Ready to Unpack
While many of the teams brought their gear in trailers, this one had everything in the back of their pickup truck.
Caution
The chase vehicle has to follow the flight and figure out where the balloon is going to land. Not an easy task.
Sunrise Over Rockbridge
Early on day 1 of the festival.
Sunrise in Smartphone
Checking the Weather
Everyone has multiple weather and radar apps since conditions to fly have to fit in a rather small window.
Laying Out The Balloon
Blowing Up The Balloon
To start, all of the work is being done by that relatively small fan at the far left.
Firing Up
Preparing For Liftoff
That ugly Re/Max balloon kept getting in the way. I suppose that's the point of advertising.
From Below
Crowded Field
Although there is plenty of room between them, some parts of the field were a little tight.
Liftoff
Candy Colors
Captain America
The team doesn't use that name but that's how I identified this particular balloon.
Pumpkin Spice
Again, my nickname for this balloon.
Pair
Sometimes they do get pretty close to each other. The pilots don't have complete control on where they go.
Filling the Sky
Above the Treetops
The two lower ones were just barely above them.
Fireball
Morning Briefing
On the second morning, the teams were getting bad news about the weather.
Sunrise Day 2
Despite the seemingly nice weather, the winds aloft were not promising.
Watching the Fogbank
The winds were blowing in that direction and fog is not good for landing.
Waiting In The Basket
Good Seats
On Sunday, lots of people came early to get a spot to watch the launches. Unfortunately, it didn't happen.
