I’d like to start with a bit about the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, one of our favorite weeks of the year.  With 550 hot air balloons this October, the sky was full of wonder and the city full of smiles.

We crewed with the cactus balloon, it’s HUGE!

What a neat week!  My parents drove in from Marion, IL and my sister flew from DC to meet up.  We again crewed with the Nilz Family balloon team and Jack and my dad even got to fly.

Back row: Jack, my sister Megan, my Mom and Dad. Front row: Jack Jack, Nicole, Marietta.

Marietta working the early morning balloon set-up.

I had an especially fun time this year as the kids are now old enough to wake up at 4am to head to the field and be part of the team, which meant that I got to be part of the team.  They loved setting up the balloons, being on the chase team, then packing the balloons away.  After the morning work is done the tailgate party starts.  If we ever tire of sailing, I could see having a family balloon.  I always wanted to get my pilots license and Jack already has his.  We would be a good team.

Unpacking and laying balloon out flat on ground.

Inflating balloon, first with huge fans then with hot air.

And … lift-off.

Marietta and Jack Jack

Our good friend Captain Ron Sheridan met us there for the week, great to spend time with him and reminisce of our sailing adventures together in Panama.

Captain Ron Sheridan was a kid magnet.

And now for current news … WE’RE OFF!  Tomorrow morning we plan to start our southerly migration toward Cabo San Lucas then up into the Sea of Cortez.  I have some last minute things to get at the supermarket and then will rig the fishing lines.  We are hearing stories of the big tuna and Mahi Mahi that sailors are catching along our route south, hoping for some sashimi soon!  Please pray for smooth sailing and that the little guys (and the mama) don’t feed the fish.  Will update blog when we have internet again.  So excited to be on the move!

A bit of play amidst all the preparations, enjoying our new tube that we pull behind the dinghy. And there is our beautiful “Let it Be” in the background.

And a few more neat shots …

Yes, that is Darth Vader and Yoda flying together.