all of Balloon Fiesta.

Night Magic is something completely different and incredible to experience. Fortunately, Albuquerque hosts the largest “balloon glow” in the world and we are here to witness the awe. According to local lore, glows were invented in Albuquerque back in 1979 by area pilots who inflated balloons on Christmas Eve night as a “thank you” to local residents. The residents say the sight of balloons lit from within at night is reminiscent of giant holiday ornaments.

It is now 8:00 pm, my cup runneth over with delight, and still there is more to come. The balloon glows are followed by New Mexico’s most stunning fireworks display, and fantastic they are. It is a spectacular, uplifting day.