That has tapered off in recent years. I like sleeping in on the weekends and the balloons go up early.
This morning I heard a balloon around 7:30 AM. I got up, looked around and didn't see anything. About 15-20 minutes later, I heard the balloon again. I walked outside and there, in the park behind the house, was a balloon setting up prior to flight. My guess is, they decided to avoid the crowds and early hours of the ascension field.
Inflated and almost ready for takeoff.
And, up into the air.
They weren't the only ones looking for later hours and less of a crowd.
Early morning in the Albuquerque metro area during Balloon Fiesta.
Papillon
