a peculiar balloon landing today

[Voice for Peace]

not sure where it came down, but it was on or near a busy
street/crowded neighborhood. On or near Rio Grande in
the North Valley near Rte 40



it sat there a while, fires roaring, then deflated and disappeared
from our view.

[TlalocW]

1. I grew up in a small town in Kansas

We were on the edge of town so past our backyard were miles and miles of wheat fields. When the fields were bare, oftentimes, hot air balloons would land in them. It was fun to walk out a mile or so to look at them.

TlalocW

[Voice for Peace]

9. when I first lived here they seemed astonishing and magical, just appearing

unexpectedly flying over my house, close enough to wave to the people.. and so colorful.

[Voice for Peace]

2. just found this

so maybe it's going to become a common sight.
I thought balloons needed more open space for takeoff
and landing but apparently not..

Measure to make Albuquerque more balloon friendly

ALBUQUERQUE — Albuquerque has taken another step to make the city even more friendly when it comes to hot-air ballooning.

Mayor Richard Berry has signed a measure that amends the city’s zoning code to allow for the launching and landing of balloons anywhere within city limits.

Previously, there were no clearly defined parameters in the city’s ordinances. City officials said the ordinance signed Friday by the mayor does protect homeowners from having a balloon land on their private property.

Berry said Albuquerque is the balloon capital of the world, and the ordinance confirms the city’s commitment to the sport.

The city is home to the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which draws hundreds of pilots and crews from around the world and more than 700,000 spectators each October.

[Warpy]

3. When the wind changes

I see them land in parking lots around here. I've never seen one in the street or in anyone's back yard, the pilots usually avoid that stuff unless there's a problem.

The fact that he was running the burner full blast and not lifting suggests he's burnt a hole in the envelope and didn't have much choice about where to land.

[Voice for Peace]

4. but how much control do they have, or how much space do they need

for landing & takeoff?

"anywhere within the city limits" sounds like balloon chaos..

[Warpy]

5. Depends on the wind.

[larkrake]

6. I had one land in the warm-up ring at a show.

It was exciting, but it was balloon fiesta in Albuquerque and we had to expect it. My horse was so good, the judge gave us a 74% score. We moved the Fiesta show after that.

[Voice for Peace]

10. wow, that must have been quite amazing

and the horse didn't mind?
the first time one of my cats here saw a balloon fly over he freaked out.

[ladjf]

7. Judging from the tangle of light wires, poles and buildings, my guess is that this wasn't an

intended landing sight. nt

[Voice for Peace]

11. I know! I wish now I'd walked over, it couldn't have been more than a few blocks away

[oldhippydude]

8. it was windy enough Sunday morning

that I would not to have expected a launch...

[Voice for Peace]

12. this was late morning and the winds had died down but maybe up high they'd had some problem